Two questions - indicator when reversing and changing down to second gear

mkahnisbent

I have two questions I hope someone can help me with.

1. Do I need to indicate when doing the reverse around a corner? If so, which way do I indicate?!

2. When I am going from say 4th gear to 2nd gear (turning a corner, etc.), should I be at a certain speed when changing down gear? Also, can I press the accelerator before I have taken my foot completely off the clutch as I am changing down gear? The reason I ask this is because sometimes the car jerks a bit when I am changing down gear.

Thanks!!!

andrew163

1. No - think about it, it doesn't really make any sense. Indicating away from the corner is the wrong way, and nobody is going to see it if you indicate the other direction until after you've done your turn Your reverse light should be all you need, and you get that one for free.

2 Depends a lot on your car and how the gearbox is set up. As a guide, in the car I took lessons in, 2nd gear corresponded roughly with 20km/h, 3rd with 30, 4th with 40-60, 5th anything above that. But, your car may be a little different. The juddering when you gear up or down can be eased by just taking your foot off the clutch more slowly.

Not sure about the pressing the accelerator thing. I do it sometimes out of instinct but be careful you don't over do it and cause a judder the other direction.

Alanstrainor

There should be no harm in using the accelerator to make your gear change smoother. It shouldn't be anything drastic or all that noticable when you apply some accelerator, but it definitely helps.

mathepac

mkahnisbent wrote: »

... 1. Do I need to indicate when doing the reverse around a corner? If so, which way do I indicate?! ...

andrew163 wrote: »

1. No - think about it, it doesn't really make any sense. Indicating away from the corner is the wrong way, and nobody is going to see it if you indicate the other direction until after you've done your turn Your reverse light should be all you need, and you get that one for free. ....

Major Fail.
OP, if you act on the above answer you will be breaking the law and / or you will fail your test.

From the RSA "The law requires you to signal your intention of doing things on the road. This means signalling properly before moving off, turning left or right, changing lanes, overtaking, slowing down or stopping. You must signal clearly and in good time. If you are not certain that your direction indicators or stop lamps, for whatever reason, are giving an adequate signal, use clear decisive hand-signals as well."

The fact that your direction of travel is in reverse is irrelevant (unless or course you reverse from a minor road onto a major road which is illegal). You are executing a turn and must indicate your intentions clearly in advance to other road users. If you are turning left, indicate left, etc.

wonski

mathepac wrote: »

Major Fail.
OP, if you act on the above answer you will be breaking the law and / or you will fail your test.

From the RSA "The law requires you to signal your intention of doing things on the road. This means signalling properly before moving off, turning left or right, changing lanes, overtaking, slowing down or stopping. You must signal clearly and in good time. If you are not certain that your direction indicators or stop lamps, for whatever reason, are giving an adequate signal, use clear decisive hand-signals as well."

The fact that your direction of travel is in reverse is irrelevant (unless or course you reverse from a minor road onto a major road which is illegal). You are executing a turn and must indicate your intentions clearly in advance to other road users. If you are turning left, indicate left, etc.

You are wrong, I passed my test on Monday, and did not indicate. And it does not make sense to indicate, as other driver may think you just pulled over, or you are pulling over. Every driver knows where you are going when in reverse, so whats the point in indicating left?

brian076

mathepac wrote: »

Major Fail.
OP, if you act on the above answer you will be breaking the law and / or you will fail your test.

From the RSA "The law requires you to signal your intention of doing things on the road. This means signalling properly before moving off, turning left or right, changing lanes, overtaking, slowing down or stopping. You must signal clearly and in good time. If you are not certain that your direction indicators or stop lamps, for whatever reason, are giving an adequate signal, use clear decisive hand-signals as well."

The fact that your direction of travel is in reverse is irrelevant (unless or course you reverse from a minor road onto a major road which is illegal). You are executing a turn and must indicate your intentions clearly in advance to other road users. If you are turning left, indicate left, etc.

That's wrong advice. You do not have to indicate when reversing but if you leave your left indicator on you will not be marked either.

**Timbuk2**

There is no requirement to signal left when reversing. Instructors usually advise not to. Remember, a reversing car has no right of way anyway and your reversing signal should be enough to signal your intention. Some people put their hazard lights on, but it isn't necessary or recommended.

domrush

mathepac wrote: »

Major Fail.
OP, if you act on the above answer you will be breaking the law and / or you will fail your test.

From the RSA "The law requires you to signal your intention of doing things on the road. This means signalling properly before moving off, turning left or right, changing lanes, overtaking, slowing down or stopping. You must signal clearly and in good time. If you are not certain that your direction indicators or stop lamps, for whatever reason, are giving an adequate signal, use clear decisive hand-signals as well."

The fact that your direction of travel is in reverse is irrelevant (unless or course you reverse from a minor road onto a major road which is illegal). You are executing a turn and must indicate your intentions clearly in advance to other road users. If you are turning left, indicate left, etc.

Major Fail

mkahnisbent

Thanks for the advice!

I didn't use my indicator... and passed with flying colours! So happy.

Alanstrainor

mathepac wrote: »

Major Fail.

domrush wrote: »

Major Fail

No need for the childishness lads. Everyone is free to post, and respond to posts, but nothing irritates me more than people that say "fail".

mkahnisbent wrote: »

Thanks for the advice!

I didn't use my indicator... and passed with flying colours! So happy.

Congrats:D:D:D:D:D:D:D!

Max Power1

Alanstrainor wrote: »

No need for the childishness lads. Everyone is free to post, and respond to posts, but nothing irritates me more than people that say "fail".



Congrats:D:D:D:D:D:D:D!

To be fair, i think it was meant in the context of this forum (ie test failure will be caused by following that COA) as opposed to the AH tripe of "epic fail"

I was always advised by my ADI that i shouldnt indicate when reversing.

challengemaster

Using the accelerator to rev-match thus making the gear change smoother shouldn't be penalised... If anything it would reduce wear&tear to components, by making sure that the engine revs aren't dragged up to match that of the wheels by the driveshaft.... that's what causes the jerk you'd often feel when changing down gears.

It's done in racing (called heel&toe) where drivers use one foot to control the clutch, and the other operates the brake and accelerator simultaniously during a downshift. The braking slows the car, and the accelerator revs up the engine (as it's disconnected from the driveshaft with the clutch in) so when the gears chance down, there's no jerk, which at high speed going around corners, that little jerk could cause a major problem.

I know that this isn't really relavent to learning to drive, but still, just proof that it does infact make gear changes smoother

2yung2adm

before you pull up to the kerb indicate your intention to pull in. Prior to reversing CANCEL your indicator and reverse carefully around the corner.
You may remove your seatbelt prior to reversing as it is not an offence not to wear your seatbelt when reversing.
When you have completed your reverse and you have come to a halt, secure your vehicle, apply your seatbelt and observe the rules for pulling out from a parking space.
And before we get one word responses this is the way to do it and it is not a "fail" or a "major fail".

Max Power1

2yung2adm wrote: »

before you pull up to the kerb indicate your intention to pull in. Prior to reversing CANCEL your indicator and reverse carefully around the corner.
You may remove your seatbelt prior to reversing as it is not an offence not to wear your seatbelt when reversing.
When you have completed your reverse and you have come to a halt, secure your vehicle, apply your seatbelt and observe the rules for pulling out from a parking space.
And before we get one word responses this is the way to do it and it is not a "fail" or a "major fail".

+1
Thats how I did it in my test and passed.

challengemaster

2yung2adm wrote: »

You may remove your seatbelt prior to reversing as it is not an offence not to wear your seatbelt when reversing.

What?

This bit I really don't believe.

Citizensinformation.ie wrote:

exemptions from requirement to wear seatbelts

1. If you are sitting on a seat that is not fitted with a safety belt

2. If you are giving instruction in respect of the driving of a vehicle (i.e., you are teaching someone else how to drive). This is another example of a case where it might not be so wise to avail of the leniency of the law.

3. If you are driving test examiner conducting a driving test

5. If you are a member of An Garda Siochana or the Defence Forces and are driving as part of your duties

6. If you hold a medical certificate signed by a qualified medical practitioner stating it is inadvisable on medical grounds you wear a seatbelt or child restraint

Max Power1

challengemaster wrote: »

What?

This bit I really don't believe.

Yep - its not an offence.

Used to be reccomended to learners to remove seatbelt up to recently when reversing. Now its not reccomended or discouraged.

2yung2adm

challengemaster wrote: »

What?

This bit I really don't believe.

I can assure you that it is fact. Do not take these guidelines as fact go to the statutory instrument for the full facts.

S.I. No. 360/1978:

ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT AND USE OF VEHICLES) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATIONS, 1978.


What you need to look at now is Section 5

5. (1) A person driving a vehicle to which this part of these Regulations applies and a person occupying a front seat of such a vehicle as a passenger shall, subject to sub-article (2) of this article and to articles 7 and 8 of these Regulations, wear a safety belt.
(2) Sub-article (1) of this article shall not apply to—
( a ) the holder of a licence under Part IV of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, 1963 ( S.I. No. 191 of 1963 ) while driving a vehicle being used as a small public service vehicle;
( b ) a person giving instruction in or in respect of the driving of the vehicle;
( c ) a person who is conducting a test of competency to drive under Part III of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 ;
( d ) the driver of a vehicle while reversing the vehicle;
( e ) a member of the Garda Síochána or of the Defence Forces in the course of his duty as such member.

Obviously the act has been ammended to include rear seat passengers and further ammended to include kids. In another ammendment the exemption from wearing seat belts was taken away from taxi drivers

**Timbuk2**

I would definitely leave your seatbelt on, however. Modern seatbelts have give in them, so they shouldn't limit your observation during the reverse procedure.

2yung2adm

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

I would definitely leave your seatbelt on, however. Modern seatbelts have give in them, so they shouldn't limit your observation during the reverse procedure.

It is ok course the safest thing to do....provided the wearing of the seat belt does not impede your driving.

There are situations in different vehicles where it may be necessary to remove the belt so you can position yourself to see better.
It could also apply where the rear part of the body of the vehicle is wider that the cab area and when reversing with a trailer.

challengemaster

If you happen to be reversing, and someone comes along and drives into you at speed, I'm fairly sure I'd prefer to be wearing the seat belt!

2yung2adm

challengemaster wrote: »

If you happen to be reversing, and someone comes along and drives into you at speed, I'm fairly sure I'd prefer to be wearing the seat belt!

....yes providing the wearing of the seatbelt did not impede your view or manoeuvre.

All these things are relative and the end will justify the means.

shine007

can anyone tells me what is down the gear for driving,as im turng my car on left and im in 4th gear can i go in 2nd gear direct frm 4th,plz help me,thnx

CiniO

challengemaster wrote: »

It's done in racing (called heel&toe) where drivers use one foot to control the clutch, and the other operates the brake and accelerator simultaniously during a downshift. The braking slows the car, and the accelerator revs up the engine (as it's disconnected from the driveshaft with the clutch in) so when the gears chance down, there's no jerk, which at high speed going around corners, that little jerk could cause a major problem.

It's not only done in racing. I do it everyday.
And I would advise any driver to learn it, as it helps to make driving smoother.

2yung2adm

shine007 wrote: »

can anyone tells me what is down the gear for driving,as im turng my car on left and im in 4th gear can i go in 2nd gear direct frm 4th,plz help me,thnx

I presume what you are saying is that you are coming up to some type of junction or other where in order to carry out the function you have had to slow down considerably. In that situation brake your car down to the required speed and you can certainly go from 4th gear to 2nd gear. remember you are going down to 2nd to go, not to slow.

2yung2adm

CiniO wrote: »

It's not only done in racing. I do it everyday.
And I would advise any driver to learn it, as it helps to make driving smoother.

I do not think it is necessary when driving on roads with traffic on them, if at all. It is only necessary on the race circuit where every fraction of a second counts.
It is a very simple act(when perfected and you have the reflexes and co-ordination) to select the correct gear, brake and blip the accelerator as you engage the clutch and brake again if necessary.

If you do not have the reflexes and co-ordination to do that you certainly do not have them to heel and toe.

Having said that it its not necessary to employ any of the above in ordinary driving. Slow your car down to the proper speed and select the correct gear and your changes will be smooth.

MascotDec85

shine007 wrote: »

can anyone tells me what is down the gear for driving,as im turng my car on left and im in 4th gear can i go in 2nd gear direct frm 4th,plz help me,thnx

Yes you can "block change" from 4th gear directly to 2nd gear no problem. If you are turning left or right you should brake gently then change down to 2nd gear before you start to turn the corner.

challengemaster

CiniO wrote: »

It's not only done in racing. I do it everyday.
And I would advise any driver to learn it, as it helps to make driving smoother.

Tbh, I do it most of the time myself - I only put that in there because its the Learning to drive forum and it's not something thats taught for every day driving.... it's as easy to not worry about it

DrivingTestTips: Brian

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