approaching lights and obstacles

iamthest1g

hi people

just looking check on what the correct and propper procedure is when slowing for a set of lights etc etc.im in 4th at 50 kmph and have to stop for a set of lights that have just turned red.do i have to use every gear going down and how much is too much coasting when approaching the car infront/white line.at the minute im going from 4th to 3rd or 2nd (depending on the rate of stopping) and coasting about 10 to 15 foot to the point at which i'd like to stop the car.

and one more thing,whats the absolute soonest a cancellation could come up in the likes of raheny (9 weeks waiting list)

Alanstrainor

There is no right or wrong answer to the question RE gears. If you know you are going to come to a complete stop, you can just leave the car in 4th and stop in 4th. You should be able to slow the car right down before having to clutch in, even in 4th, it's impossible to give you an idea of distance though.
You can also, drop from 4th to 2nd and then stop in 2nd, this method can be handy, if you're approaching a junction where stopping is not a certainty.

You could get a cancellation in about 2 weeks or less. They're cancellations, so this will vary.

starlit

I tend to either get to 3rd or just drop from 4th to second but normally try to drop to 2nd if I know I am going to stop at the lights. I always try to break gently first while changing down gears. If I am down to 2nd gear, I have to prompt myself to get back to 1st gear. You always move off in 1st gear never move off in 2nd gear! Car will shudder or stall otherwise. Don't forget to use the handbrake if you need to.

You can use the handbrake if you likely to be waiting in traffic a while or further back in the line of traffic. If you are close to the start of traffic line, then you could just hold onto your clutch and brake and get ready to accelerator and move once you in first gear. Go when clear.

Its ok to take a right turn on the junction box if you aren't obstructing anyone. Once lights are green you be grand. Watch out for filtered lights, cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians. Check your mirrors regularly observation is important. Generally taking a turn slow down and get to 2nd gear if you can.

Check mirrors just as you are about to move off at the lights if taking a turn or changing lanes.

Suit speed to suit gear. Like 1st gear approx 10 km/h upwards or less (mph), 2nd gear 20km/h upwards, 3rd gear 30km/h upwards, 4th gear 40km/h. If you don't suit gear to speed your engine will race or your speed be too fast or too slow and car could start to shudder even stall if you aren't careful.

Avoid costing if at all possible too! The only time to use the clutch is changing down gears and just before stopping. When taking a turn make sure the foot is off clutch. When moving off clutch off once you get car going and at biting point while car is pulling forward on the flat and hill. If you press in clutch too much it wear it down. It could cause the car to go faster too when you are trying to slow down.

Don't clutch before stopping until you have been braking gently, slowing down, gone down your gears and just as you are coming to a complete stop don't clutch in too soon the car could stall or shudder or jerk forward. You are braking most of the time, gently brake, get to 2nd gear, keep braking. Then as you are close to the line/yield/stop/traffic light you clutch in and roll to a stop. If you lift clutch up too quickly you could stall just be careful of that. Wait till you have stopped completely. In neutral gear or 1st gear and handbrake up if necessary otherwise hold the clutch until ready to go.

Don't forget to get back to 1st gear. Try not to roll back either. That's all the pedal controls working together almost at the same time that will mainly apply when pulling out on a hill!

Not sure what the story is with Raheny I don't live in Dublin.