Gear or Handbrake first

redarmy1929

Hi All,

Just a quick questions when stopping in 2nd gear, do you drop to first and put on handbrake or do you put on the handbrake and drop to first.

I had been getting lessons, just before xmas, I started with new instructor today and he got me to stop in 2nd and handbrake and then drop into first! Is this correct.

Also on the test, do you get any marks for this?

Thanks

wonski

I would rather put it in neutral first, then handbrake, and into the 1st gear.
No need for handbrake if you are going to move very soon...

Overature

I learnt to always have handbrake on, even when stopped for short periods, have clutch at biting point, hand on the handbrake. Ready to move off!

gbob

redarmy1929 wrote: »

Hi All,

Just a quick questions when stopping in 2nd gear, do you drop to first and put on handbrake or do you put on the handbrake and drop to first.

I had been getting lessons, just before xmas, I started with new instructor today and he got me to stop in 2nd and handbrake and then drop into first! Is this correct.

Also on the test, do you get any marks for this?

Thanks

Yes your instructor is correct, when stationary its handbrake first then into 1st when you're ready to pull away.

ADIDriving

Either one is acceptable for the test and in general. Handbrake first is often the more correct version. If you know you are going to be stopped for a while it is handbrake first. If you think you might be moving off in a second or two, then 1st gear first and then if you still have time handbrake.

**Timbuk2**

My instructor used to always say "The handbrake is the first thing you do when you stop, and the last thing you do before you move off" (assuming that you are putting on the handbrake, which you don't always have to).

But as ADIDriving said, you can do the gear first before the handbrake - I found this saved time sometimes, such as during the turnabout!

rab!dmonkey

My technique when would be to keep it in second until I've slowed to a crawling pace, then depress the clutch and move the stick to first. That way if the light changes or traffic moves on I can get moving right away. If I have to stop, the first thing I'll do is put on the handbrake, then shift to neutral and release the clutch.

Albection

I was also taught both. Personally, I gear first, then handbrake.

redarmy1929 wrote: »

Also on the test, do you get any marks for this?

You don't actually gain marks on the test, just accumulate faults. You wouldn't get any faults for this, assuming that you did it properly and safely.

Albection

Overature wrote: »

I learnt to always have handbrake on, even when stopped for short periods, have clutch at biting point, hand on the handbrake. Ready to move off!

Do you really have to have the clutch at biting point even when stopped?

I always have the clutch fully engaged when stopped and then bring it to biting point when I want to move off.

jimmyw

Overature wrote: »

I learnt to always have handbrake on, even when stopped for short periods, have clutch at biting point, hand on the handbrake. Ready to move off!

I wouldn't be doing that, Its more wear on the clutch.

Albection wrote: »

Do you really have to have the clutch at biting point even when stopped?

I always have the clutch fully engaged disengaged when stopped and then bring it to biting point when I want to move off.

Thats a better way

Albection

jimmyw wrote: »

Thats a better way

Yep, I should have said clutch pedal fully engaged.