Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Please note that it is not permitted to have referral links posted in your signature. Keep these links contained in the appropriate forum. Thank you.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2055940817/signature-rules
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Gear change: 4th to 2nd

  • 14-09-2012 9:55pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,536 ✭✭✭


    Ok,

    I have my test coming up this Thursday (nervous as hell!! :o) Have a couple of refresher lessons booked, one was today. Been a few months since I completed my lessons, in which time it seemed I picked up some bad habbits, most notibly the dreaded.....coasting! :(

    So, I've been working on correcting this!

    Take for example your average roundabout, when approaching, say, in 4th gear, I used to:

    -Brake gently
    -Clutch in
    -Change to 2nd and then gradually lift the clutch while moving onto the gas if I seen it was safe to proceed. If not, I'd brake fully, stop and into first.

    I would, in essence, be making the turn while still gradually coming off the clutch in 2nd.

    I think thats coasting though!



    What I was told to do was, again say I was approaching roundabout in 4th:

    -Come off accelerator
    -Brake gently while doing the below:
    -Press in clutch
    -Drop to third
    -Let clutch up
    -Clutch in again
    -Drop to second
    -Let clutch up
    (matching gear to the speed)

    And again, like above, if coming to the line and its safe to proceed away you go, but this time the clutch is fully up.




    Working from 4th to 3rd to 2nd seems like a lot of work and I find I'm jumping and chucking a bit. I can however get away with a smooth 4th to 2nd and complete the turn with my foot off the clutch now. I'm pretty happy with it.


    My question is though, on test day would the tester expect me to drop through gears one by one, or is it acceptable to drop from 4 to 2 if you can do it nice and smoothly and complete the maneouvre in 'full' control of the car, ie foot off the clutch.

    Cheers! :)


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,977 ✭✭✭Soby


    Your perfectly allowed to from 4th to 2nd , however you should be in 2nd as your coming up to the roundabout not going around it .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18 Drafty122


    4th to 2nd is grand, i just passed my test a couple of weeks ago and that wasnt a bother :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,536 ✭✭✭SpitfireIV


    Cheers guys! :)

    Soby, yeah, I'd be in second, ie have all the gear changing done before coming to the line thus I'm totally free to look around and simply stop if needs be.


    Glad I got that one sorted! ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,924 ✭✭✭MascotDec85


    Aim to be in 2nd with your foot off the clutch by the time you reach the keep left arrow at the splitter island before the roundabout.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,512 ✭✭✭arleitiss


    Is it ok to take huge roundabouts in 4th without even dropping to 3rd or 2nd when it's at say 2 AM at night and you are 100% sure no one is there because it's peripheral area?


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,924 ✭✭✭MascotDec85


    arleitiss wrote: »
    Is it ok to take huge roundabouts in 4th without even dropping to 3rd or 2nd when it's at say 2 AM at night and you are 100% sure no one is there because it's peripheral area?
    Drop to 3rd at least. It's not just who is on the roundabout but the fact you have to negotiate the curves of the roundabout whilst staying in your lane. In short, no.


Advertisement