Block changing gears

Yoop_

Hello,

Quick question about block changing gears - I have always done this (where appropriate, obviously) but a previous instructor told me this was no longer allowed and in the driving test you now have to come down through all gears at all times. Today I had a lesson with a different instructor who told me it was completely fine to block change.

Can anyone tell me who is correct?

Thank you!

lollsangel

Yoop_ wrote: »

Hello,

Quick question about block changing gears - I have always done this (where appropriate, obviously) but a previous instructor told me this was no longer allowed and in the driving test you now have to come down through all gears at all times. Today I had a lesson with a different instructor who told me it was completely fine to block change.

Can anyone tell me who is correct?

Thank you!

Had this discussion here a few months back, partner was told and i heard from,another instructor you must change down individually. It seems that most of the newer training is to change down individually but many boardsies are saying you can block change for your test.
Anyway partner passed his test first time changed gears individually.
Me personally for the sake of 85 euros and 20 minites driving id just change down.individually.

Yoop_

lollsangel wrote: »

Had this discussion here a few months back, partner was told and i heard from,another instructor you must change down individually. It seems that most of the newer training is to change down individually but many boardsies are saying you can block change for your test.
Anyway partner passed his test first time changed gears individually.
Me personally for the sake of 85 euros and 20 minites driving id just change down.individually.

Thank you!

MascotDec85

I'm an instructor. There is absolutely no issue with block changing at all.

Yoop_

MascotDec85 wrote: »

I'm an instructor. There is absolutely no issue with block changing at all.

Thank you!

biko

There you have it, straight from the horse's mouth.

If in doubt though, just shift individually during the test.

redline2015

MascotDec85 wrote: »

I'm an instructor. There is absolutely no issue with block changing at all.

2nd that
Also an instructor and former driving tester

Extrasupervery

One instructor told me block changing is perfectly fine and I was 'wasting time' changing down through the gears, another told me to never do it into first, as in never from 3rd to 1st, also go through 2nd. With so much conflicting information I'll probably just change down individually for the test.

Yoop_

Extrasupervery wrote: »

One instructor told me block changing is perfectly fine and I was 'wasting time' changing down through the gears, another told me to never do it into first, as in never from 3rd to 1st, also go through 2nd. With so much conflicting information I'll probably just change down individually for the test.

Yeah, if you're slowing down in traffic/coming to lights/turning ahead/etc. I think it's better to go down 3rd-2nd-1st, letting your engine slow you down as well as your brake. I don't know if you're wasting time necessarily. In busy towns/cities I always go down through all gears. If I was in a less built up area and was driving in 4th gear and had a turn ahead, I would often just use my brake and go from 4th to 2nd, skipping 3rd. Or if I knew I was coming to a complete stop I would often skip changing down all gears.

I've gotten a lot of conflicting advice as well, unfortunately.

Wheety

I rarely change into 1st while still moving. I tend to stop in 3rd or 2nd at traffic lights and then shift into 1st for moving off. I find I can go very slow in 2nd, crawling along.

Yoop_

Wheety wrote: »

I rarely change into 1st while still moving. I tend to stop in 3rd or 2nd at traffic lights and then shift into 1st for moving off. I find I can go very slow in 2nd, crawling along.

Yeah, I really only use 1st as my moving off gear, so to speak. You can go as slow as you like in 2nd without the need to change down.