When stopping

places

When stopping at a stop sign my driving instructor told me to stop in the gear that I am in example 4 or 5 don't go down gears until moving off is this right or wrong ?

shamrock55

places wrote: »

When stopping at a stop sign my driving instructor told me to stop in the gear that I am in example 4 or 5 don't go down gears until moving off is this right or wrong ?

I think your ment to go down through the gears first otherwise you're coasting

Charlie-Bravo

I'm no instructor but I'd be gearing down as I approach a stop sign, at least down to third to avoid riding the clutch, only pushing in the clutch as the speed slows right down. When stopped at the stop sign, get into first from third or second gear, then take off again if safe to do so.

And Stop means stop!

SweetCaliber

I was told to go down through the gears as I approach the stop sign, so essentially stopping in 2nd gear then going into first when stopped for moving off again. Also if your on a hill make sure to apply the handbrake to prevent you rolling backwards.

ohnonotgmail

I'm not not that you shouldn't listen to your driving instructor BUT i wouldn't stop in 4th or 5th unless a light changed ahead of me and i didnt have time to change down. Ideally i would change down to third and stop in third. When i learned to drive i was thought to always change down through the gears but that was a long time ago and the car i learned in only had drum brakes on the rear.

Alanstrainor

I am going to disagree with everyone here and say listen to your instructor. Stopping in gear is absolutely fine for the test and it is the preferred modern way to do things in this scenario. You are definitely coming to a complete stop, so it really does not matter whether you change down 4-3-2 and stop, or 4-2 or simply stop in 4th. In my mind it is much better to simply stop in 4th and then get ready to move again when you've done your checks at the junction.

It is also worth noting that clutching in when appropriate in this scenario does not count as coasting. You are clutching in before the engine struggles which is absolutely correct. And you would be surprised just how slowly you are going when you clutch in to stop in 4th in most cars.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

It's good practice to go down through the gears ,

If coming up to a stop sign and you're driving in 4th for example, it would be good to slow down into 3rd and use a bit of engine braking

There's nothing wrong with stopping in 4th but it's better to gear down and try use engine braking.

It's better practice than clutch in for too long.

Just my 2c

Skatedude

start in first.
turn in second.
stop in third.
drive in forth.

That's the guide my instructor always recommend.

ohnonotgmail

Skatedude wrote: »

start in first.
turn in second.
stop in third.
drive in forth.

That's the guide my instructor always recommend.

thats what i learned as well 25 odd years ago. It looks like we are both out of date. i'll stick to what i know though.

biko

When stopping in general you can shift down, in case you need to shoot off suddenly, e.g. traffic light goes green as you approach.
For a stop sign you will definitely be stopping the car fully every time, so is different.

MascotDec85

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I am going to disagree with everyone here and say listen to your instructor. Stopping in gear is absolutely fine for the test and it is the preferred modern way to do things in this scenario. You are definitely coming to a complete stop, so it really does not matter whether you change down 4-3-2 and stop, or 4-2 or simply stop in 4th. In my mind it is much better to simply stop in 4th and then get ready to move again when you've done your checks at the junction.

It is also worth noting that clutching in when appropriate in this scenario does not count as coasting. You are clutching in before the engine struggles which is absolutely correct. And you would be surprised just how slowly you are going when you clutch in to stop in 4th in most cars.

Not so easy to achieve in a diesel car tbh.
I find, that people who are taught this method, whilst it might not be wrong, lack a basic understanding of how to use the gears correctly and to their advantage.

J_R

Hi,


If you are in a high gear and you go down through the gears prior to stopping then you will be coasting for a greater distance overall than if you remained in that high gear and stopped in that gear.

Not changing down is more eco friendly, safer, simpler and easier.

ohnonotgmail

J_R wrote: »

Hi,


If you are in a high gear and you go down through the gears prior to stopping then you will be coasting for a greater distance overall than if you remained in that high gear and stopped in that gear.

Not changing down is more eco friendly, safer, simpler and easier.

how does going down through the gears cause you to coast?

J_R

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

how does going down through the gears cause you to coast?

Hi,

When changing gears of course. And while doing so you only have one hand on the wheel, whereas if you "Coast" to a stop in a high gear you have your two hands on the steering wheel.

ohnonotgmail

J_R wrote: »

Hi,

When changing gears of course. And while doing so you only have one hand on the wheel, whereas if you "Coast" to a stop in a high gear you have your two hands on the steering wheel.

you dont coast when changing gears. you misunderstand what coasting is. If what you said was true then every driver would fail the test for coasting.

J_R

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

you dont coast when changing gears. you misunderstand what coasting is. If what you said was true then every driver would fail the test for coasting.

Coasting is when the car is moving and the clutch is depressed, engine disconnected from the driving wheels.

so how can you change gears without "coasting"

ohnonotgmail

J_R wrote: »

Coasting is when the car is moving and the clutch is depressed, engine disconnected from the driving wheels.

so how can you change gears without "coasting"

OHFFS. pressing the clutch to change gears is not coasting.

J_R

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

OHFFS. pressing the clutch to change gears is not coasting.

Hi,

Then please explain the difference between depressing the clutch at say 100 Kmh, disconnecting the engine to change gear and depressing at say 30 Kmh to coast to a stop. Both times the car is moving with the clutch depressed, engine disconnected.

ohnonotgmail

J_R wrote: »

Hi,

Then please explain the difference between depressing the clutch at say 100 Kmh, disconnecting the engine to change gear and depressing at say 30 Kmh to coast to a stop. Both times the car is moving with the clutch depressed, engine disconnected.

Because pressing the clutch to change gear is necessary. Pressing the clutch when coming to a stop is also necessary. Pressing the clutch when turning a corner is not. Coasting is not just pressing the clutch.

TheChizler

Can we just say that sustained coasting is the issue?

J_R

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

Because pressing the clutch to change gear is necessary. Pressing the clutch when coming to a stop is also necessary. Pressing the clutch when turning a corner is not. Coasting is not just pressing the clutch.

Hi

I never mentioned a corner, why bring a corner into it but seeing as you have,

A good driving instructor would explain when coasting is safe and when it would be dangerous - like taking a corner. But who stops on a corner.

Doctors room ghost

J_R wrote: »

Coasting is when the car is moving and the clutch is depressed, engine disconnected from the driving wheels.

so how can you change gears without "coasting"

That’s not coasting that’s engine braking and it’s correct practice when stopping a car. The instructor who said stop in 5th gear with the clutch pressed and just using the brake pedal is wrong as fcuk.
Coasting is pressing the clutch while moving and using brakes only to stop

J_R

TheChizler wrote: »

Can we just say that sustained coasting is the issue?

Hi,

Yes to a certain extent. But it depends. If you are stopping in a high gear you must depress the clutch sooner than if you were in a lower gear therefore you will "Coast" for a longer distance/time. Same with diesel v petrol But that is quite acceptable. I taught my pupils to stop in fifth even sixth gear in the test - never got marked.

J_R

Doctors room ghost wrote: »

That’s not coasting that’s engine braking and it’s correct practice when stopping a car. The instructor who said stop in 5th gear with the clutch pressed and just using the brake pedal is wrong as fcuk.

Do not agree. see post above

J_R

Hi,

Big bugbear for learner drivers, this coasting business. They are told by some driving instructors that they must not coast to a stop (otherwise they will fail the test).

Yet it is impossible to stop without coasting, the clutch must be depressed before the car stops, otherwise the engine will stall. .

What they do not realize is that they are routinely coasting at much higher speeds at greater distances.

Suppose they change gears at say 60 Kmh and they can make a really slick quick gear change in one second. In that one second with the clutch depressed They will be coasting for 16.66 meters, very roughly 3 to 4 car lengths.

Yet when stopping, learners are left to agonize about the timing and distance of the point they must depress the clutch when they are moving much slower, braking and have two hands on the wheel.

J_R

Hi,,

Coasting

1st answer in Google

1.
(of a person or vehicle) move easily without using power.
"they were coasting down a long hill"

Also fm Google
What is coasting on a car?
Essentially, coasting means that the road wheels of the vehicle are not being 'driven' or propelled by the engine even though the vehicle is actually moving. This occurs when either the clutch pedal is held down, or the gear lever is in the neutral position.

(Or simply getting off the gas pedal)

Very misunderstood word. Learner drivers normally associate it only with getting marked for it in the test.

But there is safe and unavoidable coasting and then there is the potentially very dangerous coasting.

Learners should be taught to differentiate between the two, and how to avoid the dangerous one.

Alanstrainor

J_R, to be fair, we're in the learning to drive forum. The only definition that is relevant here is coasting in terms of the test. Throughout the years I've been reading here it seems the most common fault for coasting is when drivers are making a turn and clutch in throughout. Coasting when coming to a stop like the OP describes is not a problem. Really I think it's all been covered already in this thread, we just went off track with word definitions.

MascotDec85

One’s a necessity, the other isn’t. Simple.

punisher5112

The way things are going most cars will be auto from now on with hybrid and ev.

The test has changed a lot and they are looking to see one is in full control.

Coming to a stop sign it doesn't really matter what gear and maybe the changing down is something the instructor wants to stay away from so that the driver actually has to stop and isn't in 2nd and can see the coast is clear and not fully stop.

I still would prefer for control and better maintenance costs to use engine braking as it doesn't use fuel doing so and also saves braking components from premature wear.

J_R

Alanstrainor wrote: »

J_R, to be fair, we're in the learning to drive forum. The only definition that is relevant here is coasting in terms of the test. Throughout the years I've been reading here it seems the most common fault for coasting is when drivers are making a turn and clutch in throughout. Coasting when coming to a stop like the OP describes is not a problem. Really I think it's all been covered already in this thread, we just went off track with word definitions.

Hi,


But the forum heading is "Learning to Drive"

I think there is far far too much emphasis on passing the test. I believe all this talk is the main reason why learners feel so much pressure in doing "The Test" .

When my pupils would start on about the test I used to tell them I was not teaching them how to perform for a half hour, but how to safely drive for their lifetime. If I succeed in that they would pass any driving test.

Back to coasting. Therefore I taught them what coasting actually was, when it would be dangerous or safe and why. Not how it relates to a test and what grade mark they might get. I even had a little exercise I had them do to demonstrate dangerous coasting.

hroughout the years I've been reading here it seems the most common fault for coasting is when drivers are making a turn and clutch in throughout.

Agree
An examiner told one of my pupils once that he liked to see the clutch pedal before they started a corner. I searched for a pedal cover with an emojis of a smiling face, so that when he checked he would see the smiling face looking up at him. Unfortunately was unsuccessful. But tried to ensure that he saw the plain old pedal.

J_R

MascotDec85 wrote: »

One’s a necessity, the other isn’t. Simple.

Hi,

Because something is necessary does not mean it is safe under all conditions.

But both are necessary. If the wheels stop with the engine still connected to them the engine will stall. Therefore before the wheels stop rotating the clutch must be depressed to isolate the engine. Hence coasting to a stop.