Ramps and speed/gear

Idjit

Hi all,

I just had a query about ramps if anyone here can help me. My current instructor is adamant that I go over ramps (all kinds) in 2nd gear and that I crawl over them completely until all four wheels are down on the flat before moving back into 3rd gear.

I'm back into learning after about a year of putting it off. My last instructor before my big hiatus taught me to brake in 3rd gear right until the point that my front wheels are halfway over the ramp, then give it some welly again to get going. His opinion was that we could stay in 3rd to maintain good progress and that the best thing is to 'keep it moving along smoothly'. A friend of mine had a different instructor a few years ago and their advice is the same.

The route I've been on with both instructors is the same so same types of ramps. I'm just concerned that the advice of my last instructor is outdated now?

Is it that important to take the ramps in a certain gear or is it more important to show you are reacting to them as a hazard and going over them slowly enough not to cause an uncomfortable/bumpy ride?

I'm afraid of being marked down for this in the test because I find it extremely difficult to get into this new habit of dropping down to 2nd for every single ramp after doing it the other way for so long.

Thanks for any advice/experience of the test you guys have.

LorelaiG

Mine is teaching me to go over them in 3rd at 30Kph unless the ramp is v high then it's 2nd gear at 20kph.

dsmythy

I passed back in the summer. Had a few bumps took all but one in 2nd gear because it was a smooth one. They're looking for you to go over them smoothly and safely is all. If I go over a moderately sized one in 3rd I'm very slow after it accelerating, though that was my car I had at the time.

Just don't send them off their seats and you'll be fine.

Dravokivich

Dont think of a set rule, what you do with each obstacle should be relevant to that obstacle.

K.Flyer

There are many different ramps, it will come down to gaining experience as to how you approach each one.
Near me there are ramps that you barely slow down for, while around the corner there is one where you have to crawl over in first if you value your suspension and undercarriage.

redline2015

Change instructor
He doesn't know what he's talking about..
Different ramps require different speed which require different gears.

The formar instructor doesn't sound like he's any better...try to have your braking finished. Before a ramp, this shifts the weight from the front of the car and actually allows for a smoother ride over ramps with less speed reduction..

Dropped to a speed that you can do every single ramps in 2nd gear will definitely results in a progress mark in some areas where ramps are only slight

MascotDec85

There’s absolutely no set rule. The severity of the bump will determine the speed of you over it. Your speed will determine what gear you’re in. It’s that simple. How low your car is might also be a factor.
I really do despair at some of the things I read and hear about being “taught”

Idjit

Thanks for all the replies!

MascotDec85

LorelaiG wrote: »

Mine is teaching me to go over them in 3rd at 30Kph unless the ramp is v high then it's 2nd gear at 20kph.

Some can even be done in 4th!

GrumpyMe

Jade182 wrote: »

...My current instructor is adamant that I go over ramps (all kinds) in 2nd gear and that I crawl over them completely until all four wheels are down on the flat before moving back into 3rd gear...

My guess is the instructor is more interested in the suspension than your education!

Stevieluvsye

Your instructor is a bell end.

There is no set rule for which gear to be in for going over a ramp. As previously said. Gauge the ramp you are coming to and adjust your speed accordingly, your gear will come secondry to your speed.

I take some ramps in 4th and some other ramps in 1st