GEAR CHANGING

OBJECTIVES:

1. To be able to identify the need for gears on a car.

2. To be able to recognise when a gear change is required.

3. To be able to change gears through all the various combinations.

Position of your hand:

1st and 2nd - Palm facing away from you.

3rd and 4th - Palm facing towards you.( 5th and reverse also).

Changing up through the gears:

As a general rule, you need to change up (i.e. from 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 4th etc.) as your speed increases.   You will know when to change up, because the sound of the engine gets louder.

To change up we use the “ GET READY - CHANGE” routine.

Get ready:

1. Check your mirror.

2. Cover the clutch pedal with your left foot, and at the same time place your left hand on the gear lever ( palm facing the correct way ).

Change:

1. Press the clutch down and at the same time ease off the gas pedal.(Don’t remove your foot from the gas pedal).

2. Move the gear lever to the next highest position.

3. Let the clutch up smoothly and at the same time gradually press the gas.

CHANGING DOWN

Before changing down to a lower gear, you must make sure that the speed of the car is o.k. for that gear.   You can reduce speed by using the footbrake or by deceleration.   (Brakes to slow-gears to go)

Instead of looking at the speedometer to see if your speed is o.k., you can judge it yourself.   As a general rule, change down to 2nd gear if your speed is low enough to be able to turn a corner.   Change down to 1st gear if your speed is about walking pace.   If the engine begins to labour (becomes sluggish or shudders and vibrates), you need to change down to a lower gear.

The routine to change down is the same - GET READY - CHANGE.

Get ready:

1. Check your mirror.

  2. Cover the clutch pedal with your left foot, and at the same time place your left hand on the gear lever ( palm facing the correct way ).

Change;

1. Press the clutch pedal down and at the same time, keep a slight pressure on the gas pedal.

2. Move the gear lever to the most suitable gear.

3. Let the clutch pedal up smoothly.!

4. Return your left hand to the steering wheel.

BLOCK GEAR CHANGING

Block gear changing is where you skip gears when changing up or down.   For normal driving, it is not usually necessary to skip gears when changing up.

However, it is useful to skip gears when changing down.   Providing your speed is correct, you can change down from any gear to a lower gear.

EXAMPLES: 5th-3rd, 5th-2nd, 5th-1st / 4th-2nd, 4th-1st / 3rd-1st.

Copyright:Tony Barden 1995

HINTS FOR SMOOTH GEAR CHANGING

1. Place your hand correctly on the gear lever.

2. Make sure the speed is correct for the gear.

3.Use the gas pedal, brake and clutch smoothly.

4. Never force the gears into position.

5. Do not rush the gear change--smooth, even movements are best.

TEST YOURSELF

Q1. To know when to change into the next gear, you should;

A. Look at the speedometer.

B. Listen to the sound of the engine.

C. Ask your passengers.

Q2. When changing into first or second gear your palm should be facing;

A. Towards you.

B. Away from you.

C. Flat on top of the gearlever.

Q3. When changing into third or fourth gear, your palm should be facing;

A. Towards you.

B. Away from you.

C. Flat on top of the gearlever.

Q4. In the “ GET READY” stage, you should place your left hand;

A. On the gearlever, and push the clutch down.

B. On the gearlever, and cover the clutch.

C. On the gearlever, and push the gas pedal down.

Q5.   In the “CHANGE” stage you should;

A. Ease off the gas and clutch down/clutch up gently and increase gas, move gear lever into correct gear.

B. Ease off the gas and clutch down/move lever into correct gear/clutch up gently, and increase gas.

C. Move lever into correct gear/ease off the gas and clutch down/clutch up gently, and increase gas.

Q6. To reduce your speed before changing into a lower gear you should;

A. Use the gears to slow down.

B. Use the clutch to slow down.

C. Use the brakes to slow down

Q7. If the engine begins to labour you will need to;

A. Stay in the gear you are in.

  B. Change to a higher gear.

C. Change to a lower gear.

Q8. If the sound of the engine gets louder you need to;

A. Stay in the gear you are in.

B. Change to a higher gear.

C. Change to a lower gear.

Q9. Block gear changing is where you;

A. Change up through the gears one by one.

B. Change down through the gears one by one.

C. Skip gears either changing up or down.

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MOVING AWAY AND STOPPING AT THE KERB

OBJECTIVES;

1. To be able to move away from the kerb on a level road using the get ready/check/go routine.

2. To be able to pull up safely at the kerb again using the m.s.m. routine.( mirror, signal, manoeuvre )

GET READY; ( Push clutch to floor )

1. Select first gear (palm away from you).

2. Set the gas (press the accelerator down slightly).

3. Get the HOLDING POINT or   "BITE"   (where the sound of the engine drops and the car is about to pull against the handbrake. Keep both feet still!)

CHECK;

1. Use the look assess decide routine.

LOOK___To the front of the car, in the inside mirror, in the outside mirror, and over your shoulder to check the blind spot.

ASSESS___Is there anyone around?   Will they benefit from a signal?   Can I move now or should I wait?

DECIDE___To wait until it is safe./   To signal if someone will benefit./   To move away if it is clear and safe to do so.

GO;

Release the handbrake and let the clutch up very slightly.

Return your hand to the steering wheel.

Hold the clutch steady as the car moves forward.

Increase the gas gently as you let the clutch up the rest of the way smoothly.

Remove your foot from the clutch after moving off.

Remember; GET READY/CHECK( LOOK, ASSESS, DECIDE )/GO!

BLINDSPOTS

THE M.S.M. ROUTINE

Pulling up at the kerb, use the mirror, signal, manoeuvre routine.

MIRROR___Check them to see if it is safe to pull up and if there is anyone behind.

SIGNAL___Give a left signal if someone will benefit.

MANOEUVRE___Take your foot off the accelerator and cover the brake and clutch.   Steer towards a safe location.   Apply the brakes gently.   Push the clutch quickly to the floor just before the car stops.

When the car stops, apply the handbrake and select neutral.   Take your feet off the pedals and relax.

Cancel the signal if given.

Remember; MIRROR SIGNAL MANOEUVRE ( Before any change of speed or direction ).

Copyright:Tony Barden 1995

TEST YOURSELF

Q1. The routine for moving away from the kerb is called;

a) Get ready, go, check.

b) Check, get ready, go.

c) Get ready, check, go.

Q2. The order of the get ready stage is;

a) Set gas, select first gear, get the holding point.

b) Get the holding point, select first gear, set the gas.

c) Select first gear, set gas, get the holding point.

Q3. The order of the check stage is;

a) Look assess decide.

b) Assess decide look.

c) Decide look assess.

Q4. The order of the go stage is;

a) Hold the clutch still as the car moves forward.   Release the handbrake and let the clutch up slightly.   Increase the gas as the car moves away.

b) Release the handbrake and let the clutch up slightly.   Hold the clutch as the car moves forward.   Increase the gas as the car moves away.

c) Release the handbrake and let the clutch up slightly.   Increase the gas as the car moves away.   Hold the clutch as the car moves forward.

The routine for stopping at the kerb is;

a) Signal, mirror, manoeuvre.

b) Mirror, signal, manoeuvre.

c) Mirror, manoeuvre, signal.

For normal stopping it is recommended that;

a) You apply the brakes firmly.

b) You apply the brakes gently.

c) You apply the brakes quickly.

For normal stopping it should be;

a) Clutch down first then brake.

b) Brake and clutch together.

c) brake first then clutch down just before stopping.

When the car stops you should;

a) Apply the handbrake and select neutral.

b) Select neutral and apply the handbrake.

c) Remove your feet from the pedals first.

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MOVING OFF (VARIATIONS)

Do I need the handbrake?

Some drivers use the handbrake every time they stop while others never seem to use it at all. Both of these extremes are wrong. The handbrake should be used when;

You have stopped on an uphill gradient.

You are delayed at a junction and it will be several seconds before you can move away.

You have stopped at traffic lights or in the course of traffic and you have time to say “ Should I apply the handbrake?”.

When you pull up at the kerb.

When the car is parked.

There are a number of advantages to using the handbrake.

It prevents the car from rolling back on a hill.

It may prevent the car from moving forward if you are hit from behind.

It may prevent the car from jumping forward if you were in gear and your foot slipped off the clutch.

Moving off an uphill gradient. ( Hillstart )

One of the problems with moving off uphill is that of the car rolling backwards. This problem can be overcome by using the following procedure;

1. Select 1st gear.

2. Set the gas ( slightly more than normal ).

3. Let the clutch up to the holding point.

4. Carry out normal observations to the front, in the mirrors, and over the shoulder.

5. Give an indicator signal.( If required )

6. Release the handbrake and let the clutch up slightly (return hand to the steering wheel).

7. Increase the gas as the clutch comes up the rest of the way.( remember for a steep hill, more acceleration will be needed ).

8. Remove your foot from the clutch and follow your safety line.(See "Steering" notes for explanation of safety line)

Moving off a downhill gradient.

Moving off downhill is different in that it is often easier to use the footbrake. Using the footbrake will hold the car better when facing downhill because it works on all four wheels, while the handbrake only works on the rear wheels. On steep hills you can often move off in 2nd gear, provided the car is rolling quickly enough to engage the gear smoothly. You would follow the same order as you would for level ground , except you would pause as you pass through the holding point when the car is rolling forwards.

MOVING OFF UNDER CLUTCH CONTROL.

Main points;

Hold the clutch at the holding point and carry out the necessary safety checks. Release the handbrake and only let the clutch up a fraction. The more you let the clutch up, the faster the car will move.

The key to this exercise is to only go a fraction past the holding point. If you are going too fast , just push the clutch down slightly again.

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STEERING

OBJECTIVES;

1. To be able to steer the car using the pull/push method.

2. To be able to follow the safety line for normal driving.

Main points;

1. Relax your shoulders and hold the steering wheel at either the “Ten to two” position or the “Quarter to three” position.

2. When turning the wheel, you should feed it through your hands using the “pull/push” method.   You should avoid crossing your hands, following past the twelve o clock position with either hand, or letting the steering wheel spin back by itself after a turn.

3. If a lot of steering is needed, you should consider slowing down, as this will give you more time to turn the wheel.

4. Always look at where you want your car to go, not at what you do not want to hit!

5. You should keep the car in the safest position possible.   This is normally about three feet from any object on your left, (provided you have three feet of clearance on your right).   This is called your safety position, however, when you are moving, this becomes your safety line.   There will be times when you can’t give three feet of clearance, so you should reduce your speed to compensate for this.

THREE QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

1. Is my position allright?

2. Where do I want to go?

3. Do I need to turn the steering wheel much?

TEST YOURSELF

Q1. Hold the steering wheel at;

a) The ten to two position.

b) The quarter to three position.

c) Either of the above positions.

Q2. When turning the wheel;

a) Cross your hands.

b) Use the pull/push method.

c) Follow through past twelve o clock with either hand.

Q3. When steering, you should be looking;

a) Where you want to go.

b) At what you do not want to hit.

c) Just past the bonnet of the car.

Q4. The safety position is;

a) One foot from any object on your left.

b) Two feet from any object on your left.

c) Three feet from any object on your left.

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OBSERVATION

Observation is one of the most important elements in your driving.   You must be able to observe the various different hazards on the road, and deal with them safely. Practice reading the road.......you don’t even have to be driving to do this!   If you are a passenger in a car, you can do it. ( Lack of proper observation is one of the most common causes of   failing the driving test. )

Look out for;

OTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS

SIGNALS GIVEN BY OTHER DRIVERS

ROAD SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS

THE TYPE AND CONDITION OF THE ROAD SURFACE

MOVEMENTS OF VEHICLES WELL AHEAD OF YOU ASWELL AS THE ONE JUST IN FRONT

SIDE ROADS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT AHEAD SHOULD BE CHECKED BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT THEM.   WATCH FOR DRIVERS LOOKING THE OTHER WAY AND SLOW DOWN IN CASE THEY EMERGE

BUSES SIGNALLING TO MOVE OUT FROM BUS STOPS

Keep your eyes moving all the time from one area to another, including frequent mirror checks.

When turning to the left at a cross junction, look to the right briefly in case there is something coming ( even at traffic lights....you never know until you look! ).   Look to the left briefly when turning right .

If you are going straight through a cross junction, look both ways before proceeding.....don’t forget it is just as important at traffic lights! A green light does not mean go, it means go if the way ahead is clear.   So get into the habit of checking all roads, house entrances, garage entrances, shop entrances left and right well before you get to them.   This way you will have more time to act if there is an emergency, and remember, one of the most common comments you will hear after an accident is   “ He seemed to come out of nowhere”   or   “I didn’t have time to stop, he just pulled out in front of me”

What does this suggest?   If you are honest with yourself , it suggests that the driver was not looking for   potential danger , and therefore had no time to react when he saw it.   This is proven to be the case in the vast majority of accidents.   Often just one or two seconds extra can mean the difference between a crash and avoiding the other driver.   How do you gain that   extra second or two?.................

...........Look further ahead, and be aware of what’s happening at all side roads etc.   Ask yourself this question....When was the last time I had to brake firmly to avoid danger?   Be honest with the answer.   If you had to apply the brakes harder than normal, it means you have probably not seen something early enough.   So practice looking further ahead and anticipating what another driver or road user might do, and react earlier than you would normally do.   For the next week , put yourself to the test.   See how many times you had to brake harshly and then try to improve on that.   See if you can eliminate it completely from your normal driving...if you can, you are beginning to become a safer, more observant driver.

Copyright;Tony Barden 1995

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MIRRORS

OBJECTIVES;

1. To be able to check the mirrors before you signal.

2. To be able to check the mirrors before you carry out any manoeuvre.

3. To be able to know what’s behind you at all times.

4. To be able to act properly on what you see in the mirrors.

MAIN POINTS;

When should you check your mirrors?

1. Before you signal.

2. Before you carry out any manoeuvre e.g. open a door, move off, slow down, stop, increase speed, change your position, pass or overtake other road users.

3. Often enough so that you know what is happening behind at any given time.

4. When you have been given an instruction to change speed or position.

Remember;     MIRROR                                         SIGNAL                               MANOEUVRE

How should you check your mirrors?............................Use the look, assess, decide routine.

LOOK___Glance quickly in the mirrors,   NEVER stare in them or you will not steer correctly!

ASSESS___What’s behind?, what are they doing?, how will that effect me?

DECIDE___To carry out what you intend to do, or to wait until it is safe.

BREAKDOWN OF INDIVIDUAL MIRROR CHECKS

Regular use of the mirrors will keep you informed of conditions behind and at the sides.   You should always check your mirrors before moving off, i.e. your central mirror, your outside mirror, and over your right shoulder.

You should check your mirrors before you signal, this way you can delay a signal if someone is passing you.

You should check your mirrors before you brake.   If you notice a car close behind, you can apply your brakes earlier and more gently than normal.   This will give the driver behind more time to get to his own brakes.

You should check your mirrors before changing up through the gears.   This way you will notice any cars that may be overtaking you.   You must not keep the other driver on the wrong side of the road for longer than necessary.   You might decide not to change until he has passed, or to change but not increase speed.

You should check the necessary side mirror before you make a turn.   Left turns....left mirror/Right turns....right mirror. (Central mirror first, then correct side mirror!)

You should check the mirrors before you change lanes or move out to pass any obstruction.

You should check the mirrors as soon as you spot a hazard (anything which may cause you to change speed or direction).   This way you will know what’s behind before you make a decision on how to deal with the hazard.

You should check both side mirrors before you move off in traffic to watch for any cyclists coming up behind you.

You should check your mirrors often enough so that you are aware of what’s behind at all times.

You should check your mirrors when you have been given a route direction to assess conditions behind before deciding on the safest option.

After you have read the above, write down 8 occasions when you should check your mirrors.

What routine should you use?

Copyright:Tony Barden 1995

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OFFSIDE AND NEARSIDE TURNS  

When turning right and an oncoming car is also turning right, you would normally use the offside method. This is where you drive well into the junction and position your car to drive around behind the other car, and he would drive around you.   The advantage of this method is an improved view, but the disadvantage is that it can be a slow method of turning, because only one or two cars can usually enter the junction from each side when waiting to turn.

The nearside method of turning is where you would not drive too far into the junction.   Position your car so that you can turn in front of the other car and he can turn in front of you. The advantage of the nearside method is that it allows the car to turn more quickly, but the disadvantage is that your view is restricted. As a guideline, you may find it more convenient to use the nearside method in the following situations;

1. Where you are turning into a narrow road.

2. At a staggered junction.

3. Where you have a filter lane   for turning right.

4. Where you have a filter arrow for turning right.

5. Where there is a bollard positioned in the junction.

6. If there is a long vehicle turning right and they would not have the room to drive around you.

7. Where road markings indicate the nearside method.

There may be exceptions to the above occasions when the nearside method is used and it is therefore only intended as a guide.

At all other junctions which do not conform to the above situations you use the opposite method.

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REVERSING

objectives

1. To be able to reverse safely, making effective observations and identifying any dangers.

2. To be able to reverse in a straight line under full control.

3. To be able to reverse to the left under control.

4. To be able to reverse to the right under control.

Where should you not reverse?

You must not reverse from a minor to a major road.

You must not reverse up a one-way street.

You must not reverse on a dual carriageway.

You must not reverse on a motorway.

You must not reverse for longer than necessary.

Where should you check before reversing?

You must check completely around the car (looking through all the windows).   As you reverse, you will be mainly looking out the back window over your left shoulder.   However, you need to be constantly aware of conditions all around the car during the reverse.   Remember the pillars on the body of the car will also restrict your view.

What dangers should you look out for?

You should keep a special look out for small children.   They may be below the level of the windscreen.   It is often a good idea to walk the long way around your car before getting into it.   This way you will be able to see any obstructions or children playing behind.   Although reverse lights show when reversing, you should still expect pedestrians to walk out behind you.   You also need to give way to all other traffic including cyclists.

How do you control the car?

You should sit slightly sideways in the seat with your back facing the drivers (offside) door.   This will make reversing more comfortable.   The seatbelt may be removed if necessary, but don’t forget to put it back on!   If you want to reverse to the left, then turn the steering wheel to the left.   The back of the car will begin to go to the left, but the front of the car will swing out to the right.   If you want to reverse to the right, then turn the steering wheel to the right.   The back of the car will then go to the right, while the front will swing out left.   Look mainly over your left shoulder out the back window, but keep a constant look all around and in the mirrors.   Some cars have a high back window, making it difficult to see very much through them.   In this case you will have to rely on your mirrors a bit more, but do check out the back window aswell.   You may still spot an obstruction, or a pedestrian, or approaching vehicle.

Try this exercise to help you reverse.

Pull up at a long straight kerb.

  Sit correctly and look out of the back window.

Try to keep your head in the position that it will remain throughout the reverse.

Look where the kerb is in your back window, usually if you are parked correctly and parallel, it is around halfway across the window.   Make a mental note of where it appears, and driving slowly back, try to keep the kerb in this position all the time.   If the kerb starts to disappear towards the right of your window, you are drifting away from the kerb.   If   it starts to drift over to the left of your window, you are getting too close to the kerb.   Adjust your steering wheel as needed.   If the kerb appears to be staying in the same position, leave the steering wheel alone.   Practice this until you understand the way the car behaves as you reverse.

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SIGNALLING AND COMMUNICATION                      

Signals are the language of the road.   They are used to inform other road users of your intentions.   There are many different types of signals available to the driver.

INDICATORS

Indicators are used to signal your intention to move off, pull up, stop, or to change your position on the road.   The mirrors should always be checked before signalling.   Signals should be cancelled after use, or, re-applied if they cancel themselves too early.   They should be given clearly and in plenty of time for others to see them.

BRAKE LIGHTS

Brake lights are red lights which come on automatically once the brake pedal is pressed.   They signal your intention to slow down or stop.

REVERSE LIGHTS

Reverse lights are white lights which light up at the rear of the car once reverse gear is selected.

HORN

The horn should be used to warn other road users of your presence.   It should not be used between 11.30p.m. and 7.00a.m., when stationary (unless to avoid an accident), or in an aggressive manner to correct other driver’s mistakes.

HEADLAMP FLASH

The headlamp flash is used to warn other road users of your presence.   It should not be used to instruct other road users to carry out any manoeuvre.   (exception........if you are being dazzled).

HAND SIGNALS

Hand signals can be used to confirm or reinforce a mechanical signal.

Examples include; Slowing down/stopping on approach to pedestrian crossings.

Slowing down/stopping to deal with a particular hazard.

To confirm a mechanical signal when turning/stopping.

When mechanical signals fail.

To signal to a pointsman.

In conditions such as bright sunlight when mechanical signals may not be visible.

HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS

These are used to warn other road users that you may be causing a temporary obstruction.   They should not normally be used while a vehicle is in motion.   They should never be used as an excuse for illegal parking!

SPEED AND POSITION

The speed and position of your car can help inform other road users of your intentions.

SIGNALS GIVEN BY GARDAI

These are used to regulate the flow of traffic.

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TURNABOUT

( 3 POINT TURN )

1. Begin the manoeuvre by preparing the car, i.e. select first gear, set the gas, and get the holding point.   Then check completely around the car, signal if necessary, and if safe, move away slowly using clutch control while turning the steering wheel quickly to the right.   Try to get the full steering lock on as quickly as possible.   As the car moves across the road, check all around, and as you get within two or three feet of the far kerb, start to apply opposite lock to the left while you are still moving.   Often the clutch can remain on the floor during this time to roll the car gently towards the kerb.   Stop before hitting the kerb, or the overhang gets too close to pedestrians, trees, poles etc.   Apply the handbrake if necessary, and then select reverse gear.

2. Prepare the car before checking completely around.   When it is safe, begin to reverse slowly using clutch control while turning the steering wheel to the left.   As you reverse back, you should be looking over your left shoulder out the back window.   However, you should also continue checking the other areas aswell.   As you get within two or three feet of the kerb, you should turn the steering wheel to the right while you are moving, and change your look to the right shoulder.   Stop before hitting the kerb, or the overhang gets too close to pedestrians, trees, poles etc. Apply the handbrake if necessary, and select first gear.

3. Prepare the car before checking completely around. Signal to the right if necessary, and when it is safe, use clutch control to keep the speed low while turning the steering wheel quickly to the right.   Maintain continuous observation as you drive forward to complete the manoeuvre.

Note; It may be necessary to reverse back again and then drive forward once more to complete the turn.   Remember the key to success on this manoeuvre is: Slow car, fast steering, and complete observation!

COPYRIGHT;TONY BARDEN 1995