What to do when you cant shift gears fast enough

crossword · Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 15

my father tells me that when after i've started the car in first gear and got it going I should immediately change to 2nd gear and THEN make it faster.

I dont think this can be right. I think I should be making the car faster and THEN upshifting gears. Right?

Also I worry cos the car often makes a juddery sound after I change gears and then give it some gas. I guess cos I was going too slow before changing. The problem is this: say i'm in first gear. I press the accelerator. The car gathers speed. Then I take my foot off the accelerator to change gears.

Well when I take my foot off, the car slows down too much. I can't shift gears all that fast partly cos its an old car, the gears are a bit stiff and tight and i'm skinny and it actually hurts my left arm when I change from first to 2nd or from 2nd to 1st or 3rd to 2nd cos I have to do it with some force.

So how to ensure the car doesnt slow down too much when I take my foot off the gas to depress the clutch and change gears? should I keep my foot on the accelerator too while shifting gears?

ROG · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 1119 Location: LEICESTER

Gareth · Joined: 15 Apr 2006 Posts: 1214 Location: Berkshire

fungus · Joined: 17 Feb 2008 Posts: 78 Location: Dorset

When teaching learners in the early stages, there is a tendency for them to hang on to gears for too long, due to their reluctance to use enough gas to get the car going. I encourage them to accelerate more briskly in first gear and get into 2nd quickly.

It is often better ,if, when changing up, you do not come completely off the accelerator, but leave just a little gas on, as you would when changing down. If your car is a diesel the effect of engine braking can be quite dramatic if you come completely off the gas.

As far as shifting the gear lever is concerned, you should never rush a gear change. As Gareth said always have a brief pause as you pass through neutral to the next gear.

Nigel ADI
IAM car

TripleS

7db · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 1775 Location: London

Or alternatively if you make your upchange to second whilst crawling still catching the guy in front then when the guy behind is changing 1-2 you'll still be rising in 2nd...

Mr Cholmondeley-Warner · Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 619 Location: Swindon, Wilts

As Gareth said:

Yes, build up a bit more speed before changing into 2nd.
Take your time over the gearchange because the faster the engine is going in 1st, the harder it is to get the change to 2nd to complete smoothly.
_________________
Nick
North Wilts RoADAR

waremark · Joined: 15 Apr 2006 Posts: 752

Crossword, I have just been reminded that you are taking lessons from an instructor. Is that right? If someone in England was taking instruction pre-test from a properly qualified instructor, I would advise them to attempt to drive the way the instructor tells them too, at least until they have passed their test and built up a bit of experience. I would certainly expect the instructor to be more up to date, better trained, and more aware of what the driving examiner will be looking for than family members.

Frankly, this sort of question is one which would best be sorted out with your instructor. Crossword, do you feel that your driving instructor is not able to give you good advice? If that is the case, it sounds as though you should change the instructor!

It is not that we are unhappy to give advice on basic issues - but at your stage it may be better to rely on one person, who has been in the car with you, and who knows what is expected by your local examiners.

crossword · Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 15

Thanks everyone. I have completed my 20 lessons with the instructor and am now practicing with my father. In india we take some lessons with an instructor and then practice with a family member before the test because its really expensive to take many driving lessons.

The problem is I find my instructor has taught me some incorrect techniques that I will have to unlearn. For instance, he told me my left foot should always rest lightly on the clutch and my right on the brake.

From the net I learned this is totally wrong and wears out the clutch and brake faster. I simply can’t believe he taught me something so wrong. He’s got me into that habit now and I have to make a conscious effort not to ride the clutch or brake.

my instructor said my foot must always be off the accelerator before I depress the clutch. Now I realize that’s why the car has been slowing down when I make gear changes.

I’m asking for help on the net because I no longer trust what my instructor taught me and I’m not sure my father is totally right about everything either.

As for what is expected by my examiners, according to my instructor, that’s not even an issue. He said the test is really simple. They just see if you can change gears and take a turn. It seems they don’t have time to test reverse parking or any of the things they test you on in the west.

Maybe they figure since no one here seems to obey any traffic rules, why bother making the test complicated? If all I wanted was to pass the test, I could learn anyhow, and drive anyhow. I want to learn the correct techniques and get into the right habits now.

Gareth · Joined: 15 Apr 2006 Posts: 1214 Location: Berkshire

TripleS · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 4:53 pm Post subject:

ScoobyChris · Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 1197 Location: Andover, Hants

TripleS · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 6:02 pm Post subject:

ScoobyChris · Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 1197 Location: Andover, Hants

Mr Cholmondeley-Warner · Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 619 Location: Swindon, Wilts

Could be the difference between petrol and diesel again?

In a petrol, there's often quite a big gap between 1st and 2nd, so short shifting into 2nd can leave you struggling to pick up the acceleration again. In a diesel, that's less likely to happen, I submit.
_________________
Nick
North Wilts RoADAR