Originally Posted by s_mp
(Post 2421094)
1. Turning - When there is a blind corner where I have to make a turn, I feel more comfortable taking very slow turn, stopping, watching both sides and then proceeding. Needless to say this is met with lot of honking from drivers behind. What is the right way to do this? In addition to what vina has said, remember one thing : ultimately, it is your car you are driving. As long as you drive as per the rules, do as you feel comfortable. If you find that your visibility is not perfect due to a blind turn or a huge A-pillar, slow down and take it. Once you do it numerous times, you'll start being intuitive. It is just a matter of time :) 2. Making a turn right into busy City Road which is also an NH. There is one point where in I need to make a turn right into NH and at this point, I need to turn into the right most Lane as there will be vehicles in the middle and left lanes. So I proceed on the right lane, at 50-60 kmph. This leads to people overtaking me from left. I am aware that the right most lane is the fast/over-taking lane, but I am not comfortable moving into middle lane immediately as cars/trucks/two -wheelers fly through them, nor am I comfortable travelling at a higher speed than this as of now. Please note that this is a busy road I am talking about, and not empty so its not like I am hogging the right lane, and I do move to the left most lane when I get a chance, but I take quite a bit of time to move from right most to left lane. Just how bad is this and how much am I inconveniencing other drivers and how should I tackle this? There are such clowns everywhere! 50-60 km/hr is what one should be driving at, but people just can't stand being "behind" another car. Do NOT put yourself in harm's way just to oblige a vehicle which is honking excessively or being rash. 3. Typical problems faced by Learning Lady driver Now this I am sure, everyone is aware of. The moment some people spot me at the wheel, they either turn very arrogant, trying to push me to a side or start moving into my lane (on a two way service road), which forces me to come to a stand still to let the person move. Now I dont know if this treatment is because they see a woman at the wheel, or because of the L board (I still have the L board on, as I believe atleast some people would be considerate seeing that, and they have been). I have even wondered if I should remove the L board so they will treat me a little less savagely! Actually it is both; the female driver part being slightly more prominent. A "L" on the windshield is like a licence for idiots to give the vehicle a step-motherly treatment. Don't bother! I keep hearing that looking at driving as a chore is what makes it difficult, and I have to admit I actaully enjoy driving around areas where traffic is regulated, but at times its so crazy and reckless, its scary to be in the middle of it all. I hope I will not have any bad experience in the initial days as I fear that might put me off for good! So go ahead, help boost my confidence! please: |
Originally Posted by selfdrive
(Post 2422198)
I have a couple of questions which I hope can be clarified here. Normally I get conflicting responses for these: - Gear change: Is it harmful if I skip a gear or two and change directly for example from 4th to 2nd or 4th to neutral? Somehow, if I brake suddenly and have to stop/ restart I subconsciously change from 3rd or 2nd to neutral - Braking while stationary at signals: Is it advisable to use the handbrake or normal brakes; will excessive use of the latter impact the brake pads? |
Originally Posted by selfdrive
(Post 2422198)
I have a couple of questions which I hope can be clarified here. Normally I get conflicting responses for these: - Gear change: Is it harmful if I skip a gear or two and change directly for example from 4th to 2nd or 4th to neutral? Somehow, if I brake suddenly and have to stop/ restart I subconsciously change from 3rd or 2nd to neutral - Braking while stationary at signals: Is it advisable to use the handbrake or normal brakes; will excessive use of the latter impact the brake pads? |
Originally Posted by anilisanil
(Post 2422240)
I hope you do not disengage the clutch while braking. |
Originally Posted by anilisanil
(Post 2422240)
I once got rear ended when on a normal brake and I removed my legs off in panic, making my vehicle to go ahead and hit the car that is ahead. So it is always neutral and hand brakes when stationary. |
Originally Posted by selfdrive
(Post 2422250)
No, but that brings me to another issue. I subconsciously engage the clutch while starting the engine, though my hand is nowhere on the gear lever. Now I am trying to consciously avoid this, but progress is slow. |
Originally Posted by selfdrive
(Post 2422250)
No, but that brings me to another issue. I subconsciously engage the clutch while starting the engine, though my hand is nowhere on the gear lever. Now I am trying to consciously avoid this, but progress is slow. I did not understand how you got rear ended if you moved ahead. Did you intend to say you rear ended some other vehicle? |
Originally Posted by amitoj
(Post 2422255)
That is actually a good practice and is supposed to prolong your clutch's life by a tiny fraction. EDIT: Wait. You meant you press the clutch pedal when starting the car, right? |
Originally Posted by selfdrive
(Post 2422198)
- Gear change: Is it harmful if I skip a gear or two and change directly for example from 4th to 2nd or 4th to neutral? Somehow, if I brake suddenly and have to stop/ restart I subconsciously change from 3rd or 2nd to neutral |
Originally Posted by amitoj
(Post 2422255)
That is actually a good practice and is supposed to prolong your clutch's life by a tiny fraction. |
Originally Posted by SuperSlick
(Post 2422286)
In other words down-shifting the gears with the clutch engaged all the while would not mean engine braking - right? |
Originally Posted by anilisanil
(Post 2422264)
I was waiting at a signal behind a car with legs on my brakes when another moron rear ended me, so in a panic to see what happened I removed my legs off the brake making my vehicle to move ahead and hit the vehicle ahead of me. Kind of a chain reaction. Hope that makes it clear. |
Originally Posted by anilisanil
(Post 2422264)
I did not get you on the clutch account, what has starting the engine got to do with braking? Or are you talking about something very different?. |
Originally Posted by anilisanil
(Post 2422264)
So you seem to be pressing the clutch pedal while braking. Which is wrong. It is a good idea to be engaged (clutch pedal released) than to coast (clutch depressed) when braking. |
Originally Posted by SuperSlick
(Post 2422286)
In other words down-shifting the gears with the clutch engaged all the while would not mean engine braking - right? |
Originally Posted by lordofgondor
(Post 2422288)
I would beg to differ on this. Starting the engine with clutch pressed increases the life of the starter motor IMHO. This is because there is less load on the motor when the clutch is pressed. No increase in clutch life. |
Originally Posted by selfdrive
(Post 2422354)
Correct. I use engine braking when I know I have to slow down. Rapid downshifting with clutch engaged all the time is for odd emergency cases (unfortunately not so rare) like some moron jumping in front of my car or the suicidal lane changes by some others. I think this affects the mileage too, though I dont have the words or data to prove it. |
All times are GMT +5.5. The time now is 07:51. |