Driving tips that you’ve picked up along the way (for road vehicles).

[Bletchleyite]

If someone did that in front of me I’d assume they were some kind of idiot child playing with their switches and not focussing on driving.

I’d close up and look to get past at the first opportunity.

Which would to be fair solve the problem on their part!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

?? If as you say someone is tootling in the outer lane and you realise the bus lane isnt restricted at that time so can use it to get a calmer/efficient drive - the implication is using it to undertake. That’s how I read it anyway. Apologies if wrong.

I meant that use of the available (and permissible) space by all vehicles allows for a less stressful experience. If I had been advocating undertaking of those ignoramuses who are either unable to tell the time (or so paranoid that they think they'll get a FPN for using a bus lane outside the hours of operation) then I wouldn't have mentioned the tailback that such people create.

That said, once I've assessed the risk of such a move and determined the risk to be low, I absolutely will undertake someone who is pootling along the right hand lane of a dual carriageway, bus lane or not.

 

[Domh245]

If someone did that in front of me I’d assume they were some kind of idiot child playing with their switches and not focussing on driving.

I’d close up and look to get past at the first opportunity.

No idea which part of any driving instruction, course or highway code/law that is supposed to refer to in terms of good driving.

Based on what you've said in this thread so far, I somehow doubt you'd be driving around in bumper to bumper traffic with your high beams on and so wouldn't get that treatment!

Of course, all courses, highway code and law say that you must dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users - ie don't have your high beams on when you're right behind another car! What's your suggestion for trying to alert drivers behind that they need to check what they're doing (in the same way that anyone driving towards me with full beams on will get a cursory flash to remind them to dip their lights)

 

[superjohn]

My driving instructor always made a big deal about “reading the road ahead”. That is to look into the distance frequently so as to assess potential hazards that may need you to slow down and then act accordingly well in advance. That has stuck with me ever since I passed my test back in 1993 (in Cambridge, which I consider a badge of honour! Cambridge roads and traffic are easily worse than London). I remain amazed how many other people seem to drive solely by following the actions of the car in front, reacting at the last moment to things I had seen way before.

As well as the safety aspect this also has efficiency implications. I have a hybrid car which loves gentle braking as it feeds energy back to the battery. Just as with regen/rheo on a train, hard braking brings the friction brakes into play which wastes energy. By assessing the road well ahead I can brake gently, or often just lift off with no braking at all, in order to approach any upcoming situation at an appropriate speed.

The result is a safer, smoother and more efficient journey. My average MPG reading is currently 69.3 and still slowly rising.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

Sigh. Why are there so many people just itching to try and shoot things down in a display of self-righteousness?

The point is you do learn to get that assessment right, and “doing it but indicating anyway” doesn’t ingrain it in you. As I said - “probably” don’t indicate - if there is any doubt you do. In busy urban situations clearly that is likely to be the norm.

I would disagree. I would say, yes, learn to get the assessment right. You need to make sure you have looked all around for all other road users and identified if there is any reason why it would not be safe to make the turn. But that's not so much a prerequisite for indicating: It's pre-requisite for actually making the manoevre. In other words, as you're coming up to the point where you would indicate, you assess all round you to make sure it's OK in principle for you to make the turn - as long as, after making that check, you still intend to turn, you indicate anyway as a way of making your intentions absolutely clear to everyone. You don't say 'Oh, no-one will be inconvenienced if I don't indicate, so I won't bother this time.' Just indicate. It's simpler and safer [*]. Then, just prior to actually making the turn, you re-check and make absolutely sure you have identified any other road user who would be affected by your manoeuvre. And obviously, at that point, you stop and wait if any other road user has a postion/velocity that would make the manoeuvre temporarily inadvisable.

The problem with saying, 'don't always indicate because you should be training yourself to see all road users' is that you are basically deciding not to activate a safety feature that might (if you missed something when you looked round) save someone's life - on the basis that you want to train yourself better. Offhand I can't think of any other safety-critical environment where that logic would be considered acceptable. The widely accepted logic of making things safe is that you build multiple safety systems in, so that if any one individual safety component fails, the next one will kick in instead. That makes an overall failure very unlikely because you need multiple systems to fail at once.

In the case of making a turn, you have two safety systems: Your own manual checking that it is safe to make the turn, and then your indicator lights that serve to tell everyone else what you are intending to do. Both of those are important and should be used. You don't decide not to bother with one of the safety systems because the other has given an all-clear.

[*] The one important exception to be aware of is cyclists, because for a cyclist, indicating requires taking a hand off the handlebars, which slightly reduces control of the bike and can prevent braking. Cyclists therefore do have a good reason for not indicating unnecessarily.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I meant that use of the available (and permissible) space by all vehicles allows for a less stressful experience. If I had been advocating undertaking of those ignoramuses who are either unable to tell the time (or so paranoid that they think they'll get a FPN for using a bus lane outside the hours of operation) then I wouldn't have mentioned the tailback that such people create.

To be honest I'd make all bus lanes full-time unless needed for part-time parking or loading bays. Part-time ones cause danger from the misunderstanding/paranoia you suggest, and pretty much by definition if it's quiet you don't need them for cars, and if it's busy you do need them for buses.

New thread for replies here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/should-all-bus-lanes-be-full-time.205219/

 

[MotCO]

I suspect that in no small part this is because of the advent of both (front) DRLs and digital instrument clusters, they simply don't realise that they aren't switched on (although I suspect there's a few negligent people who don't realise they should be on either)

I recall older cars where the instruments were only illuminated when you had external lights on. If you couldn't see your dials, you had no lights on. Nowadays, the dials are illuminated whenever you switch the engine on. Perhaps we should return to the (good) old days?

 

[MotCO]

Most bus lanes are only part-time, with the hours of operation clearly marked by regular signposts... however most drivers seem blissfully unaware of this, and will pootle along in the right hand lane at 25mph in the middle of the day with the massive tailback trailing in their wake!

The problem with bus lanes is that they have different hours of operation. I find the signs at the start of bus lanes to be too full of information so that I can't easily or quickly determine whether or not the bus lane is in operation. What day of the week does it operate, is it morning or evening, does it exclude bank holidays, and then what day and time is it? Once you've worked all that out, the bus lane has finished!

For that reason, I never use bus lanes (and also the fact that I was caught driving in a bus lane on a bank holiday, thinking that bank holidays were excluded ).

 

[MotCO]

The issue I have with lack of use of indiactors is particularly at roundabouts. The number of times I have waited to enter a roundabout only to see vehicles exit down the road I'm trying to leave because they have not used their indicators. I'm sure it leads to longer queues and delays and probably more accidents.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The issue I have with lack of use of indiactors is particularly at roundabouts. The number of times I have waited to enter a roundabout only to see vehicles exit down the road I'm trying to leave because they have not used their indicators. I'm sure it leads to longer queues and delays and probably more accidents.

Yes, that does serve to annoy, given how many roundabouts we have MK drivers really should be better at that.

 

[corfield]

I would disagree. I would say, yes, learn to get the assessment right. You need to make sure you have looked all around for all other road users and identified if there is any reason why it would not be safe to make the turn. But that's not so much a prerequisite for indicating: It's pre-requisite for actually making the manoevre. In other words, as you're coming up to the point where you would indicate, you assess all round you to make sure it's OK in principle for you to make the turn - as long as, after making that check, you still intend to turn, you indicate anyway as a way of making your intentions absolutely clear to everyone. You don't say 'Oh, no-one will be inconvenienced if I don't indicate, so I won't bother this time.' Just indicate. It's simpler and safer [*]. Then, just prior to actually making the turn, you re-check and make absolutely sure you have identified any other road user who would be affected by your manoeuvre. And obviously, at that point, you stop and wait if any other road user has a postion/velocity that would make the manoeuvre temporarily inadvisable.

The problem with saying, 'don't always indicate because you should be training yourself to see all road users' is that you are basically deciding not to activate a safety feature that might (if you missed something when you looked round) save someone's life - on the basis that you want to train yourself better. Offhand I can't think of any other safety-critical environment where that logic would be considered acceptable. The widely accepted logic of making things safe is that you build multiple safety systems in, so that if any one individual safety component fails, the next one will kick in instead. That makes an overall failure very unlikely because you need multiple systems to fail at once.

In the case of making a turn, you have two safety systems: Your own manual checking that it is safe to make the turn, and then your indicator lights that serve to tell everyone else what you are intending to do. Both of those are important and should be used. You don't decide not to bother with one of the safety systems because the other has given an all-clear.

[*] The one important exception to be aware of is cyclists, because for a cyclist, indicating requires taking a hand off the handlebars, which slightly reduces control of the bike and can prevent braking. Cyclists therefore do have a good reason for not indicating unnecessarily.

Except the moment you do it all the time you compromise this and will progressively stop doing it. Ultimately you get to the lazy habit of signal, manoeuvre (mirror?) which is how so many seem to drive - thinking that if they signal they have a right to do it which must be accommodated.
I think you’ve over emphasised this as a “safety system”. I work in aerospace and the onion logic is well known to me. This is an indicator not some collectively thought through system.
With “if in doubt do it” and consistent rigorous practice I don’t see an issue.

On a roundabout I watch the vehicle positioning and speed far more than the indicator - most people seem to leave them on, or as I find they click off again with a bit morn turning or a lane change - so taken with a massive pinch of salt even with the best will in the world.

Based on what you've said in this thread so far, I somehow doubt you'd be driving around in bumper to bumper traffic with your high beams on and so wouldn't get that treatment!

Of course, all courses, highway code and law say that you must dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users - ie don't have your high beams on when you're right behind another car! What's your suggestion for trying to alert drivers behind that they need to check what they're doing (in the same way that anyone driving towards me with full beams on will get a cursory flash to remind them to dip their lights)

I do tend to sit back, however in congestion on multi-lane traffic that can encourage people to pull in front which then frustrates people behind and causes issues of it’s own in suddenly leaving me no space (and not wanting to precipitate an instant braking wave) so I tend to close up a bit to discourage that.
As above I was taught to look far ahead, on a typical fastish motorway line of traffic say 10-15 cars. That way I can start my braking thinking distance long before the car in front’s lights come on. It also allows me to just ease off the acceleretor if I can see it is a minor adjustment rather than a major braking and thus try and even out the braking wave or even stopping it. By flexing the gap (but not to the extremes that people who dont seem to realise the motorway has opened up again) then it feels like I’m helping keep a higher average whilst being safe.

Generally a decent gap is good as if you are looking to overtake you get a better view down the sides, over and under from being further back. You can then use that distance to accelerate up behind and as the start of the overtaking opportunity (eg car coming the other way passes) you can “pop” and fly by already at overtaking speed (I look to change up into a cruising gear as I pull out) If you change your mind you can stand on the brakes and stay behind. I overtake a fair bit in some areas I drive and I’m always amazed at how little of the distance I have allocated for myself that I actually need. Again all as I was taught. The one flipside is people seeing you close fast in the mirror and possibly panicking- but they should get the idea you will imminently go past.

One thing that absolutely breaks me is seeing people, typically on the inside lane of a motorway, slowing/braking to let those on slip lanes get in ahead of them.

I was taught that you should continue as your same speed as it is incumbent on the person joining to do so safely - and the one thing they need, in the mirror/over the shoulder looks they get, is for you to be consistent. The very last thing they need to make their decisions is you changing stuff when it is hard for them to see that and it takes precious time to identify your speed in the first place let alone again.
Hence you see these (well intentioned) see-saw things where both sides come to a halt and then get frustrated with each other whilst also causing chaos behind them.
Only if you can easily help by say pulling out, or there is no option, should you do anything.

I’ve always applied a bit of sailing to my driving - that is when you do something make it clear you are doing that by the movement you make, eg. on a boat, to show you have seen a potentially conflicting one you turn more than you need to to give a noticeably different aspect. Military drill can be seen the same way - there are no subtle moves but all clearly defined.

 

[Bletchleyite]

One thing that absolutely breaks me is seeing people, typically on the inside lane of a motorway, slowing/braking to let those on slip lanes get in ahead of them.

Yes, I particularly dislike when people slow but would be far too close behind me when I pulled in. The best thing to do is pull into the middle lane to let people in if you can, and if you can't just to continue at a consistent speed so I can adjust mine to join.

 

[Tom B]

Prats driving around without lights on - some have whizzy cars that have automatic front marker lights, and presumably think this absolves them the responsibility of switching it themselves.

Tips - hmm. As above - read the signs about bus lanes. Time can be saved when several sheep are in the outer lane and you whiz past on the inside!

Learning to change a headlamp, swap a wheel, check oil/water, adjust a fanbelt etc should all be done on a comfortable weekend afternoon, rather than having to suffer the consequences of being stuck on the hardshoulder trying to figure it out in the pouring rain.

Mechanical sympathy will extend the life of the vehicle - not putting it under undue stress - e.g. hitting speed bumps at high speed, putting the engine under stress when starting from cold, sitting on the clutch when not required, or using the clutch to absorb a severe gear change rather than rev-matching.

An awareness of one's limits, and the limits of the vehicle you are driving, are important. If trying out new techniques or trying to find the limits of the vehicle... do it in an empty car park, not whilst driving.

 

[Bletchleyite]

sitting on the clutch when not required, or using the clutch to absorb a severe gear change

Barring a bearing fault, clutches should last the life of the vehicle, though it's no surprise that they don't for some people given the way they slip it at every single gear change.

 

[LMS 4F]

On my Police driving course many years ago we were taught never drive into a hazard. By this they meant hang back and assess the situation, don't drive right up to an obstruction or whatever, let the problem become clear before you make your move and hopefully you won't make matters worse.
Good advice which has stood me well ever since.

 

[Crossover]

Most bus lanes are only part-time, with the hours of operation clearly marked by regular signposts... however most drivers seem blissfully unaware of this, and will pootle along in the right hand lane at 25mph in the middle of the day with the massive tailback trailing in their wake!

I've found that by actually paying attention to road markings and signposts, you can use the information gained to allow a more efficient use of space and a calmer experience than would otherwise be possible.

The problem with bus lanes is that they have different hours of operation. I find the signs at the start of bus lanes to be too full of information so that I can't easily or quickly determine whether or not the bus lane is in operation. What day of the week does it operate, is it morning or evening, does it exclude bank holidays, and then what day and time is it? Once you've worked all that out, the bus lane has finished!

For that reason, I never use bus lanes (and also the fact that I was caught driving in a bus lane on a bank holiday, thinking that bank holidays were excluded ).

I have to agree with @MotCO and was going to make a similar point had it not been already. The various lanes have such varying restrictions on them and the fact I can never remember any of them (I wouldn't use any road daily that has them, in usual times) and the text is often too tricky to read at road speed when trying to concentrate on all other aspects driving throws at you means I invariably don't use them half the time (or by the time I have realised that it is OK to use, I am at the end of it). I suspect the worry (rational or irrational) some will have over getting fined will drive them to stick to what is safe

Agreed. Keep checking your mirror, and if you can clearly see the headlights of a vehicle behind they will be able to see you too, so knock them off. If you can't see a vehicle behind and it's foggy, put them back on.

This is somewhat naughty, but I'd be lying if I said I hadn't used their similarity to brake lights to my advantage, to get someone who is far too close to back off without actually braking, though a very light touch on the brakes can also light the brake lights to achieve that.

In some cars it may not be that straightforward, as the front and rears are combined on a single switch. I must admit, I have sometimes driven through fog (my commute takes me over some very high ground and will have fog on days where most of the country is probably clear of it) and then forgotten about the fogs, possibly only remembering when I'm sat at the next set of traffic lights or something.

On the use of the fogs to ward off a tailgater, you're not the first I have heard such a story from!

My automatic lights seem pretty good, in 6 years I’ve never felt they should be on when not. If anything they are conservative as they come on when I wouldn’t expect it including heavy cloud (especially if transiting from one area to another and cloud cover changes).

Mine, along with other cars I have driven with them, tend to be pretty good. One can often note the cars with them when they suddenly come on driving under a short tunnel (where they only come on as you exit) or pulling into a petrol station!

 

[Tom B]

Barring a bearing fault, clutches should last the life of the vehicle, though it's no surprise that they don't for some people given the way they slip it at every single gear change.

The clutches in both of my cars have been replaced from original fit - one at 77,000 miles, the other at 60ish. The latter car has lived in London throughout, with more stop-start driving, whereas the bulk of the former car's miles were done from rural-ish Yorkshire.

Rev matching / changing gear without the clutch is a useful skill to have if the clutch should become defective in service!

 

[MotCO]

On my Police driving course many years ago we were taught never drive into a hazard. By this they meant hang back and assess the situation, don't drive right up to an obstruction or whatever, let the problem become clear before you make your move and hopefully you won't make matters worse.
Good advice which has stood me well ever since.

I've been watching several of the 'dashcam videos' on Youtube recently, and nearly all the accidents could have been avoided by a bit of forward thinking and anticipation. Also, many of the motorists don't let other motorists in, even if they were in the right - it seems to be an ego thing.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The clutches in both of my cars have been replaced from original fit - one at 77,000 miles, the other at 60ish. The latter car has lived in London throughout, with more stop-start driving, whereas the bulk of the former car's miles were done from rural-ish Yorkshire.

Rev matching / changing gear without the clutch is a useful skill to have if the clutch should become defective in service!

I suspect you'll also get a longer life on diesel vehicles with a low first gear than petrols with a very high one, to be fair. My Defender will, in first even in high range, start out with almost no clutch slip at all, even on a hill. Whereas I once had a Renault Laguna 1.6 petrol as a courtesy car, it was easy to stall and 1st was so high that you had to slip loads (for probably a couple of seconds at least) just to get it moving.

 

[JonasB]

Rear fogs, when it's actually foggy, mean it's easier to see the vehicle in front. Like another subject under heavy discussion elsewhere at the moment, they exist primarily for altruistic purposes - to aid other drivers - and should be used with consideration to that.

Helping other drivers not hit you from behind might not just be altruistic…

Except regular rear lights are perfectly visible at working distance and rear fogs are distractingly bright/blinding. I’ve never felt I didn’t have more than sufficient situational awareness of someone else just based on their normal rear lights.

I suspect both front and rear fogs are a hangover from decades ago when normal lights weren’t a patch on what they are now. They seem redundant now.

I’m sure there is fog out there where they could add value but in nearly 30 years of driving 15k a year all over the UK and world, I’ve personally very rarely encountered it.

There are certainly situations where they are useful, not only in thick fog but also when there's heavy precipitation. Especially around dawn and dusk. And I really like the rear fog light when there is a lot of light and fluffy snow, that means you usually have a cloud of snow behind the car that can be hard to penetrate for a normal rear light. Especially as it usually results in a layer of snow on the rear of car that covers everything.

Example:

 

[Springs Branch]

A new thread for all your driving knowledge needs...

I’m sure that there’s lots of things that people have learned while out on the road. So here’s an opportunity to tell us all about them...
(I’m hoping that I won’t have to split this into yet another thread. Don’t let me down here guys!)

One tip I got from my uncle / driving instructor was always to take particular care with your speed when exiting a motorway. If you'd been travelling for some time at high speed, you would probably be moving a lot faster than you thought, and risked skidding or over-running when you came to the roundabout, traffic lights etc. at the end of the slip road.

This was the time when L-drivers were not allowed on motorways, so I tucked away this nugget somewhere at the back of my youthful brain. Until the first time I misjudged (hurtling downhill off the M61 at Chequerbent - I remember it well), exceeding the modest braking capabilities of my Vauxhall Chevette. Lucky there was no other vehicle on the roundabout.

 

[Bletchleyite]

This was the time when L-drivers were not allowed on motorways, so I tucked away this nugget somewhere at the back of my youthful brain. Until the first time I misjudged (hurtling downhill off the M61 at Chequerbent - I remember it well), exceeding the modest braking capabilities of my Vauxhall Chevette. Lucky there was no other vehicle on the roundabout.

I've never done that, but someone else has and gone into the back of me. It's well worth, therefore, positioning yourself such that there's an escape onto the hard shoulder/verge if necessary and carefully watching who is approaching from behind and how fast.

 

[EveningStar]

Youngest daughter got a car for her 18th birthday from my father, which somewhat spooked me (her older sister was less keen to start driving and achieved a more parent comfortable age before passing her test) so I wrote the following advice for her and left it on the dashboard. Doubt it was read. Nevertheless, here it is:

Read Me
Your First Car​

It is scary as a parent to watch a child achieve independence because we know about the world and the dangers out there. While a car is independence, it also is one of those dangers, so please indulge your father by reading this collection of advice from his experience, observation and comments added by others.

Your only objective is to arrive safely
Really, nothing else matters. Trying to arrive on time (leave in good time!), being cool behind the wheel, what your passengers say, pressure from the impatient driver behind, being first off the line or anything else is a complete waste of effort if you do not arrive safely.

Know yourself
Are you fit to drive? Everybody knows about alcohol (beware the morning after a heavy night before), yet tired or fatigued causes an equally lethal deterioration in driving ability, as does being emotional or the angry ‘red mist’. If in doubt, stop.

Know your car
Check fluids and tyre pressures regularly. Every time you approach the car get into the habit of noticing if everything seems right. Make sure your windows and lights are always clear. Refuel once the gauge gets to quarter full.

Anticipate everything
Be alert and curious, watch what everybody is doing and anticipate what they might do, look well ahead for potential problems and be ever alert as to what is happening behind you or in that awkward blind spot behind your shoulders. Maximise space ahead of your car as you control this space.

Assume nothing
Even if 99 times out of 100 the road around the bend will be clear, a child will not run out from between parked cars or whatever, today might be the 1 in 100. Are they turning or just forgotten their indicators? Are they doing the normal speed for this road? Have they really seen you? Ask yourself what you are not seeing. In traffic, do not move forward unless you are sure the vehicle in front is moving.

Expect the unexpected
Road conditions, the weather, pedestrians (especially children) and animals can create unexpected hazards. Slow down where there is a risk. Snow and ice are obvious dangers, yet a sprinkle of rain after a dry day can be as slippery as ice.

Trust your instincts
If something does not feel right, whether that is you, the car, the conditions or even the temper of the traffic, slow down or stop if necessary. The sub-conscious is amazing and experience will tell you more than you are necessarily seeing.

Learn from your mistakes
Always try to be a better driver. You will make mistakes … we all do. If something goes wrong, think about what happened and learn. Even if, rarely, it was entirely the fault of the other driver, ask yourself how you responded and if you could do better another time.

Obey the laws
Traffic laws are invariably sensible and you should ask yourself how you would explain not being sensible. Remember, windscreen, not mobile screen.

Night driving
You, and other drivers, might be more tired. Darkness will cloak potential hazards for longer, so reducing your reaction time. Some large, vehicle damaging, wild animals, such as deer and badgers, are active at night. If blinded by oncoming headlights, slow down. Take care not to blind other drivers with your main beam.

Motorway driving
Everything is happening much faster, so look even further ahead for problems and further behind for vehicles catching up faster. Be especially vigilant when changing lanes. And after leaving the motorway, closely watch your speed as you readjust to normal roads.

Commentate
An advanced driving technique is to occasionally commentate upon your driving like a sporting commentator and think about what you say.

Remember your manners
Road driving is not a race and, as in life, people appreciate good manners. Drive in a way that others know what you are doing or can anticipate your intentions and, because it confuses people, do not dither. Only ever use headlights, as sidelights are useless in fog or spray. Anticipate emergency vehicles. If another driver is being dangerous, let them get on with it and keep clear.

Security
Never, not even for a moment, get out of the car without taking the key with you (failure to do this invalidates insurance). Check doors are really locked before walking away. Even in an occupied vehicle, visible valuables, bags and coats are vulnerable to ‘smash and grab’, so put out of sight. When parking, chose well-lit and public areas. If anybody other than the police tries to stop you for no obvious reason, lock your doors and drive to a police station or a very public location.

Respect the environment
Every car pollutes, so do your part. Do you need to drive for this journey? Be gentle with the right foot, whether accelerating or braking, use the highest gear possible and drive at a gentle, comfortable speed. If stopped, use the handbrake and not hold the car on the clutch. Not only will this reduce your CO2 emissions, it will save your fuel costs and wear on your car.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That's a good set of advice.

 

[nlogax]

Youngest daughter got a car for her 18th birthday from my father, which somewhat spooked me (her older sister was less keen to start driving and achieved a more parent comfortable age before passing her test) so I wrote the following advice for her and left it on the dashboard. Doubt it was read. Nevertheless, here it is:

It's all good advice. When I passed my test and my dad bought me my first car (something which cost me twice as much to insure TPF&F than it was worth), I didn't receive any other advice other than the hand-me-downs of his worst driving habits. I'm amazed I'm still alive.

 

[Jamesrob637]

I suspect you'll also get a longer life on diesel vehicles with a low first gear than petrols with a very high one, to be fair. My Defender will, in first even in high range, start out with almost no clutch slip at all, even on a hill. Whereas I once had a Renault Laguna 1.6 petrol as a courtesy car, it was easy to stall and 1st was so high that you had to slip loads (for probably a couple of seconds at least) just to get it moving.

I have a 7-speed dual-clutch DSG (one of the first) and there is a noticeable "thunk" between first and second if left idle for longer than a few days, when pulling out of my driveway and maybe one or two further occasions thereafter. My previous 6-speed Tiptronic was a lot smoother in this regard, but at £260 tax and less than 40mpg combined versus £145 tax and nearly 50mpg combined, I'd happily put up with the odd "thunk!"

 

[corfield]

Tips - hmm. As above - read the signs about bus lanes. Time can be saved when several sheep are in the outer lane and you whiz past on the inside!

Learning to change a headlamp, swap a wheel, check oil/water, adjust a fanbelt etc should all be done on a comfortable weekend afternoon, rather than having to suffer the consequences of being stuck on the hardshoulder trying to figure it out in the pouring rain.

Isn’t that undertaking? I mentioned it above but got no response. It seems a grey area legally.

I recall getting the “bluffer’s guid to motoring” many years ago and it made that point. Simply so you don’t look an idiot!

Over the years the opportunities seem to come naturally though! This is why I hate smart motorways - must have picked up a nail or screw, tyre started going and from noticing a subtle change in noise to it being absolutely flat was the exaft same time I had to make it across 3-4 lanes to the hardshoulder. Where I was able to replace it (nearside fortunately) and carry on in about 15mins.

 

[corfield]

One tip I got from my uncle / driving instructor was always to take particular care with your speed when exiting a motorway. If you'd been travelling for some time at high speed, you would probably be moving a lot faster than you thought, and risked skidding or over-running when you came to the roundabout, traffic lights etc. at the end of the slip road.

This was the time when L-drivers were not allowed on motorways, so I tucked away this nugget somewhere at the back of my youthful brain. Until the first time I misjudged (hurtling downhill off the M61 at Chequerbent - I remember it well), exceeding the modest braking capabilities of my Vauxhall Chevette. Lucky there was no other vehicle on the roundabout.

This was explained to me once as why over bridge junctions are better in that you naturally slow heading upwards to the end of the sliproad. It also helps people get upto speed joining, especially heavier slower vehicles.

 

[PaulC1309]

Isn’t that undertaking? I mentioned it above but got no response. It seems a grey area legally.

I recall getting the “bluffer’s guid to motoring” many years ago and it made that point. Simply so you don’t look an idiot!

Over the years the opportunities seem to come naturally though! This is why I hate smart motorways - must have picked up a nail or screw, tyre started going and from noticing a subtle change in noise to it being absolutely flat was the exaft same time I had to make it across 3-4 lanes to the hardshoulder. Where I was able to replace it (nearside fortunately) and carry on in about 15mins.

I've had a similar thing happen around 5 years ago, in lane 4 of M6 heading South heard an odd sound for a few seconds before feeling a rear tyre let go. Was interesting getting across 3 busy lanes to the hard shoulder. We were heading to North Wales on holiday so had to get everyone out and behind the barrier, empty the boot to get the spare (luckily that car had a full size spare as there's no way the stupid foam stuff would've filled the rather large hole. Anyway was a baking hot day, jacked up car (nearside rear otherwise wouldn't have attempted it) removed wheel nuts and wheel wouldn't budge from hub! Had to call AA who were pretty quick fortunately as they prioritise calls with children and AA guy had to batter the wheel with a rubber mallet to get it off! I learned that day the hard shoulder is a scary place to be!

 

[corfield]

An ex had a tyre go, but wheel nuts had been done by a garage with air tools and would not budge. Walked a couple of miles to a garage and borrowed an extension bar which did it. They then got the business for replacing the tyre! Made me wonder about always keeping a bar in the boot.

A really good tip I can give is when you are short on fuel and looking at your options, remember to consider if you’ll still be on the same motorway at the next services

I reckoned I had 50miles of fuel, next services was advertised as 32 (or something like that) so tight but ok. Sadly I forgot I turned off M6 onto M42 and M40. Next services was almost bang on 50 miles away, I know that because it turned out my car had 49. Ran out and stopped with mile marker in front

I wish I could say I never let it get low again but I havealbeit not like that.