Post a driving tip..
Post a driving tip..
I always remember when I passed my test, my dad told me "If you listen to no other advice I give you, keep a good distance between yourself and the car in front on the motorway". Of course, I was 17, so knew better, and it wasn't until I had one of those "Sh*t sh*t sh*t..." moments that I realised how important it is.
I've never been on any intensive advanced driving type courses, but over the course have picked up a few bits and pieces of good advice that I've gradually implemented (or at least tried) into my driving. I reckon everyone's got a few good, simple pieces of advice they can pass along. So shoot!
I've never been on any intensive advanced driving type courses, but over the course have picked up a few bits and pieces of good advice that I've gradually implemented (or at least tried) into my driving. I reckon everyone's got a few good, simple pieces of advice they can pass along. So shoot!
always put on your handbrake if stationary for more than a few seconds,this will stop you rolling backwards or forwards,plus it will help pedestrians who pass in front or behind your car,as you might roll into them,or someone may shunt you front behind in a q,
plus always check your blindspot(over the shoulder look) to the right or left when moving away from the curb,overtaking,changing lanes etc
ive got loads,but ill wait to this thread gets nasty
plus always check your blindspot(over the shoulder look) to the right or left when moving away from the curb,overtaking,changing lanes etc
ive got loads,but ill wait to this thread gets nasty
As my dear departed Uncle said " treat everyone else on the road as if they are an idiot and remember they think you are an idiot"
and another wise men said about HGV's " Don't argue with anything that big"
or as my driving instructor said when i passed my test " that's you passsed your test , now go and learn how to drive".... I should really have listened to him
and another wise men said about HGV's " Don't argue with anything that big"
or as my driving instructor said when i passed my test " that's you passsed your test , now go and learn how to drive".... I should really have listened to him
I have been diagnosed with ADHOTS. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Ohh That's Shiney
Couple of things from me.....
If you think it's slippery on the road and when safe and appropriate, actually do an emergency stop at a marker point (sign post), then you'll find out how slippery it is and actually how far it takes to stop.
Always use the 2 second rule, no matter what as it seems to be an appropriate distance, related to the speed you're doing and increase it in the wet, even if people cut in front of you.
If you think it's slippery on the road and when safe and appropriate, actually do an emergency stop at a marker point (sign post), then you'll find out how slippery it is and actually how far it takes to stop.
Always use the 2 second rule, no matter what as it seems to be an appropriate distance, related to the speed you're doing and increase it in the wet, even if people cut in front of you.
someone in a minority once wrote:I know I'm in a minority
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- Z Register member
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- Posts: 4054
- Location: Belfast
Nice. When I passed mine, my driving instructor asked me to start driving within the speed limit. I must have been the fastest learner driver in Belfast. 40 in 30s, etc.muppet wrote:
or as my driving instructor said when i passed my test " that's you passsed your test , now go and learn how to drive".... I should really have listened to him
My driving instructor was cool. Ex-drummer from some unheard of band. Used to tour about England and Ireland in a white transit van playing at various gigs.
As I drove along during lessons he used to play rock music, and drum away on the dash. We used to call in for some grub (bacon, egg, sausage sodas, etc) in a local petrol station then and stop every 20 minutes for a ciggie break. Those were the days.....
BMW Z3, the only way to build a true roadster
- The most powerful letter in the world.
- The most powerful letter in the world.
Cloz wrote:There is something that will never change is my love for Z3
smartypants wrote:Conor?
With an M??
The World's gone mad
smartypants wrote:The Z3 rear is a great thing to behold
When in stationary traffic always leave enough distance between you and the car in front, if he breaks down you can easily go around him instead of calling him all the names under the sun
Gazza.
Gazza.
Last edited by Gazza on Sun 24 Jun, 2007 19:08, edited 1 time in total.
Gazza
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
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- Joined: Thu 05 Apr, 2007 18:12
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- Location: Manchester
If you are going to drink and drive don't forget your car <a href="http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%25 ... /page.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_13.gif" alt="SmileyCentral.com" border="0"><img border="0" src="http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%25 ... e.gif"></a>
Dave L
Dave L
Dav the wheel nut
I'll just reiterate the "leave enough space behind the car in front" comments!
I learnt that one on a wet M40 the week after my test. I was leaving 2-3 seconds like a good little driver when abut 7 cars in front there was an accident.
I quickly found out that an old peugeot 106 diesel doesn't stop as quick as the Ford Focus Zetec I learnt to drive in. Crunch. Bye Bye first car - 1 week old.
I learnt that one on a wet M40 the week after my test. I was leaving 2-3 seconds like a good little driver when abut 7 cars in front there was an accident.
I quickly found out that an old peugeot 106 diesel doesn't stop as quick as the Ford Focus Zetec I learnt to drive in. Crunch. Bye Bye first car - 1 week old.
When turning right from a main road into a side street, if you have to wait before you can cross the road, keep your wheels straight. That way, while you're waiting for a gap, if someone behind you runs into your rear you will be pushed forward and not into the path of oncoming traffic as you would if you have already turned your steering wheel.
When you're stopped in a queue, leave a big enough gap so that if the cretin behind you doesn't stop, you don't smack into the car in front.
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
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- Z Register member
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- Location: Belfast
For the guys out there, keep both eyes on the road at all times when driving and not on the mini-skirt going along the pavement.
Another classic from my driving instructor.
Another classic from my driving instructor.
BMW Z3, the only way to build a true roadster
- The most powerful letter in the world.
- The most powerful letter in the world.
Cloz wrote:There is something that will never change is my love for Z3
smartypants wrote:Conor?
With an M??
The World's gone mad
smartypants wrote:The Z3 rear is a great thing to behold
- cleomantra
- Joined: Fri 20 Oct, 2006 23:56
- Posts: 298
- Location: fareham; UK
If you see a green field inviting you to come do some doughnuts make sure there are no poles in the vicinity as I learn't ohh yes make sure the car isn't you mothers or you will never live it down
Never let you mates drive your car as they will put it through a wall which you will pay to fix (I just dont learn do I)
Never let you mates drive your car as they will put it through a wall which you will pay to fix (I just dont learn do I)
If you get dazzled or find yourself blinded by fog, use the white lines on the left to folllow the road as you come to a stop.
Leave enough space in front of you to drive away in traffic in case you are attacked at the lights.
Leave your glovebox open when parked, esp if you have a TomTom.
When cornering, if the vanishing point of the apex appears to be getting closer, the corner is tightening up.
If a car is at a side turning and you think he may pull out in front of you, watch his wheels for signs of rotation.
Avoid unessesary sunday driving, some motorbikers are a suicidal menace.
Leave enough space in front of you to drive away in traffic in case you are attacked at the lights.
Leave your glovebox open when parked, esp if you have a TomTom.
When cornering, if the vanishing point of the apex appears to be getting closer, the corner is tightening up.
If a car is at a side turning and you think he may pull out in front of you, watch his wheels for signs of rotation.
Avoid unessesary sunday driving, some motorbikers are a suicidal menace.
Use the Search button before posting newbie questions about hard tops and fitting kits, footwell speaker amps, water in the boot, hood maintainance and those horrific angel eyes. We get like 10 threads a week on the same subject, it's obvious that you haven't searched.
An also, put the gear into neutral and un-clutch, or is that already included in your advice?Robert T wrote:When you stop at traffic lights, put the handbrake on and take your foot off the footbrake - that way you don't blind the driver behind you. It also makes your brake light bulbs last longer!
Cheers R.
I've read that even though you have the clutch disengaged, it is not completely free (or something like that) and some wear will result from you sitting with the clutch disengaged.
Oooh! 'Ark at 'im!color wrote:An also, put the gear into neutral and un-clutch, or is that already included in your advice?Robert T wrote:When you stop at traffic lights, put the handbrake on and take your foot off the footbrake - that way you don't blind the driver behind you. It also makes your brake light bulbs last longer!
I've read that even though you have the clutch disengaged, it is not completely free (or something like that) and some wear will result from you sitting with the clutch disengaged.
You can do what you like with the clutch - I don't get blinded by it - unless it's smoking!
I was being serious - if it is dark and/or raining - in something a low as a zed, your night vision gets totally destroyed by brake lights of the car in front - you then can't see what is going on around you and this is dangerous. I was joking about the bulbs lasting longer!
Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
Well, actually I only did take any consideration to the part about putting on the handbrake, I do that sometimes if the light is slow to change. Gotta admit I did not read all your post too much in detail so did not catch your joke.Robert T wrote:Oooh! 'Ark at 'im!color wrote:An also, put the gear into neutral and un-clutch, or is that already included in your advice?Robert T wrote:When you stop at traffic lights, put the handbrake on and take your foot off the footbrake - that way you don't blind the driver behind you. It also makes your brake light bulbs last longer!
I've read that even though you have the clutch disengaged, it is not completely free (or something like that) and some wear will result from you sitting with the clutch disengaged.
You can do what you like with the clutch - I don't get blinded by it - unless it's smoking!
I was being serious - if it is dark and/or raining - in something a low as a zed, your night vision gets totally destroyed by brake lights of the car in front - you then can't see what is going on around you and this is dangerous. I was joking about the bulbs lasting longer!
Cheers R.
Still the advice on the clutch is serious, I did get this from a viable source. Cannot remember which right now . . .
One you don't learn before your test:
When leaving the motorway don't slow down until you are on the slip road (or deceleration lane). So many people slow before turning off which has an effect of slowing the inside lane a long way back. Most deceleration lanes are up hill and there is plenty of time to slow.
When leaving the motorway don't slow down until you are on the slip road (or deceleration lane). So many people slow before turning off which has an effect of slowing the inside lane a long way back. Most deceleration lanes are up hill and there is plenty of time to slow.
Sssh! Don't let Mike F hear you say that - his is as shiny on the bottom as the top!z head wrote:keep your Z shiny side up !
When pulling out to overtake something, always look in your mirrors, even on a single carriageway someone might already be trying to overtake you. And when being overtaken yourself, move towards the side of the road to make it easier to pass you.
Do not do what a very silly lady did to me and steer halfway onto the wrong side of the road just as I tried to pass and then look surprised when you get an angry honk on the horn. It isn't funny being almost run off the road at 60mph!
Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
Keep you eyes peeled for our two wheeled friends
Gazza.
Gazza.
Gazza
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
- Justin Time
- Joined: Thu 22 Jun, 2006 20:34
- Posts: 2183
- Location: Kent
Always watch what's going on behind as well as infront. If an impatient driver is behind, give more space in front, as that tailgater has less of an idea of what's going on around him as he/she gets more agitated.
Don't get the hump if you get overtaken, and likewise, don't get impatient when you can't overtake. Emotional state has a great impact on the standard of your driving.
And finally, (one tip i still haven't managed properly yet) keep your ego in check. Competition with fellow drivers on the road, whilst giving kicks, also results in tragedies. That's what track days are meant for.
Don't get the hump if you get overtaken, and likewise, don't get impatient when you can't overtake. Emotional state has a great impact on the standard of your driving.
And finally, (one tip i still haven't managed properly yet) keep your ego in check. Competition with fellow drivers on the road, whilst giving kicks, also results in tragedies. That's what track days are meant for.
BMW Z3 2.0L Velvet Blue Individual Edition
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- Joined: Sun 04 Mar, 2007 10:33
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- Location: Romsey
When queing at a roundabout don't even look at the traffic going around it until the car in front has moved off. So many people look to the right as the car in front starts to move only to run into the back of it when he decided to change his mind!
Next one - remember to give way to oncoming traffic when turning left abroad!
Next one - remember to give way to oncoming traffic when turning left abroad!
Sapphire Black 02 S54 M Roadster
...then you're probably in Germanyestocks wrote: If a car is at a side turning and you think he may pull out in front of you,
Always put the car in neutral and use the handbrake when parking. My dad had a habit of parking the car, leaving it in first gear and not putting the handbrake on. Gave me a scare on a couple of occasions when I borrowed his car, I can tell you!
Actually the best advice my instructor ever gave me was when he took me to the local garage and showed me how to work the petrol pump. It was amazing how many of my mates passed their test and had no idea how to fill up
There is actually some logic behind that. Some cars are prone to the handbrake mechanism freezing up on a cold night or sticking through corrosion if stood for a long time. I also don't think it's a good idea at all to rely on the handbrake alone if parked on a moderate slope - leave it in gear as well.My dad had a habit of parking the car, leaving it in first gear and not putting the handbrake on. Gave me a scare on a couple of occasions when I borrowed his car, I can tell you!
You might be better off getting into the habit of just pressing the clutch in every time you start the car. I was always taught this on my lessons even if the car was in neutral.
Sapphire Black 02 S54 M Roadster
There certainly is plenty of logic in that on a Z3! The handbrake on mine used to stick on quite frequently. The fix was to pull the handbrake on lightly whilst moving. I still leave mine in gear with the handbrake off if it is to be parked for any length of time!SpunkyM wrote:There is actually some logic behind that. Some cars are prone to the handbrake mechanism freezing up on a cold night or sticking through corrosion if stood for a long time. I also don't think it's a good idea at all to rely on the handbrake alone if parked on a moderate slope - leave it in gear as well.
You might be better off getting into the habit of just pressing the clutch in every time you start the car. I was always taught this on my lessons even if the car was in neutral.
I was taught to give the gear lever a good waggle to check that it is in neutral before starting the car - I now do this out of force of habit - handy habit to have when you do park on a slope and forget you've left it in gear.
Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
Keep your eyes open on tight corners when you are approaching so fast that you think you may not make it !!
c.c Paula
Gazza.
c.c Paula
Gazza.
Gazza
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
When stopped leave a gap between you and the car in front, if you don't and someone hits you from behind and shunts you into the car in front it's your fault from an insurance point of view - you hit him.
One for the ladies - do your make up before you get in the car, I was astonished to see the lady in front doing hers this morning. I nearly spilt my coffee over the crossword!
One for the ladies - do your make up before you get in the car, I was astonished to see the lady in front doing hers this morning. I nearly spilt my coffee over the crossword!
Haha, isn't drinking coffee whilst driving the same? I don't see anything wrong in doing my makeup at the traffic lights... us women know how to multi-task so its not a big deal for usKipper wrote:One for the ladies - do your make up before you get in the car, I was astonished to see the lady in front doing hers this morning. I nearly spilt my coffee over the crossword!
- Justin Time
- Joined: Thu 22 Jun, 2006 20:34
- Posts: 2183
- Location: Kent
Case scenario: My old man was off at the vet's to see to our collie/corgi cross dog, and had parked the mondeo up a slight incline from the building. The building was very nicely decorated, along with a window covering the majority of the front ground level, allowing very nice views of the surrounding countryside for those in the reception. That is until my dad's "Fix Or Repair Daily" mondeo's handbrake decided to give way and allow said vehicle to plunge headlong into the lovely vista providing window. Apparently it sounded like a hollywood flick when a bomb goes offSpunkyM wrote:There is actually some logic behind that. Some cars are prone to the handbrake mechanism freezing up on a cold night or sticking through corrosion if stood for a long time. I also don't think it's a good idea at all to rely on the handbrake alone if parked on a moderate slope - leave it in gear as well.My dad had a habit of parking the car, leaving it in first gear and not putting the handbrake on. Gave me a scare on a couple of occasions when I borrowed his car, I can tell you!
You might be better off getting into the habit of just pressing the clutch in every time you start the car. I was always taught this on my lessons even if the car was in neutral.
After 6 attempts at fixing the handbrake, Lifestyle ford in Tunbridge Wells finally fixed the problem, but left my dad to pick up the bill for the damage (which was covered by insurance thankfully).
Also, the old 500SEL of ours had a nasty habit of having its handbrake seize up if left in park for longer than a week
Moral of the story: Never trust a Ford to be reliable , and always use the gears if parking for long periods of time, or to assist the handbrake on any incline.
BMW Z3 2.0L Velvet Blue Individual Edition
From the Highway code:cnharris wrote:READ THE HIGHWAY CODE.
I'm feeling smug - I read it recently and learnt a lot. I thought I knew it all !
226: Parking on hills. If you park on a hill you should
park close to the kerb and apply the handbrake firmly
select a forward gear and turn your steering wheel away from the kerb when facing uphill
select reverse gear and turn your steering wheel towards the kerb when facing downhill
use 'park' if your car has an automatic gearbox.
I am a little smugger
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- Joined: Sun 04 Mar, 2007 10:33
- Posts: 33
- Location: Romsey
Having posted only a couple of days ago
"Only a fool breaks the two second rule
Only a C**T hits the car up in front"
I was tail ended yesterday evening by a woman whilst I was waiting for traffic to clear at a roundabout.
At least she admitted it was her fault and fortunatly I was driving my daughters Corsa and not my Z4.
"Only a fool breaks the two second rule
Only a C**T hits the car up in front"
I was tail ended yesterday evening by a woman whilst I was waiting for traffic to clear at a roundabout.
At least she admitted it was her fault and fortunatly I was driving my daughters Corsa and not my Z4.
On motorways move back to the left after overtaking. Don't be a middle lane hogger. Don't weave in and out past every car, be sensible and just don't hog the middle/offside lane for mile after mile when the lane to the left is emtpy. Oh, and drive if you're driving, phone if you're phoning. Don't do both at once
We all have a photographic memory, just some don't take the lens cap off!
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- Location: Belfast
When out zedding especially in the summertime, bring the other half and a cloth.
Other half can clean the dead flies of the windscreen.....
..they only take away from the look of the zed anyhow.
Other half can clean the dead flies of the windscreen.....
..they only take away from the look of the zed anyhow.
BMW Z3, the only way to build a true roadster
- The most powerful letter in the world.
- The most powerful letter in the world.
Cloz wrote:There is something that will never change is my love for Z3
smartypants wrote:Conor?
With an M??
The World's gone mad
smartypants wrote:The Z3 rear is a great thing to behold