Driving a car needs an idea of four things essentially. They are
1. Using the controls: Power(Ignition) On/Off, Gears(Including reverse gear), Accelerator(Giving gas to go fast), Brake, Clutch, Indicator switch, Windshield wiper, Seat belt, Seat adjustment(moving forward/backward) and hand brake. A good demonstration will help you understand how they work/function.
2. Steering: You should have the confidence, the comfort level and a few rounds of experience of being in control of the steering wheel. This needs enough practice under the guidance of an experienced driver.
3. Keep it straight: After turning left/right, make the steering wheel straight ie., in the original position so that the front wheels are straight and the car can move forward without any tilt to any side.
4. Direction of movement: You should know how to reverse the car. In reverse gear, in order to move the car towards left, rotate the steering wheel to the left and in order to move the car towards right, rotate the steering wheel to the right.
In a manual car, the things most used are the steering wheel and the gear-clutch combination. Whenever the car approaches a crowded place you need to press the brake to slow the car and then press the clutch and put the right gear in action. It can be first or second. When it is first gear you can move the car very slowly like an old man walking or even stop the car wherever required. When you need to start again since it is in first gear, the gear change is not needed.
While stopping completely first apply the brakes to slow down, then change to first gear. Now when you get very near the stopping position press the clutch and at the exact position to stop press the brake pedal completely. The car stops immediately.
While changing gears the speedometer needs to be looked at. For speeds between 0-10 km/hr, I gear is OK. For speeds between 10-20 km/hr, it is II gear. For speed between 30-40, it is III gear. For speed between 40-50 you can go into IV gear. For speed above 50, you can use the V gear.
For U-turn first put the car in first gear and then turn the steering completely and then as you release the clutch press the accelerator and let the car go forward. When the car has turned in the required manner and you can move ahead turn the steering wheel twice ie., two complete revolutions.
Whenever you are slowing down, going to stop, taking a turn, always check the side and rear mirrors.
Always drive the car along the left side. Whenver you think that there will be a paucity of space slow down and then pass the other vehicle or person.
Always accelerate only when the road is straight, clear and smooth.
When the car is going uphill give more gas and go in the III gear. If you feel that the power required is high as the path is too steep then change to II or I gear.
While going downhill place your leg on the brake to slowdown whenever required otherwise you may find it hard to control if the speed is high.
While changing the gears press the clutch fully and then move the gear handle. Use the gear lever gently and when you are changing its position visualise the gear positions and do it rightly.
Use the hand brake while parking.
Use horn while passing through junctions and during turns.
So let's begin:
First start the car in Neutral. Now press the clutch and put the car in the first gear. Release the clutch slowly and press the accelerator. Now steer the vehicle on to the road and when the road is straight and clear, accelerate a bit and then go to second gear.
Practice for some time in 2nd gear and change to first gear and then the 2nd.
Steer with confidence. See ahead and also use the rear and two side mirrors. Use horns when needed. When you are in first gear you can stop and go, you can also move the vehicle very slowly like an old man walking. You can go on the narrow roads as well.
Now use the 3rd and 4th gear. But here do note that you will have to go to 1st or 2nd gear anytime. So be mentally prepared by visualising the positions of first and second gear and also how to move your grip first away from the neutral after reaching the neutral and then move up for I and move down for second. When you are 1st geared then go down and go to neutral and then use III/IV gear.
When in 2nd gear tilt your direction of moving the grip (not straight but cross-wise) and then go to neutral first and then III/IV gear by moving the grip to top(III)/bottom(IV).
While using gears, do it slowly, smoothly, steadily, stabily and silently without attracting attention of others. Your mind should be mentally geared when you enter the vehicle and sit inside it. The map of gear positions should be in your visual memory all the time and your hands should be well in control of your brain with the help of visual memory positions.
SITUATIONS WHILE DRIVING A CAR
1. You are uphill, the car stops and the engine is switched off.
Restart the engine, press the brake and the clutch and put the car into first gear and then slowly release the clutch and when you hear the sound of biting point ie., the engine makes a louder noise, release the brake keeping the clutch at the same point(also called half clutch) and then press the accelerator. The car will move upward.
Do remember:
1. Your left foot is for half clutch or full clutch.
2. Your right foot is for slowing/stopping(brake pedal) or speeding(accelerator pedal).
3. Your left hand is for changing gears.
4. Your both hands are to steer the car in the right direction
Do's and Don'ts while learning to drive:
1. Disengage the hand brakes before the car starts moving.
2. While pressing the clutch to change gears with your left foot, take your right foot off the accelerator ie., left foot moves down(clutch engaged) - right foot moves up( accelerator disengaged) simultaneously.
3. While parking your car always put the proper indicator, then apply brakes to slow down, then press clutch for slow and controlled movement and only at the exact point of stopping apply brakes with full force.
4. While changing gears apply full clutch.
5. While moving on rough roads apply half clutch.
6. To move the car slowly apply half clutch.
7. While changing to first/second gears release the clutch slowly.
While nearing traffic junctions/crowded roads/bends/speed breakers, your left foot should be always placed above the brakes for easy/fast action. Always anticipate the right speed required and change gears accordingly. So brake(soft - hard), then use clutch(full) and then change gears. These are your main tools. Also steer fast when needed. Use horns wisely. Mirrors(side and rear) should be able to give you the right information of the moving traffic. So position them properly.
The art of driving is to flow with the traffic.
TO BE CONTINUED...
While stopping completely first apply the brakes to slow down, then change to first gear. Now when you get very near the stopping position press the clutch and at the exact position to stop press the brake pedal completely. The car stops immediately.
While changing gears the speedometer needs to be looked at. For speeds between 0-10 km/hr, I gear is OK. For speeds between 10-20 km/hr, it is II gear. For speed between 30-40, it is III gear. For speed between 40-50 you can go into IV gear. For speed above 50, you can use the V gear.
For U-turn first put the car in first gear and then turn the steering completely and then as you release the clutch press the accelerator and let the car go forward. When the car has turned in the required manner and you can move ahead turn the steering wheel twice ie., two complete revolutions.
Whenever you are slowing down, going to stop, taking a turn, always check the side and rear mirrors.
Always drive the car along the left side. Whenver you think that there will be a paucity of space slow down and then pass the other vehicle or person.
Always accelerate only when the road is straight, clear and smooth.
When the car is going uphill give more gas and go in the III gear. If you feel that the power required is high as the path is too steep then change to II or I gear.
While going downhill place your leg on the brake to slowdown whenever required otherwise you may find it hard to control if the speed is high.
While changing the gears press the clutch fully and then move the gear handle. Use the gear lever gently and when you are changing its position visualise the gear positions and do it rightly.
Use the hand brake while parking.
Use horn while passing through junctions and during turns.
So let's begin:
First start the car in Neutral. Now press the clutch and put the car in the first gear. Release the clutch slowly and press the accelerator. Now steer the vehicle on to the road and when the road is straight and clear, accelerate a bit and then go to second gear.
Practice for some time in 2nd gear and change to first gear and then the 2nd.
Steer with confidence. See ahead and also use the rear and two side mirrors. Use horns when needed. When you are in first gear you can stop and go, you can also move the vehicle very slowly like an old man walking. You can go on the narrow roads as well.Now use the 3rd and 4th gear. But here do note that you will have to go to 1st or 2nd gear anytime. So be mentally prepared by visualising the positions of first and second gear and also how to move your grip first away from the neutral after reaching the neutral and then move up for I and move down for second. When you are 1st geared then go down and go to neutral and then use III/IV gear.
When in 2nd gear tilt your direction of moving the grip (not straight but cross-wise) and then go to neutral first and then III/IV gear by moving the grip to top(III)/bottom(IV).
While using gears, do it slowly, smoothly, steadily, stabily and silently without attracting attention of others. Your mind should be mentally geared when you enter the vehicle and sit inside it. The map of gear positions should be in your visual memory all the time and your hands should be well in control of your brain with the help of visual memory positions.
SITUATIONS WHILE DRIVING A CAR
1. You are uphill, the car stops and the engine is switched off.
Restart the engine, press the brake and the clutch and put the car into first gear and then slowly release the clutch and when you hear the sound of biting point ie., the engine makes a louder noise, release the brake keeping the clutch at the same point(also called half clutch) and then press the accelerator. The car will move upward.
Do remember:
1. Your left foot is for half clutch or full clutch.
2. Your right foot is for slowing/stopping(brake pedal) or speeding(accelerator pedal).
3. Your left hand is for changing gears.
4. Your both hands are to steer the car in the right direction
Do's and Don'ts while learning to drive:
1. Disengage the hand brakes before the car starts moving.
2. While pressing the clutch to change gears with your left foot, take your right foot off the accelerator ie., left foot moves down(clutch engaged) - right foot moves up( accelerator disengaged) simultaneously.
3. While parking your car always put the proper indicator, then apply brakes to slow down, then press clutch for slow and controlled movement and only at the exact point of stopping apply brakes with full force.
4. While changing gears apply full clutch.
5. While moving on rough roads apply half clutch.
6. To move the car slowly apply half clutch.
7. While changing to first/second gears release the clutch slowly.
While nearing traffic junctions/crowded roads/bends/speed breakers, your left foot should be always placed above the brakes for easy/fast action. Always anticipate the right speed required and change gears accordingly. So brake(soft - hard), then use clutch(full) and then change gears. These are your main tools. Also steer fast when needed. Use horns wisely. Mirrors(side and rear) should be able to give you the right information of the moving traffic. So position them properly.
The art of driving is to flow with the traffic.
TO BE CONTINUED...
