Good for you ddc. You obviously appreciate the ability to keep wear and tear down. I'd like to bet that you also agree that these driving skills give even greater control of the vehicle.
Bertie, glad I'm not alone, was taught exactly the same as you and passed my test in 1955. Passed a PSV test in 61 on a crash box Leyland PD1 and have never forgotten instructor telling me to anticipate the examiner requiring a change down when half way down a hill. Told me where it would be and said pull the handbrake (actually push on the PD1 cos the ratchet was back to front) a couple of notches. This then had the effect of not allowing vehicle to gather speed whilst going thro the process of double de-clutching as it was a notoriously slow change..Mick
Hi, mickeyb. After my appenticeship in 1956, enquired at Corpoation bus depot ref. bus driving. Had friends in coach business. They said get PSV licence, then chuck Corporation job. 2 guys took me out in standard Leyland double decker. Put me in cab, and told me where to drive. Had never driven anything bigger than a car. First attempt to pull off, I "kangarooed". It was scary; like being on ocean waves. Any how, got over that. Had to double declutch, of course. Gear change dead slow, like you say. And no power steering; massive diameter steering wheel. Made one other mistake. On a hairpin corner, let wheel pass through hands for straightening up. The thing was a blurr, and when I grabbed it to stop it, I nearly went round with it. Passed muster but didn't take job though. Wages lowsy - could improve them by overtime - cleaning buses and sweeping depot. I said "no thanks", and bolted for the door.
Often see that model bus at vehicle rallies and it brings back memories of one of the scariest test drives I ever took.
SD, guess you've never driven a Leyland with no synchromesh. That was a different age, different vehicles with different technology (if any) and very different tactics were called for. You even had to put your arm out the window and make hand signals, not the sort that are in common use today, but they were all part of the test. There was no such thing as an HGV licence and to get a job as a driver you had work your way up from a van to a flat back and up in stages to artics. The HGV licence was suspended at the outbreak of WW2 and not reintroduced until 72 (or was it 71). I was one of the lucky ones that was issued an 'all groups' by 'grandfather rights' so never had to take a test for that....Mick
A noseweight of less than 10kg, is a recipe for disaster, and almost certainly the cause of the snake.
I'd suggest that towing an empty caravan isn't necessarily a problem, as long as you ensure that you have some stuff in the front locker.
The police are taught to drive on their brakes because brakes are cheaper to replace than clutches and gearboxes.
Hi Supatramp. If the police can drive a vehicle correctly, the gearbox and clutch should outlive the time the car is in service. My last vehicle, a 1997 Golf 1.9TDI estate, was my every day car and tow car for 5 years. 18 months ago, I parted with it with 86,000 miles on the clock. It's still going strong on all it's original transmission, including the clutch.
Police driving? good subject for a new thread, methinks!
The Driving Standards Agency are the Goverment department that conducts all driving tests and controls the driver training industry. They coined the phrase "gears are for going, brakes are for slowing" some 15 years ago and pupils are taught nowadays to change the speed first, using brake or accelerator, then change to the gear that matches the new speed. Modern braking systems are far superior to those of the last century.
I've not had to replace a clutch yet and two of my cars did nearly 100K each over 2 years with mostly beginners driving.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
Wow Caz. "last century". That sounds a long way back. Hope you don't upset fellow campers, who are still tugging with motors built in the last century. You are right up front on brakes; my first car (1938 vintage) had rod and cable type. And brake fade was common. That made engine braking down hill essential. I have had this occur on a long down hill run, with no braking power left at the bottom. Not to mention balancing to get all 4 to come on together.
But, even on modern cars, some of the past driving methods do benefit car and driver. No need to double declutch on modern gearboxes, but when a smart change-down (e.g. from sixth to third) is needed, then that method saves wear on syncromesh, and avoids shock on transmission.
Like most of us old 'uns, I can safely handle very old vehicles as well as the modern ones. A lot of the younger drivers cannot claim this, simply because they have not been taught the skills. Though not necessary on modern cars, this does not mean that they are not a handy back-up.
One of the hardest challenges I ever met was, when a friend loaned me his very old Austin 7, the accelerator being BETWEEN the brake and clutch pedals. Try that for the first time in stop/start traffic!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Had a real snake on!!
