|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
FergaL's School of MotoringDerrycloney, Mountmellick, Co. Laois, Ireland0502-24126 087 252 0104 fergalconroy@eircom.net
|
|
|
Here is some of the theory you need to be aware of before getting inside a car and beginning to drive. All of this an more is covered in your starter pack which you receive when you start to drive with Fergal.
Cockpit Drill Better known as D.S.S.S.M 1. Ensure all Doors are properly closed. 2. Adjust the driving Seat to the correct position. 3. Hold Steering wheel in the correct position. 4. Put on Seat belt. 5. Adjust Mirrors to ensure visibility. Driving Position Before you can work the controls properly, you must ensure that you are able to reach easily and comfortably. You should be able to push the brake and clutch pedals down without moving your body forward. At the same time, you should be able to hold the steering wheel lightly, but firmly.
Starting the engine. Better known as H.N.I. 1. Check to see Handbrake is on. 2. Ensure the gear lever is in the Neutral position (a lot of side movement). 3. Switch on the Ignition. 4. Release key as soon as the engine starts.
The Three Main Areas of Control Accelerator Feet Control Footbrake (Brake) Clutch Which when going from right to left is as easy as ABC! Gearstick Hand Controls Handbrake Steering and Indicators
Windscreen Eyes Mirrors Blindspots
Accelerator The accelerator is worked by your right foot. The accelerator controls the power output of the engine. The further the pedal is pressed down, the greater the power output and the faster the car goes. As you let the pedal up, the opposite happens and the car begins to slow down (unless going uphill) This is because the engine is trying to run more slowly and is acting as a brake. Getting the feel of the pedal needs practice to avoid a jerky start or a roaring engine. Footbrake The brake pedal, like the accelerator, is worked by the right foot, as you don't need to use these two controls at the same time. The brake pedal is placed immediatly to the left of the accelerator and should be worked with the ball of the foot. The harder the pedal is pushed down, the greater the braking effect and the more quickly the car will lose speed. In most situations only light pedal pressure is needed to brake smoothly and safely. Practice moving your foot from accelerator to brake while the car is stationary. Handbrake The function of the handbrake is to hold the vehicle still while it is halted or parked. The handbrake usually operates only on the two rear wheels. This is why it should not be used to stop the car while it is moving, except in an emergency, such as the failure of the footbrake. Applying brakes to the rear wheels may cause a nasty skid. The handbrake is fitted with a catch to fit it in the lock position. To apply the handbrake release the catch by pressing the button at the end of the handbrake. Pull it hard on, (up) then release the button. The catch will now lock the brake in the on position. To release the handbrake, first pull it up as if to apply it harder- this will release the catch more easily- then, still pressin the button, the handbrake can be moved to the off position.
Clutch The clutch is a device which allows the engine to run without driving the wheels. Simply, it is made of two plates. One of them turns all the time that the engine is running; the other is linked to the wheels and is moved only when it is touching the first one. When the clutch pedal is in the normal "up" position, the plates are held firmly together by spring pressure so that the engine will drive the car. Pusing the pedal down seperates the plates and breaks the link between the engine and the wheels. To get the car to move off slowly, the gap between these two plates has to be closed, but not too suddenly. This means letting the clutch up until it reaches the point at which the two plates come together. This point is called the biting point and with practice and experiance you will come to know just where it is. You will be able to feel it and also hear it because the speed of the engine will drop. Being able to sense this point is part of the secret of clutch control. The other part is being able to control the rest of the upward movement of the clutch pedal so that the two plates fit together without a jerk. This needs a lot of practice.
Gear Lever and Gear Positions The gear lever is used to change from one gear to another. The gears contained in a gear box enable the driver to match the engine power to the speed of the car and the load it has to move. For example, more power is usually needed when starting off, to get the weight of the car moving, then to keep the car at a particular speed on a level road. First gear is the most powerful but will only drive the car at slow speeds and is used for moving off, manouevering at slow speeds and climbing steep hills. After moving off you will have to use successively higher gears, as the car gains speed. Changing up the gears 1. Left hand on the gear lever. 2. Press Clutch pedal right down with the left foot and at the same time let the accelorator pedal come right up. 3. Move the gear lever to the next highest position. 4. Let the clutch pedal come up smoothly and press the accelerator gradually. At the same time, put your left hand back on the wheel.
A GUIDELINE AS TO WHEN TO CHANGE GEARS (APPROX) 0-5 mph 1st Gear 5-15mph 2nd Gear 15-25mph 3rd Gear 25-35mph 4th Gear 35-45mph 5th Gear
Changing down the gears When changing down the gears you must match engine speed to correct gear. This means you use the B.B.C. method which stands for Brake Before Clutch.
Steering You should keep a light, but firm grip on the wheel, thumbs on the inside rim. Both hands on the wheel when not using indicator, gear lever etc. Your hands should not cross when turning the wheel. The correct way to steer round a corner is to feed the rim of the steering wheel through your hands with a push pull movement. If you are turning left, the left hand should be moved to a high position (but not past twelve o'clock) and then the wheel pulled downwards, while the right hand is slid down the wheel. Reverse the movements for turning right. When less steering is needed, hand movements may be shorter. As the turn is completed, you must straighten up, the wheel must be fed in the opposite direction. The wheel should not be allowed to spin back on its own.
Mirrors and Blindspots Driving Mirrors Many, if not all vehicles, have three mirrors: one interior and two exterior. The purpose of the driving mirrors is to give you a clear view of the road behind and enable you to keep up to date with what is happening behind you. More importantly, it will help you make sensible descisions based on the position and speed of traffic behind you. The mirror must be checked regularly along the way and certainly before any type of manoeuvre. REMEMBER: Don't just look in your mirrors, act safely and sensibly on what you see. The interior mirrors should be adjusted to the four corners of the back window, paying particular attention when adjusting the mirror not to smudge the glass with your fingers as this reflects at night. Blindspots A blindspot is an area of approx 67 feet on a normal road that your driving mirrors will not take in. Your instructor will demonstrate their importance and vaidity. In every case, blindspots could be checked before moving off or undertaking any manoeuvre.
Moving off from a stopped position 1. Press the clutch pedal all the way down with your left foot and hold it there. 2. Move gear level into first gear and set the engine power. 3. Release clutch slowly until you feel a noticable "tug" on your clutch. With experiance you will be able to find the biting point easily. 4. Hold the clutch pedal quite still in this position. 5. Make final safety checks: A: Check Mirrors B: Glance over right shoulder (blindspot) 6. Give your signal (Indicate) showing you are intending to move off. 7. Let the clutch pedal come up a little more- still slowly and smoothly. At the same time, release the handbrake, remembering to put your hand back on the steering wheel straight away. The car will begin to move. 8. Press the accelerator further down - gradually - to speed the car up. At the same time let the clutch pedal come right up - still smoothly - and then take your left foot off it.
Stopping Having decided to stop you will: 1. Use the mirrors 2. Signal your intention to stop by giving a left signal (M.S.M=Mirror Signal Mirror) 3. Take your right foot off the accelerator (the engine will slow down and this will help slow the car) 4. Move your right foot onto the brake pedal and press it down gently at first then gradually harder. 5. Just before the car stops, press your left foot all the way down on the clutch (this disengages the engine from the wheels and stops the engine from stalling) Don't do this too soon or you will lose the help of engine braking. 6. Ease the pressure on the brake pedal as the car stops (unless on a slope) 7. Apply the handbrake 8. Put the gear lever into neutral 9. Cancel indicator and remove feet from pedals.
Many more topics and areas of driving are covered during the actual instruction and the above is just to get you started and familiar with basic procedures before you step into the car. Safe Driving!
|
|
Send mail to fergalconroy@eircom.net with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
