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Manual Transmission Vehicle Driving Tips
The technique applied in manual transmission cars while in driving along a steep slope is to utilize the handbrake as a safety control to prevent the vehicle from moving back to the bottom of the hill while you change your feet between the pedals and the breaks during the high slope drive. People new to driving usually encounter great problems when driving on a high slope because they are generally nervous about the car moving back to the starting point of the slope, a little backward movement of the car destabilizes them and they lose the right to decide on what pedal they should depress. The fact remains that if one can drive okay on a leveled road, the skills are transferable and the person should be able to move well on a high slope.
Using the below explained method you will only need to regulate your speed by changing your feet on the pedals as you drive up a hilly terrain.
Method for driving a Manual Transmission vehicle
Begin by selecting GEAR 1 and depress the gas pedal (accelerator) so that the engine sound increase than what it had being when on a leveled surface, then depress the clutch to the level where the engine starts to connect to the wheels (this point is called the biting point). At this point keep both of your feet still.
Now, check around to make sure it is safe to move also check your side mirrors and rear view mirror to ensure your safety, then very slowly release the handbrake by a few millimeters. When the car moves either a forward or backward movement, ensure your feet are kept still on the pedals and engage the hand brake back on.
While the hand brake is still engaged on the slope now, adjust your feet with the vehicle firmly secured, verify if the road is still safe by making all your safety checks and then try the process again. Go over this process again and again till you can exercise full control over the movement of the car.
With time and by making use of this routine, you will realize that your vehicle cannot move back more than a few feet and you will be comfortable driving on high slopes. Also, with frequent practice, you will figure out the right feel for the clutch pedal and after sometimes you will not need to engage the handbrake before driving up hill. It’s just a matter of confidence.
Decision making while driving a Manual transmission Vehicle
An amateur driver is always faced with problems of making decision on when to move on or stop. Frequently, different people make wrong decisions while driving and this is due to certain reasons. For instance, a driver might make a late decision to stop for a cyclist or for another car due to his lack of attention on the road or he might be indecisive. There is an easy solution to indecision in future encounters, basically there are just three choices;
- Stop
- Go
- Don’t know
If you can ascertain that the road is clear; GO
If the Road is not clear; DON’T GO
Amateur drivers are commonly faced with the don’t know situation, so in other to stay safe, if you DON’T KNOW then DON’T GO. As a matter of fact being unsure about something is an instinctive safety caution suggested to keep you safe.
As time goes on and more driving experience is gained, you will find it easy to make effective decisions on the spot without any hesitations. As a safety rule, whenever you are moving towards a confusing situation just ask your self is it safe to go? If yes, then don’t hesitate but if no or may be, just stay safe, don’t go.
Assess your response time
This assessment will help to know and establish how fast and swiftly you respond or react to a sudden and unexpected occurrence. It is not a new thing to be caught unaware by an occurrence when driving. An easy way to do this is to set goals for yourself while driving. These goals help in increasing your response time after much routine practice. Try as much as possible to meet up with every goal you set in the best possible time through the safest means. Remember only the living can drive.
Double check blind spots
It cannot be overstressed to make sure it is safe when driving. You should always be sure of your safety at all time. You must check and establish that the road is clear before moving. Other than the areas visible to everyone when driving, there are some other areas a little bit hidden to someone sitting on the driver’s seat. Clearly, the front is visible to anybody seating in the driver’s seat, also behind the car is visible through the rear view mirror. But importantly, there are some areas of any vehicle which requires special attention, generally this are areas that are not very visible to a driver. These areas are referred to as blind spots. A blind spot usually can’t be seen by any of your side mirror, or the rear view mirror.
These blind spots should be checked before moving at all times to ensure safety of the driver and other passengers in the car.
In conclusion, the whole purpose of these manual transmission car driving tips is to ensure the safety of an amateur driver and the passengers he might be carrying in his car. Also to ensure the safety of other road users like; other vehicle drivers, cyclist and as well as pedestrians. Furthermore, it is to ensure that the driver uses the car in a way that does not cause the destruction or damage to the vehicle.
Good luck
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