Do you drive in the same manner on each journey?
Discussion
I thought this would be one to ask in the advanced forum, as obviously you set particular standards to your driving.
Do you do the same things each time you go out in your car, or do you change the way you drive depending on the journey?
Obviously some things will remain the same, always: observation and the way you treat other road users, for instance.
Some things, for me, vary 100 per cent depending on the reason I'm in the car.
Like changing gear. It may not be, according to some, the safest, and leave my hand off the wheel for a fraction of a second longer when braking, but if I'm out on a run, I will change down through the gears, I will heel and toe, I will use engine braking: I like how the car reacts to it, and it's more fun.
Don't get me wrong - I'm not leaving it to the point that engine braking is **needed** to stop in time; I just enjoy having more involvement in what's going on.
If I'm going shopping, the chances are that when approaching traffic lights, my hands will stay firmly on the wheel, and I'll remain in 4th or 5th until I get there, putting my foot on the clutch when necessary, and either changing down to 1st, 2nd or neutral depending on what happens with the lights or other cars.
The same with the steering: if I'm out and about in town, I tend to feed the wheel, large sweeping movements that leave my hands perfectly placed to use the indicator where necessary, in a manner that feels most appropriate for frequent junctions and roundabouts.
When out of town, again driving for fun, and where indication isn't necessary, my hands tend to stay at 9-3, I'm happy to cross my arms as it gives greater control.
Obviously whether you'd approve of my driving methods is a moot point - I'd like to know whether you have a similar approach with regard to changing what you do depending on the situation, or do you do **everything** 'by the book', as it were?
Cheers,
Philip
Do you do the same things each time you go out in your car, or do you change the way you drive depending on the journey?
Obviously some things will remain the same, always: observation and the way you treat other road users, for instance.
Some things, for me, vary 100 per cent depending on the reason I'm in the car.
Like changing gear. It may not be, according to some, the safest, and leave my hand off the wheel for a fraction of a second longer when braking, but if I'm out on a run, I will change down through the gears, I will heel and toe, I will use engine braking: I like how the car reacts to it, and it's more fun.
Don't get me wrong - I'm not leaving it to the point that engine braking is **needed** to stop in time; I just enjoy having more involvement in what's going on.
If I'm going shopping, the chances are that when approaching traffic lights, my hands will stay firmly on the wheel, and I'll remain in 4th or 5th until I get there, putting my foot on the clutch when necessary, and either changing down to 1st, 2nd or neutral depending on what happens with the lights or other cars.
The same with the steering: if I'm out and about in town, I tend to feed the wheel, large sweeping movements that leave my hands perfectly placed to use the indicator where necessary, in a manner that feels most appropriate for frequent junctions and roundabouts.
When out of town, again driving for fun, and where indication isn't necessary, my hands tend to stay at 9-3, I'm happy to cross my arms as it gives greater control.
Obviously whether you'd approve of my driving methods is a moot point - I'd like to know whether you have a similar approach with regard to changing what you do depending on the situation, or do you do **everything** 'by the book', as it were?
Cheers,
Philip
My driving style varies considerably according to the journey...
On a long business trip, I stick it in a high gear, put some music on and cruise at or around the NSL
On my daily commute, I'm a little more aggressive, as passive driving tends to mean a distinct lack of progress on some roads and junctions
When out for a recreational blast, I often drive quite hard (450bhp in 1400kg tends to give you a lot of overtaking opportunities)
However, I find that the harder I drive, the better my driving becomes, as I'm concentrating far harder. This fact didn't go down well with the bike cop that pulled me over for "accelerating like a madman" - didn't have the heart to tell him that the boost controller was only set at a low level. Ultimately, he pulled me for sticking out like a sore thumb, but he couldn't argue with the fact that I only stuck out because everyone else was pottering along at 30-40
So - yes, my driving style changes all the time and sometimes several times in a single journey (for example, trundling along a boring dual carriageway, populated by myopic octegenarians and scameras, then turn off onto a gorgeous, twisty, camera-free A road.
Despite this being the AD forum, its also Pistonheads, so who wouldn't?
On a long business trip, I stick it in a high gear, put some music on and cruise at or around the NSL
On my daily commute, I'm a little more aggressive, as passive driving tends to mean a distinct lack of progress on some roads and junctions
When out for a recreational blast, I often drive quite hard (450bhp in 1400kg tends to give you a lot of overtaking opportunities)
However, I find that the harder I drive, the better my driving becomes, as I'm concentrating far harder. This fact didn't go down well with the bike cop that pulled me over for "accelerating like a madman" - didn't have the heart to tell him that the boost controller was only set at a low level. Ultimately, he pulled me for sticking out like a sore thumb, but he couldn't argue with the fact that I only stuck out because everyone else was pottering along at 30-40
So - yes, my driving style changes all the time and sometimes several times in a single journey (for example, trundling along a boring dual carriageway, populated by myopic octegenarians and scameras, then turn off onto a gorgeous, twisty, camera-free A road.
Despite this being the AD forum, its also Pistonheads, so who wouldn't?
I suffer from some odd form of schizophrenia where in day to day driving I'm obsessive about trying to keep the mpg above 40, given a nice B road however and you'd be forgiven for thinking that my entire objective was to burn through the tank as fast as possible.
Possibly it's to do with having a boundary to push, the fuel saving thing keeps me alert and looking ahead.
Possibly it's to do with having a boundary to push, the fuel saving thing keeps me alert and looking ahead.
Tartan Pixie said:
Possibly it's to do with having a boundary to push, the fuel saving thing keeps me alert and looking ahead.
Similar story - at one stage I was doing a 2hr each way trip on moderately interesting roads quite frequently, when I realised I was gradually doing it faster each time I realised I was going to end up in trouble (one way or another) and set myself a different goal - felt like quite an achievement when I managed to do the whole trip without touching the brakes.
To answer the OP, my driving varies quite a bit - sometimes I want to save fuel, sometimes I'm in a hurry, sometimes I'm feeling playful, sometimes I just want to get home.
Driving for fun, driving for economy, driving with a nervous passenger, driving with an enthusiastic passenger, driving with time to spare, driving with a need to be there ASAP, driving on a journey where better progress can be made, driving on one where pushing is futile, driving with something in the car I don't want rolling about and spilling or breaking, driving the Saab estate or the Elise or the 350Z, etc.
I tend to vary as per the purpose of the drive. I.e.
1) the work/round town plod - slow, steady, frugal, courteous and generally smooth. In a Mondeo.
2) motorway use - work or social - smooth, adhere to speed limits, utilise IAM training. If in Saab use CC.
3) hooning - local A & B roads that I know intamatly - concentration at maximum. Courteous, safe, but make progress.
4) out in the classic - Austin 1300 - make progress as quickly as feasible, concentrate far more due to primitive characteristics of car, also keep to quieter, more scenic routes. Also avoids holding up the SRI brigade
1) the work/round town plod - slow, steady, frugal, courteous and generally smooth. In a Mondeo.
2) motorway use - work or social - smooth, adhere to speed limits, utilise IAM training. If in Saab use CC.
3) hooning - local A & B roads that I know intamatly - concentration at maximum. Courteous, safe, but make progress.
4) out in the classic - Austin 1300 - make progress as quickly as feasible, concentrate far more due to primitive characteristics of car, also keep to quieter, more scenic routes. Also avoids holding up the SRI brigade
R0G said:
JPJPJP said:
No
And I find it hard to believe anyone who says otherwise
Pity I do not have a car fitted with cameras so I could show you a BIG YESAnd I find it hard to believe anyone who says otherwise
No, I turn into a power hungry road raging lunatic when my daughter is in the car.
Also when the ms puts 'the wanted' or 'james morri
' on the wireless, makes me drive aggressively. It's the hard core beats and thrash guitars which accelerate my heart beat turning me into a raging tiger. Roar!
Also when the ms puts 'the wanted' or 'james morri
' on the wireless, makes me drive aggressively. It's the hard core beats and thrash guitars which accelerate my heart beat turning me into a raging tiger. Roar! 
and
Always
...back in the real world, I try to ride and drive as smoothly as I can at all times, keeping the vehicle balanced as far as possible, whether that is with or without passengers, trundling around town, on the motorway or pressing on over the mountain on the IOM TT course. The acceleration, deceleration and cornering forces varying, of course.
To aid in this I observe, anticipate and avoid unnecessary inputs as well as I can and often heel-toe, overlap and blend braking, shifting & steering, use a fixed-grip on the wheel where practical and I occasionally reach up beyond 12 o' clock with one hand to make a tight turn.
I make no apologies to any Roadcraft fundamentalists for doing any of these things and the way I see it you should always drive as well as you can -you don't switch into "Advanced" mode occasionally, especially if that means having to follow some non-beneficial and arbitrary rules for vehicle control.
Edited by MC Bodge on Friday 25th May 10:38
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