Define "Mechanical Sympathy"
Discussion
With respect to a car driving with "Mechanical Sympathy" is driving such that the moving parts of the vehicle are subjected to the minimum wear possible per mile travelled.
Not wearing out brakes and pads by harsh, hard or sudden braking.
Smooth use of the clutch and accelerator. No clutch riding.
Not allowing the engine to labour.
Not overrevving the engine.
Cornering smoothly and not at an excessive speed thus avoiding wearing the tyres.
etc
Not wearing out brakes and pads by harsh, hard or sudden braking.
Smooth use of the clutch and accelerator. No clutch riding.
Not allowing the engine to labour.
Not overrevving the engine.
Cornering smoothly and not at an excessive speed thus avoiding wearing the tyres.
etc
Edited by Don on Tuesday 6th May 12:05
BOF said:
Turn off the radio...
LISTEN to your car...
FEEL it through your arse when you get it right
???
BOF.
True. But I find Associates need more explicit things to do and not do when I explain mechanical sympathy. Hence a checklist. LISTEN to your car...
FEEL it through your arse when you get it right
???
BOF.
Rospa have a little checklist too with "Every possible mechanical sympathy shown" being the one you want on your test result.
I'd do it anyway as I LOVE MY CAR! 
My current associate is still learning. I wanted to give her poor little Honda a hug at first - but we already have improvements...
Don,
I think it is under Z?
"SECTION ONE: USE OF CONTROLS
A) PREPARATION (CONTROLS, BRAKES ETC,) Full internal and external checks carried out in a disciplined manner.
B) STEERING: Smooth, gradual, unhurried "pull/push" method throughout test.
C) USE OF CLUTCH: Automatic gearbox.
D) GEARS: Good use of ratios with the automatic box.
E) USE OF BRAKES: Smooth and progressive
F) USE OF ACCELERATOR/THROTTLE: Smooth and progressive use, showed good Acceleration Sense.
G) USE OF MIRRORS: Mirrors used as often as necessary; fully aware of what was happening behind.
H) USE OF HORN: Not used during test, circumstances did not require.
J) VISIBILITY/CONSPICUITY: Clear screens, all necessary equipment used in poor weather conditions.
SECTION TWO DRIVING PERFORMANCE
K) MOVING OFF AND STOPPING: Correct use of safety measures in relation to both manoeuvres.
L) APPLICATION OF SYSTEM: Excellent, all phases of "System" in correct sequence, no detail omitted.
M) POSITIONING: Positioning at junctions, roundabouts and other hazards entirely satisfactory.
N) CORNERING: Excellent: correct lines, speed, accelerator balance and safety margins maintained throughout.
P) SIGNALLING: Correct signals given according to "System" as required.
Q) REACTION TO SIGNS AND OTHER HAZARDS: Seen in good time with correct response.
R) REVERSING: Not required as part of test.
T) PROGRESS: A pleasing use of pace and "flow".
U) OVERTAKING: Limited opportunities; candidate appeared to apply correct actions when considering the manoeuvre.
SECTION THREE: GENERAL ABILITY
V) DEPORTMENT: A relaxed driver - calm and confident.
W) CONSIDERATION AND RESTRAINT: Showed both virtues well on test.
X) USE OF SPEED: Made intelligent use of speed. Always related to view.
Y) TEMPERAMENT: Calm and relaxed style.
Z) VEHICLE SYMPATHY: Showed every possible care to the vehicle.
AX) OBSERVATION: Excellent, with good planning; used physical features to good effect.
BX) JUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE: Appeared to have a good appreciation of speed and distance in all situations.
CX) COMMENTARY: Excellent, missed little or nothing at speed or in traffic.
DX) CONCENTRATION: Good links between concentration and observation.
EX) MOTORWAY DRIVING: Showed a complete understanding of driving on multi-lane roads.
SECTION FOUR KNOWLEDGE
FX) HIGHWAY CODE: Good knowledge and understanding.
GX) MAINTENANCE: Good knowledge and understanding.
OVERALL COMMENTS
The candidate is an Observer with a local group and is a very keen driver to perfect his own driving skills. This was a very good professional drive over a very 'fussy' test route that needs total concentration for its entire route. The candidate has a superb knowledge and understanding of his automatic gearbox and gave one of the best demonstration drives using the auto box I have ever had.
An excellent, high standard drive.
RESULT: GOLD"
But...back to do better in the SA later this year!
BOF.
PS - not showing off...
“pour encourager les autres” [to encourage the others].
I think it is under Z?
"SECTION ONE: USE OF CONTROLS
A) PREPARATION (CONTROLS, BRAKES ETC,) Full internal and external checks carried out in a disciplined manner.
B) STEERING: Smooth, gradual, unhurried "pull/push" method throughout test.
C) USE OF CLUTCH: Automatic gearbox.
D) GEARS: Good use of ratios with the automatic box.
E) USE OF BRAKES: Smooth and progressive
F) USE OF ACCELERATOR/THROTTLE: Smooth and progressive use, showed good Acceleration Sense.
G) USE OF MIRRORS: Mirrors used as often as necessary; fully aware of what was happening behind.
H) USE OF HORN: Not used during test, circumstances did not require.
J) VISIBILITY/CONSPICUITY: Clear screens, all necessary equipment used in poor weather conditions.
SECTION TWO DRIVING PERFORMANCE
K) MOVING OFF AND STOPPING: Correct use of safety measures in relation to both manoeuvres.
L) APPLICATION OF SYSTEM: Excellent, all phases of "System" in correct sequence, no detail omitted.
M) POSITIONING: Positioning at junctions, roundabouts and other hazards entirely satisfactory.
N) CORNERING: Excellent: correct lines, speed, accelerator balance and safety margins maintained throughout.
P) SIGNALLING: Correct signals given according to "System" as required.
Q) REACTION TO SIGNS AND OTHER HAZARDS: Seen in good time with correct response.
R) REVERSING: Not required as part of test.
T) PROGRESS: A pleasing use of pace and "flow".
U) OVERTAKING: Limited opportunities; candidate appeared to apply correct actions when considering the manoeuvre.
SECTION THREE: GENERAL ABILITY
V) DEPORTMENT: A relaxed driver - calm and confident.
W) CONSIDERATION AND RESTRAINT: Showed both virtues well on test.
X) USE OF SPEED: Made intelligent use of speed. Always related to view.
Y) TEMPERAMENT: Calm and relaxed style.
Z) VEHICLE SYMPATHY: Showed every possible care to the vehicle.
AX) OBSERVATION: Excellent, with good planning; used physical features to good effect.
BX) JUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE: Appeared to have a good appreciation of speed and distance in all situations.
CX) COMMENTARY: Excellent, missed little or nothing at speed or in traffic.
DX) CONCENTRATION: Good links between concentration and observation.
EX) MOTORWAY DRIVING: Showed a complete understanding of driving on multi-lane roads.
SECTION FOUR KNOWLEDGE
FX) HIGHWAY CODE: Good knowledge and understanding.
GX) MAINTENANCE: Good knowledge and understanding.
OVERALL COMMENTS
The candidate is an Observer with a local group and is a very keen driver to perfect his own driving skills. This was a very good professional drive over a very 'fussy' test route that needs total concentration for its entire route. The candidate has a superb knowledge and understanding of his automatic gearbox and gave one of the best demonstration drives using the auto box I have ever had.
An excellent, high standard drive.
RESULT: GOLD"
But...back to do better in the SA later this year!
BOF.
PS - not showing off...
“pour encourager les autres” [to encourage the others].
Edited by BOF on Tuesday 6th May 20:16
BOF said:
OVERALL COMMENTS
The candidate is an Observer with a local group and is a very keen driver to perfect his own driving skills. This was a very good professional drive over a very 'fussy' test route that needs total concentration for its entire route. The candidate has a superb knowledge and understanding of his automatic gearbox and gave one of the best demonstration drives using the auto box I have ever had.
An excellent, high standard drive.
RESULT: GOLD"
Not being funny, but I'm surprised you can get Gold in an automatic. What about BGOL, or do you drive in "manual" all the time? I've heard good drivers can make the 'box select the gear they want by use of the accelerator/brakes, but in my limited experience that is hard to do.The candidate is an Observer with a local group and is a very keen driver to perfect his own driving skills. This was a very good professional drive over a very 'fussy' test route that needs total concentration for its entire route. The candidate has a superb knowledge and understanding of his automatic gearbox and gave one of the best demonstration drives using the auto box I have ever had.
An excellent, high standard drive.
RESULT: GOLD"
I know of one advanced driving club that won't even let you take its higher award in an automatic.
Edited by Vaux on Wednesday 7th May 11:44
Vaux said:
BOF said:
OVERALL COMMENTS
The candidate is an Observer with a local group and is a very keen driver to perfect his own driving skills. This was a very good professional drive over a very 'fussy' test route that needs total concentration for its entire route. The candidate has a superb knowledge and understanding of his automatic gearbox and gave one of the best demonstration drives using the auto box I have ever had.
An excellent, high standard drive.
RESULT: GOLD"
Not being funny, but I'm surprised you can get Gold in an automatic. What about BGOL, or do you drive in "manual" all the time? I've heard good drivers can make the 'box select the gear they want by use of the accelerator/brakes, but in my limited experience that is hard to do.The candidate is an Observer with a local group and is a very keen driver to perfect his own driving skills. This was a very good professional drive over a very 'fussy' test route that needs total concentration for its entire route. The candidate has a superb knowledge and understanding of his automatic gearbox and gave one of the best demonstration drives using the auto box I have ever had.
An excellent, high standard drive.
RESULT: GOLD"
I know of one advanced driving club that won't even let you take its higher award in an automatic.
Edited by Vaux on Wednesday 7th May 11:44
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Had one Silver and three golds using autos...learned a bit from John Lyon a few years ago on the HPC course.
I use the three hold a lot on B roads and sometimes in town traffic...heavy stuff on A or M roads sometimes 4th hold...gives better control and reminds me to get eyes from dipped to main beam. Car has 5 gears - X Type auto.
The Trafpol who did this test (London Met) told me that the Met were getting heavily into autos...be funny if a Class 1 could not get into a driving club?
BOF.
PS - I am also tested on manuals - surprised some of the youngsters by clutchless changes in the wifes Matiz.
I use the three hold a lot on B roads and sometimes in town traffic...heavy stuff on A or M roads sometimes 4th hold...gives better control and reminds me to get eyes from dipped to main beam. Car has 5 gears - X Type auto.
The Trafpol who did this test (London Met) told me that the Met were getting heavily into autos...be funny if a Class 1 could not get into a driving club?
BOF.
PS - I am also tested on manuals - surprised some of the youngsters by clutchless changes in the wifes Matiz.
Edited by BOF on Wednesday 7th May 12:13
Vaux said:
I know of one advanced driving club that won't even let you take its higher award in an automatic.
Which one? Unless there was a particular requirement for a manual-only technique such as having to demonstrate a double de-clutch gearchange, then I can't imagine it being an issue as to whether you stir the stick or the box does it itself.As for making the box change gear at will, the good old fashioned GM slushmatics were far better in this respect (and it's quite possible that BoF's Jag has one of these - I drove an S-type which had it fitted with two overdrives to give five speeds) than the modern units which employ woolly thinking ((C)T Pratchett) rather than a definable parameter for selecting a gear.
StressedDave said:
Which one?
ClubDriving - small but beautifully formed!StressedDave said:
As for making the box change gear at will, the good old fashioned GM slushmatics were far better in this respect (and it's quite possible that BoF's Jag has one of these - I drove an S-type which had it fitted with two overdrives to give five speeds) than the modern units which employ woolly thinking ((C)T Pratchett) rather than a definable parameter for selecting a gear.
I hear it's hard to do in a BMW Alpina though.waremark said:
Vaux said:
StressedDave said:
Which one?
ClubDriving - small but beautifully formed!The day involved a 2 hour drive to Bruntingthorpe, where I was asked to undertake a series of assessed activities, including managing the car on the limit of grip, provoking and controlling understeer and oversteer, high speed lane changes under full control, braking in a corner in the shortest distances under full control and hardest of all, assessing braking distances at high speeds. After these activities, which were very instructive and allowed a good exploration of ABS and PSM, I then drove back to Malvern - another 2 hour road drive.
At points during the day Mark gave me some excellent and precise feedback and all told it was a good experience. I thought the syllabus was excellent - combining everything you'd expect on road, with a sensible assessment of the driver's ability to manage the car in extreme situations, and knowledge of the right and wrong things to do when faced with a potential accident.
Kind regards
Steve
PS And it is correct that the standard requires the use of a manual car (because heel & toe is also a required technique to be demonstrated at Bruntingthore).
Vaux said:
stefan1 said:
......and hardest of all, assessing braking distances at high speeds.
Does Mark let you get some practice in, or do you have to turn up on the day with this skill in place?I must say that the stopping distance "test" was the one I was most worried about, because setting a cone the correct distance (to within one car length) from a specified braking point at 90mph is not something one does every day. I discussed this with Mark, because really stopping distances on the road are judged dynamically, by reference to time and distance, and in corners by using the limit point. He accepted that his "test" was perhaps not entirely "real world", but it does of course still have merit. I was pleasantly surprised that I stopped my car with the cone beside the passenger's door.
Kind regards
Steve
Edited by stefan1 on Saturday 10th May 10:15
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