In Singapore, we have to down gear when stopping to show the examiner that we’re using engine brake to slow the car down. Thanks for your videos, have been a major help for my driving learning journey. Hoping to pass soon!
Same in Hong Kong. Down to third gear at least if possible. But of course, if you have to stop suddenly, for example, the traffic light change when you are too close to it, then down gear may not be possible, and that is not a fault.
Hey fellow singaporean! Passed my class 3 in March and I wish you all the best! Glad to see a girl learning manual because it’s become so rare nowadays and I’m proud of u sis haha
My instructor told me to brake then clutch in back then, the tester didn’t say anything but make sure not to be too jerky when braking cause I got demerit points for that 😆 I have been watching a lot of these videos and I posted some videos on my channel too about getting class 3 license, this is my viewing account
I was taught (12 years ago in the Czech republic) to go down the gears and only release the clutch when fully stopped & with handbrake on ('otherwise I wouldn't be in full control of the vehicle'). Needless to say, the moment I got my licence I adopted the 'coasting' method and only used the handbrake (aka 'parking brake') for parking. Same with lots of other nonsense I was taught. Pretty much everything I do is what my instructor called a 'bad habit'. 🤣
Did we have the same instructor? I remember the exact same thing down to the "bad habits". On one of the first rides, long downhill so I did what seemed natural and logical to me (partially because dad and everyone else I have ridden with did so) - put it in neutral and let gravity and inertia do their own. Well he wasn't entirely happy. The only thing is that it's 2 years, not 12.
@@tomaskilian8489 Using neutral down a long hill is not logical though. You wear down your brakes more and don't save any fuel by doing this anyway. Plus if you need to accelerate quickly, you have to put it in gear first so if there's a tree or an airplane falling on your car, then R.I.P. 🪦
Every time I watch Richard make these videos, not only does he help tons of people with practical advice and things to take into consideration when doing the UK driving test, but he also uses practical applications for the usage of neutral gear, which I also do, and I'm sure many drivers around the globe do as well.
I’ve been watching your videos for a few months now- and I passed my driving test this week with 1 minor! Thanks for all the tips and lessons. The way you film your videos is super helpful and so clear. Thank you 👏🏻
Richard, thanks to your advice and nice positive energy I conquered my fear of driving. Today is my 18th day of driving alone and I have 400 km behind the wheel ( this after 16 years of fear of driving). I can't thank you enough! 😀💕💗
Thanks for the extended demonstration at the end. I'm in the States about to buy my first manual car (at 39 years old haha) and stop/start traffic was the last piece of the puzzle I needed to understand.
I was scared to drive my car for the longest time till I came across your channel, I sat in my room all night watching your videos back to back then the next day I got on the road and got over my fear and learned to drive my car thanks to you :) and I still come back for more improvement! ❤️
In spain, you have to move down the gears as you brake/decelerate. When I am close to stopping, I put it into 2nd gear while still holding the clutch down and once you're at a complete stop, you move it into neutral while keeping your foot on the brake the entire time. Handbrake is only used when you will be permanently stationary such as parking for example.
Your videos are presented to the community with such immaculate performance and breathtaking ability thank you very much for using your time to help others who are struggling with driving , hence the other mechanics while stationary in the vehicle (sorry for my bad English I'm from Russia 👍)
My late father-in-law many years ago boiled the brake fluid in his car while we going down a long winding mountain road in Austria. He wasn't using neutral he just stayed in a high gear and used his brakes. Wet hit a very steep part when he whispered to me (co-driver) out the side of his mouth "We have No king brakes, don't tell the Ladies". I didn't reply "If we don't stop, I think they will notice" I said pump them, if its air it will compress, change down and ease the clutch up and when on the straights gently use the handbrake. Yes it worked and we managed to stop in a lay-by. We bought some new higher rated fluid and the helpful campsite owner allowed us the use of his garage to change the fluid. My father-in-law always used his gears until he hung up his keys. Yes brakes are cheap but gears keep the car at the right speed and in control a lot less exspensive than what may have been the alternative.
Boiled brake fluid is scary, I've done it on track a couple of times. Brakes go back to normal when the fluid cools, for not much more money you can get high temp fluid, I use Motul RBF 600 and RBF 660. I haven't seen a downside to this fluid and I've been using it since around 2016.
Not sure how the driving instructors here in Germany teach right now (I have m license since '07), but after teaching myself how to double clutch, I realized that I coasted in neutral a lot more that before. I always wondered how driving instructors viewed coasting in neutral since then. I also noticed that our driving styles are very similar, though you are a driving a bit closer to the rules and laws, for obvious reasons. Usually, I coast in neutral as soon as I know that I will be stopping. And the few times that the lights do turn green sooner than I expected, I just shift into gear and get going.
In Kenya, your taught two techniques to stop in which you use brake then apply clutch and stop smooth then go to neutral and the other is downshift gears then when you apply brake then clutch stop then neutral it's a matter of comfortablity of understanding the slowing of the car
In Poland we're taught to engine brake as it's one of the positions in the label for state exam. That's why we have to stay on the gear until we stop, but I don't think one technique is better looked upon than the other (on one gear vs switching) as I had to pass the exam only once. Had to add something: we're also taught to stay in gear, because if we have to accelerate for safety reasons we can quickly drive away.
You've helped immensely in improving my driving & that too at no cost 😜 Jokes aside, it's the best channel for driving related quality videos as I watch all others to reach a conclusion. But found out your easy explanation is the best among all. Thanks for putting this much work & effort to aware a larger audience who unfortunately haven't got the luxury from learning a master like you🙏
Hi. In Poland, it depends on the situation on the road. If we have a lot of time to stop, we have to use some engine braking. But when stopping in traffic, I think the examinators will understand that it's safer not to go down the gears. But, we have to show him that we can do it at least once. However, when you're stopping on the road (also one of the tasks), you can't reduce when slowing down for the safety (brake lights). I hope that's intresting, because there are many differences at legal things, but with your help, I think I'll pass my driving test in the first attempt, this month.
I have a full automatic licence which I've had for 15 years. I have a manual car to practice in and a test booked for Sept. I'm going to use this channel as my driving instructor - lets see how it goes!
Here's another interesting thing to consider. If you drop into neutral from higher than idle revs, the speed of the water pump sudden drops and you can actually notice the engine coolant temperature rise by a fair few degrees quite quickly. This only applies to cars with a mechanical water pump driven by the timing/auxiliary chain/belt. All these little wear and tear arguments like clutsch release bearing etc and all pretty negligible, but here's another one to add to the mix.
When the engine is at idle it needs less cooling. Engineers have had this sorted for a long time now. My old VX220 had a very modified engine that would benefit from me revving the engine a few times to cool the temp sensor down, but that engine was not standard.
Having the vehicle in neutral while it is moving is considered coasting in Canada/US (if you take your test on a manual) and will result in a failure if you are between gears for too long. For passenger vehicles you can take your test in an automatic and still drive a manual, but this is not the case when testing for a commercial license. Our commercial manuals are generally not synchronized either.
4:50 - It's an analogue display however the needle is digitally controlled by a computer on your car. As far as I know, all modern VAG cars are like this.
Yes, most cars for a long time now have had digitally controlled analogue displays. Full screen digital LCD displays are becoming popular now though.
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In the Netherlands, the braking-to-stop procedure involves selecting 2nd gear, regardless of the speed you begin braking at. The idea is that focus lies on braking control, while preparing the most agile gear for acceleration (it can give power from 10 to 50 kmph!), should the need arise, as well as being able to engine brake at sub-50kmph speeds. If you're joining the queue at the stoplight, you can (after stopping) select neutral and the car's start-stop system wil shut down the engine. You know you want to stand still, so no point in running idle. As soon as you clutch in, start-stop system will start the motor up. With all the bridges and railway crossings, it's the reality of driving here. My instructor kept reading me a small poem before every intersection: "loose the gas, gently brake, calmly shift to second gear, look where you'll stop, if you feel like going gently release the clutch, at the lights you're 20-25kmph and you can put the foot down to get back to the speed limit".
I go down the gears if there's a chance that i'm going to be able to go e.g. at a roundabout whereas if im coming to the back of a queue i just put the clutch in no matter what gear im in
Still watching your vids even though I'm from the states lol. Your videos taught me to drive my first manual and best free resource ever! Driving has been great in my first manual a 22 BRZ. Heel up was best tip for clutch control for sure!
In Italy we are asked to use engine braking a lot, like when slowing down before a roundabout and we're, let's say, in fifth gear, we have to use engine braking for every gear until second gear to be ready to move away if there's no one to yield to
coasting is considered a minor on most tests. they can fail you if you repeatedly do it - mainly because if you're about to stop at a give way and roll in neutral, then proceed to move off because there's no traffic without completely stopping, they can mark that as coasting.
@@ConquerDriving yeah it does come up, my point was to determine why some examiners would mark you while others wouldn't - i think the above situation is when something that should lead to a full stop turns into continued rolling, that's their problem with it.
usually i use engine braking but change down a bit faster, especially if it's for a traffic light that's red as i come up to it (as it could turn green on approach), if it turns red then i just put the clutch in and stop
I know how to use it to go to The Midlands by myself to see somebody in their houses in any street and to go to my work, train the any army, and gym, Southall International Shopping, Essex, and Barking & Dagenham, Slough, Scotland, Wales.
When I had driving lessons my instructor taught me to always keep the car in gear while waiting at traffic lights, his exact words were "always be in gear and ready to go". A few months after passing my test the clutch pedal broke in the car I was driving, I'm not sure if the release bearings were the cause but I think constantly holding the clutch down at traffic lights put a lot of extra wear onto it. The car also does have quite a heavy clutch. Since then I have always gone into neutral while stopping at lights and have gotten into the habit of putting the car into neutral before coming to a stop.
If you put the car in gear at traffic light while waiting for green light and you have to hold down the clutch whole that time - that is very risky situation. Your leg can get tired and slip of the clutch, or you can be distracted for a moment and forget that the car is in gear and accidentally realize the clutch then car will jump forward and may hit the car in front... I'm writing this from my own experience because I was in that situation but, luckily, I didn't hit the car in front, there ware enough space.
Hey Richard, would have have any advice on how to stay smooth in the lower gears when in stop start traffic? My driving instructors car was very smooth and I never had any issues with it. But my car is an older petrol car and I find if I come off the accelerator to harshly ect (particularly 1st gear) it doesn't feel too great lol
Good question, it's not possible in all cars, you need to move the gas pedal incredibly slowly. If it's still jerky the only way to be smooth is to coast at low speeds. Another reason I use neutral a lot in stop and start traffic.
I have the smae problem, my car is super rough... what I found helped is being really smooth with the accelerator, instead of going from gas to brake really quickly, u can slowly release the accelerator and then brake...balso, if its really rough trying to stay slow in first gear, just keep ur foot on the clutch and modulate... but really, it's just being really slow and smooth with the accelerator... it takes work though, u have the anticipate the movements around u and keep a good distance from the car in front... not sure if I helped but hopefully he'll answer ur question soon:)
I coast the last few feet in neutral these days, although I remember being taught to shift down the gears and keep my foot on the clutch till stopped. But in my little Picanto I almost always pull away in second gear. Not sure what an examiner would make of that!
@@ConquerDriving ...and I thought it was less wear on the clutch as there are less gear changes! 🤣 Nevertheless, 1st gear in a Kia Picanto seems like a waste of time on most occasions.
I think that putting the car in neutral and depressing the clutch while car is still moving can confuse someone because lifting leg from one pedal can lead to change in force on other leg pressing on other (break) pedal because of some "mirroring" effect in brain or something... 🤨 Just saying, I may be wrong, but also this can help someone 😜
@@ConquerDriving Well for the part of lifting the cluch and breaking harder I think the reason is (at least for me) that I'm used to lifting the clutch whille pressing harder on the acceleration so when trying to put it in neutral even in traffic jams, while lifting the clutch my right foot is used to synchronizing by pressing harder on its pedal, without realizing I shouldnt since that is messing up the braking distance I planned for 😂
Hey Richard, Can you make a video on all ways to move a manual car and add how to Tap the gas When moving in first? My cars gas pedal is naturally soft and Hard to give a steady gas, and other videos dont explain it well.
But isn't it possible that you lose traction if you put it on neutral? But then I guess pressing the clutch has the same effect. What if you need that traction while you're stopping? Wouldn't the best option be to shift down to 2nd from whatever gear you're in if the answer to my first question is a yes? Great video!
Being in neutral has zero effect on the traction of the tyres. You could argue that engine braking changes the brake balance which makes the car less stable when on the limit which is one reason it's important to rev match when driving on the limit on a race circuit. Rev matching smoothes out engine braking. But either, below 10mph any method makes no difference to the traction the tyres have on the road.
At stop start traffic like this I usually don't go neutral every now and then. I keep the car in gear and to move just half release the clutch and the car moves without any accelerator input and mine is a petrol. I know it's not good for the clutch but putting it in gear for like two seconds just to get a move on and then putting it back to neutral again and again is bothersome isn't it. I put it to neutral and release the clutch only if I know that I'll have to stop for more than 5 seconds. I hope I'm not wrong.
I'm very unlikely to use neutral if I know I'm only going to be stopped for less than 5 seconds. Often you don't know if it will be 5 seconds or 60 seconds though.
do you coast when approaching a very acute junction, to avoid riding the clutch or completely stopping? that way you can approach it at a very slow speed to make sure nothing is coming without stalling.
Hey Richard, Is it true that putting the clutch down before brake means longer braking distance? When I put clutch down first I do indeed feel as if I have to brake harder and for longer but is that actually true and what’s the reason for it?
It is partly true because if you push the clutch down first, then you are delaying pressing the brake. The brakes are very powerful so the lack of engine braking from having the clutch down doesn't actually make any difference to stopping distances in general driving. But down long steep hills, keeping the clutch up as much as possible in a lower gear will help keep your brakes cooler meaning they will be more effective.
Whats the best metod to judge front left side of the car during parking or moving off from parking space with car close to ours and when moving off to don’t hit it ?
At 11:10 Would that not wear the clutch out more? Or is that okay to just put it in such a low gear from a high one and use the clutch for such a high amount of time?
I noticed that you don't rev match downshift when you were slowing down and downshifting 1 gear at a time. I know that you do rev match downshift from your other videos, so is it because you're just trying to simplify things on this video? I would think that at that slow speed where you know that you're gradually coming to a stop, it shouldn't be that bad for the clutch to do all the work of bringing the rev back up, but just wondering if this is okay to do. I can downshift rev match fine, but I have troubles with heel-toe downshifting, like when I need to downshift 2-3 gears simultaneously while applying the brake. Can I just do what you did in this video and keep my right foot on the brake while my left foot is working the clutch as I keep downshifting and letting the clutch handle the revving for me as I go down the gears?
There is little need to downshift when stopping from low speeds. You can do it and I do it sometimes but I rarely teach it as it makes learning harder. Although I do get pupils to down shift to 2nd gear and use the clutch to rev match when approaching an open junction. Using the clutch to rev match is what the clutch is designed to do. Rev matching manually with the gas may increase clutch life a bit but it's far from the main source of clutch wear.
I am surprised that we are even considering to put a moving car in Neutral. Doesn't this demonstrate that automatic transmissions sometimes give you more control over your vehicle, since you have a bit more time to move off in an emergency?
It depends on the automatic, some react more quickly than others. For a skilled manual driver though, auto vs manual is marginal when it comes to performance.
13:00 i once saw someone watching a movie while driving on their phone which was strapped to the rearview mirror at their eye level, not as bad as looking somewhere that's not the road but still a little bit unnerving for me who i was behind that person
im learning in an automatic, if i dont press the accelerator, i do still move when in traffic unless im in parked. if traffic is crawling, is it better to use the accelerator to close those small gaps, or keep my foot off and let the car move. as i dont do gears, i dont know how relevent this video is in relation to in an auto, whether its the same as using neutral or not.
It depends on the automatic gearbox, some require you to press gas to creep others will creep if you come off the brake. You can use neutral when waiting to save wear to the clutch release bearing on some types of automatic.
@@ConquerDriving ok, yes my personal car creeps when my foot isn't on the brake. As does my instructors car. His car has park, reverse, neutral and drive. Mine has reverse, neutral, easy and then semi auto up or down gear option (which I don't use) I use neutral on my car when I park with handbrake. But when in traffic I stay on easy but creep. Same on my instructors car, I don't even use neutral in his car, only the other three.. Interesting
Is it advisable to use a combination of method 2 and method 3 ?? Using engine brake to bring the car to jogging or walking speed and then select neutral before bringing the car to a complete stop
I think that's the best method in my opinion and the method I use. You get the benefits of engine braking and you avoid the fatigue of holding the clutch down.
What's wrong with using 1st gear for engine braking down steep hills? Sometimes when I pull out of a junction onto a steep 20 limit downhill narrow road where it's unsafe to go more than about 10-15mph I keep it in 1st rather than shifting up to save my brakes.
I also use 1st gear on rare occasions to keep a car slow down an incredibly steep hill at low speeds. But changing down to 1st when at speed is not good for your gearbox and by the time you're slow enough to enter 1st nicely (usually around 5mph) there is no need for engine braking. If I use 1st for engine braking it will usually be because I started in 1st, not because I changed down to 1st.
Hey rich, I have a question, is it true that automatics are more efficient in city traffic or can a skilled manual driver like you still get better numbers in city stop start traffic in a manual. If yes can you please tell how or even consider making a video :)
For most drivers a modern auto will be a bit more efficient as it's essentially a manual but nearly aways in the most economical gear. Also, some automatics are starting to incorporate coasting which save a bit extra fuel. How efficient you are is more to do with the use of the gas pedal though so the gearbox is not the main factor. This video may be interesting: th-cam.com/video/PLJqkYfIgtM/w-d-xo.html
It's better to use the handbrake first for safety. But the car doesn't really mind as long as you lift the handbrake to come off the brake and go to neutral to come off the clutch, whether you do handbrake or gear first the car doesn't mind as long as you come off the correct pedal. Pulling the handbrake up and going to neutral then coming off both pedals at the same time though doesn't teach you which hand control corresponds to which pedal, which is why I teach my pupils to do them separately.
I hardly ever use neutral, usually in similar situations as you do, usually 1st or 2nd gear without accelerator pedal will keep my car moving in traffic.. otherwise being in gear is very useful going down hill.
Hi Richard!! Thank You for your videos been so always helpful. I’m from Hawaii my question I have 2018 Honda Fit. I want to put mini circle blind spot mirrors. Can’t seem to see some cars speeding by my car. Could you tell the appropriate way to place them? Like on the edge away from car or near? Thank You!!👍
I don't think there is a right or wrong way but I would place them on the outer top edge so that it gets more detail and doesn't interfere with my view of the car for parking.
My driving school car had a start stop engine. So at every traffic light when in neutral it would simply turn off and turn on again when the clutch was pressed. After my test passed the examiner said he liked that I was standing in neutral at traffic lights (I was relatively safe and fast when acceleration from 0)
Hey do you have a video about spiral roundabouts? I would have passed my test but made a dangerous fault on the test then on the way back i made a serious fault on the same roundabout 😵💫
is it okay for me to push the clutch down when turning right, i find first gear is too slow so what i do is push the clutch down and bring it up to the bitepoint, is this the correct method, the revs go to 800 at 15kmh
If it works and you're in full control of the car then it's probably OK. The trouble with pressing the clutch down as you go to cross the path of traffic is that you won't have power, this is what would concern me. But it depends how you handle it.
If you go idk let’s say 40miles/h or 60 can you change gear to neutral on that speed and then start stopping is it doing any damage? Or I need to stop first to low low speed then go neutral?
@@ConquerDriving ooo thx last question then if you go like 50,60 its better to engine break but during engine breaking i can break as well to stop quicker or should i only engine break (drop down gears with rev match)
The test is based on the car you use, if you go to test in an auto you will get an auto licence, if you go in a manual car you will get both a manual and auto licence.
Yes. Going down hill at speed though may over heat the brakes so try to use engine braking. But I'm talking hills that go on for 30 seconds plus that are very steep at speeds above 20mph.
You can but it may stress the gear selectors. If you push the gearstick at the same time as coming off the gas it will go into neutral more easily. But I recommend using the clutch.
In Singapore, we have to down gear when stopping to show the examiner that we’re using engine brake to slow the car down. Thanks for your videos, have been a major help for my driving learning journey. Hoping to pass soon!
Same in Hong Kong. Down to third gear at least if possible.
But of course, if you have to stop suddenly, for example, the traffic light change when you are too close to it, then down gear may not be possible, and that is not a fault.
haha yes i got points docked for freewheeling stopping at gear 2
Hey fellow singaporean! Passed my class 3 in March and I wish you all the best! Glad to see a girl learning manual because it’s become so rare nowadays and I’m proud of u sis haha
My instructor told me to brake then clutch in back then, the tester didn’t say anything but make sure not to be too jerky when braking cause I got demerit points for that 😆 I have been watching a lot of these videos and I posted some videos on my channel too about getting class 3 license, this is my viewing account
@@officialreviews7 congrats on passing! Hope I don’t need to take many tries to pass :)
Passed my test a couple days ago, safe to say it wouldn’t be possible without your videos. Thank you
That's great to hear, congratulations on passing!
I was taught (12 years ago in the Czech republic) to go down the gears and only release the clutch when fully stopped & with handbrake on ('otherwise I wouldn't be in full control of the vehicle'). Needless to say, the moment I got my licence I adopted the 'coasting' method and only used the handbrake (aka 'parking brake') for parking. Same with lots of other nonsense I was taught. Pretty much everything I do is what my instructor called a 'bad habit'. 🤣
lol
Slavic brother going rebel way as real slav 🇭🇷🇨🇿
Did we have the same instructor? I remember the exact same thing down to the "bad habits". On one of the first rides, long downhill so I did what seemed natural and logical to me (partially because dad and everyone else I have ridden with did so) - put it in neutral and let gravity and inertia do their own. Well he wasn't entirely happy.
The only thing is that it's 2 years, not 12.
@@tomaskilian8489 Using neutral down a long hill is not logical though. You wear down your brakes more and don't save any fuel by doing this anyway. Plus if you need to accelerate quickly, you have to put it in gear first so if there's a tree or an airplane falling on your car, then R.I.P. 🪦
@@_.Madness._ yeah it makes sense to me now, now I usually keep it in gear.
Every time I watch Richard make these videos, not only does he help tons of people with practical advice and things to take into consideration when doing the UK driving test, but he also uses practical applications for the usage of neutral gear, which I also do, and I'm sure many drivers around the globe do as well.
I’ve been watching your videos for a few months now- and I passed my driving test this week with 1 minor! Thanks for all the tips and lessons. The way you film your videos is super helpful and so clear. Thank you 👏🏻
That's fantastic! Thanks for watching and congratulations on passing!
Richard, thanks to your advice and nice positive energy I conquered my fear of driving. Today is my 18th day of driving alone and I have 400 km behind the wheel ( this after 16 years of fear of driving). I can't thank you enough! 😀💕💗
Thanks for the extended demonstration at the end. I'm in the States about to buy my first manual car (at 39 years old haha) and stop/start traffic was the last piece of the puzzle I needed to understand.
Passed my test from binging your videos. Thank you!
That's great to hear, congratulations on passing!
I was scared to drive my car for the longest time till I came across your channel, I sat in my room all night watching your videos back to back then the next day I got on the road and got over my fear and learned to drive my car thanks to you :) and I still come back for more improvement! ❤️
In spain, you have to move down the gears as you brake/decelerate. When I am close to stopping, I put it into 2nd gear while still holding the clutch down and once you're at a complete stop, you move it into neutral while keeping your foot on the brake the entire time. Handbrake is only used when you will be permanently stationary such as parking for example.
Thank you so much Richard !! Your videos helped me a lot. I passed my driving test today 🙌 with one minor fault.
That's great to hear, congratulations on passing!
Your videos are presented to the community with such immaculate performance and breathtaking ability thank you very much for using your time to help others who are struggling with driving , hence the other mechanics while stationary in the vehicle (sorry for my bad English I'm from Russia 👍)
Thank you. Your English seems good to me.
Passed my test last week. Ur vids helped me a lot. Ty
That's great to hear, congratulations on passing!
I passed yesterday with 3 minors and your videos have been super helpful, especially in early days!
That's great to hear, congratulations on passing!
Passed today with three minor faults- thank you for your tips and lessons!
That's great to hear, congratulations on passing!
My late father-in-law many years ago boiled the brake fluid in his car while we going down a long winding mountain road in Austria. He wasn't using neutral he just stayed in a high gear and used his brakes. Wet hit a very steep part when he whispered to me (co-driver) out the side of his mouth "We have No king brakes, don't tell the Ladies". I didn't reply "If we don't stop, I think they will notice" I said pump them, if its air it will compress, change down and ease the clutch up and when on the straights gently use the handbrake. Yes it worked and we managed to stop in a lay-by. We bought some new higher rated fluid and the helpful campsite owner allowed us the use of his garage to change the fluid. My father-in-law always used his gears until he hung up his keys. Yes brakes are cheap but gears keep the car at the right speed and in control a lot less exspensive than what may have been the alternative.
Boiled brake fluid is scary, I've done it on track a couple of times. Brakes go back to normal when the fluid cools, for not much more money you can get high temp fluid, I use Motul RBF 600 and RBF 660. I haven't seen a downside to this fluid and I've been using it since around 2016.
Passed today with only 2 minors your videos really did help a lot thank you so much
That's great to hear, congratulations on passing!
Not sure how the driving instructors here in Germany teach right now (I have m license since '07), but after teaching myself how to double clutch, I realized that I coasted in neutral a lot more that before.
I always wondered how driving instructors viewed coasting in neutral since then.
I also noticed that our driving styles are very similar, though you are a driving a bit closer to the rules and laws, for obvious reasons.
Usually, I coast in neutral as soon as I know that I will be stopping. And the few times that the lights do turn green sooner than I expected, I just shift into gear and get going.
In Kenya, your taught two techniques to stop in which you use brake then apply clutch and stop smooth then go to neutral and the other is downshift gears then when you apply brake then clutch stop then neutral it's a matter of comfortablity of understanding the slowing of the car
Passed my test yesterday, your videos have been amazing and a great resource. Thank you.
That's great to hear, congratulations on passing!
In Poland we're taught to engine brake as it's one of the positions in the label for state exam.
That's why we have to stay on the gear until we stop, but I don't think one technique is better looked upon than the other (on one gear vs switching) as I had to pass the exam only once.
Had to add something: we're also taught to stay in gear, because if we have to accelerate for safety reasons we can quickly drive away.
You've helped immensely in improving my driving & that too at no cost 😜
Jokes aside, it's the best channel for driving related quality videos as I watch all others to reach a conclusion.
But found out your easy explanation is the best among all.
Thanks for putting this much work & effort to aware a larger audience who unfortunately haven't got the luxury from learning a master like you🙏
Hi. In Poland, it depends on the situation on the road. If we have a lot of time to stop, we have to use some engine braking. But when stopping in traffic, I think the examinators will understand that it's safer not to go down the gears. But, we have to show him that we can do it at least once. However, when you're stopping on the road (also one of the tasks), you can't reduce when slowing down for the safety (brake lights). I hope that's intresting, because there are many differences at legal things, but with your help, I think I'll pass my driving test in the first attempt, this month.
Good luck with your test!
@@ConquerDriving thx a lot
In Hungary it's highly recommended to use engine breaking even on flat roads, I think it's kind of like an unwritten rule in exams.
I have a full automatic licence which I've had for 15 years. I have a manual car to practice in and a test booked for Sept. I'm going to use this channel as my driving instructor - lets see how it goes!
I hope it goes well!
Good video. Noticed 3x things I didn't know before!
I got all my questions answered in your video,thank you so much,
Here's another interesting thing to consider. If you drop into neutral from higher than idle revs, the speed of the water pump sudden drops and you can actually notice the engine coolant temperature rise by a fair few degrees quite quickly.
This only applies to cars with a mechanical water pump driven by the timing/auxiliary chain/belt.
All these little wear and tear arguments like clutsch release bearing etc and all pretty negligible, but here's another one to add to the mix.
When the engine is at idle it needs less cooling. Engineers have had this sorted for a long time now. My old VX220 had a very modified engine that would benefit from me revving the engine a few times to cool the temp sensor down, but that engine was not standard.
Having the vehicle in neutral while it is moving is considered coasting in Canada/US (if you take your test on a manual) and will result in a failure if you are between gears for too long. For passenger vehicles you can take your test in an automatic and still drive a manual, but this is not the case when testing for a commercial license. Our commercial manuals are generally not synchronized either.
In Brazil you would loose points on your driving test for stopping while using a higher gear. The same for driving in neutral.
Hey mate I passed a few weeks ago on the Colchester route that I see you drive and I just wanna say your videos have helped me a lot
That's great to hear, congratulations on passing!
4:50 - It's an analogue display however the needle is digitally controlled by a computer on your car. As far as I know, all modern VAG cars are like this.
Yes, most cars for a long time now have had digitally controlled analogue displays. Full screen digital LCD displays are becoming popular now though.
In the Netherlands, the braking-to-stop procedure involves selecting 2nd gear, regardless of the speed you begin braking at.
The idea is that focus lies on braking control, while preparing the most agile gear for acceleration (it can give power from 10 to 50 kmph!), should the need arise, as well as being able to engine brake at sub-50kmph speeds.
If you're joining the queue at the stoplight, you can (after stopping) select neutral and the car's start-stop system wil shut down the engine. You know you want to stand still, so no point in running idle. As soon as you clutch in, start-stop system will start the motor up. With all the bridges and railway crossings, it's the reality of driving here.
My instructor kept reading me a small poem before every intersection: "loose the gas, gently brake, calmly shift to second gear, look where you'll stop, if you feel like going gently release the clutch, at the lights you're 20-25kmph and you can put the foot down to get back to the speed limit".
I go down the gears if there's a chance that i'm going to be able to go e.g. at a roundabout whereas if im coming to the back of a queue i just put the clutch in no matter what gear im in
Still watching your vids even though I'm from the states lol. Your videos taught me to drive my first manual and best free resource ever! Driving has been great in my first manual a 22 BRZ. Heel up was best tip for clutch control for sure!
In Italy we are asked to use engine braking a lot, like when slowing down before a roundabout and we're, let's say, in fifth gear, we have to use engine braking for every gear until second gear to be ready to move away if there's no one to yield to
Totally pointless in any car made after about 1960
Saw the title and instantly knew there would be talk about clutch release bearings. 🤣
coasting is considered a minor on most tests. they can fail you if you repeatedly do it - mainly because if you're about to stop at a give way and roll in neutral, then proceed to move off because there's no traffic without completely stopping, they can mark that as coasting.
Yes, coasting can be a fail, I believe I mentioned this in the video if I remember correctly. I did make it about 5-6 weeks ago now.
@@ConquerDriving yeah it does come up, my point was to determine why some examiners would mark you while others wouldn't - i think the above situation is when something that should lead to a full stop turns into continued rolling, that's their problem with it.
In Denmark its ok to go into neutral at full stop. Rolling in neutral is not allowed.
In Barbados, we have to gear down to 2nd, clutch in and stop
Thank you for this video. Your explanation is very clear. 😁👍👍👍
usually i use engine braking but change down a bit faster, especially if it's for a traffic light that's red as i come up to it (as it could turn green on approach), if it turns red then i just put the clutch in and stop
In Carriacou, Grenada my learning to drive experience is going down a gear when stopping and being in first gear when stopped.
I will know after video.
Hi sir please upload a video on how to immediate response for sudden danger.
Thank you for the suggestion, I may do in the future.
I know how to use it to go to The Midlands by myself to see somebody in their houses in any street and to go to my work, train the any army, and gym, Southall International Shopping, Essex, and Barking & Dagenham, Slough, Scotland, Wales.
When I had driving lessons my instructor taught me to always keep the car in gear while waiting at traffic lights, his exact words were "always be in gear and ready to go".
A few months after passing my test the clutch pedal broke in the car I was driving, I'm not sure if the release bearings were the cause but I think constantly holding the clutch down at traffic lights put a lot of extra wear onto it. The car also does have quite a heavy clutch.
Since then I have always gone into neutral while stopping at lights and have gotten into the habit of putting the car into neutral before coming to a stop.
It does wear the releasw bearing more quickly as it's in constant use.
If you put the car in gear at traffic light while waiting for green light and you have to hold down the clutch whole that time - that is very risky situation. Your leg can get tired and slip of the clutch, or you can be distracted for a moment and forget that the car is in gear and accidentally realize the clutch then car will jump forward and may hit the car in front...
I'm writing this from my own experience because I was in that situation but, luckily, I didn't hit the car in front, there ware enough space.
Hey Richard, would have have any advice on how to stay smooth in the lower gears when in stop start traffic? My driving instructors car was very smooth and I never had any issues with it. But my car is an older petrol car and I find if I come off the accelerator to harshly ect (particularly 1st gear) it doesn't feel too great lol
Good question, it's not possible in all cars, you need to move the gas pedal incredibly slowly. If it's still jerky the only way to be smooth is to coast at low speeds. Another reason I use neutral a lot in stop and start traffic.
I have the smae problem, my car is super rough... what I found helped is being really smooth with the accelerator, instead of going from gas to brake really quickly, u can slowly release the accelerator and then brake...balso, if its really rough trying to stay slow in first gear, just keep ur foot on the clutch and modulate... but really, it's just being really slow and smooth with the accelerator... it takes work though, u have the anticipate the movements around u and keep a good distance from the car in front... not sure if I helped but hopefully he'll answer ur question soon:)
I coast the last few feet in neutral these days, although I remember being taught to shift down the gears and keep my foot on the clutch till stopped. But in my little Picanto I almost always pull away in second gear. Not sure what an examiner would make of that!
Pulling away from a standstill in 2nd gear will likely wear the clutch more quickly as it's harder for the engine and the clutch.
@@ConquerDriving ...and I thought it was less wear on the clutch as there are less gear changes! 🤣 Nevertheless, 1st gear in a Kia Picanto seems like a waste of time on most occasions.
in hk we can only put in neutral after shifting down to 2nd and slowed down right before stopping still.
I think that putting the car in neutral and depressing the clutch while car is still moving can confuse someone because lifting leg from one pedal can lead to change in force on other leg pressing on other (break) pedal because of some "mirroring" effect in brain or something... 🤨 Just saying, I may be wrong, but also this can help someone 😜
happens to me :))... i subcounsciously press harder on the brake and stop too early 🤣
Beginners also do this when pressing the clutch down whilst braking. They generally brake harder. But with practise their feet get independent.
@@ConquerDriving Well for the part of lifting the cluch and breaking harder I think the reason is (at least for me) that I'm used to lifting the clutch whille pressing harder on the acceleration so when trying to put it in neutral even in traffic jams, while lifting the clutch my right foot is used to synchronizing by pressing harder on its pedal, without realizing I shouldnt since that is messing up the braking distance I planned for 😂
In my Lessons my Instructor never suggested me to put the Car in Neutral.
Great Video! Greetings from Germany :)
I select neutral when coming to near stop. It's just my habit.
Hey Richard, Can you make a video on all ways to move a manual car and add how to Tap the gas When moving in first? My cars gas pedal is naturally soft and Hard to give a steady gas, and other videos dont explain it well.
This video may help you: th-cam.com/video/KggkCe6Agjk/w-d-xo.html
I came always for his British accent.
Can you do a video Advanced tips for driving in revese?
Thank you for the suggestion, I may do in the future.
Do you have a video on the different types of car lights and when to use then? I may be blind but cannot find one and it would be really helpful.
Maybe this video will help: th-cam.com/video/frVQvFop6Dw/w-d-xo.html
Thank you!
But isn't it possible that you lose traction if you put it on neutral? But then I guess pressing the clutch has the same effect. What if you need that traction while you're stopping? Wouldn't the best option be to shift down to 2nd from whatever gear you're in if the answer to my first question is a yes?
Great video!
Being in neutral has zero effect on the traction of the tyres. You could argue that engine braking changes the brake balance which makes the car less stable when on the limit which is one reason it's important to rev match when driving on the limit on a race circuit. Rev matching smoothes out engine braking. But either, below 10mph any method makes no difference to the traction the tyres have on the road.
At stop start traffic like this I usually don't go neutral every now and then. I keep the car in gear and to move just half release the clutch and the car moves without any accelerator input and mine is a petrol. I know it's not good for the clutch but putting it in gear for like two seconds just to get a move on and then putting it back to neutral again and again is bothersome isn't it. I put it to neutral and release the clutch only if I know that I'll have to stop for more than 5 seconds. I hope I'm not wrong.
I'm very unlikely to use neutral if I know I'm only going to be stopped for less than 5 seconds. Often you don't know if it will be 5 seconds or 60 seconds though.
do you coast when approaching a very acute junction, to avoid riding the clutch or completely stopping? that way you can approach it at a very slow speed to make sure nothing is coming without stalling.
Usually I will keep coasting to a minimum, below 10mph I may coast, below 5mph I will usually coast.
13:30 I wouldn't even use the gas unless I was facing uphill.
I am in QLD AUS, if you doing neutral shift it views as coasting. Don't ask me why.
Hey Richard,
Is it true that putting the clutch down before brake means longer braking distance? When I put clutch down first I do indeed feel as if I have to brake harder and for longer but is that actually true and what’s the reason for it?
It is partly true because if you push the clutch down first, then you are delaying pressing the brake. The brakes are very powerful so the lack of engine braking from having the clutch down doesn't actually make any difference to stopping distances in general driving. But down long steep hills, keeping the clutch up as much as possible in a lower gear will help keep your brakes cooler meaning they will be more effective.
Really informative and funny love your vidoes
Whats the best metod to judge front left side of the car during parking or moving off from parking space with car close to ours and when moving off to don’t hit it ?
This video may help: th-cam.com/video/NhdQp-Hmds4/w-d-xo.html
At 11:10 Would that not wear the clutch out more? Or is that okay to just put it in such a low gear from a high one and use the clutch for such a high amount of time?
Using the clutch to rev match is what it's designed to do, it's not putting it under stress so should not overheat it or cause excessive wear.
I noticed that you don't rev match downshift when you were slowing down and downshifting 1 gear at a time. I know that you do rev match downshift from your other videos, so is it because you're just trying to simplify things on this video? I would think that at that slow speed where you know that you're gradually coming to a stop, it shouldn't be that bad for the clutch to do all the work of bringing the rev back up, but just wondering if this is okay to do. I can downshift rev match fine, but I have troubles with heel-toe downshifting, like when I need to downshift 2-3 gears simultaneously while applying the brake. Can I just do what you did in this video and keep my right foot on the brake while my left foot is working the clutch as I keep downshifting and letting the clutch handle the revving for me as I go down the gears?
There is little need to downshift when stopping from low speeds. You can do it and I do it sometimes but I rarely teach it as it makes learning harder. Although I do get pupils to down shift to 2nd gear and use the clutch to rev match when approaching an open junction. Using the clutch to rev match is what the clutch is designed to do. Rev matching manually with the gas may increase clutch life a bit but it's far from the main source of clutch wear.
"This is not an Avengers movie" - Richard Flanders, 2022
I am surprised that we are even considering to put a moving car in Neutral. Doesn't this demonstrate that automatic transmissions sometimes give you more control over your vehicle, since you have a bit more time to move off in an emergency?
It depends on the automatic, some react more quickly than others. For a skilled manual driver though, auto vs manual is marginal when it comes to performance.
13:00 i once saw someone watching a movie while driving on their phone which was strapped to the rearview mirror at their eye level, not as bad as looking somewhere that's not the road but still a little bit unnerving for me who i was behind that person
Heh
im learning in an automatic, if i dont press the accelerator, i do still move when in traffic unless im in parked. if traffic is crawling, is it better to use the accelerator to close those small gaps, or keep my foot off and let the car move. as i dont do gears, i dont know how relevent this video is in relation to in an auto, whether its the same as using neutral or not.
It depends on the automatic gearbox, some require you to press gas to creep others will creep if you come off the brake. You can use neutral when waiting to save wear to the clutch release bearing on some types of automatic.
@@ConquerDriving ok, yes my personal car creeps when my foot isn't on the brake. As does my instructors car. His car has park, reverse, neutral and drive. Mine has reverse, neutral, easy and then semi auto up or down gear option (which I don't use)
I use neutral on my car when I park with handbrake. But when in traffic I stay on easy but creep. Same on my instructors car, I don't even use neutral in his car, only the other three..
Interesting
in Luxembourg you have to move down
Is it advisable to use a combination of method 2 and method 3 ??
Using engine brake to bring the car to jogging or walking speed and then select neutral before bringing the car to a complete stop
I think that's the best method in my opinion and the method I use. You get the benefits of engine braking and you avoid the fatigue of holding the clutch down.
I'm in South Africa, everything is almost the same with the UK rules
What's wrong with using 1st gear for engine braking down steep hills? Sometimes when I pull out of a junction onto a steep 20 limit downhill narrow road where it's unsafe to go more than about 10-15mph I keep it in 1st rather than shifting up to save my brakes.
I also use 1st gear on rare occasions to keep a car slow down an incredibly steep hill at low speeds. But changing down to 1st when at speed is not good for your gearbox and by the time you're slow enough to enter 1st nicely (usually around 5mph) there is no need for engine braking. If I use 1st for engine braking it will usually be because I started in 1st, not because I changed down to 1st.
Wouldn't you have to rev match while downshifting? I'm confused
You don't have to manually rev match with the gas, you can use the clutch for rev matching also. When going to neutral there is no rev match needed.
Hey rich, I have a question, is it true that automatics are more efficient in city traffic or can a skilled manual driver like you still get better numbers in city stop start traffic in a manual. If yes can you please tell how or even consider making a video :)
For most drivers a modern auto will be a bit more efficient as it's essentially a manual but nearly aways in the most economical gear. Also, some automatics are starting to incorporate coasting which save a bit extra fuel. How efficient you are is more to do with the use of the gas pedal though so the gearbox is not the main factor. This video may be interesting: th-cam.com/video/PLJqkYfIgtM/w-d-xo.html
Do you have any video on how to drive on gravel road?
I don't unfortunately, my advice would be slowly and avoid if possible.
10:46 nice way
Do you have to use your handbrake first when uve come to a full stop or can you do neutral handbrake then release your feet from pedals?
It's better to use the handbrake first for safety. But the car doesn't really mind as long as you lift the handbrake to come off the brake and go to neutral to come off the clutch, whether you do handbrake or gear first the car doesn't mind as long as you come off the correct pedal. Pulling the handbrake up and going to neutral then coming off both pedals at the same time though doesn't teach you which hand control corresponds to which pedal, which is why I teach my pupils to do them separately.
My instructor told me when u wanna slow down press down clutch then brake
Only at very low speeds (near the bottom of the gear) do you need to do this.
I hardly ever use neutral, usually in similar situations as you do, usually 1st or 2nd gear without accelerator pedal will keep my car moving in traffic.. otherwise being in gear is very useful going down hill.
Hi Richard!! Thank You for your videos been so always helpful. I’m from Hawaii my question I have 2018 Honda Fit. I want to put mini circle blind spot mirrors. Can’t seem to see some cars speeding by my car. Could you tell the appropriate way to place them? Like on the edge away from car or near? Thank You!!👍
I don't think there is a right or wrong way but I would place them on the outer top edge so that it gets more detail and doesn't interfere with my view of the car for parking.
@@ConquerDriving Thank You!!🙋🏻♀️
Is it possible to fail the driving test for using daytime mode in nighttime and nighttime mode in day
My driving school car had a start stop engine. So at every traffic light when in neutral it would simply turn off and turn on again when the clutch was pressed. After my test passed the examiner said he liked that I was standing in neutral at traffic lights (I was relatively safe and fast when acceleration from 0)
Passed my theory test can’t wait to drive 100mph in 30mph street
good vid!!
So when your going in neutral you can get of the clutch faster?
In neutral you don't need to hold the clutch down and you can let it up as quick as you want.
But in the Car of My Family in Traffic I use Neutral.
Hey do you have a video about spiral roundabouts? I would have passed my test but made a dangerous fault on the test then on the way back i made a serious fault on the same roundabout 😵💫
I need to do a better one. These videos may help: th-cam.com/video/koK_a4KYs-E/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/Oc9byVyRezE/w-d-xo.html
@@ConquerDriving thank you
is it okay for me to push the clutch down when turning right, i find first gear is too slow so what i do is push the clutch down and bring it up to the bitepoint, is this the correct method, the revs go to 800 at 15kmh
If it works and you're in full control of the car then it's probably OK. The trouble with pressing the clutch down as you go to cross the path of traffic is that you won't have power, this is what would concern me. But it depends how you handle it.
If you go idk let’s say 40miles/h or 60 can you change gear to neutral on that speed and then start stopping is it doing any damage? Or I need to stop first to low low speed then go neutral?
It won't damage the car but a driving examiner won't be impressed. It will likely cause a bit more brake wear.
@@ConquerDriving ooo thx last question then if you go like 50,60 its better to engine break but during engine breaking i can break as well to stop quicker or should i only engine break (drop down gears with rev match)
im from the us, are driving test in the uk by default manual? cuz istg n one in the us would drive then 😭
The test is based on the car you use, if you go to test in an auto you will get an auto licence, if you go in a manual car you will get both a manual and auto licence.
Do brakes always work in neutral? 🤔
Yes. Going down hill at speed though may over heat the brakes so try to use engine braking. But I'm talking hills that go on for 30 seconds plus that are very steep at speeds above 20mph.
@@ConquerDriving ok thx 👍
Could you take it out of gear without the clutch down, or is that bad for the gearbox?
Very bad
You can but it may stress the gear selectors. If you push the gearstick at the same time as coming off the gas it will go into neutral more easily. But I recommend using the clutch.
@@ConquerDriving Ok, good to know. Thanks.
thanks to racing and video games I got the false impression that i need to heel toe for every downshift.
Unless you are a racing driver there is no need to ever do this
how to do back and turn back
There's a phrase that describes your style of driving and it's mechanically sympathetic. Unsurprising, because you care about your cars!
I certainly do care.
"Or they're just reeeeally interested in their lap" xD
They have nice trousers.