Just saw this come in now and about to view. Always love your "How to drive like a driving instructor" series. I actually often wonder how many driving instructors are subscribed to your channel. Anyhow this sounds interesting. I can imagine some mention of the "push pull" method versus "hand over hand" depending on situation. As well as where to hold the wheel, especially in relation to risks with air bags. I'll view now and see.
old lorry drivers will tell you to do push-pull and never allow the wheel to slide through your fingers, because before power steering, a free spinning steering wheel could do significant injury to fingers, if you caught one on a spoke.
I find that as well as finding faults with my own driving it helps to understand what others are doing wrong as a guide to what they might do ahead of me giving me a better chance of avoiding them.
This is one of my blind spots when driving - my instincts are to expect the other drivers to do what I would consider the normal and sensible thing and I can be slower picking up on what they are doing when they do something different, especially when it is lazy and inconsiderate driving like blindly cutting corners.
The bit that I would like to add is the reason that it is pull/push not push/pull. When I am working with IAM Associates, I can feel in my seat when they are pushing the wheel and not pulling. Pulling involves the highly dexterous muscles of the lower arm and so has finesse control. Pushing uses the stronger muscles of the upper arm and shoulders - you can feel this in a more jerky response. There is actually a good video by Reg Local that goes into the details of steering.
Ian McMillan ( the bard of Barnsley) had a poem that I heard many years ago but have never forgotten the line “ Grisp the wheel at ten past two “. An instructor who wasn’t very able to convey what he wanted
Just to add one thing about gripping the wheel too tightly: my driving instructor made the point that people tend to grip the wheel more tightly when they are nervous, or they feel unsure, or if something is going wrong. He also suggested that the reverse was true. He suggested that if you are gripping the wheel tightly, you make yourself feel more nervous/uptight, which is not conducive to good driving.
Thatcham, the road safety lab did a study some years ago IIRC on hand positions on the steering wheel and one of the surprising conclusions was that drivers holding the wheel at 4:40 position had just as much control over the car as in the classic positions. I bought an Imp rally car off a disabled driver who only had a stump of a thumb left on his right hand, all his fingers and thumb parts were missing, yet he drove that car with astounding control and speed. The other thing to note was that being an Imp it had a substantial amount of caster that when you hit a pothole could wrench the wheel from your hands if you weren't prepared. With this car you did not hook your thumbs over the central spokes because when you hit that pothole you risked breaking or severely bruising your thumbs.
Thanks for another good video. Just couple of important points to add. Firstly, on crossing arms on turning. This is such a common habbit and for some people comes from motor sport, but there is a danger that most people forget. That is the Airbag. I can remember chatting at length with a van driver who had removed several of his front teeth, in an accident, as a result of having his arm across the wheel at the wrong moment. The amount of scaring on his forearm is a constant reminder of what a painfull and messy mistake that was. The other point is on the bad habbit of dropping your hands to the bottom of the wheel. Although as the driver you will never notice, but this de-stablises the car. To most people this is virtually impersepible, but to passengers with a tendency towards travel sickness, this can be a significant contribuary factor. This is especially the case for rear seat passengers. I had one notable example of a woman who's children had suffered for years and it elliminated the problem overnight. It is not a magic fix all, but it can make a big difference in some cases.
@@ashley_neal Or as the military version of the pre-landing announcement goes, "We're not going to crash, but if we do, you won't be around afterwards to worry about it, so don't worry about it..!"
As long that everything is smooth, controlled and confident in your own abilities then you should me ok majority of time. Other idiots on the road which Ashley shows all the time are the real problem. Always remember driving is the biggest freedom you will ever have.
Lovely nice steering and great planning and positioning. Smoother than my steering. Being in the right gear smooth speed and positioning. Then smooth natural steering and accuracy for me. All confidence but a hell of a lot of practice as well. I prefer manual gearbox for control. But automatics are ok as long as everything is smooth.
Steering technique seems to be the first thing to go after passing the driving test. I've noticed this with my son who now defaults to resting his left hand on his knee whilst using the right hand (well, a finger and thumb) to hold the wheel at the 5 o'clock position. Apparently this is how chauffeurs hold the wheel and is best for a 'smooth ride'. His first black-box report disagrees (1 star out of 5 for smoothness) 🤣!
It took me less than two months to start crossing the hands instead of pushing and pulling…then I went back to pushing and pulling a few weeks later went I burnt my arm on the cigarette I was holding 🤦♂️ I found later in my driving life the monotony of commuting an hour plus each way, every day ingrained some terrible habits rather quickly that took a long time to untrain
@@smilerbob I don't smoke any more, but even when I did, I never smoked in a car. It can stink the vehicle out for years to come. My father (a lifelong non-smoker) always reckoned he could tell if anyone had *ever* smoked in a car. I believe he could, too.
@@TestGearJunkie. Since giving up I can smell if a taxi driver has been smoking in the car and I cannot believe I used to drive around in cars that used to smell that way. Happily smoke free for over three years now
@@smilerbob The reason I don't smoke any more isn't for health reasons, I *_like_* smoking..! It's simply that it's been priced out of the market for me, I just can't afford it any more 😥
@@TestGearJunkie. It was getting ridiculous when I gave up and that was one of the factors for me. Another one was I didn’t want my child to take up smoking
Ypu are spot on about holding the sterring wheel well enough to move thecwheel easily but not too rigidly and the holding eggs is a good guide. I would add that you should not put your thumbs around the sterring wheel. Most card have a flattened part of the inside of the wheel, which is a guide for you to place the thumbs over the wheel.
It would be good to include the different thinking in recent times regarding ideal default hand position and seating / steering wheel position to reduce the risk of injury from the air bag deploying.
a tip: a lot of people like to use finish products on their steering wheel. (in the US, it's Armor All, not sure what the similar product in the UK is) don't do it. it makes the steering wheel slippery, and results in having to h it harder, and that makes your hands tired.
It would probably be srandard trim polish over here or if you only clean the car twice a year like me then furniture polish…but never on the handbrake lever, gear stick or steering wheel
@@kenbrown2808 I am thinking more for those that “top palm” the gear chages in what you call a “stick shift”. Automatic levers aren’t too bad but some of the stick toppers are already shiny and adding a polish layer to the top is usually asking for trouble… I talk from experience and is why I now shift gears using it as a level rather than a palm rest that moves
There may not be sufficient information or evidence about 9 and 3 being the best positioning on the steering wheel but as a driving instructor myself, I'd rather be where race car drivers place their hands for full control. Great video nonetheless. Cheers!
23:12 that buff-coloured block is where the Green Man, famously used in the final episode of Boys from the Blackstuff, used to be. Knocked down in about 2017/18 🤝
After watching the video about speed and speed signage, I noticed something you spoke about in that video. Vehicle navigation systems being wrong. @3:00 I noticed your cars dash flashing a 20 limit sign but you were driving consistently at about 25mph, and your screen on the left showed no descernable warnings. Which was right per the signage?
21:45 - It looks like the corner-cutting driver took offence at being correctly warned off. I find this quite often; they genuinely think you're in the wrong for not letting them dangerously cut corners.
Thank you mate, your car is very nice, I love the green colour, you’re probably wondering why I’m asking, my Ford mondeo titanium x sport recently went in for an mot and service, it passed but it got lots of advisories, it was made in 2010 so it’s 14 years old, it still drives absolutely lovely but in a few years time I’ll probably have to buy a new car, I love the st models, I was looking at the Ford puma st automatics but unfortunately they only come in 1 litre which is no good, I’ll probably look at the Ford focus st’s or the Ford fiesta st’s.
I have found my head bobbling far more since watching this channel. This is a Good Thing. 1:25 - why don't people indicate left when leaving the major road there? You're not going to pull out, but you can be preparing to move just that bit sooner.
@@PedroConejo1939 Totally agree with you regarding indicating left when the priority road goes round to the right and the minor road is effectively a "left turn" off the main road but in more or less a "straight ahead" position. Imagine also a pedestrian wanting to cross that side road at the junction.
I spotted (what I think) was a steering fault in this video at around the 8 minute mark. While waiting to turn right, Ash had about a quarter turn of lock already dialed in prior to the move, while waiting for cars from the opposite direction to clear. That's dangerous. If somebody hits you from behind, they push you into oncoming traffic. While waiting to turn, it's much safer to have the wheels pointing straight ahead.
A driving myth that I have dealt with before. Even if your wheels are straight and you get hit from behind off centre you will head the other way regardless.
I thought the turning of the wheels was more for when broken down on the side of the road to “assist” in keeping the vehicle away from the main carriageway? But this was disproved as many collisions still resulted in vehicles being redirected into the carriageway
According to my instructor I have the opposite problem to being glued to the seat. I move too much, not just when chcking junctions. It's my natural instinct to check alround to be certain of what I'm seeing. I'm not aware I'm doing it most of the time. Is it really as bad as she makes out? I sometimes end up over-focussing on sitting still.
Is it true that it is dangerous to have your thumbs on the inside of the wheel? I've heard that on rough terrain when the wheel moves, it can break your thumbs....
I'm curious what cleaning products you use on your cars, especially the glass cleaner? The best I've used so far is made by Auto glym, they have a glass cleaner and a glass polish which is quite effective but I'm always looking for better products if they exist! Also I used to use a screen wash additive by rain x that would give good water repulsion but it's become pretty poor lately, do you use anything similar?
One extra statement: if you are holding the wheel in one spot with one hand mid-corner to either shift or signal, just remember you have to hold the wheel a little bit harder than usual because cars are designed to self-straighten, so if you aren't holding enough pressure, the wheel may slip in your hands when you go to shift or signal.
4:28 that is so dangerous. Very easy to collide with something coming out of the junction, or better still (for our chuckle factor) another muppet doing the same stunt without looking first.
Too tight a grip on both the gear lever and the steering wheel can also cause an involuntary twitch in steering when changing gear. Remember what Frankie said, relax, don't do it.
They don't move in their seat to check behind their pillars or to check their side view mirrors when changing lanes yet if a collision was to happen they'd blame others for being in their imaginary "blind spot".
A caveat to that. I drive a 3.5 tonne cage van and the only way to see anything in my "imaginary" blind spot would be to stop the van and get out and look. I can be reversing back in the depot and the similar sized 3.5 tonne van next to me is completely invisible until I can see it in the window next to me, then when I can see it in my window it appears in my mirror. Likewise a vehicle can follow me and I cannot see it if it gets too close. Reversing round corners.....can't see anything less than 80 degrees to the cab window.
@@chrisl1797 Why would you try to reverse of you cannot see a vehicle that's to your side? With the proper standard and side view mirrors set up properly along with body movement you should be able to see all along both sides of your vehicle. Just curious but what can you see in those mirror when reversing?
@@JohnFarrell-bc8gt The van is a Nissan Cabstar with FOUR doors. It is a blocked cab at the back so I only have side mirrors., and it has a massive metal cage on it too. Basically anything directly behind me is invisible. Anything driving along side it is also completely invisible. Trust me I drive the thing all day so I know. We empty street bins and occasionally need to turn around in narrow dead end streets and such like. Trust me, no amount of head movement and moving in the seat will help me see in places where I cannot see. That is why llorries have that sign on the back. "If you cannot see my mirrors I cannot see you....."
The only way to hold the wheel is to have the seat back way back so that you are practically horizontal. Then move the seat itself as far back as it will go. Then you should be able to hold the wheel with your right hand at the 12 O' Clock position. Your left hand is then free to hold the gear stick or a cup of coffee or a sandwich roll. Of course SEAT and Golf drivers already know this.
I've found "10 and 2" feels a bit twitchy when going round corners quickly on rolling roads but works well for navigating features in town like roundabouts and junctions. As for pulling on the steering instead of trying to lift, MickDrivesCars was talking about this and I've adopted it more. I think lifting is working against the weight of your arm on the end of a long lever, and a muscle working nearer the limit of strength is less accurate in its movements. The muscles in your shoulder that lift your arms in front of you are generally weaker than the muscles that lower them, and gravity is also lowering the arms, thus the pulling motion feels easier to control. Though power steering does keep the force requirements down. Sitting too far from the wheel also lengthens the lever arm of your arms and thus makes smaller movements more difficult as the muscle is under more mechanical disadvantage.
Nice;ly timed video on steering. I've been making a conscious effort over the last few months to practice the push-pull method at every occasion whilest driving and being positive in looking round bends and in to the roads I turn. Just like when I'm mountain biking, look where you want to end up, not were you are!
My driving instructor didn't address a multitude of skills, I'm glad I passed first time. I really hope instructors see your lessons, making the roads safer has got to be a good thing.
Champ Im from what you Brits call “the Staes”, and I have to say that I took a 2 hr lesson today. Your video on foot positioning and hip movement coupled with this video were by far more instructional than what my instructor gave me. Thanks and keep up the great work.👍 👍 Jolly good show man!
It would be great if you could have another helicopter flying lesson for your upcoming 50th, and record and upload for your viewers. It would be very interesting. You might encourage some budding pilots out there.
I had one of those lessons as well, in a Robinson R22. It amazed me that the seat wasn't adjustable forward and backward, I could only just reach the tail rotor pedals.
I always love watching these videos. It helps me keep myself in check, been driving for a while now but this helps me realise some bad habits I’ve adopted through the years. Now I can fix it
I suspect many drivers regularly drive: - One handed - With one hand resting on the gear stick even when a gear change is nowhere near imminent - Driving with one arm dangling out the window or checking that their roof is still there! - With both hands on the wheel but in a rather "creative" position
My favourite series, thanks Ashley. Even before I found your channel, my mission as a risd user was to keep everything smooth, even as a pedestrian, and these practices have indeed become instinctive.
Low wrist steering is often encouraged by shifting. There is less distance to cover with your hand. It's still not a good excuse, but one of the bigger reasons nonetheless.
At around 19:03 you sit at a red for around a minute before the light changes but with no use of the handbrake? I have an issue with drivers constantly sitting with their foot on the brake pedal.
I believe this was auto hold where use of the handbrake/ parking brake is not required. Unsure if this also holds the brake lights on or not on the Focus
@@TestGearJunkie. Agreed My car doesn’t have autohold but I do keep my foot on the brake pedal, but only as additional warning if I am the rear vehicle. Once someone approaches and sees me the foot comes off so I am no longer blinding them. I wouldn’t sit behind a car with my full beam on at traffic lights so not going to do it with my brake lights
I always try to drive with my thumbs in easy reach of the horn, rarely I use it but I don’t want to be using it getting closer and closer to the hazard, give yourself as much time as you can to prepare for such events
At around 26:06 where you are making your parting comments and sat stationary at a red light. I remember in another video there was a big fuss made in the comments regarding a similar "stationary traffic" situation giving you a telling off for having your hands off the wheel. In stationary traffic no less! I actually wasn't sure if that comment was for real or a wind up.
That would be an education, it was for me, after all these years of driving, I didn't realise it was actually the rear bumper that should meet the stop line at traffic lights and not the front bumper 🤔
At 1:30 you didn’t signal to emerge from that junction (at least I couldn’t hear one), can you explain why? I would signal right there, even though I’m technically going straight on. Am I wrong to do that?
Why would you? The other way around would be much more efficient: if the cars towards Ashley would've put on a left signal (like is common over here in the Netherlands), flow would be a lot better.
In reference to the pull/push, I was taught in AIM (and continue to do so) feed the wheel through my fingers rather than fully letting go of the wheel as you do. The reasoning is if you need to instanty grip more tighter with two hands (eg, where something pulls the wheel unexpectedly), they are already on the wheel. For me, it also feels smoother. Interested to see others' thoughts on this?
Steering starts with setting your position correctly for the pedals then set your height of seat so eye are middle of the windscreen. Then unlock the steering and pull it in or out up and down so you have nice soft elbows at your default position on the wheel. So slightly bent elbows. If you let go of the wheel the car goes straight it does not suddenly turn sharp left or right. Pull or push I will sometimes start past the 12 or 6 so my hands finish in a balanced position. I always think of the car as part of my body like shoulders or knees etc
Can't beat them. Always been my ambition to live on one, but at £2,000 a foot I couldn't afford one when I was younger. Now I'm old, I can, but I'm too decrepit to move, ain't life a bitch..? 🙄🤣
Off-topic slightly, but I noticed that when you were coming off a roundabout you seemed to start indicating a little late. I'm not talking about 'late' like when certain drivers don't indicate until they're actually moving into their exit road (naming no PSVs or van drivers😁). I'm talking about the best time to indicate your intentions. Like many people, you seemed to start indicating just after you'd passed the road before your exit. If, instead, you start indicating as you start driving across the road before your exit, everyone waiting to leave that road can already see that you're not turning off there, and people sitting on your exit road get an early notice of your intentions, and thus have more time to decide whether or not it's safe to pull out. Any cyclists in the cycle lane behind you also get early notice, as well as the cars behind you - especially the tail-gaters. Obviously, this all depends on the size of the roundabout, and helps more on the larger roundabouts. For me, this is not just part of keeping safe, but also part of making it safe for others.
Thanks Ashley. What I was taught was hands at 10-to-2 and grip firm but not excessively tight. Thumbs on the wheel, not inside because of the risk of injury in a collision. Push-pull steering is preferred as you have far more control than if your hands go over the middle, especially in a blow-out situation, which a number of people I know have had despite good tyres. I agree with your comment about signalling on leaving a round-a-bout being difficult when crossing hands. Recently I came across an item where it was suggested quarter-to-three is better because of the position of the sterring wheel air bag. I suggest for sustained driving that dropping the hands to 20-to-4 results in less strain on the arms and shoulders but as much contol as 10-to-2. I joked about this being real puch-pull and 10-to-2 being pull-push. On my advanced driving course the instructors scattered small carpet tiles and we were expected to drive front right wheel over one then front left over the next as a test of knowing where the wheels were on the road.
Pull push and rotational steering not only gives precise control but one thing people forget is that if your airbag goes off and your arms are crossed at that moment the airbag will deploy at 200mph and take your arms into your face at that speed.
I passed my driving test 2 years ago yesterday and i remember a year ago my dad asked me why i keep doing the pull push steering and i said force of habit and he told me i should steer with 1 hand if possible as it showed in america the outcome of an accident of doing that is less severe. but i still do the pull push steering out of habit. Change of topic - i'd like to change my career and become a driving instructor sometime in march 2025, so the question is - when do i start training to become a driving instructor and basically how do i start this journey?
@@anna.4970 And even on a motorway you should be driving with both hands on a wheel. You never know when a HGV could have a blow out and career across the carriageway.
Thinking about smooth driving, how about a video covering how to drive with a 'black-box' fitted? After looking into this, it seems there are a few different types of box and quite a bit of difference between insurance companies on how they use the data. Types of box I can think of are: - battery powered accelerometer that sticks to the windscreen, pairs with your phone over bluetooth to monitor driving. (e.g. Hastings Direct) - plug-in GPS and accelerometer device (ODB port) that pairs to phone or has built-in cellular modem. - tracker type device, that is connected to ignition and permanent 12V hidden under the dash, GPS, accelerometer and cellular modem (e.g. Admiral Littlebox). It seems to get a good score on some of these, you have to accelerate _very_ gently, corner very slowly and brake lightly (or perhaps not brake and corner at the same time, have a 'bell-curve' shape to applying braking maybe?).
Loads of people cut the corners and lines as in those clips. It’s key and makes life much easier to look up and around while driving. Your anticipation will go up dramatically because you can see all the idiots on the road, people who are about to pull out in front of you or those drivers not indicating correctly or at all. You won’t see this by looking at the tarmac.
I would call myself a hybrid steerer as it depends on the situation at the time Normal town driving I am a push puller, country lanes I become an exaggerated (that is the hand moves to 11 or 1 o’clock) puller and both of these allow for easier gear changes and signals if needed. Along faster roads, dual carriageways and motorways, I become a “keep the hand where it is” steerer as there isn’t really much need to move the wheel far. Although the position changes based upon risk and relaxation I do occasionally cross my hands or palm the wheel but that is usually when parking and I know I don’t need gears, signals or anything else. My bad I know and I will work on that In terms of grip, the way I have always done it is to allow the steering wheel wiggle room over the bumps in the road but enough pressure that the car keeps straight
There's an Pass N Go instructor based near me that could do with taking this advice. Every time I see him in between lessons he's like a mobile advert for never using his services, driving like a psychotic Uber.
You refer to drivers who sit up close to the wheel as "bonnet lickers" but what do you advise to your students, many of whom I would suspect are short like a lot of the population? These people have to have the seat fully forward to use the pedals and end up driving with acutely bent arms. It's about time as well as reach on the steering wheel, there is some movement/adjustment of the pedals.
Your video highlights how much easier driving is with an electronic 'handbrake'. 👍 How do your students get on once they have passed and buy their 10 year old 'banger' with a good old ratchet lever one?
@@ashley_neal Do those automatic handbrakes leave the brake lights on even though your foot isn't on the pedal..? I *_hate_* that, especially at night sitting in a queue 🤬
About dropping your hands to a relaxed position at the bottom of the steering wheel: why is this a bad habit? If risk is low (for example a straight road without side streets) and you don't need to do anything with your hands, why isn't that fine? As long as you still hold the wheel just as well as in the "correct" position, I personally don't see a big problem with it. I constantly hear people saying that it's bad, but I've never actually heard anybody explain why it's bad.
Because you never know when you will need your hands in the right position ie just above quarter to three, as something can emerge very quickly without you knowing.
There have been occasions where I've suddenly driven through floodwater on a dual carriageway or motorway and been very glad I had both hands on the wheel. Even then, I had to "wrestle" with the wheel a bit. I dread to think what it would be like for those drivers that habitually drive one handed.
It very much depends on the steering geometry of the car; some cars are much less susceptible to being pulled to one side by forces acting on the wheel. I suspect most are affected though.
@@PedroConejo1939 Very true yes. In my case, I was very glad to be in a front wheel drive car with good quality tyres and plenty of tread. It's also a reason why I replace my tyres when the tread depth is around 3mm rather than the UK minimum of 1.6mm.
@@ibs5080 While I do use just the one hand from time to time in low-risk situations, inclement weather, junctions or other hazards will see me placing both hands higher up. Oh, and I also change my tyres at about 3 mm. Rain is the big thing round here dictating tyre health.
I think the push pull method stems back to the day when cars had no power steering and you needed 2 hands. As a result, power steering has higher gearing. Things change but old methods stick. 'We've always done it this way' is often the answer you'll get. Doesn't make an alternative method wrong.
@@paul756uk2 Very true. It's similar with changing down through the gears. In the late 1970's, I was originally taught to change down sequentially through every single gear when slowing or coming to a stop. But long ago I "modernized" my driving style by keeping in the gear I was currently in, declutching when necessary and only selecting the appropriate gear I need when the situation presents itself. This can often mean remaining in 5th gear whilst slowing down, declutching at an appropriate speed and going directly into 2nd when I see I need "drive" again at a much slower speed.
@@ibs5080 yes, absolutely. That's a perfect example. My father had a garage business and he always said brake linings are cheaper than gearboxes though that was decades ago but I never have used going through the gears and do the same as yourself. Also what you have to consider is that you're getting 2 wheel rather than 4 wheel braking which in icy conditions not only risks skidding but allows less control over the braking and a higher gear gives you much better traction. Also, considering that braking is always greater on the front of cars becomes a problem on rear wheel drive cars as that's where all the braking goes using gears. Sometimes, however on long descents it can be good to use a combination of both. I've been driving an automatic for the last 30 years or thereabouts so it's kind of Irrelevant but I can use the paddles to hold a gear.
Thanks Ashley, very helpful. My mum dislocated her thumb while holding the wheel at 9-3 with her thumbs inside the wheel. Someone hit her on the nearside and she lost grip. I remember it well although I was only little.
@@SamilyRose You never asked me to seek help, and we’re on the same video from the same channel we subscribe to. Hardly "stalker-like" 😂. Again, as I have said, though, your grammar is shocking.
@@WilliamHandover feel free to leave me alone at any point! You're literally harassing a woman, feel good about it? What a strange and lonely person you must be.
08:50 it’s always baffled me that some drivers look at where the car is pointing, that doesn’t help at all, you simply just look where you need to go and your brain will naturally and automatically tell your hands how much to turn the steering wheel.
Just saw this come in now and about to view. Always love your "How to drive like a driving instructor" series. I actually often wonder how many driving instructors are subscribed to your channel. Anyhow this sounds interesting. I can imagine some mention of the "push pull" method versus "hand over hand" depending on situation. As well as where to hold the wheel, especially in relation to risks with air bags. I'll view now and see.
old lorry drivers will tell you to do push-pull and never allow the wheel to slide through your fingers, because before power steering, a free spinning steering wheel could do significant injury to fingers, if you caught one on a spoke.
I find that as well as finding faults with my own driving it helps to understand what others are doing wrong as a guide to what they might do ahead of me giving me a better chance of avoiding them.
This is one of my blind spots when driving - my instincts are to expect the other drivers to do what I would consider the normal and sensible thing and I can be slower picking up on what they are doing when they do something different, especially when it is lazy and inconsiderate driving like blindly cutting corners.
The bit that I would like to add is the reason that it is pull/push not push/pull. When I am working with IAM Associates, I can feel in my seat when they are pushing the wheel and not pulling. Pulling involves the highly dexterous muscles of the lower arm and so has finesse control. Pushing uses the stronger muscles of the upper arm and shoulders - you can feel this in a more jerky response. There is actually a good video by Reg Local that goes into the details of steering.
Big inspiration for my driving. You drive so effortlessly and smoothly. I hope I can reach your level someday!
i have been driving for years and my driving is smooth but as smooth as that. lol
not as smooth as that
Ian McMillan ( the bard of Barnsley) had a poem that I heard many years ago but have never forgotten the line “ Grisp the wheel at ten past two “.
An instructor who wasn’t very able to convey what he wanted
Also, the best part of pulll/push driving is that when the steering wheel glides back through your fingers, you feel like James Bond
Just to add one thing about gripping the wheel too tightly: my driving instructor made the point that people tend to grip the wheel more tightly when they are nervous, or they feel unsure, or if something is going wrong. He also suggested that the reverse was true. He suggested that if you are gripping the wheel tightly, you make yourself feel more nervous/uptight, which is not conducive to good driving.
Thatcham, the road safety lab did a study some years ago IIRC on hand positions on the steering wheel and one of the surprising conclusions was that drivers holding the wheel at 4:40 position had just as much control over the car as in the classic positions.
I bought an Imp rally car off a disabled driver who only had a stump of a thumb left on his right hand, all his fingers and thumb parts were missing, yet he drove that car with astounding control and speed. The other thing to note was that being an Imp it had a substantial amount of caster that when you hit a pothole could wrench the wheel from your hands if you weren't prepared. With this car you did not hook your thumbs over the central spokes because when you hit that pothole you risked breaking or severely bruising your thumbs.
Thanks for another good video. Just couple of important points to add. Firstly, on crossing arms on turning. This is such a common habbit and for some people comes from motor sport, but there is a danger that most people forget. That is the Airbag. I can remember chatting at length with a van driver who had removed several of his front teeth, in an accident, as a result of having his arm across the wheel at the wrong moment. The amount of scaring on his forearm is a constant reminder of what a painfull and messy mistake that was.
The other point is on the bad habbit of dropping your hands to the bottom of the wheel. Although as the driver you will never notice, but this de-stablises the car. To most people this is virtually impersepible, but to passengers with a tendency towards travel sickness, this can be a significant contribuary factor. This is especially the case for rear seat passengers. I had one notable example of a woman who's children had suffered for years and it elliminated the problem overnight. It is not a magic fix all, but it can make a big difference in some cases.
Don’t try to steer if you’re going to crash!
@@ashley_neal Or as the military version of the pre-landing announcement goes, "We're not going to crash, but if we do, you won't be around afterwards to worry about it, so don't worry about it..!"
As long that everything is smooth, controlled and confident in your own abilities then you should me ok majority of time. Other idiots on the road which Ashley shows all the time are the real problem. Always remember driving is the biggest freedom you will ever have.
Lovely nice steering and great planning and positioning. Smoother than my steering. Being in the right gear smooth speed and positioning. Then smooth natural steering and accuracy for me. All confidence but a hell of a lot of practice as well. I prefer manual gearbox for control. But automatics are ok as long as everything is smooth.
Would be great if you could put 'chapters' on youtube as long videos like this are harder to find time for sometimes, as great as they can be :)
I have been experimenting with push pull.
Steering technique seems to be the first thing to go after passing the driving test. I've noticed this with my son who now defaults to resting his left hand on his knee whilst using the right hand (well, a finger and thumb) to hold the wheel at the 5 o'clock position. Apparently this is how chauffeurs hold the wheel and is best for a 'smooth ride'. His first black-box report disagrees (1 star out of 5 for smoothness) 🤣!
It took me less than two months to start crossing the hands instead of pushing and pulling…then I went back to pushing and pulling a few weeks later went I burnt my arm on the cigarette I was holding 🤦♂️
I found later in my driving life the monotony of commuting an hour plus each way, every day ingrained some terrible habits rather quickly that took a long time to untrain
@@smilerbob I don't smoke any more, but even when I did, I never smoked in a car. It can stink the vehicle out for years to come. My father (a lifelong non-smoker) always reckoned he could tell if anyone had *ever* smoked in a car. I believe he could, too.
@@TestGearJunkie. Since giving up I can smell if a taxi driver has been smoking in the car and I cannot believe I used to drive around in cars that used to smell that way.
Happily smoke free for over three years now
@@smilerbob The reason I don't smoke any more isn't for health reasons, I *_like_* smoking..! It's simply that it's been priced out of the market for me, I just can't afford it any more 😥
@@TestGearJunkie. It was getting ridiculous when I gave up and that was one of the factors for me. Another one was I didn’t want my child to take up smoking
Ypu are spot on about holding the sterring wheel well enough to move thecwheel easily but not too rigidly and the holding eggs is a good guide.
I would add that you should not put your thumbs around the sterring wheel. Most card have a flattened part of the inside of the wheel, which is a guide for you to place the thumbs over the wheel.
It would be good to include the different thinking in recent times regarding ideal default hand position and seating / steering wheel position to reduce the risk of injury from the air bag deploying.
a tip: a lot of people like to use finish products on their steering wheel. (in the US, it's Armor All, not sure what the similar product in the UK is) don't do it. it makes the steering wheel slippery, and results in having to h it harder, and that makes your hands tired.
It would probably be srandard trim polish over here or if you only clean the car twice a year like me then furniture polish…but never on the handbrake lever, gear stick or steering wheel
@smilerbob gear stick isn't so bad, since you're using it as a lever. And pf vourse, you know we yanks only use the handbrake as decoration, anyway.
@@kenbrown2808 I am thinking more for those that “top palm” the gear chages in what you call a “stick shift”. Automatic levers aren’t too bad but some of the stick toppers are already shiny and adding a polish layer to the top is usually asking for trouble…
I talk from experience and is why I now shift gears using it as a level rather than a palm rest that moves
There may not be sufficient information or evidence about 9 and 3 being the best positioning on the steering wheel but as a driving instructor myself, I'd rather be where race car drivers place their hands for full control. Great video nonetheless. Cheers!
23:12 that buff-coloured block is where the Green Man, famously used in the final episode of Boys from the Blackstuff, used to be. Knocked down in about 2017/18 🤝
After watching the video about speed and speed signage, I noticed something you spoke about in that video.
Vehicle navigation systems being wrong.
@3:00 I noticed your cars dash flashing a 20 limit sign but you were driving consistently at about 25mph, and your screen on the left showed no descernable warnings.
Which was right per the signage?
21:45 - It looks like the corner-cutting driver took offence at being correctly warned off. I find this quite often; they genuinely think you're in the wrong for not letting them dangerously cut corners.
They have clearly taken the phrase “Fix others mistakes” to the selfish level…
“Fix my mistakes” 😁
we all make mistakes driving. But i always go back to being smooth and controlled again rather than panicking after making mistake.
11:37 your car windows need cleaning Ashley. 😂
Hi Ashley, what model is your car please?
Ford Focus ST 2023
Thank you mate, your car is very nice, I love the green colour, you’re probably wondering why I’m asking, my Ford mondeo titanium x sport recently went in for an mot and service, it passed but it got lots of advisories, it was made in 2010 so it’s 14 years old, it still drives absolutely lovely but in a few years time I’ll probably have to buy a new car, I love the st models, I was looking at the Ford puma st automatics but unfortunately they only come in 1 litre which is no good, I’ll probably look at the Ford focus st’s or the Ford fiesta st’s.
I have found my head bobbling far more since watching this channel. This is a Good Thing.
1:25 - why don't people indicate left when leaving the major road there? You're not going to pull out, but you can be preparing to move just that bit sooner.
@@PedroConejo1939 Totally agree with you regarding indicating left when the priority road goes round to the right and the minor road is effectively a "left turn" off the main road but in more or less a "straight ahead" position. Imagine also a pedestrian wanting to cross that side road at the junction.
I spotted (what I think) was a steering fault in this video at around the 8 minute mark. While waiting to turn right, Ash had about a quarter turn of lock already dialed in prior to the move, while waiting for cars from the opposite direction to clear. That's dangerous. If somebody hits you from behind, they push you into oncoming traffic. While waiting to turn, it's much safer to have the wheels pointing straight ahead.
A driving myth that I have dealt with before. Even if your wheels are straight and you get hit from behind off centre you will head the other way regardless.
I thought the turning of the wheels was more for when broken down on the side of the road to “assist” in keeping the vehicle away from the main carriageway? But this was disproved as many collisions still resulted in vehicles being redirected into the carriageway
@@ashley_neal That's a scenario that is true, but I'd still prefer my chances in any scenario with wheels pointing straight ahead.
According to my instructor I have the opposite problem to being glued to the seat. I move too much, not just when chcking junctions. It's my natural instinct to check alround to be certain of what I'm seeing. I'm not aware I'm doing it most of the time. Is it really as bad as she makes out? I sometimes end up over-focussing on sitting still.
nope, you need a better instructor.
Hi ash, Please show your pedals( pedal view cam) on the next video/s, if possible. Thank you.
Am miring the t-shirt!
miring..?
Is it true that it is dangerous to have your thumbs on the inside of the wheel? I've heard that on rough terrain when the wheel moves, it can break your thumbs....
I've just made that comment!
I'm curious what cleaning products you use on your cars, especially the glass cleaner? The best I've used so far is made by Auto glym, they have a glass cleaner and a glass polish which is quite effective but I'm always looking for better products if they exist! Also I used to use a screen wash additive by rain x that would give good water repulsion but it's become pretty poor lately, do you use anything similar?
One extra statement: if you are holding the wheel in one spot with one hand mid-corner to either shift or signal, just remember you have to hold the wheel a little bit harder than usual because cars are designed to self-straighten, so if you aren't holding enough pressure, the wheel may slip in your hands when you go to shift or signal.
4:28 that is so dangerous. Very easy to collide with something coming out of the junction, or better still (for our chuckle factor) another muppet doing the same stunt without looking first.
Too tight a grip on both the gear lever and the steering wheel can also cause an involuntary twitch in steering when changing gear. Remember what Frankie said, relax, don't do it.
They don't move in their seat to check behind their pillars or to check their side view mirrors when changing lanes yet if a collision was to happen they'd blame others for being in their imaginary "blind spot".
A caveat to that. I drive a 3.5 tonne cage van and the only way to see anything in my "imaginary" blind spot would be to stop the van and get out and look. I can be reversing back in the depot and the similar sized 3.5 tonne van next to me is completely invisible until I can see it in the window next to me, then when I can see it in my window it appears in my mirror. Likewise a vehicle can follow me and I cannot see it if it gets too close. Reversing round corners.....can't see anything less than 80 degrees to the cab window.
@@chrisl1797
Why would you try to reverse of you cannot see a vehicle that's to your side? With the proper standard and side view mirrors set up properly along with body movement you should be able to see all along both sides of your vehicle. Just curious but what can you see in those mirror when reversing?
@@JohnFarrell-bc8gt The van is a Nissan Cabstar with FOUR doors. It is a blocked cab at the back so I only have side mirrors., and it has a massive metal cage on it too. Basically anything directly behind me is invisible. Anything driving along side it is also completely invisible. Trust me I drive the thing all day so I know. We empty street bins and occasionally need to turn around in narrow dead end streets and such like. Trust me, no amount of head movement and moving in the seat will help me see in places where I cannot see. That is why llorries have that sign on the back. "If you cannot see my mirrors I cannot see you....."
@@JohnFarrell-bc8gt What can I see in the mirror... actually very little.... you really would be shocked how little.
1st
Why can't people award you your prizes
🏆🥇👏👏👏👏👏👍
At 25:04 the design of the ASL is nothing like what I've seen before.
I have seen these a few times and mostly ignored by drivers. Good to see an example of someone holding back from the short cycle lane before the ASL 👍
Thank you for helping me to work on my driving
The only way to hold the wheel is to have the seat back way back so that you are practically horizontal. Then move the seat itself as far back as it will go. Then you should be able to hold the wheel with your right hand at the 12 O' Clock position. Your left hand is then free to hold the gear stick or a cup of coffee or a sandwich roll. Of course SEAT and Golf drivers already know this.
I've found "10 and 2" feels a bit twitchy when going round corners quickly on rolling roads but works well for navigating features in town like roundabouts and junctions. As for pulling on the steering instead of trying to lift, MickDrivesCars was talking about this and I've adopted it more. I think lifting is working against the weight of your arm on the end of a long lever, and a muscle working nearer the limit of strength is less accurate in its movements. The muscles in your shoulder that lift your arms in front of you are generally weaker than the muscles that lower them, and gravity is also lowering the arms, thus the pulling motion feels easier to control. Though power steering does keep the force requirements down. Sitting too far from the wheel also lengthens the lever arm of your arms and thus makes smaller movements more difficult as the muscle is under more mechanical disadvantage.
Nice;ly timed video on steering. I've been making a conscious effort over the last few months to practice the push-pull method at every occasion whilest driving and being positive in looking round bends and in to the roads I turn. Just like when I'm mountain biking, look where you want to end up, not were you are!
My driving instructor didn't address a multitude of skills, I'm glad I passed first time. I really hope instructors see your lessons, making the roads safer has got to be a good thing.
Champ Im from what you Brits call “the Staes”, and I have to say that I took a 2 hr lesson today. Your video on foot positioning and hip movement
coupled with this video were by far more instructional than what my instructor gave me. Thanks and keep up the great work.👍 👍 Jolly good show man!
It would be great if you could have another helicopter flying lesson for your upcoming 50th, and record and upload for your viewers. It would be very interesting. You might encourage some budding pilots out there.
Only if the intro is Foo Fighters with Learn To Fly
I had one of those lessons as well, in a Robinson R22. It amazed me that the seat wasn't adjustable forward and backward, I could only just reach the tail rotor pedals.
one common instructor adage is "look where you intend to go, because you are going to go where you are looking."
I always love watching these videos. It helps me keep myself in check, been driving for a while now but this helps me realise some bad habits I’ve adopted through the years. Now I can fix it
I suspect many drivers regularly drive:
- One handed
- With one hand resting on the gear stick even when a gear change is nowhere near imminent
- Driving with one arm dangling out the window or checking that their roof is still there!
- With both hands on the wheel but in a rather "creative" position
that's me
A relaxed grip will help to prevent fatigue; especially on a long journey.
Good point Graham 👍
But not too relaxed so it relaxes the brain into auto pilot 👍
@@smilerbob
I utilise something called "Keep me awake music"......
Deep Purple in Rock......
Fall asleep to that......
You can't 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
My favourite series, thanks Ashley. Even before I found your channel, my mission as a risd user was to keep everything smooth, even as a pedestrian, and these practices have indeed become instinctive.
Rotational steering (crossing hands) used to be taught in advanced driving courses.
Low wrist steering is often encouraged by shifting. There is less distance to cover with your hand. It's still not a good excuse, but one of the bigger reasons nonetheless.
At around 19:03 you sit at a red for around a minute before the light changes but with no use of the handbrake? I have an issue with drivers constantly sitting with their foot on the brake pedal.
Especially at night, when the brightness of the brake lights can cause eye strain and consequent tiredness.
I believe this was auto hold where use of the handbrake/ parking brake is not required.
Unsure if this also holds the brake lights on or not on the Focus
Same here. My pet hate is what I call 'brake riders' 😡
@@smilerbob If it does, it damn well shouldn't 😡
@@TestGearJunkie. Agreed
My car doesn’t have autohold but I do keep my foot on the brake pedal, but only as additional warning if I am the rear vehicle. Once someone approaches and sees me the foot comes off so I am no longer blinding them.
I wouldn’t sit behind a car with my full beam on at traffic lights so not going to do it with my brake lights
I always try to drive with my thumbs in easy reach of the horn, rarely I use it but I don’t want to be using it getting closer and closer to the hazard, give yourself as much time as you can to prepare for such events
At around 26:06 where you are making your parting comments and sat stationary at a red light. I remember in another video there was a big fuss made in the comments regarding a similar "stationary traffic" situation giving you a telling off for having your hands off the wheel. In stationary traffic no less! I actually wasn't sure if that comment was for real or a wind up.
Like this comment if you want Ashley to drive in Birmingham
That would be an education, it was for me, after all these years of driving, I didn't realise it was actually the rear bumper that should meet the stop line at traffic lights and not the front bumper 🤔
Without a sat-nav 😅
Consider it done 👍
@ashley_neal Good luck.😅
Take your stockcar if you drive through Moseley Village and best of luck 🤬
At 1:30 you didn’t signal to emerge from that junction (at least I couldn’t hear one), can you explain why? I would signal right there, even though I’m technically going straight on. Am I wrong to do that?
Why would you? The other way around would be much more efficient: if the cars towards Ashley would've put on a left signal (like is common over here in the Netherlands), flow would be a lot better.
In reference to the pull/push, I was taught in AIM (and continue to do so) feed the wheel through my fingers rather than fully letting go of the wheel as you do. The reasoning is if you need to instanty grip more tighter with two hands (eg, where something pulls the wheel unexpectedly), they are already on the wheel. For me, it also feels smoother.
Interested to see others' thoughts on this?
Steering starts with setting your position correctly for the pedals then set your height of seat so eye are middle of the windscreen. Then unlock the steering and pull it in or out up and down so you have nice soft elbows at your default position on the wheel. So slightly bent elbows. If you let go of the wheel the car goes straight it does not suddenly turn sharp left or right. Pull or push I will sometimes start past the 12 or 6 so my hands finish in a balanced position. I always think of the car as part of my body like shoulders or knees etc
Always wanted a go at a 70 foot canal boat.
I've driven a 50 foot sailboat.
@kenbrown2808 I think I've been watching too many canal boat diaries programs.
Can't beat them. Always been my ambition to live on one, but at £2,000 a foot I couldn't afford one when I was younger. Now I'm old, I can, but I'm too decrepit to move, ain't life a bitch..? 🙄🤣
Off-topic slightly, but I noticed that when you were coming off a roundabout you seemed to start indicating a little late. I'm not talking about 'late' like when certain drivers don't indicate until they're actually moving into their exit road (naming no PSVs or van drivers😁). I'm talking about the best time to indicate your intentions.
Like many people, you seemed to start indicating just after you'd passed the road before your exit. If, instead, you start indicating as you start driving across the road before your exit, everyone waiting to leave that road can already see that you're not turning off there, and people sitting on your exit road get an early notice of your intentions, and thus have more time to decide whether or not it's safe to pull out. Any cyclists in the cycle lane behind you also get early notice, as well as the cars behind you - especially the tail-gaters. Obviously, this all depends on the size of the roundabout, and helps more on the larger roundabouts.
For me, this is not just part of keeping safe, but also part of making it safe for others.
Thanks Ashley. What I was taught was hands at 10-to-2 and grip firm but not excessively tight. Thumbs on the wheel, not inside because of the risk of injury in a collision. Push-pull steering is preferred as you have far more control than if your hands go over the middle, especially in a blow-out situation, which a number of people I know have had despite good tyres. I agree with your comment about signalling on leaving a round-a-bout being difficult when crossing hands. Recently I came across an item where it was suggested quarter-to-three is better because of the position of the sterring wheel air bag. I suggest for sustained driving that dropping the hands to 20-to-4 results in less strain on the arms and shoulders but as much contol as 10-to-2. I joked about this being real puch-pull and 10-to-2 being pull-push. On my advanced driving course the instructors scattered small carpet tiles and we were expected to drive front right wheel over one then front left over the next as a test of knowing where the wheels were on the road.
When I was learning, I was told that I had "threepenny bit" steering. Is this caused by failing to properly observe before and during the corner?
Pull push and rotational steering not only gives precise control but one thing people forget is that if your airbag goes off and your arms are crossed at that moment the airbag will deploy at 200mph and take your arms into your face at that speed.
I passed my driving test 2 years ago yesterday and i remember a year ago my dad asked me why i keep doing the pull push steering and i said force of habit and he told me i should steer with 1 hand if possible as it showed in america the outcome of an accident of doing that is less severe. but i still do the pull push steering out of habit.
Change of topic - i'd like to change my career and become a driving instructor sometime in march 2025, so the question is - when do i start training to become a driving instructor and basically how do i start this journey?
It seems your dad has found very poor habits. Never, ever drive with just hand on the steering wheel. You can never know when an emergency can occur.
@@johncranna9427 im aware, i wouldnt drive with 1 hand unless i'm on a motorway staying in a lane
@@anna.4970 And even on a motorway you should be driving with both hands on a wheel. You never know when a HGV could have a blow out and career across the carriageway.
Thinking about smooth driving, how about a video covering how to drive with a 'black-box' fitted? After looking into this, it seems there are a few different types of box and quite a bit of difference between insurance companies on how they use the data.
Types of box I can think of are:
- battery powered accelerometer that sticks to the windscreen, pairs with your phone over bluetooth to monitor driving. (e.g. Hastings Direct)
- plug-in GPS and accelerometer device (ODB port) that pairs to phone or has built-in cellular modem.
- tracker type device, that is connected to ignition and permanent 12V hidden under the dash, GPS, accelerometer and cellular modem (e.g. Admiral Littlebox).
It seems to get a good score on some of these, you have to accelerate _very_ gently, corner very slowly and brake lightly (or perhaps not brake and corner at the same time, have a 'bell-curve' shape to applying braking maybe?).
Loads of people cut the corners and lines as in those clips.
It’s key and makes life much easier to look up and around while driving. Your anticipation will go up dramatically because you can see all the idiots on the road, people who are about to pull out in front of you or those drivers not indicating correctly or at all. You won’t see this by looking at the tarmac.
I would call myself a hybrid steerer as it depends on the situation at the time
Normal town driving I am a push puller, country lanes I become an exaggerated (that is the hand moves to 11 or 1 o’clock) puller and both of these allow for easier gear changes and signals if needed. Along faster roads, dual carriageways and motorways, I become a “keep the hand where it is” steerer as there isn’t really much need to move the wheel far. Although the position changes based upon risk and relaxation
I do occasionally cross my hands or palm the wheel but that is usually when parking and I know I don’t need gears, signals or anything else. My bad I know and I will work on that
In terms of grip, the way I have always done it is to allow the steering wheel wiggle room over the bumps in the road but enough pressure that the car keeps straight
2:53 could be used for you speed limit video…ignore the car flashing a 20mph warning at you 😉
There's an Pass N Go instructor based near me that could do with taking this advice. Every time I see him in between lessons he's like a mobile advert for never using his services, driving like a psychotic Uber.
You refer to drivers who sit up close to the wheel as "bonnet lickers" but what do you advise to your students, many of whom I would suspect are short like a lot of the population? These people have to have the seat fully forward to use the pedals and end up driving with acutely bent arms. It's about time as well as reach on the steering wheel, there is some movement/adjustment of the pedals.
A bonnet licker is someone who positions much further forward than they need 👍
What's the best way to steer with your forehead?
Every time I try I can't see the road. 🤐
Stop showing your wealth
Your video highlights how much easier driving is with an electronic 'handbrake'. 👍 How do your students get on once they have passed and buy their 10 year old 'banger' with a good old ratchet lever one?
We do cover how to operate a conventional handbrake but when I’ve asked people how they got on with it post test they’ve never had problems
@@ashley_neal Do those automatic handbrakes leave the brake lights on even though your foot isn't on the pedal..? I *_hate_* that, especially at night sitting in a queue 🤬
About dropping your hands to a relaxed position at the bottom of the steering wheel: why is this a bad habit? If risk is low (for example a straight road without side streets) and you don't need to do anything with your hands, why isn't that fine? As long as you still hold the wheel just as well as in the "correct" position, I personally don't see a big problem with it. I constantly hear people saying that it's bad, but I've never actually heard anybody explain why it's bad.
Because you never know when you will need your hands in the right position ie just above quarter to three, as something can emerge very quickly without you knowing.
There have been occasions where I've suddenly driven through floodwater on a dual carriageway or motorway and been very glad I had both hands on the wheel. Even then, I had to "wrestle" with the wheel a bit. I dread to think what it would be like for those drivers that habitually drive one handed.
It very much depends on the steering geometry of the car; some cars are much less susceptible to being pulled to one side by forces acting on the wheel. I suspect most are affected though.
@@PedroConejo1939 Very true yes. In my case, I was very glad to be in a front wheel drive car with good quality tyres and plenty of tread. It's also a reason why I replace my tyres when the tread depth is around 3mm rather than the UK minimum of 1.6mm.
@@ibs5080 While I do use just the one hand from time to time in low-risk situations, inclement weather, junctions or other hazards will see me placing both hands higher up.
Oh, and I also change my tyres at about 3 mm. Rain is the big thing round here dictating tyre health.
I think the push pull method stems back to the day when cars had no power steering and you needed 2 hands. As a result, power steering has higher gearing. Things change but old methods stick. 'We've always done it this way' is often the answer you'll get. Doesn't make an alternative method wrong.
@@paul756uk2 Very true. It's similar with changing down through the gears. In the late 1970's, I was originally taught to change down sequentially through every single gear when slowing or coming to a stop. But long ago I "modernized" my driving style by keeping in the gear I was currently in, declutching when necessary and only selecting the appropriate gear I need when the situation presents itself. This can often mean remaining in 5th gear whilst slowing down, declutching at an appropriate speed and going directly into 2nd when I see I need "drive" again at a much slower speed.
@@ibs5080 yes, absolutely. That's a perfect example. My father had a garage business and he always said brake linings are cheaper than gearboxes though that was decades ago but I never have used going through the gears and do the same as yourself. Also what you have to consider is that you're getting 2 wheel rather than 4 wheel braking which in icy conditions not only risks skidding but allows less control over the braking and a higher gear gives you much better traction. Also, considering that braking is always greater on the front of cars becomes a problem on rear wheel drive cars as that's where all the braking goes using gears. Sometimes, however on long descents it can be good to use a combination of both. I've been driving an automatic for the last 30 years or thereabouts so it's kind of Irrelevant but I can use the paddles to hold a gear.
Thanks Ashley, very helpful.
My mum dislocated her thumb while holding the wheel at 9-3 with her thumbs inside the wheel. Someone hit her on the nearside and she lost grip. I remember it well although I was only little.
Not to be pedantic, but your grammar is shocking. As you commented on mine, I thought I’d share.
@@WilliamHandover like I said, please seek help. Your stalker-like behaviour is very alarming.
@@SamilyRose You never asked me to seek help, and we’re on the same video from the same channel we subscribe to. Hardly "stalker-like" 😂. Again, as I have said, though, your grammar is shocking.
@WilliamHandover where exactly is his grammar wrong, seems OK to me?
@@WilliamHandover feel free to leave me alone at any point! You're literally harassing a woman, feel good about it? What a strange and lonely person you must be.
08:50 it’s always baffled me that some drivers look at where the car is pointing, that doesn’t help at all, you simply just look where you need to go and your brain will naturally and automatically tell your hands how much to turn the steering wheel.
12:34 that is a nice church.