My driving has gone downhill.......?

Question

My gear chages have become really jerky recently and i don't know what i'm doing wrong....esspecially when i'm starting off, i think i stop the clutch at the biting point then just dump it when the revs build a bit......

also when parking i line up the side of the bonnet to the space, and the bonnet happens to be tapered so the car is always at an angle....

any pointers/tips/advice...??

Answer 1

just give up driving and walk instead

Answer 2

I like UCANTCME's response; however, I must ask you first if you have suffered any serious illnesses, injuries, etc. to cause this problem? You may want to consult with your physician about this.

Answer 3

I think the best advice I could give you is either go back to driving school or start taking the bus.

Answer 4

I think you know what is wrong.  At least you recognise the faults. Concentration seems to be lacking.  Learn to pull away without using the throttle.  All driving is dependant on clutch control. As for parking many people cannot park a car, and have to have many attempts to get it level.  Don't worry (you don't live near me) we all have bad times at the wheel and do silly things. Just pay attention to what you are doing at that time.

Answer 5

How about driving a different car with a family member or friend to evaluate your driving. If you get it right, maybe look at a new car (automatic shift). If you goof up, give up your license before you or someone else gets hurt

Answer 6

How to Drive a Car with Manual Transmission

Step 1:

Look at the floorboard; you'll see 3 pedals. From left to right, they are: clutch, brake, gas.

Step 2:

Study the simple diagram on the top of the gearshift, which will show you where the gears are. In most new cars, this will look like a three-legged H. First, third and fifth gears are at the tops of the legs; second, fourth and reverse gears are at the bottoms. The crossbar of the H is neutral.

Step 3:

Make sure the parking brake is engaged and the car is on a flat surface in an area where you have plenty of room.

Step 4:

Press down on the clutch pedal and then move the gearshift into the neutral position.

Step 5:

Start the car.

Step 6:

Keeping the clutch pedal down, put the car into first gear by moving the gearshift to the top-left position.

Step 7:

Apply the foot brake and release the parking brake.

Step 8:

Release the foot brake when you're ready to start moving.

Step 9:

Begin to release the clutch pedal slowly; when you hear or feel the engine begin to slow down, slowly press down on the gas pedal as you continue to release the clutch. The car will start to move forward.

Step 10:

Accelerate until the car has reached about 3,000 rpm, then take your foot off the gas, press down on the clutch pedal, and pull the gearshift directly down through neutral to second gear. Be sure to pull the gearshift down until it can't go any farther.

Step 11:

Release the clutch pedal gently, simultaneously pressing down gently on the gas pedal.

Step 12:

Repeat the shifting process each time you hit 3,000 rpm until you're driving at the appropriate speed. (Third gear is up and to the right; fourth gear is all the way down from there; fifth gear is up to neutral, right and then up again.)

Step 13:

Downshift by releasing the gas pedal when you want to decrease your speed. Press down on the clutch and move the gearshift through neutral into the next-lower gear (move down only 1 gear at a time). Once you're in the lower gear, release the clutch slowly and brake as you do so.

Step 14:

Stop the car by downshifting to second gear and applying the brakes. Apply the clutch just before the car stops. Don't downshift into first.

Step 15:

Drive in reverse by following the same steps you would for starting in first gear. The reverse gear engages more quickly than first gear, however, so be sure to release the clutch slowly and begin to press the gas pedal as soon as the car begins to move.

How to Parallel Park

Step 1:

Use your turn signal to indicate the direction of the parking spot.

Step 2:

If the space is not yet vacant but the car in it is about to leave, wait behind the spot.

Step 3:

When the space is vacant, pull ahead of it until you have pulled up beside the car parked in front of the space. Your rear bumper should be even with that car's rear bumper with about 2 feet of road between you.

Step 4:

Put the car in reverse. Begin to back up slowly; as soon as the car starts moving, turn the wheel as far as it will go toward the curb.

Step 5:

Back slowly into the space.

Step 6:

When the back of your car's front door is even with the rear bumper of the car beside you, begin turning the wheel away from the curb.

Step 7:

Continue turning the wheel away from the curb and backing slowly into the space.

Step 8:

Straighten out the wheel, then pull forward or back in the space as needed to center yourself between the cars in front of and behind you. Your car should be 6 to 8 inches from the curb when you are parked.

Answer 7

Maybe worth paying for a 'refresher' driving lesson. Once you improve your skills it's also worth considering doing the Advanced Driving test with the Institute of Advanced Motorists. The training and the test cost about £100 - well worth it.