Lipstick and hairbrush in L3Hi, 70mph in L3 of the M62 west bound following a small car this morning in mist just prior to the Saddleworth at around 08:15...
May be a slightly different technique (was taught to me as a "constant rev change") when changing down, but I was taught to lock accelerator foot in position, clutch down, select neutral, release and then clutch down, select lower gear, release.
Only really works without moving the accelerator position when the car's moving at a constant speed & without the engine providing significan power (ie fails somewhat under acceleration and when climbing a hill - need to adjust accelerator position in those circumstances I find), but in that instance it's smooth as a well-greased ice rink.
I generally only use it when changing down on motorways or if changing down in preparation for overtaking, or if I'm in a particularly "back to first principles" mood, but other than the change in engine tone I'd defy any pbuttenger to tell me when the gear change occurred.
Taught to me years ago by my instructor - the village policeman & friend of my father's (who else would teach such a thing to a learner!!), and frowned upon by the L-test instructor during the pre-test "route" lessons (didn't like the positive road positioning either, "they don't like to see that kind of thing" apparently).
Lipstick and hairbrush in L3Adrian says... Yep. How do the learn to "drive", as in reality and not what you're taught for test, if they don't get out on the road? Joys of having a...
-- Richard Sampson
mail me at richard at olifant d-ot co do-t uk
