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Road Test for Seasonal Driver Candidate
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<blockquote data-quote="hondo" data-source="post: 899505" data-attributes="member: 8661"><p>In no particular order:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Take whatever time you need to adjust the mirrors, until you are comfortable with what you can see out of them. I prefer to have the lower (convex bubble) mirrors set so you can just see the rear wheel arches (or the actual rear tires if possible); so a quick glance will tell you when you are clear of, and won't run over the curb on a turn.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The rear view camera/monitor system has a microphone/speaker system that turns on in reverse gear. Turn the key on (don't start the engine), put the transmission in reverse (with the parking brake still on and your right foot on the brake pedal) and listen for the speaker; I recommend you turn it all the way up (push buttons on the monitor). You may have to 'bump' the key to turn the engine over slightly if you can't get the transmission into reverse.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If it's a diesel engine, when you go to start it: turn the key to the on position, look for a curly/squiggly symbol on a yellow warning light (or it might say 'wait' or 'wait to start') on the instrument panel. When the light goes out, then depress clutch pedal & crank the engine to start it.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Always start out in first gear, even if it is that really annoyingly low first gear on the 5 speed Spicer(tm) transmission. If it is the 5 speed, you will literally just get the [-]truck[/-]package car moving 5-10 feet or about 5mph then upshift. The actual gears in the transmission are bigger/heavier than whatever you're practicing in, it will take longer to make the shifts.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">You'll probably spend a few minutes driving in the yard first. You can get the feel of where the clutch grabs, how the engine responds when you press the accelerator, upshifting to 2nd, and the brakes. I think the evaluator is looking to see if you're getting the hang of it.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">When going out on the street, stop at the white stop lines first, then move up slightly as needed to see traffic, pedestrians, etc.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Most likely, the turn signals will not automatically self-cancel (turn off). Stick your left pinky finger out as a reminder to turn it off after a turn or lane change.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Always keep both hands on the wheel except for when shifting, tapping the horn or signalling; even waiting at a light.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">When coming to a stop: leave the transmission in gear while braking, until you hear/feel the engine start to stall. Then depress the clutch pedal.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">When making turns, <u><strong>go slow</strong></u>. Leave yourself a little room away from the curb, start turning gradually, know where your rear wheels are (you did adjust your mirrors to where you want them, I hope) and <strong><u>don't run over the curb with your rear wheels</u></strong>. Hopefully the [-]truck[/-] package car has power steering, but even if it does, the steering wheel will be a larger diameter and take more turns around to make a corner than you're used to. Pretend there are 100 packages precariously balanced on the top shelves in back, about to fall to the floor.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Check your mirrors a lot! Quick glances at the bubble (lower) mirrors to keep track of the cars around you, and to make sure you are staying in your lane.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">When waiting at a red light, put the parking brake on. I think they want the trans in neutral, foot off clutch pedal. Keep your hands on the wheel, and move your eyes around: straight ahead, left mirror, traffic/pedestrians to the left, rear view monitor, right mirror, right traffic/pedestrians, repeat. When you see the light is about to change, then step on clutch pedal and shift to 1st. If there is a car in front of you, count 1-2-3 after it starts moving, before you release the parking brake and start to move. Don't worry about catching up to traffic; in fact the more room you leave in front of you, the better.</li> </ul><p>The phrase I usually hear from people who fail is "can't handle a vehicle that size (big)". I interpret that to mean:</p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Don't run over curbs or into opposing traffic lanes on turns.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Keep it in your lane when going straight.</li> </ol></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="hondo, post: 899505, member: 8661"] In no particular order: [LIST] [*]Take whatever time you need to adjust the mirrors, until you are comfortable with what you can see out of them. I prefer to have the lower (convex bubble) mirrors set so you can just see the rear wheel arches (or the actual rear tires if possible); so a quick glance will tell you when you are clear of, and won't run over the curb on a turn. [*]The rear view camera/monitor system has a microphone/speaker system that turns on in reverse gear. Turn the key on (don't start the engine), put the transmission in reverse (with the parking brake still on and your right foot on the brake pedal) and listen for the speaker; I recommend you turn it all the way up (push buttons on the monitor). You may have to 'bump' the key to turn the engine over slightly if you can't get the transmission into reverse. [*]If it's a diesel engine, when you go to start it: turn the key to the on position, look for a curly/squiggly symbol on a yellow warning light (or it might say 'wait' or 'wait to start') on the instrument panel. When the light goes out, then depress clutch pedal & crank the engine to start it. [*]Always start out in first gear, even if it is that really annoyingly low first gear on the 5 speed Spicer(tm) transmission. If it is the 5 speed, you will literally just get the [-]truck[/-]package car moving 5-10 feet or about 5mph then upshift. The actual gears in the transmission are bigger/heavier than whatever you're practicing in, it will take longer to make the shifts. [*]You'll probably spend a few minutes driving in the yard first. You can get the feel of where the clutch grabs, how the engine responds when you press the accelerator, upshifting to 2nd, and the brakes. I think the evaluator is looking to see if you're getting the hang of it. [*]When going out on the street, stop at the white stop lines first, then move up slightly as needed to see traffic, pedestrians, etc. [*]Most likely, the turn signals will not automatically self-cancel (turn off). Stick your left pinky finger out as a reminder to turn it off after a turn or lane change. [*]Always keep both hands on the wheel except for when shifting, tapping the horn or signalling; even waiting at a light. [*]When coming to a stop: leave the transmission in gear while braking, until you hear/feel the engine start to stall. Then depress the clutch pedal. [*]When making turns, [U][B]go slow[/B][/U]. Leave yourself a little room away from the curb, start turning gradually, know where your rear wheels are (you did adjust your mirrors to where you want them, I hope) and [B][U]don't run over the curb with your rear wheels[/U][/B]. Hopefully the [-]truck[/-] package car has power steering, but even if it does, the steering wheel will be a larger diameter and take more turns around to make a corner than you're used to. Pretend there are 100 packages precariously balanced on the top shelves in back, about to fall to the floor. [*]Check your mirrors a lot! Quick glances at the bubble (lower) mirrors to keep track of the cars around you, and to make sure you are staying in your lane. [*]When waiting at a red light, put the parking brake on. I think they want the trans in neutral, foot off clutch pedal. Keep your hands on the wheel, and move your eyes around: straight ahead, left mirror, traffic/pedestrians to the left, rear view monitor, right mirror, right traffic/pedestrians, repeat. When you see the light is about to change, then step on clutch pedal and shift to 1st. If there is a car in front of you, count 1-2-3 after it starts moving, before you release the parking brake and start to move. Don't worry about catching up to traffic; in fact the more room you leave in front of you, the better. [/LIST] The phrase I usually hear from people who fail is "can't handle a vehicle that size (big)". I interpret that to mean: [LIST=1] [*]Don't run over curbs or into opposing traffic lanes on turns. [*]Keep it in your lane when going straight. [/LIST] [/QUOTE]
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