Driver Training: The O/C Solution?

Seven · 02-19-05, 12:39 PM

Hey guys,

I went out to California DMV and got my permit today, and I was driving around some empty streets with my dad today, and it's harder than it looks. I'm having problems with general car control, mainly in terms of braking and accelerating, but also turning as well. With that said, do you guys have any tips for new drivers like myself on ways to handle their car?

Any help would be greatly appeciated
7

qualhiveldorf · 02-19-05, 12:52 PM

Just keep practicing on those empty streets, the roads to new homes being build work very well because once the constuction crews leave there is almost no traffic and the roads are generally newly paved. You will eventually start to reach a point in which you know exactly how the car will respond if you do A and B or if you do A,B and C.

Frodo Baggins · 02-19-05, 12:55 PM

Not really dude. It's a practice thing.

If you do a search on my name and "Driving", you'll also see a few topics I made when I just started out. People can give you hints and all about how to drive, but really, it's the practice that makes it work. You can read all about how to work a clutch, but it's not until you actually try (and practice) that you know what it's all about.

In that case, practice practice practice.

By the way, are you doing manual or automatic?

dark_15 · 02-19-05, 12:55 PM

Just keep driving. It's like riding a bike; hard at first, but once you work at it, it becomes second nature.

Seven · 02-19-05, 12:56 PM

Thanks.
I think it's just getting used to it. The car sorta jerks around cause I'm not used to the 900 degrees of motion and I don't play racing games with a wheel, so yeah...it's a lot different.

Throttle and brake are also super sensitive on my dad's beamer that I'm practicing in...I did manage to make a nice 3 point turn though and a few nice U-turns.

EDIT: Wow you guys are fast. The car is a 1997 BMW 540i Automatic.

7

SewerBeing · 02-19-05, 08:58 PM

I just went through the same ordeal, personally I was always preemptive with the brakes (I know at least three guys gave me the finger when they passed me). Took like 2-3 month of driving to start to feel comfortable. Just always remember to take it slow (unless you are on a highway you cant go too slow)

Seven · 02-20-05, 12:17 AM

Yeah. I'm going to be driving around the VA (UNUSED streets) for a while before I feel confident. The VA's got plenty of space on weekends when they'res nobody around and you have the road all to yourself. The 540i I'm driving is real sensitive with the pedals, so my stops look like CRAP and my starts even worse. Hopefully I can drive tomorrow when it isn't pouring and get some more experience.

Being behind the wheel gives you that intense vulnerabilty feeling, maybe it's because I've seen Red Asphalt III (possibly the most gory film I have ever seen with my own eyes, but it's also an eye opening experience) and know what bad drivers and bad moves can do to you, but also I feel like it's not just me who's directly affected by my driving. Everybody is affected, so I have to make sure my game is top notch.

7

shard · 02-20-05, 01:46 AM

well also remember road curtisousy, and dont get road rage, i hate it when ppl get road rage, lol

another thing, dont become paranoid, you are going to have something that will spook you, like a semi trying to change lanes into you, or some one cuting off you, etc. dont let it huant your driving experience, just stay rather laid back and just be responsive. and remember, all other drivers out there are idiots trying to kill you, even me, lol just keep that in mind

shuiends · 02-20-05, 10:56 AM

Once you got the general skills down from practicing I would sugest going to an autocross event and ride with some poeple there. And then possibly trying ur luck on a course. It will hone your skills alot and teach you things you will never learn on the road. I would also looking into finding some performance driving schools in your area and taking calsses there. They will teach you alot more then skool dirvers ed or even normal road driving will teach you.

Seven · 02-20-05, 11:51 AM

Yeah...I was thinking about going to a track and learning some new stuff (how to get out of a skid, etc.) but to asl have some fun. I'll get my homework done today and then try to convince my dad to take me down to the VA again for some more driving on near empty streets.

7

SavageBasher · 02-20-05, 12:29 PM

For turns... get halfway into the intersection and then turn sharply. For better gas/brake control, make sure you have your seat adjusted correctly and put your heel near the pedal, if done correctly you will have good control over the full range. Thats all I can think of right now, and just practice as much as you can.

Seven · 02-20-05, 02:37 PM

Yeah, my position was sort of uncomfortable....but then again I have never driven before, so I don't know.

I really do want more practice so I can drive to school in the morning and such, but that might come in about a week. We'll see.

7

SewerBeing · 02-20-05, 02:41 PM

@SavageBasher: That doesnt really work well you should turn early and make a nice smooth turn (dont hit the curb though). If you do your suggestiong you will end up turning the wheel way too much and making a really bad turn.

SavageBasher · 02-20-05, 02:54 PM

well I don't mean hard hard, but you want to get far enough before turning so you don't hit the curb.

SewerBeing · 02-20-05, 03:05 PM

yeah ok you made it sound really extreme which (I have done it many times) is a bad bad way to turn although a good way to make your passengers scream especially in a vehicle that tips over easily

darkknight187 · 02-20-05, 03:45 PM

the first time my mother took me out to drive about 2 and 1/2years ago i did quite well we took it out through some backwoods type roads, she said i did quite well...i dunno it all just "felt" right to me it is also nothing like a driving game with a wheel....although i do figure my time on GT,GT2 and GT3 definately helped me with learning from the beginning.... It should become alot of fun to drive, thats definately how its been for me, i also stick away from eating/drinking a whole lot on longer trips while driving, definately always remember to try and keep concentration

Quattro · 02-20-05, 05:20 PM

I did go Karting from an early age, that helps.
I used to drive cars in fieldsand gravel tracks and stuff which sorta taught me a lot about the rules of traction and handling of a car in low friction situations. You could try that, it teaches you to drive very smoothly.

Another exercise which is usefull is setting up markers on a road. Accelerate towards the markers get up to a set speed, and then stop on the markers by placing your foot on the brake and NOT moving it, as in hold the pedal in once place.

One thing that really helped me was find a windy road, preferably unused, with varying camber, surfaces etc, and get yourself a car. Now drive that road over and over again going faster each time, memorise the road, what happens to the car when your right on the envelope of the tyres and you run over a few a slight bump in the road, it'll throw you right off. You'll learn what happens to the car in each situation, you'll also learn how to react correctly when your car does let go. Also try to learn to drive fast in a car without ABS or traction control.

I know it sounds crazy and dangerous but it worked for me.

SewerBeing · 02-20-05, 05:29 PM

oh one more tip dont drive on empty roads it doesnt prepare you, you need to go out on a semi busy road and drive there it makes you learn a lot faster.

Cerberus2k7 · 02-20-05, 07:10 PM

Just a tip for sensitive pedals, use your whole foot. And when you start or stop, make sure you use your ankle to do most of the movement. When you try to keep your tip toe on the pedal you use your thigh mainly and it acts jumpy. That was my biggest problem when I was leaning the clutch.

Seven · 02-20-05, 07:20 PM

Interesting tips, thanks guys!

I mean, I'm practicing on roads that were sorta rarely busy, and not really filled up at all. I need to get to the point where I can take a drive on a regular road (sorta tough in LA).

Bah, couldn't take a drive today, but we'll see when/if I can tomorrow. I want to drive to school on Tuesday...

7

02-19-05, 12:39 PM	Thread Starter #1
Seven Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles	Driver Training: The O/C Solution? Hey guys, I went out to California DMV and got my permit today, and I was driving around some empty streets with my dad today, and it's harder than it looks. I'm having problems with general car control, mainly in terms of braking and accelerating, but also turning as well. With that said, do you guys have any tips for new drivers like myself on ways to handle their car? Any help would be greatly appeciated 7 __________________ HEAT!
	QUOTE Thanks

02-19-05, 12:52 PM	#2
qualhiveldorf Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Where am I? Who am I?	Just keep practicing on those empty streets, the roads to new homes being build work very well because once the constuction crews leave there is almost no traffic and the roads are generally newly paved. You will eventually start to reach a point in which you know exactly how the car will respond if you do A and B or if you do A,B and C.
	QUOTE Thanks

02-19-05, 12:55 PM	#3
Frodo Baggins Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: City of Dreaming Spires	Not really dude. It's a practice thing. If you do a search on my name and "Driving", you'll also see a few topics I made when I just started out. People can give you hints and all about how to drive, but really, it's the practice that makes it work. You can read all about how to work a clutch, but it's not until you actually try (and practice) that you know what it's all about. In that case, practice practice practice. By the way, are you doing manual or automatic?
	QUOTE Thanks

02-19-05, 12:55 PM	#4
dark_15 Internet Expert Senior Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Out on the road again...	Just keep driving. It's like riding a bike; hard at first, but once you work at it, it becomes second nature. __________________ JNCIE-SEC #69, JNCIS-SSL, JNCIS-AC, JNCIA-IDP, JNCIA-WX HEAT Register Personal Blog
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02-19-05, 12:56 PM	Thread Starter #5
Seven Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles	Thanks. I think it's just getting used to it. The car sorta jerks around cause I'm not used to the 900 degrees of motion and I don't play racing games with a wheel, so yeah...it's a lot different. Throttle and brake are also super sensitive on my dad's beamer that I'm practicing in...I did manage to make a nice 3 point turn though and a few nice U-turns. EDIT: Wow you guys are fast. The car is a 1997 BMW 540i Automatic. 7 __________________ HEAT!
	QUOTE Thanks

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02-19-05, 08:58 PM	#6
SewerBeing Grasshoppa Senior Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The truth?? You can't handle the truth!!	I just went through the same ordeal, personally I was always preemptive with the brakes (I know at least three guys gave me the finger when they passed me). Took like 2-3 month of driving to start to feel comfortable. Just always remember to take it slow (unless you are on a highway you cant go too slow) __________________ "Unlike Windows, Linux tries to happily coexist with other OS's. It's not like Windows which will go out of its way to break other installs." MRD "On the second day of the seventh month, in the third year of the new milenium, Wedo looked down and saw new pow-ah join team 32, and it was good." Wedo "I switch Oses like most people change pants. :)" rogerdugans "Always be sure to flash your bios during lightning storms!" MRD Please Fold for team 32! portage > apt > source > rpm > windows update Gautam is a water buffalo
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02-20-05, 12:17 AM	Thread Starter #7
Seven Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles	Yeah. I'm going to be driving around the VA (UNUSED streets) for a while before I feel confident. The VA's got plenty of space on weekends when they'res nobody around and you have the road all to yourself. The 540i I'm driving is real sensitive with the pedals, so my stops look like CRAP and my starts even worse. Hopefully I can drive tomorrow when it isn't pouring and get some more experience. Being behind the wheel gives you that intense vulnerabilty feeling, maybe it's because I've seen Red Asphalt III (possibly the most gory film I have ever seen with my own eyes, but it's also an eye opening experience) and know what bad drivers and bad moves can do to you, but also I feel like it's not just me who's directly affected by my driving. Everybody is affected, so I have to make sure my game is top notch. 7 __________________ HEAT!
	QUOTE Thanks

02-20-05, 01:46 AM	#8
shard Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: You Should Make a Wish!	well also remember road curtisousy, and dont get road rage, i hate it when ppl get road rage, lol another thing, dont become paranoid, you are going to have something that will spook you, like a semi trying to change lanes into you, or some one cuting off you, etc. dont let it huant your driving experience, just stay rather laid back and just be responsive. and remember, all other drivers out there are idiots trying to kill you, even me, lol just keep that in mind __________________ Intel i5 2500k @ 4.6ghz X-Mystique DDL Surround Soundcard 7.1 Harman Kardon AVR 135 \| JBL E30 Pair \| BIC F3 Center \| Dayton Reference 12" 4cu ft box Gigabyte Z77-D3H G. Skill DD3 1600 8gb EVGA 670 GTX \| Asus VE248H 24" Widescreen LCD Corsair 750TX 750w PSU Gettin' da Heat on mon!
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02-20-05, 10:56 AM	#9
shuiends Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Charleston SC	Once you got the general skills down from practicing I would sugest going to an autocross event and ride with some poeple there. And then possibly trying ur luck on a course. It will hone your skills alot and teach you things you will never learn on the road. I would also looking into finding some performance driving schools in your area and taking calsses there. They will teach you alot more then skool dirvers ed or even normal road driving will teach you. __________________ Who is John Galt? "Government is essentially the negation of Liberty." -Ludwig von Mises
	QUOTE Thanks

02-20-05, 11:51 AM	Thread Starter #10
Seven Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles	Yeah...I was thinking about going to a track and learning some new stuff (how to get out of a skid, etc.) but to asl have some fun. I'll get my homework done today and then try to convince my dad to take me down to the VA again for some more driving on near empty streets. 7 __________________ HEAT!
	QUOTE Thanks

02-20-05, 12:29 PM	#11
SavageBasher Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northeast PA	For turns... get halfway into the intersection and then turn sharply. For better gas/brake control, make sure you have your seat adjusted correctly and put your heel near the pedal, if done correctly you will have good control over the full range. Thats all I can think of right now, and just practice as much as you can.
	QUOTE Thanks

02-20-05, 02:37 PM	Thread Starter #12
Seven Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles	Yeah, my position was sort of uncomfortable....but then again I have never driven before, so I don't know. I really do want more practice so I can drive to school in the morning and such, but that might come in about a week. We'll see. 7 __________________ HEAT!
	QUOTE Thanks

02-20-05, 02:41 PM	#13
SewerBeing Grasshoppa Senior Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The truth?? You can't handle the truth!!	@SavageBasher: That doesnt really work well you should turn early and make a nice smooth turn (dont hit the curb though). If you do your suggestiong you will end up turning the wheel way too much and making a really bad turn. __________________ "Unlike Windows, Linux tries to happily coexist with other OS's. It's not like Windows which will go out of its way to break other installs." MRD "On the second day of the seventh month, in the third year of the new milenium, Wedo looked down and saw new pow-ah join team 32, and it was good." Wedo "I switch Oses like most people change pants. :)" rogerdugans "Always be sure to flash your bios during lightning storms!" MRD Please Fold for team 32! portage > apt > source > rpm > windows update Gautam is a water buffalo
	QUOTE Thanks

02-20-05, 02:54 PM	#14
SavageBasher Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northeast PA	well I don't mean hard hard, but you want to get far enough before turning so you don't hit the curb.
	QUOTE Thanks

02-20-05, 03:05 PM	#15
SewerBeing Grasshoppa Senior Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The truth?? You can't handle the truth!!	yeah ok you made it sound really extreme which (I have done it many times) is a bad bad way to turn although a good way to make your passengers scream especially in a vehicle that tips over easily __________________ "Unlike Windows, Linux tries to happily coexist with other OS's. It's not like Windows which will go out of its way to break other installs." MRD "On the second day of the seventh month, in the third year of the new milenium, Wedo looked down and saw new pow-ah join team 32, and it was good." Wedo "I switch Oses like most people change pants. :)" rogerdugans "Always be sure to flash your bios during lightning storms!" MRD Please Fold for team 32! portage > apt > source > rpm > windows update Gautam is a water buffalo
	QUOTE Thanks

02-20-05, 03:45 PM	#16
darkknight187 Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canton, PA	the first time my mother took me out to drive about 2 and 1/2years ago i did quite well we took it out through some backwoods type roads, she said i did quite well...i dunno it all just "felt" right to me it is also nothing like a driving game with a wheel....although i do figure my time on GT,GT2 and GT3 definately helped me with learning from the beginning.... It should become alot of fun to drive, thats definately how its been for me, i also stick away from eating/drinking a whole lot on longer trips while driving, definately always remember to try and keep concentration __________________ Intel i7 930 w/ Thermalright Ulra 120 extreme w/2x Scythe Slipstream Kaze 3x4GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600 MSI X58-A-GD45 XFX HD5870 @ stock Auzentech X-fi Forte (headphones : Audio Technica ATH-AD700's IEM's: Hi-Fi Man RE0's) PCP&P Silencer 750 (black) HDD1 OCZ Agility 60gb SSD HDD2 WDBlack 1tb HDD3 Seagate1.5tb OCForums Metal Club member #187 Heat
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02-20-05, 05:20 PM	#17
Quattro Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dubai, U.A.E	I did go Karting from an early age, that helps. I used to drive cars in fieldsand gravel tracks and stuff which sorta taught me a lot about the rules of traction and handling of a car in low friction situations. You could try that, it teaches you to drive very smoothly. Another exercise which is usefull is setting up markers on a road. Accelerate towards the markers get up to a set speed, and then stop on the markers by placing your foot on the brake and NOT moving it, as in hold the pedal in once place. One thing that really helped me was find a windy road, preferably unused, with varying camber, surfaces etc, and get yourself a car. Now drive that road over and over again going faster each time, memorise the road, what happens to the car when your right on the envelope of the tyres and you run over a few a slight bump in the road, it'll throw you right off. You'll learn what happens to the car in each situation, you'll also learn how to react correctly when your car does let go. Also try to learn to drive fast in a car without ABS or traction control. I know it sounds crazy and dangerous but it worked for me. __________________ Need a new sig
	QUOTE Thanks

02-20-05, 05:29 PM	#18
SewerBeing Grasshoppa Senior Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The truth?? You can't handle the truth!!	oh one more tip dont drive on empty roads it doesnt prepare you, you need to go out on a semi busy road and drive there it makes you learn a lot faster. __________________ "Unlike Windows, Linux tries to happily coexist with other OS's. It's not like Windows which will go out of its way to break other installs." MRD "On the second day of the seventh month, in the third year of the new milenium, Wedo looked down and saw new pow-ah join team 32, and it was good." Wedo "I switch Oses like most people change pants. :)" rogerdugans "Always be sure to flash your bios during lightning storms!" MRD Please Fold for team 32! portage > apt > source > rpm > windows update Gautam is a water buffalo
	QUOTE Thanks

02-20-05, 07:10 PM	#19
Cerberus2k7 Drifto Mexicano Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Denver, CO	Just a tip for sensitive pedals, use your whole foot. And when you start or stop, make sure you use your ankle to do most of the movement. When you try to keep your tip toe on the pedal you use your thigh mainly and it acts jumpy. That was my biggest problem when I was leaning the clutch. __________________ Member of OCdriftingNinjas \| You gotta' Fold if you wanna turn up the Heat Overclocking: My Anti-Drug. \| Overclocking my body...one day at a time... \| Black Belt Ubercloxx0r \| You are the most ripped yo-yo'er I have ever seen. - Seven HTPC \| i5 2500k@3.8 \| Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3 \| 16GB HyperX \| GTX 460 1gb@845/1100 \| 1.5TB \| Silverstone LC10S-M \| Corsair 500w
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02-20-05, 07:20 PM	Thread Starter #20
Seven Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles	Interesting tips, thanks guys! I mean, I'm practicing on roads that were sorta rarely busy, and not really filled up at all. I need to get to the point where I can take a drive on a regular road (sorta tough in LA). Bah, couldn't take a drive today, but we'll see when/if I can tomorrow. I want to drive to school on Tuesday... 7 __________________ HEAT!
	QUOTE Thanks