Learning to Drive! (I now have a license!)

[Beeblebrox237]

Well, I decided to make a thread about me learning how to drive (boring, right?). I've had my permit for seven months and only have 10 hours of experience, despite my love for cars. However, my situation has changed a bit. The stupid bastard who used to teach driver's ed at my school retired, so they've changed their program. I'll be driving in a couple of weeks with the new instructor. The car they have is a reasonably new Ford Fusion, presumably a four-banger (it has an auto ). Also, we just traded in the 1995 Saturn (manual) I was learning on for a new Hyundai Elantra, so I'll be continuing my lessons in a 2010 Honda Fit (manual ). So, I have a couple of questions. How does the Fusion drive? Can you give me some general advice, especially with learning to drive stick? What will it be like, going from a small, high car to a big, low one, and how can I make the transition easier? More updates as events progress.

 

[Bopop4]

It'll be nothing going from car to car. Try going from a Yaris to a 2500 Diesel Crew Cab .
You said that you had done a bit of manual learning, so it should be fine in the new car.
And don't be afraid to get a new instructor if you're not compatible with the one that you have.
I had to do that , my first one was a *****.
Edit: And auto is good, so much simpler whilst in the city.

 

[ShortAznGuy]

I'm pretty sure the DMV requires the driving test to be taken in an automatic transmission car, at least it's like that in California. The Fusion should feel a bit heavier. I'm assuming this because like a Honda Accord, it's pretty big compared to a Corolla, which can be comparable to the Elantra. As for the Fit, all I know is that thing is light as hell and is actually kind of fast(to some extent).

 

[MedigoFlame]

Transitioning from different sized cars can be a bit difficult. I remember when I first got my permit, the first car I drove after passing the tests was my dad's Toyota Sienna. The difference between the Sienna and the two driver's ed cars (2010 Camry and Saturn Aura) were very obvious and made driving the van pretty distorted. I still remember driving with my dad for the first time and he kept telling me how close I was to either edge of the road, the thing was much wider than what I was used to. Plus, be prepared to have the feeling of sitting up high and being able to look down upon other cars. You need to be very aware of your surroundings in a larger vehicle for obvious reasons. Small cars on the other hand, it's nice to have the feeling of lower center of gravity and my Subaru Outback felt really small compared to the other cars on the roads. Spend a little time on less populated roads with the different sized vehicles to make the transition easier. Going straight out onto large public roads can be scary when you're not used to the vehicle.

I have to be a bit jealous of your learnings though. Being able to drive a standard will be a great step into becoming a better driver. Unfortunately, my family's been really rough on driving manuals for some reason... Just about everyone who knows how to drive stick refuses to teach me how and won't let me practice in any way...

 

[Bopop4]

If you are in a big vehicle it can be easier because you can see OVER the other cars.
But parking and tight spaces are a problem.
And it is VERY easy to speed in a big truck. You sit so high that your sense of speed is altered.
Remember that while in a big vehicle.

 

[Dennisch]

I'm pretty sure the DMV requires the driving test to be taken in an automatic transmission car, at least it's like that in California.

In the Netherlands, if you take the test in an automatic, you are not allowed to drive a manual. You'll need to take another test for that. But if you pass in a manual, you are allowed to drive an automatic.

 

[Juiposa]

When I do drive, I drive my dad's Fusion, which has a 2 Litre I4. Makes 170 HP, surprising for such a small naturally aspirated engine of this grade. It is fairly spunky when I drive it. One we have is a 6-Speed auto, which surprisingly is very smooth and seems to know what it's doing (comparatively,) unlike a lot of other autos. Very good car, I love driving it.


Also, if the one you're going to be drive has the 6-Speed, don't be surprised if it revs to 4500 RPM before deciding to shift, it seems to like to do that at random.

 

[Jet Badger]

In the Netherlands, if you take the test in an automatic, you are not allowed to drive a manual. You'll need to take another test for that. But if you pass in a manual, you are allowed to drive an automatic.

Same here. Though there's probably less than 10% of drivers who take the test for an auto. Damnit if I would have to drive an auto I would feel like an impotent. Not being able to do something that I have and want to do - shift gears.

 

[1241Penguin]

There's so little people in North America who drive stick that I suppose there's no point in funding for manual driving tests.

 

[Time_Attack]

My advice is to flick the wheel one way, mash the gas and then quickly toss the steering wheel in the opposite direction that you wish to travel. Works great in anything thats not a ford fusion. Or a ford for that matter. It will impress the drivers ed teacher though.



Assuming your teacher is a 5 foot tall Japanese man in a green suit like mine was. Hope that helps!

 

[Bopop4]

^Ignore that.
Unless you really DO have Tsuchiya as an instructor.

 

[squirlybmx]

My advice is to flick the wheel one way, mash the gas and then quickly toss the steering wheel in the opposite direction that you wish to travel. Works great in anything thats not a ford fusion. Or a ford for that matter. It will impress the drivers ed teacher though.

Assuming your teacher is a 5 foot tall Japanese man in a green suit like mine was. Hope that helps!

You left out dropping the clutch at every stop light/sign.

 

[LancerEvo7]

I'm pretty sure the DMV requires the driving test to be taken in an automatic transmission car, at least it's like that in California.

Here in PA, you can take it in either, but 99% of people use automatics because you don't have to worry about stalling and failing the test.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Wow, thanks for all the advice. Interestingly, the Fit is much smaller but much higher and, although I haven't driven it, I imagine it's extremely easy to place on the road. I'm sure it will spoil me a bit. I'll be taking the driving test with a different instructor than the one that I'll be practicing with, but apparently he doesn't have you do much. I will keep an eye out for the random 4500 rpm rev in the Fusion.

 

[MedigoFlame]

I've been in a current gen Honda Fit and I'll just say sitting inside it is very much like being in a van. It will feel large, but the driving position feels a bit low. My friend and I used to go out to dealerships and just test drive new cars.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

I've been in a current gen Honda Fit and I'll just say sitting inside it is very much like being in a van. It will feel large, but the driving position feels a bit low. My friend and I used to go out to dealerships and just test drive new cars.

👍 I wish I could do that.

 

[MedigoFlame]

👍 I wish I could do that.

You will be able to do that, just wait until you're 18. Some dealerships let us test drive some cars when my friend was 17 (He's two years older than me), so you might be lucky enough to do that. The only drawback is how pushy some dealers can be. And as future advice if you ever plan on doing that, do a lot of lying.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

I'm sure I could get away with it at some dealerships, as long as I'm not trying to go into, say a BMW dealership.

 

[MedigoFlame]

Surprisingly enough, our BMW dealer allowed my friend to drive a "new" (at the time) 335d alone when he was 17. Kind of did some things we shouldn't have.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Sounds like fun...
I drove the Fit for the first time today, and had a bit of trouble. THe clutch on the Saturn was really vague and the throttle tip-in wasn't real sharp, but the Fit has a defined engagement point and an eager throttle, making it difficult for me to start the car from a stop on a hill. Mostly, I got nervous and gave it too much gas or too little, then overcompensated and stalled. I'll get the hang of it eventually, but it's not easy. Any tips?

 

[Bopop4]

Just more practice, touchy throttles are annoying though.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Well, yesterday I drove the Elantra on the highway. The day before I had driven the Elantra in a car park, so I had the hang of an auto. I'm a bit nervous on the highway, but I was told that I did well, other than the nervousness. I feel like I'm not doing a good job of placing the car in the lane, though I was told I did fine. Any advice? On another note, the Elantra, while not real sporty, is really nice.

 

[AlexGTV]

50 hours will make you a safe driver. 130 hours will make you a good driver and 250 hours will make you an experienced driver.
But also alot depends on the circumstances you drive, undulation, street width, visibility etc.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

I have 10.5 hours right now . I'll get more, but for now I'm not real experienced.

 

[SpartanG]

Surprisingly enough, our BMW dealer allowed my friend to drive a "new" (at the time) 335d alone when he was 17. Kind of did some things we shouldn't have.

My dad has this car. Torque monster, right?

 

[sumbrownkid]

In relative terms for a sedan, the 335d is a "torque monster", though it's very tameable.

But that's why there's TC I suppose.

 

[Ph1lmar]

I learned driving in a 116d (not too slow despite it has a 2l diesel engine) about 2 years ago in Germany, which has one the most difficult driving tests on this planet (probably one of the most expensive too, I paid around 1.4k € for everything, 45€ per hour of driving).

Back in 09 when Iived in California our Instructor had a beat up 1999 Integra with an automatic transmission, and the family I lived with had several stickshift cars such as the (back then) brand new camaro 6cyl or a 2002 Rubicon.
Dont be too worried about driving a stick. It really isnt that big of a deal once you get used to it. What you could do to ease yourself would be looking for an emty parking lot and drive around for a little bit. You will feel much more self confident, good luck! 👍

 

[Slash]

I'm pretty sure the DMV requires the driving test to be taken in an automatic transmission car, at least it's like that in California. The Fusion should feel a bit heavier. I'm assuming this because like a Honda Accord, it's pretty big compared to a Corolla, which can be comparable to the Elantra. As for the Fit, all I know is that thing is light as hell and is actually kind of fast(to some extent).

Here in NY you have an option. You must take the test in your own vehicle or take it in theirs (you better hope you have your own if you don't like shifting). If you take it in theres it will be a manual because it's mandatory to learn manual shifting. Auto is too easy apparently.

 

[WrxScooby]

Well, yesterday I drove the Elantra on the highway. The day before I had driven the Elantra in a car park, so I had the hang of an auto. I'm a bit nervous on the highway, but I was told that I did well, other than the nervousness. I feel like I'm not doing a good job of placing the car in the lane, though I was told I did fine. Any advice? On another note, the Elantra, while not real sporty, is really nice.

I would say when driving on the highway 65-85mph to help you keep lane position, look about 5-10 seconds ahead of where you are so your not micro managing on the nose of the car. Also keep in mind the faster you go the less you have to turn the wheel it barely takes anything to fade left or right.

I hope that comes out the way I intended it too. But from the sounds of it your doing fine just stay calm.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Thanks everybody. To clarify, the only part of driving stick I'm having trouble with is starting up a hill (happens a lot here). I am grateful that I don't have to take a hard driving test like some of you in other states or other countries. I admit that I have it really easy there.