Will GT5 Teach Me Anything?

[McClarenDesign]

GT5 can definitely teach a lot about driving, especially in racing. You can quite get some good advice and tips from it that will help when driving in real life.

It can teach concepts and principles, but there's no replacement for actual seat/track time.

 

[Exorcet]

You thought driving with a pad would help you?

It certainly can.

GT is an okay tool to get familiar with driving, but the issue is, it doesn't have much to do with street driving. The hardest part of driving on the road most of the time is other traffic and GT has no way of simulating street traffic (except maybe a Fiat 500 race).

What GT can potentially help you with is getting used to pedals and a steering wheel, monitoring your speed, and giving you a vague idea of how a car handles on the limit. That last one is probably its greatest strength.

If you're going to use GT for anything, use it only as a very rough guide. Your vision and the feedback from the wheel are different in a real car, and when really driving you get a lot of information from feeling g forces.

As far as the left foot braking thing, do what you need to to pass. Left foot braking is fine when you're on the road though (as long as you don't have to operate a clutch).

 

[Guardian]

Hi, I'm 15 years old and next year I will be able to go for my learners. I was wondering if any of the skills that I have learnt in Gran Turismo effect the way that I drive? As in braking, the turns of the track, And all the other skills you learn from the license tests. Again, Besides from going fast will GT5 teach me anything?

By the way is braking and accelerating with only one foot the way you are supposed to drive? Because on the slower cars I have no problem but fast cars I find it difficult.

The ONLY thing I would say that GT enhances in real life is your reflexes IMO.

I brake and accelerate and brake with my right foot. Clutch with left (obviously )

 

[NinjaMike808]

Right now, you need to get in the habit of using your right foot for gas and brake. If you left foot brake and hit them both at the same time, you could blow your engine or just rear end some one. Keep practicing with both hands on the wheel and try to convince your parents to take you to a parking lot. Seat time beats everything else. No amount of video games will come close to the amount of time driving a real car.

 

[McClarenDesign]

I brake and accelerate and brake with my right foot. Clutch with left (obviously )

Right now, you need to get in the habit of using your right foot for gas and brake. If you left foot brake and hit them both at the same time, you could blow your engine or just rear end some one.

Um... he is. And there is nothing wrong with left foot braking. It's not wrong, just different.

 

[GTI_mkV]

There is an old thread like this one that I posted in: https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=247356

My post:

"I've saved my car many times during a fishtail / spin in the snow (at speeds below 50 mph) and I felt like it was a direct translation to me saving a spin in GT4 (what I played when I started driving for real). I think my reaction time and ability to “feel” the car and correctly counter steer kicked in like instinct from hours and hours of playing the video game."

To back that up, check out this interview with Jann Mardenborough: https://www.gtplanet.net/gtplanet-i...hampions-bryan-heitkotter-jann-mardenborough/

GTP: How well did Gran Turismo 5 prepare you for the challenges of driving a real car fast?

JM: A great deal. At the national finals we had some gaming on Gran Turismo 5 and then went straight into a 330 BHP Nissan 370Z, and I was amazed by the end of it how natural it felt and when the car got into an oversteer situation (which I’d never experienced leading up to that), and I was able to control it with throttle and steering input. So, Gran Turismo has shown it’s one of the best simulators out there and it can help your driving in real life situations.

 

[DGXR]

IMO GT5 teaches the friction circle -- the balance among acceleration, turning and braking forces. Otherwise GT5 teaches nothing useful for everyday traffic on public roads. (It teaches us that damaged bodywork is magically repaired by leaving your vehicle, among many other falsehoods.)

 

[Eat Of The Dead]

Again, Besides from going fast will GT5 teach me anything?

Nope.

 

[aadil717]

There is an old thread like this one that I posted in: https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=247356

My post:

To back that up, check out this interview with Jann Mardenborough: https://www.gtplanet.net/gtplanet-interviews-gt-academy-2011-champions-bryan-heitkotter-jann-mardenborough/

I agree with you there.

A few weeks ago I was driving down country roads and it was pouring down with rain. I approach the roundabout put it into 3rd and as I come out of the roundabout I put my foot down (my car has major turbo lag - isn't very powerful though - Lexus IS220d Sport so I do have to put my foot down till it hits above 2k - otherwise the car just bogs and second gear was too short for my speed 25MPH).
This was a mistake - the whole car just kicked out and the wheels were spinning, my dash was going orange with the needle hitting the rev limiter and the next thing i know is I'm going sideways (for at least 3-5 seconds) - if there was a car coming on the opposite side, my rear end would of probably gone with it. My reaction time and the fact that I got it back together with no major drama after the slide was almost natural; I counter steered and adjusted the speed without even thinking. After the slide I straightened the car on the road and carried on driving (with my heart beating furiously). So I actually have GT5 to thank for the ability to correct my oversteer and loss of grip incident.

 

[Crushed]

Im sure that if you race well in GT5 that you will be able to race very well on the public streets as well

 

[-Cheezman-]

But there are five of them in a car!

Six. Unless you remove the spare.

 

[DGCSE]

Honestly if you have a racing wheel just practice going around any track at a constant speed (remember to keep to one side at all times, it will help you in terms of control), you will learn the basics just by mimicking real driving and the rules in your area. Its how I learned before I got my permit.

 

[CarBastard]

I thought GT5 would help me with learning to drive, but it didn't. My dad wants me to learn to drive stick but it's SO hard. I always pop the clutch or just outright stall the car. If I had a wheel with pedals, it might have taught me something. But with no proper clutch simulation, it hasn't.

Regarding driving a stick, GT5 will teach you zilch. Nothing. NADA. At all. And I don't think most other sims could as well, since no hardware can simulate the feel of a real clutch and a real gearstick.

I live in an area with plenty of mountains, so manual cars are the standard here. Trust me, EVERYONE can learn to drive manual. It's a matter of practice. Sure, the first hundred times you'll either stall or do awful gearchanges, but it's alright. It has happened to everyone. Particularly, starting at a traffic light is nerve-racking when you're learning how to drive and are unsure wether you'll start or stall.

Trust me, from young stick driver to young stick driver: Stay cool. If you stall, DO NOT PANIC, and focus in doing everything in the right order: Turn back the ignition key, clutch in, neutral, turn the key for ignittion, and try to start with a little bit more throttle this time. If you miss a step, you might give the car ignition with first gear engaged and that will propably make you rear-end some one, and if it doesn't it'll further make you look like a noob. If at any moment you feel the car is about to stall, immediately press in the clutch in and it won't stall. Learn how to feel the clutch of your car and with time your muscle memory will remember that exact point where the clutch gets the car moving.

Going uphill is a specially tricky thing while driving a manual, but not impossible. If you have to slow down, you'll have to clutch in and brake. The thing is that the moment you move your right foot from the brake to the gas, the car will roll backwards. You have to have your clutch ready and quickly give the car enough throttle. If you feel like you need it, give it a bit more throttle, since that would be better than stalling on an uphill. If needed, resort to using the handbrake while being stopped and with the left foot on the clutch and the right one on the gas, get going while releasing the handbrake (However, I'd reccomend that you learn how to do it properly, handbrake-less).

Also remember that you can brake with your gears when driving manual. It can be a savior in the case of an emergency braking. If it's a low powered car, like my mom's 1.3 Fiat, you can do it without bothering with heel and toe or any of that stuff. Just brake with your right foot and, as the revs drop, clutch in, engage adjacent lower gear, clutch out. As you let the clutch out you'll feel a sudden jolt. As long as you do it properly and in a not too extreme fashion, it'll indeed help you to slow down in a quick way. Find the rev range that's better for you, because if you downshift when the reavs are too high, and you don't do a proper heal and toe down****ft, the jolt will be very rough and the wheels will probably lock.

My last tip is to always think ahead when driving a manual transmission. If you see you'll have to slow down soon, then prepare for so. If you're preparing for an overtake, do so in a gear that gives you enough torque for doing it quick and easy. The most important thing with a stick tranmission, however, is to enjoy the ride. It's much more demanding than an auto, but it's just so much fun. You feel like you're actually doing something, you feel the way the clutch engages with the engine and how you control this...ohhhh!!! It's great!!!

 

[Mac K]

Im sure that if you race well in GT5 that you will be able to race very well on the public streets as well

No no no and a big fat no! Racing on a public road is just not needed, and is dangerous for you and others. Take it to the track.

 

[CarBastard]

IMO GT5 teaches the friction circle -- the balance among acceleration, turning and braking forces. Otherwise GT5 teaches nothing useful for everyday traffic on public roads. (It teaches us that damaged bodywork is magically repaired by leaving your vehicle, among many other falsehoods.)

No no no and a big fat no! Racing on a public road is just not needed, and is dangerous for you and others. Take it to the track.

Quoted for truth. Both.

Im sure that if you race well in GT5 that you will be able to race very well on the public streets as well

Quoted for "WRONG!"

First of all, racing on public streets shouldn't be done. Two friends of mine were absolutely speed devils on public roads and I'd lie to you if I said I didn't enjoyed it by tons. The speed, the thrill, the danger...yup, that was great. BUT they learnt they lesson, because sooner than later everyone does. One crashed his dad's Bora GLI and caused damages of more than $6K, he was lucky he was uninjured. The other wrecked his dad's Jetta when he got a flat tire going too fast and ended up against a tree, he told me "he took his hands off the wheel, braced, closed his eyes and thought he was done for". They still like to drive fast, but they learned that it can only be done in situations that allow it and never putting your life or the life of others at risk. Personally, I learnt from their experience.

You never know what can be around the corner. Maybe a drunk driver. Maybe a single mom thinking nobody will be going 150 Km/H on a street with a limit of 60. That's why racing in the streets is wrong. Trust me. There's no justification for it.

I know that racing in a track is much more expensive, but if you can't afford it, then stick to sim racing. And, again, NOTHING from GT5 will translate to public driving. Trust me, been there, done that. And almost crashed into a corner.

 

[J0SH1]

Thanks for the advice. I think I really have to keep using just the right foot for accelerating and braking for some more practice!

 

[SpeedTestJimmy]

For your Learners, it's a multiple choice questionnaire.. If you go on the RTA/DMV website you can practice the test as many times as possible.. I'd highly advise you do that.. But gt5 won't teach you much in regards to actual road driving..

 

[Crushed]

My comment about street racing was a joke... haha NEVER ever do that! (unless you don't see any cops around of course). But other than names and parts of the car, not sure if GT5 would really help... Maybe if you practice looking in your mirrors a lot?

 

[300SRT8Fan]

It will help you for stuff like go karting, (trust me, I know. I beat other people and they wre doing good, I just used my gt5 skills to win. ) I doubt it will teach yo much for real driving.

 

[88FoxBodyFan]

GT5 will teach you to scream at B-Spec Bob like some sort of crazed madman, which may cause your neighbors to call the cops because they think a domestic violence situation is happening at your house.

 

[Mac K]

My comment about street racing was a joke... haha NEVER ever do that! (unless you don't see any cops around of course). But other than names and parts of the car, not sure if GT5 would really help... Maybe if you practice looking in your mirrors a lot?

No not of course, don't do it at all..

 

[Kamdoon]

Yes, EMPHATICALLY it can teach you something...once I tell you what it is I'm sure everyone (who drives in real life) will agree with me.

Test yourself by doing the following:

#1. Pick a car you like, then drive the Nurburgring Nordschliefe WITHOUT CRASHING ONCE; take note of your time. You may want to do this a couple times so you get a feel for an average time. Remember, NO CRASHING, nor going off the road!!! In real life that is death, dismemberment, property damage, ruined tires, pissed off landowners, damage to your car, increased insurance rates and/or soiled underwear.

#2. Now, do the same test, except have your friends call and/or text you at random/various times, and try to answer/text them back. Try looking at a map while driving, or eat a hamburger, or set your radio next to you and fiddle with the treble and bass. Or you could have a few mates sit next to you (or behind you, ideally) screaming and carrying on. Then check your times. It goes without saying at your age (but one never knows...) that the test can be done after having a few pints as well.

#3. Check your times.

#4. Reflect on how dangerous, stupid, shortsighted the above behaviors are.

#5. You will have just learned what 99.9% of the teenage girls in the U.S.A. seem to be incapable of learning (sorry, a bit sexist, but I calls 'em likes I sees 'em).

If I was teaching a Drivers Education course, I would most assuredly incorporate GT into my curriculum. I know it isn't quite the answer you were looking for, but in all seriousness, please try it and have your friends try too. You will be ASTOUNDED at how much harder and more dangerous your driving is.

That being said, congratulations!!!

 

[J0SH1]

#5. You will have just learned what 99.9% of the teenage girls in the U.S.A. seem to be incapable of learning (sorry, a bit sexist, but I calls 'em likes I sees 'em).

Sooo true! Here in Australia you see girls going so fast with their head down texting! One day there seriously going to smash really bad. Also some of your ideas are really good, Thanks!

 

[MrSwagg]

Sooo true! Here in Australia you see girls going so fast with their head down texting!

I cant stand this

 

[CarBastard]

Yes, EMPHATICALLY it can teach you something...once I tell you what it is I'm sure everyone (who drives in real life) will agree with me.

Test yourself by doing the following:

#1. Pick a car you like, then drive the Nurburgring Nordschliefe WITHOUT CRASHING ONCE; take note of your time. You may want to do this a couple times so you get a feel for an average time. Remember, NO CRASHING, nor going off the road!!! In real life that is death, dismemberment, property damage, ruined tires, pissed off landowners, damage to your car, increased insurance rates and/or soiled underwear.

#2. Now, do the same test, except have your friends call and/or text you at random/various times, and try to answer/text them back. Try looking at a map while driving, or eat a hamburger, or set your radio next to you and fiddle with the treble and bass. Or you could have a few mates sit next to you (or behind you, ideally) screaming and carrying on. Then check your times. It goes without saying at your age (but one never knows...) that the test can be done after having a few pints as well.

#3. Check your times.

#4. Reflect on how dangerous, stupid, shortsighted the above behaviors are.

#5. You will have just learned what 99.9% of the teenage girls in the U.S.A. seem to be incapable of learning (sorry, a bit sexist, but I calls 'em likes I sees 'em).

If I was teaching a Drivers Education course, I would most assuredly incorporate GT into my curriculum. I know it isn't quite the answer you were looking for, but in all seriousness, please try it and have your friends try too. You will be ASTOUNDED at how much harder and more dangerous your driving is.

That being said, congratulations!!!

Completely true!!!

The thing any serious simulator will teach you: getting distracted, is getting killed. Period.

 

[ghsnu]

Hi, I'm 15 years old and next year I will be able to go for my learners. I was wondering if any of the skills that I have learnt in Gran Turismo effect the way that I drive? As in braking, the turns of the track, And all the other skills you learn from the license tests. Again, Besides from going fast will GT5 teach me anything?

By the way is braking and accelerating with only one foot the way you are supposed to drive? Because on the slower cars I have no problem but fast cars I find it difficult.

Help? Yes. Make you a race car driver? Hell no. I've noticed improvement myself after playing GT5 and other games for awhile, but definitely not enough to just go on the track and expect to be super fast.

And yes, braking with your right foot is the proper way to drive. Braking with your left can cause you to ride your brakes, which can cause brake fade, and eventually brake loss (AKA the "OMG I DON'T HAVE BRAKES!" scenario). As for your fast car...I doubt you'll be driving anything over 250-300hp for a couple years, so no need to worry yet - and by then you should be a bit better at braking and accelerating (smoothly, right? Right...).

I remember when I was driving home from the DMV right after I got my permit, pretty :censored:ing scary at first considering all the stupid BS people do while driving (yes, you cell phone talkers and makeup artists...).

 

[DaDDyMELO]

Before I started playing GT5 I was a car fanatic. While playing GT5 I've learned SO much more about motors trannys etc. read the description of the cars and it'll teach you, A LOT!

 

[Jaywalker]

Before I started playing GT5 I was a car fanatic. While playing GT5 I've learned SO much more about motors trannys etc. read the description of the cars and it'll teach you, A LOT!

10 Points for typing "A LOT" instead of "ALOT"! Drives me nuts...

On topic, GT5 will help with a few things like reaction times, countersteering & apexing* (*not that this should be used on public roads), but not a heck of a lot more...

 

[Crushed]

No not of course, don't do it at all..

Again that was a joke...


Actually there is truth to the karting comment. When I went karting I went the driving lines I would go in GT5 and I feel like I felt more in control.