Graham, not a case of shooting the messenger-rather, in my case, seeking to understand the rationale behid the message. I respect those who have undertaken advanced training and am sure it is valuable but in this respect simply don't understand. In an anticipated and planned deceleration to -or near to- standstill I cannot see the utility in the car being in a gear which leaves the engine below it's useable rev range when it is simple to arrange things otherwise. I don't mean using the engine as a brake but simply matching gear to roadspeed.

+2

I don't know why!!!!!

It was what is now taught and insisted on by the Driving Test, is taught by the IAM, RoSPA, and other advanced teachers, and is the way to do it in the latest version of Road Craft.

As these are the experts I am quite happy to follow their advice and guidance.

If you don't want to fine, but if you want to take an Advanced Test you will be expected to do it their way.

I have read some very interesting comment and arguments in this thread. To add my tuppence as they say.......

Driving a car or operating any device is not black and white. It's doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason. Good driving requires above all else good awareness and good anticipation of hazards and potential hazards. Planning and executing your path through those hazards efficiently and effectively without straining the vehicle or the driver or creating further hazards or dangers is what counts.

I learnt to drive over 40 years ago and like many at that time I had the follow the changing down rule all the time. My Dad winced and cringed and shouted for me to use the brakes not the gears ....muttering brakes are cheaper than gears. After passing my test I developed an 'in between' style using a bit of brake and a bit of gears.

Thirty odd years ago I passed both IAM test and Rospa Advanced test (Gold). I trained and practised for both of these tests through local groups where the senior observers were serving or retired police class 1 drivers. Their guidance was much more than valuable than passing a test. They taught you to drive. That teaching was to use the brakes to slow down and to be in the right gear to execute your NEXT action. This teaching was not a rule, not black and white.

I am still an IAM member,I still drive to the 'badge' (I don't need to display it on the car) . I enjoy driving, I enjoy driving well. It requires good anticipation, mechanical sympathy and a good dose of experience......not rules.

As Douglas Bader once said 'Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the adherance of fools and idiots'.

Some questions to all those that are querying what I have been taught?

Have you ever taken an Advanced Driving course?

Have you taken an Advanced Driving Course in the last 5 years?

Would you consider taking one?

If no, why not?

As Douglas Bader once said 'Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the adherance of fools and idiots'.

But he lost both his legs while disobeying the rules!

That doesn't bring us any closer to understanding the issue. I'm quite prepared to believe, and have never for an instant doubted your account of the current teaching. I would be no closer to understanding it if I were told it direct.

I hope you did not intend your post to be impertinent but whether any other member has advanced training is their business and whether any of us have decided not to is nothing to do with you.

If it involves doing things I don't understand for reasons which are not explained there are many other such activities which I have ruled out-scientology as an example.

Some questions to all those that are querying what I have been taught?

Have you ever taken an Advanced Driving course?

Have you taken an Advanced Driving Course in the last 5 years?

Would you consider taking one?

If no, why not?

Yes

Yes

Yes again if need be.

Also also a session with the local police force for a morning's assessment.

it's about driving within "guidelines", not rules.

It's about using common sense.

it's about mechanical sympathy. ie block change down from 6th to say 3rd whilst braking ready to speed up or trundle down to a full stop in full control.

Black and white doesn't come into it - but I do agree that common rail diesels don't like low revs

But he lost both his legs while disobeying the rules!

Made my day

That doesn't bring us any closer to understanding the issue. I'm quite prepared to believe, and have never for an instant doubted your account of the current teaching. I would be no closer to understanding it if I were told it direct.

I hope you did not intend your post to be impertinent but whether any other member has advanced training is their business and whether any of us have decided not to is nothing to do with you.

If it involves doing things I don't understand for reasons which are not explained there are many other such activities which I have ruled out-scientology as an example.

No impertinence, what so ever.

Just interested.

As for stalling SE 110's, don't forget it's four wheel drive, ( and I know it's more front than rear under normal conditions ) just use a little more throttle, and be in the correct gear.

Anzio, whilst I agree with your comments MY SE110 is 2WD!

Fred

Sorry Fred, I realised after posting that some are 2wd.

Fred