Learning to drive: Part 1 of many!

[jayjay]

Went out Sat and Sunday just to get a bit more confident about driving with gears! My son came and fixed the extension mirrors on (rock steady brand) and what a difference it makes! Especially to confidence - I even reversed it out of my drive all by myself! ;D

On Sat, I drove to the petrol station (3 miles) then we (me, son, grandson)went to a nearby lake (another 3 miles, 6 home again). Not too bad, my son thinks I need an extension to the gear stick as he saw me struggling as well.

Enquired about this (and maybe automatic clutch transmission job).

As the grandson was coming, he sat in the passenger seat (seat belt) and my son had to sit in the van, so no communication or help from him, although the G/s offered to change the gears for me! He's only four, helped to pack as though for a great expedition, He packed a torch, a toy and the phone book into the van! Bless! Made me smile!

Went out again on Sunday - did around 14 miles and went to show off to a couple of my friends! I managed not to stall it until I got back in my drive - so used to automatic cars. Doh, forgot to press the clutch. Still that is the only time I've stalled it, so not bad for a start. It yanks my shoulder tendon to h ll and back changing from first to second.

THEN - Went out in the car in the evening... I don't know whether to admit to this or not.... Well, I CHANGED GEAR IN AN AUTO. Poor car didn't like that much! FOR GOODNESS SAKE,WHAT AM I LIKE . My son was in the car, couldn't stop laughing. Don't think I've done any damage to poor car.

Driving the van is geting easier, but I'd still prefer an auto. Maybe it's just practice. If so, I need about six months worth! And maybe an extension to the gear stick - this van seems to be made for monkeys - no leg room but long arms required! And muscles. Haven't got either.

[viv]

Hi there

Funnily enough I was thinking recently that I could never drive an automatic car as I would never be able to adjust between van and car. i find it hard enough coping with lights, radio, windscreen washers being in different places let alone gears and feet pedals!!!!!!

[jayjay]

Hi Viv! Driving an auto is dead easy - it's stop:go:steer. That's it. If your right foot isn't on the 'go' pedal, it's on the 'stop' pedal.

I've already enquired about changing the gearing sys on the Rascal - the garage says it might be possible if they can find something that will fit. Will cost about £400.

That might seem a lot, but I would be away camping right now this minute if I didn't have to learn to cope with gears!

I knew I wouldn't be able to afford an auto camper so I thought 'if you don't try, you'll never know'. Don't get me wrong - I CAN drive it, and I passed my test in a geared car, but why does it have to be so flippin' hard? I try to make things easy on myself wherever poss - I'm disabled and puny! ;D

[lunnie]

Try taking a refresher driving lesson with a proffessional driver, that would give you confidence and a lot cheaper than £400 for a gear box.

[jayjay]

Oh I have the confidence, Lunnie - it's not so much that as the physical effort associated with changing gears and having to think about it all the time! Maybe I'm just lazy!!

I have a damaged spine and signals from my brain (like, take your foot off the clutch and press the accelerator, for eg) often get interrupted. It's the reason I changed to an auto in the first place, I was constantly riding the clutch. Maybe I'll overcome it yet. Second prob is tendonitus in my left shoulder, so gear changes are actually painful!

First place to start is a gear stick extension, maybe that will work, at least gear changes will be easier!

I'm determined to sort this prob out one way or another! ;D