Im really happy youve shown an interest and have questioned some of the pinciples....You allredy have an advantage with this mindset
I'll leave most of the banter (I hope She/He keeps it simple over the phone) to your local rep...
But in advance, I would reply (generally) <since this is a hugely detailed subject>
->1. Incur lower running costs: your fuel, clutch, brakes & tyres etc last longer
This would be interesting to find out
*>This is about HOW & WHEN the controls in the car are used/operated...the carb has a mechanical pump that enriches the mixture (and ECU cars have algorithms that mimic this) for progression....each time the throttle is stabbed you squirt a few CC's (mills) of fuel...learning the most appropriate time to do this will save...this also ties in with breaking...more stabs on the breaks means more stabs on the throttle to compensate average speed...as well as un-necessary wear on your pads and shoes…...brake ware & fuel too.
Quite often with advanced observations...you will be able to just easeoff the throttlemuch earlier rather than having to pop the brekes at the last moment.
Clutch is burned away when the engine speed is not matched smoothly with the driving-gear during a gear change…Here you get clutch slip (like when you are moving away from stationary)…that scrubs down your clutch material.
Tyres comes down to 3 things …acceleration sense breaking sense and cornering sence (or doing the odd burn out …LOLZ)
Apply the optimum operation of controls (routinely) according the circumstances at the time and you will reap the benefits in maintenance savings
->2. Make safer & quicker progress through traffic.
Am i missing something here as Speed cameras, Road humps, Improperly timed Traffic signals, Jaywalkers and Generally people with squat all confidence tend to make me do the opposite?
*>Speed cameras:
You will never have to speed again to make good time.
Speed limits (although a contentious subject +++me included+++) are there for the SAFETY of all road users
Road humps: the devils work I agree butthis generally means 20mph so its tough tities...yes thay suck but its the local councils short sighted answer to a problem that is further than thay can see (knob shiners)..oh and thanks for the spinal aggrevation too for the majoritty drivers <to the local councils>
On average (in a built up areas/town /urban/suburban) journey time is most damaged at JUNCTIONS & HAZARDS ..(not the open straights)…you will learn how to use your own OSERVATIONS in order to make the subtle adjustments on the controls IN GOOD TIME in order to reap the best CONTIUOUS FLOW (quicker average journey time) through these
->3. Develop more confidence on the road and in everyday life too.
I have lots of confidence on the Road...everyday life is different to driving a Car
*>OK this is philosophical…..
Martial arts (particularly the Japanese verity ) named their styles with the suffix “do” <pronounced ‘dough’> so they in corporate the ‘principles of their learning into life itself…..this is a somewhat obscure analogy but I will conclude with….
Is confidence Blinkered -Dutch courage/complacency/testosterone
Or demonstration of skill (mental & physical) by examination of new skills aquired…. comparable to police driving (traffic police not panda police)
->4. Positively influence other road users by demonstrating your advanced driving skills
What like being in the correct lane, using Indicators at the right time and generally giving them more space than a Juggernaut?
*>Well, Juggernaut might be a bit over the top in some circumstances…but not in other circumstances…it depends on the situation at the time (driving / riding tutors will help with this)…. but the stuff you mentioned about indicators is good (including NOT USING THEM AT ALL if you have evaluated the situation properly and there really is nobody to benefit from your signal......basicly it makes you look more thoroughly for people who will benefit...this includes pedestrians motorcyclists and parked vehicles, horseriders...the list goes on) Lane discipline decisions come from good observations too
->5. Enjoy your driving even more than before!
I doubt that very much, i spend too much time trying to survive
*>Yeah that’s exactly what I thought too…..to begin with
You will be confident that you are in control to survive with practice survival will develop into proficiency…you can only appreciate the enjoyment after the penny has dropped
->6. No more dangerous 'auto piloting’ around and 'how did I arrive here.. can't remember the journey'
That goes for about 10 million or more Drivers.....
*>Yes…and it’s up to YOU (US) to avoid these chaps
Autopilot (dare I say it) CAN work provide that nothing unexpected happens…When it does....then reaction time is blown out the window and adrenalin can go through the roof (screwing up the decision making process in the meantime) EEKK!!<crunch>....no more micra if things go welll....worse if things go bad
->Sorry if some of that sounds negative but I’ve now been driving for 15 years and to be really honest, i've been pulled so many times just because i've been going a little faster than the norm or making good progress.
*>“I’ve been doing it for years” is one of life’s’ biggest cop-outs[time to wake up and smell the bacon]…and is the reasons we keep doing it (coz we got away with it last time)….but until its too late < that time you thought you would never be involved in>
->But you never know i might pass an Advanced test then get killed by someone who’s just passed their Driving test....happens.
*>I HOPE NOT
OK granted….But with your new skill set (including of course OBSERVARIONS you will be in a hugely improved position to avoid such a catastrophe….(unless you were daydreaming at the time)
Beeming that you showed an interest!!!
