The Rolling First Gear Change
How to perform a Rolling First Gear Change
If yu are approaching give way lines at the end of a road where you cannot see clearly in either direction then you need a method of approaching the junction that enables you to stop or go as required.
The rolling first gear change is the answer. Imagine this:
You are approaching the end of a road where you cannot see and know that you will have to become virtually stationary before being able to decide whether to go or not. If you approach in a higher gear than first you could easily find yourself stopping, setting the handbrake, setting your gas and finding a biting point before being ready to move off. Far too much work when there was nothing coming anyway.
How to do the Rolling First Gear Change:
- On approach to the junction reduce your speed down to a sensible speed for first gear.
- Press the clutch when necessary and select the first gear.
- Keep the clutch on the floor, this is why it is called a rolling first gear change.
You are still moving slowly towards your junction with your clutch on the floor and first gear selected. If you can go then you only need to raise the clutch and drive on. If you have to stop then you already have the first gear selected ready for moving off as soon as possible.
The are many situations where you will find the rolling first gear change useful on approach.
