Winter tyres=Winter tyres only have to save you from tragedy once to be a worthwhile investment, Did you know that below 7˚C, the rubber molecules in your summer-spec tyre treads progressively harden and freeze? This means the tyre is less able to adapt to the contour of the road surface, which in turn reduces grip levels, to such an extent that when braking on a wet – not icy – road from 50mph, summer tyres will need 40 metres to stop, when winter tyres will stop in 34 metres. It’s a big difference and it’s surprising how few people know that there is such a fall-off in performance of the tyres we normally buy, just because the weather is colder. Of course, the difference on ice and snow is even greater, as the winter tyres’ design cuts through snow and into ice to give a far greater margin of safety than on normal tyres: braking on icy roads from 20mph, summer tyres take 68 metres to stop, while winter tyres will bring you to a halt in 57 metres. In northern or mountainous regions of Europe where locals are often required to fit winter tyres, the fact that yours is on summer tyres will make insurance companies blame you first for any accident you’re caught up in. Germany requires drivers to swap tyres with the seasons unless using ‘all-season’ tyres. Of course, it’s wrong to look at these comparisons in isolation: there are many more influences on tyre performance. Pressure is one. Manufacturers used to recommend that winter tyres were inflated to slightly higher pressures than their summer equivalents, on the grounds that winter tyres don’t heat up as much in the cold weather, but Robin Winter (yes, really...) of Vredestein says that the advice now is to maintain normal pressures. Tread depth also affects performance. The difference between a new tyre and one worn but just legal is even greater than the wet road comparison above. The age of the tyres can have an even greater effect, partly because modern compounds are around 30% better in braking than they were 25 years ago, but also because age hardens tyre compounds and makes them less supple and hence less grippy. There’s increasing evidence that we really should change our tyres once they’re 10 years old, whatever their wear levels. How do you know the age of your tyres? Use the checklist below… So why not use winter tyres all year round? The simple answer is that at higher temperatures, on wet or dry roads, they’re not as good as summer tyres: tyre technology has moved forward a long way but temperature still has a big impact on longevity and performance. As a result, we have summer tyres, winter tyres and all-season tyres, the last a compromise for all-year-round use but not matching the ultimate performance of either winter- or summer-specific tyres. Winter tyres use a higher proportion of natural rubber, with silica compounds to maintain flexibility in cold conditions. Michelin’s Alpin range (made in Dundee, Scotland) even use a compound containing sunflower oil for better wet grip. Winter tyres also have far more sipes for cutting through water and deeper tread than summer tyres but the side effect is that they can make the steering feel imprecise in the dry; much effort has gone into encouraging the sipes to ‘lock’ when cornering, to reduce this effect. With current tyre fitting costs, the most cost-effective way to use winter tyres is to have two sets of wheels (usually steel for winter, since alloy corrodes so badly from road salt) and swap summer for winter in October, then back in April. About 25% of motorists on the European continent do exactly that. If you use your car all year round, the arguments for changing to winter tyres when the temperature drops below 7˚C are compelling. How old are my tyres? The DOT code, which is required for the American market, can tell you when the tyre was made. If it ends with three numbers, it was made in the 1980s; if it ends with three numbers followed by a triangle, 1990s; if it’s a four-number code, 2000s. Within the code, the first two numbers are the week of the year, followed by the year of manufacture (single-digit 1980s/’90s, two since). So, 256 is the 25th week of 1986; 256 is the 25th week of 1996, 2506 is the 25th week of 2006. If there’s no DOT code, either the tyres were not offered on the US market or they are over 25 years old… The two letters in the DOT code tell you the factory/country in which the tyres were made: see www.carbibles.com/tyremanufacturercodes.html. What else can my tyres tell me? M+S tyres are for Mud and Snow; if they also have a very chunky tread pattern, they’re primarily for off-road use, but M+S-marked tyres that are primarily on-road patterns are increasingly common. Winter tyres that are marked with a snowflake symbol have passed an industry standard braking test on snow. All tyres sold in Europe after July 1997, unless they’re for pre-1939 cars, must be E-marked (though there is no law to prevent you fitting non E-marked tyres to your car). The code tells you the type approval certificate, the country in which it was issued (‘11’ in a circle is UK) and the European requirement it complies with. A yellow (usually) dot on the sidewall indicates the (fractionally) lightest spot on the tyre – it’s impossible to get them absolutely 100% uniform. This should be mounted adjacent to the valve to minimise the need for balance weights. A red dot indicates the highest spot (it’s also impossible to get them absolutely 100% round). If the wheel rim has a dimple in it, that marks its lowest spot, so the two should be mounted adjacent to one another (this takes preference over the yellow dot). Radial coloured stripes in the tread indicate a tendency for the tyre to pull slightly to one side. If the stripe is near the centre, it will have little pull. If it’s further out, try to mount that tyre opposite one that has its band to the other side, so they tend to pull/push each other. Remember, though, that some tyres are unidirectional, so cannot just be flipped round. You may also find USA-required markings that rate the tyre for temperature (its ability to resist heat build-up), traction (grip) and tread wear. Temperature and traction are rated as A, B or C, in descending order: ideally you want to see A or B on your tyre. Tread wear is measured as a figure between 60 and 600, where 60 means the tyre will be worn out in a few thousand miles and 600 means it will last into the next millennium. Much still depends on how you drive... Automatic lessons in Rotherham. Automatic lessons in Worksop. Automatic lessons in Mansfield.
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DRIVING INSTRUCTORS DAY MEDICAL CONDITIONS FOR NON MEDICAL PEOPLE (Module 1) 19th March, 2013 Ref. 1231 Venue: London Road Community Hospital, Derby 9.00 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. This course is designed to help Approved Driving Instructors understand some of the more common medical conditions they are likely to come across when teaching disabled people to drive. AIM To provide basic information about anatomy and physiology relevant to medical conditions routinely seen by assessment centres. To provide a basic knowledge of the most common medical conditions. To help develop a basic understanding of medical conditions by interpretation of medical terminology. Learning Objectives: ü To have a basic understanding of body systems, e.g nervous system. ü To understand basic medical terminology. ü To understand some presenting features of commonly seen medical conditions. ü To gain an appreciation of the multiple symptoms of regularly seen medical conditions. ü To begin to develop awareness of more obscure medical conditions which might affect driving. ü This course should be of interest to: Ø Independent ADI’s looking to further their careers and develop a better understanding of the special needs requirements of people with disabilities. Ø Driving Schools looking to expand their business into new areas. Ø Health care professionals. Fee: £60 per module or discounted rate of £200 for Modules 1,2,3 and 4 booked together For further details telephone 01332 254679, email ncore@derbyhospitals.nhs.uk or www.ncore.org.uk or post to NCORE, Room 216, Level 3, Junction 3, London Road Community Hospital, London Road, Derby DE1 2QY. BASIC DRIVING ADAPTATIONS (Module 2) 19th March, 2013 Ref: 1232 Venue: London Road Community Hospital, Derby 1pm – 5.00 p.m. This course is designed to help Approved Driving Instructors understand the different adaptations available to help disabled people to drive and how different design controls may be more suitable for different conditions. Aim This section is intended to develop an insight into the range of adapted controls available to overcome disability and the advantages and disadvantages of the different systems. Learning objectives 1. To give an overview of Derby DrivAbility, the Form of Mobility centres and the assessment process. 2. To widen/consolidate the working knowledge of the range of basic driving adaptations available. 3. To understand the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of vehicle control in relation to specific disabilities. 4. To consider safety implications when using these adaptations. 5. To gain an understanding of compatibility issues between vehicle and adaptation. 6. To expand working knowledge of how and when to refer a client where there are concerns regarding driving ability. This course should be of interest to the following professionals/organisations: Ø Independent ADI’s looking to further their careers and develop a better understanding of the special needs requirements of people with disabilities. Ø Driving Schools looking to expand their business into new areas. Fee: £60 per module or discounted rate of £200 for modules 1,2,3 and 4 booked together For further details telephone 01332 254679, email ncore@derbyhospitals.nhs.uk or www.ncore.org.uk or post to NCORE, Room 216, Level 3, Junction 3, London Road Community Hospital, London Road, Derby DE1 2QY. MODIFIED TEACHING TECHNIQUES (Module 3) 23rd April, 2013 Ref: 1233 Venue: London Road Community Hospital, Derby 9.00am – 12.30 pm This course is designed to help Approved Driving Instructors modify their teaching techniques in such a way that would assist disabled drivers to learn to drive more effectively. AIM To explore different teaching approaches in relation to the varying needs of people with different health conditions or those requiring modified driving controls. Learning Objectives: o To understand the needs and requirements of people with cognitive difficulties and consider different teaching techniques that may help these people learn to drive. o To consider different methods of operating both standard and adapted controls that may be required by those with physical disabilities and the modified techniques required to teach them to drive o To consider the communication problems experienced by people with hearing and speech difficulties, how these can be overcome and how teaching techniques can be modified. o To identify potential issues regarding DSA test requirements (both theory and practical). This course should be of interest to the following professionals/organisations: Ø Independent ADI’s looking to further their careers and develop a better understanding of the special needs requirements of people with disabilities. Ø Driving Schools looking to expand their business into new areas. Fee: £60 per module or discounted rate of £200 for modules 1,2,3 and 4 booked together For further details telephone 01332 254679, email ncore@derbyhospitals.nhs.uk or www.ncore.org.uk or post to NCORE, Room 216, Level, 3, Junction 3, London Road Community Hospital, London Road, Derby DE1 2QY. PRACTICAL DRIVING EXPERIENCE WITH ADAPTED CONTROLS Module 4 23rd April, 2013 Ref. 1234 1.00pm – 5.00 pm Kingsway Hospital, DrivAbility Aim This module is intended to give Approved Driving Instructors the opportunity to undertake practical “hands on” driving sessions using some of the more commonly available adaptations used by disabled drivers. Learning Objectives
This course should be of interest to: Independent ADI’s, driving schools and health care professionals. Fee £60 per module or discounted rate of £200 for all four modules booked together Before you start.
To get your first provisional driving licence online for a car, motorcycle or moped you need to:
If you’re getting the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) you can drive at 16. What you need to know
Other ways to apply You can apply by post by completing a D1 application form, which you can get from the DVLA form ordering service or from a Post Office. You’ll also need to include:
Automatic gearboxes explained
Automatic gearboxes can be more efficient than manuals British car buyers are falling in love with the automatic gearbox. The old stereotypes about poor fuel economy and sluggish manners are a thing of the past. Several modern day automatics can be bought which are more fuel efficient than the manual versions. Automatic-gearbox technologies The market for automatic gearboxes has never been more compelling. But with all the automatic gearbox technology out there, it is also baffling. Here, we cut through the confusion and show why there’s never been a better time to choose an automatic gearbox. Conventional automatic gearbox How does a conventional automatic gearbox actually shift gears? In a car fitted with a conventional automatic gearbox, the engine is connected to a torque converter which allows the engine to rotate even when the road wheels are still. There are two ‘sun’ gears and two ‘planet' gear carriers rotating around them, all within a central ring gear. By varying which components rotate, different gear ratios are achieved. Are conventional automatic gearboxes smooth? The best automatics are the smoothest gearboxes around; gear changes are almost imperceptible. They are usually reliable, too. What are the most common names for it? Automatic or automatic gearbox CVT/stepless automatic gearbox How does a CVT gearbox or stepless automatic gearbox actually shift gears? Very simply. A belt or chain is connected to two pulleys that move in and out such that the belt runs at different heights in its groove. This alters the gear ratio – and, as there aren’t fixed ‘steps’, a CVT gearbox has a theoretically infinite gear ratio. Is a stepless automatic gearbox smooth? As it is stepless, the ‘feel’ of a CVT automatic gearbox is smooth, but the engine revs rise to optimum-power revs and stay there until the car’s speed ‘catches up’, so it feels a bit like a slipping clutch. Common name? CVT (continuously variable transmission) Clutchless manual gearbox How does a clutchless manual gearbox actually shift gears? With a clutchless manual gearbox, electric motors take the place of the driver’s left arm and leg in shifting gears. Often, the driver has easy manual override, by either a lever or steering-wheel paddles. Is a clutchless manual gearbox smooth? Clutchless manual gearboxes are the least smooth automatic gearboxes you can buy. Computers lack the finesse of a human, so gear changes can be jerky. What are the most common brand names? Citroën SensoDrive, Ford Durashift EST, Honda iShift, Renault Quickshift, Toyota Multimode MMT, Volvo Easytronic Twin-clutch automatic gearbox How does a twin-clutch automatic gearbox actually shift gears? Two clutches are connected to a special transmission shaft, with ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ parts. Odd-numbered gears use one shaft, and even ones the other. When, say, second gear is engaged, third is ‘pre-selected’ by a computer. Changing is a matter of shifting from one clutch to another, via hydraulics. Is it smooth? Seamless. Gear shifts happen so fast they are barely perceptible. What are the most common brand names? Ford/Volvo PowerShift, Porsche PDK, VW Group DSG Well due to a few recent test passes we are on the hunt for new clients. Now often the first question we get is "How much are your lessons?" Its a fair question, most seem to think that 10 lessons for £99 or even as low as £80 are standard.
Here at N.G.N.F automatic driver training we pride ourselves on delivering a high standard of driving lessons, we aim all lessons around the ability of the pupil. This can mean lots more driving time which then results in you passing your test quicker. Ask yourself if the instructor is only charging £10 per hour and is having to contend with overheads how much profit (if any) is he making? Will you get value for money or just a cheap lesson due to cost of petrol, also why are the lessons so cheap? Some food for thought. 20 hours at £22 = £440 25 hours at £20 = £500 50 hours at £15 = £750 Well over 80% of our pupils are not first time learners, many have tired the cheap deals and found them to be lacking. Please consider this when choosing a driving instructor. We only offer automatic lessons in Rotheram, Mansfield and Worksop. So many of you who see this will not want our services. Go for quality over a few £'s per hour and you will make a saving over the course of your lessons. Any of my peers out there care to comment? Feel free :-) http://nogears-nofears.com Automatic lessons Mansfield Automatic lessons Rotherham Automatic lessons Worksop Automatic driving lessons Rotherham Learner -- Disabled -- Special Needs If you are wanting Automatic driving lessons in Rotherham we can help. Our instructors have years of experience helping drivers develop skills that mean safe driving for life. We are pleased to offer the automatic driving lessons in and around the Rotherham area. Automatic driving lessons Rotherham- Are you wanting to get that licence? If so we can help you. We offer a range of training options from an hour lesson a week, to the intensive course of lessons option. What ever your need we can help. Disabled driving lessons Rotherham- If you are in need of an adapted vehicle we can provide one at no extra cost to that of standard lessons. If you are wanting specialist help and expertise, be it re training after a change in health or learner driver lessons we can help. We also offer driver assessments and advice on adapting your own vehicle. Learning difficulties lessons Rotherham- Our instructors have had years of experience helping pupils with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Autism. We can help you navigate the journey of learning to drive. Rotherham area's covered- Aldwarke - Aston - Aston Common - Aughton-Barrow - Blackburn - Bole Hill - Bow Broom - Bradgate - Bramley - Bramley Lings -Brampton-en-le-Morthen - Brinsworth - Brookhouse-Catcliffe - Carr - Cortworth-Dalton - Dalton Magna - Dalton Parva - Droppingwell-Fence - Firbeck - Flanderwell-Gildingwells - Greasbrough - Guilthwaite-Hardwick - Harley - Harthill - Hellaby - Hill Top - Holmes - Hoober - Hooton Roberts-Ickles-Jordan-Kilnhurst - Kimberworth - Kimberworth Park - Kiveton Bridge - Kiveton Park-Laughton Common - Laughton-en-le-Morthen - Lea Brook - LetwellMasbrough - Morthen - Munsbrough-Nether Haugh - Netherthorpe - North Anston -Northfield-Orgreave-Parkgate - Piccadilly-Ravenfield - Ravenfield Common - Rawmarsh - Richmond Park - Rockingham - Ryecroft-Sandhill - Scholes - Slade Hooton - South Anston - Street - Sunnyside - Swallownest -Swinton - Swinton Bridge-Templeborough - Thornhill - Thorpe Hesley - Thorpe Common - Thorpe Salvin - Thrybergh -Thurcroft - Todwick - Treeton - Turnerwood-Ulley - Upper Haugh - Upper Whiston-Wales - Wales Wood - Wales Bar - Warren Vale -Wath upon Dearne- Waverley - Wentworth - Whiston -Wickersley - Wingfield - Woodall - Woodhouse Mill - Woodlaithes - Woodsetts If the area you are wanting to take lessons in is not covered, please contact to check for instructor availability
There are many learner drivers who are now choosing to drive automatic cars. This means that they will be restricted to driving automatics in future, unless the take a further test in a manual vehicle. People who pass their driving test in a manual car can also drive an automatic car.
There are a number of benefits to owning a car with automatic transmission. Driving an automatic is easier, because there is no need to worry about clutch control and changing gear. As a result, the driver normally only uses their right foot to operate the brake and accelerator, there being no clutch pedal. Automatic cars are designed to move off as soon as the accelerator pedal is depressed, which means that the brakes are used more than they would be on a manual car. A car with automatic transmission is ideal for old people, disabled people and those not confident driving a manual car. Some adaptations that are made to suit disabled people can only be fitted to automatic cars. Automatic gearboxes enable almost seamless gear changes to be made. There are also different levels of automation and gearboxes can be fully or semi-automatic. Automobiles with automatic transmission are now just as economical as those with manual gearboxes. Previous issues with high maintenance costs have been reduced significantly by the investment of car manufacturers in transmission system technology. http://nogears-nofears.com |
AuthorHi, my name is David Tuke and I am the owner of Nogears Nofears Automatic driver training i hope you find the site helpful. Archives
January 2024
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