Using the handbrake when stopping at lights and junctions

Eternal1

Hi, I just had my first driving lesson today and overall it went really well, at least according to my instructor. However I'm finding it hard to pull away quickly... My instructor doesn't tell me to apply the handbrake when at traffic lights or junctions so I usually hold the car still with the foot brake if on an incline or the just the clutch if the road is flat but every video I watch on youtube they always go clutch > gear > gas > bite point > hand brake and then they start moving.

Should I try asking my instructor if I can get used to using the hand brake instead? There are times I only stop for literally a second so I'm usually happy to use the foot brake or clutch.

foxy-stoat

Change instructors maybe?

Eternal1

I don't think it's necessary to change instructions already, he does have some good reviews on the company website I'm using. I just feel like when holding the car stationary for longer than 2 seconds I should be using the hand brake and not the foot brake or clutch?

Guerillatoker

Not putting on the handbrake at junctions is a bit of a "driving habit" that you get into, but the correct action is to engage the handbrake. Not doing so can tempt you to engage/disengage the clutch in anticipation which does harm to your clutch (only a little); it will also come back to bite you when doing hill-starts if you don't learn to engage the handbrake when stopped (not that it is complicated, mind you).

Driving instructors can be a bit overbearing and I think sometimes they forget just how little you know when you first start learning. However, your instructor may actually just not have brought it up yet as you've only just had your first lesson. Just mention it to em next time, something like "Shouldn't I engage the handbrake at junctions?" - I wouldn't be changing instructors just for that.

Though do be willing to change instructors if you do not feel comfortable with the one you had, I did and it was a great decision.

molerat

I hate people who sit on the footbrake at traffic lights. I know a few people who sit on the clutch because they don't want the eco mode to shut the engine off.

AdrianC

One lesson, and knows better than the instructor, because YouTube videos...

Guerillatoker

AdrianC wrote: »

One lesson, and knows better than the instructor, because YouTube videos...

Just because someone is an instructor, doesn't mean they can't be !!!! at teaching people correctly.

The poster is correct anyway. The proper driving technique is to engage the handbrake.

Sea_Shell

Many moons ago I was taught to apply the handbrake, into neutral, clutch up.

I still do this now, especially if the lights have only just gone red (bit of a wait), but if it's likely to be a much shorter wait, I'll keep foot brake on and clutch down, all ready to go.

We even have "hill assist" and I still use the handbrake method for hill starts!!!

tgon

+1 engage handbrake. Getting away from the lights quickly isn’t relevant.

Robisere

Definitely engage handbrake and out of gear. Repeated "riding the clutch" can cause clutch to wear and slip. This instructor should have told you that.

I get so tired of people leaving a gap behind the car in front of theirs at traffic lights, then creeping slowly up to it. Then sitting there with the footbrake on and brake lights showing they are using the footbrake. There is one 5-phase set of lights in my town where that happens a lot: they sit there for often 10 minutes, no one can see around corners to see which phase is going green next. I apply handbrake, drop into neutral and wait. Quite often I have to wait for the same 'creeping' driver to react to the green light.

When a footbrake is left applied for a while, the pressure heats up the brake fluid. Repeated instances of this, adds wear to the fluid.

AdrianC

It's the first lesson...

Does nobody think that the instructor might perhaps simply be getting the OP used to basic car control in that first lesson, aiming to minimise disruption to other drivers? Fine detail can come later...

But, no... YouTube...