style of driving
 

what is everyone's style of driving? Mine is nice and smooth on the gas and not really "pushing it" all the time just increasing and letting her shift smoothly but not going like a grandma.

Is it true that if you do that, it is better for the car because of less wear? I ocassionally give her an "italian tune-up" My freind who has a 1997 civic EX 4door (pure stock) pushes the hell out of his car. If his car is going to 4000 rpm at every shift point, is he pushing that car's engine?

He says he isnt because he changes the oil on time and because it is a Honda. Ok, but still its a little 4 cylinder 1.6??

http://www.onlineautos.net/cgi-local/civic.JPG

ever since I've read Jackie Stewart's book on driving a long time ago, I've always tried to drive smoothly, and it is already second nature to me.

since my car has a manual transmission, shifting has to be smooth. Because the car has widely-spaced ratios, I try to rev-match every time I upshift or downshift (and heel-and-toe downshift whenever I can). Because my drivetrain already has some play, I also have to be smooth on lifting off the gas. On every corner, I try to take the proper apex. After I brake for a corner, I try to release the brakes gradually. On every stop, I try to "soft-stop", releasing brake pressure just before the car comes to a complete stop.

but that doesn't mean that I drive slowly. My pace depends on my mood. Sometimes I'm in the mood for an "Italian tuneup" (sometimes triggered by the presence of rice-cars) and I drive it one gear lower than usual and shift at higher rpms. Sometimes I late-brake for a corner and other times I take my time.

driving smoothly is therapy for me - it's like Tai Chi, making flowing movements and gradual transitions from braking G's to lateral G's to acceleration G's, especially rewarding when done with heel-and-toe downshifting. And the inline-6 is a perfect partner, with its perfect balance and refined exhaust sound.

and it is especially rewarding when a passenger is surprised that the car has a manual transmission, since everything was done so smoothly. Or that we were going "that fast".

I believe that the design philosphy and feel of Benzes (vs BMWs) encourages a "mature driving" demeanor, but one still has to know what "smooth" driving consists of.

on the other hand, show me an empty parking lot with 4 inches of fresh snow and no cops in sight, and all that "mature driving" goes out the window ...

I would liken my driving style to that of "bobbyv" as well, no matter which MB I'm driving. But I'm rarely driving without a passenger. Either my daughter, my wife, or both are in the car. So I don't get many opportunities to emulate "Formula One" techniques...

My driving style is also a "dirt-avoidance" strategy.

My braking is seldom and light, not because of wear and tear, but because I want to limit the amount of brake dust I have to clean off those chrome rims every night! I avoid roads that have just been freshly sprayed by morning sprinklers, and in general, swerve around puddles, construction residue, roadkill, whatever.

My days are busy, and as much as love my MBs, I don't want to spend anymore time than necessary keeping them clean!

As for daily driving, the W124 is nearing "head gasket replacement time", so I drive it easily to buy more time. :rolleyes:

Slow and easy. My VUE has a Continuously Variable Transmission, and it tends to reward a light foot and low RPM. For the Dodge, I keep revs down and also speed down. For the rest, I just take my sweet time as being in a hurry is just a source of more noise anyway. I always give myself plenty of time to get to wherever I need to go, and let the others drive themselves crazy.

They payoff for my driving habits is getting highway fuel economy on a mixed commute on the VUE, and consistanly logging some of the highest mileage figures on the truck when somebody has asked what the Dodge is capable of. With the miles I drive a year, it is money left in the wallet.

i'm a jackie stewart fan too. my wife and one of my kids have a tendency towards motion sickness and i make a conscious effort not to have any abruptness in motion that my passengers will feel. it's too bad that the finer points go unappreciated most times but it's gratifying when someone comments on how smooth my driving is ;)

I usually drive with the pedal to the floor, because it's a 2-ton diesel, and that's the only way to make it go, especially with the AC on! :D

You have to have a bit of a "Kamikaze" streak in you to handle Atlanta traffic anyway. ;)


Mike

I just go pretty smooth, leave it in 'economy' mode. I use kickdown or change on the stick if in quick successions of roundabouts and dual-carriageways (they are 70 limit :) and about the only opportunities to overtake in single-lane England!)

Sometimes if I'm tired.. or bored, I just cruise at around 15mph, not on main roads, but the country roads leading to my house... I'm not trying to look like a pimp, just enjoying the time sitting in my MB, looking at the countryside... plus it keeps the mud off the car!

Smooth is the name of the game for me. Shift points around 2,000 rpm. Large anticipation of stops, staying off the brakes is they way I prefer to drive.

Unless I'm doing an impromptu stoplight drag, I usually let the engines on all the cars that I have access to torque their way through the cars (easing up through 3rd as opposed to a kickdown to second). The Volvos are easier to do this with than the Benz, with turbo boost readily available (in lieu of shifting).

-Sam

I'd like to think I'm smooth: always keeping my eyes down the road, stopping and accelerating in a smooth, linear manner (which may or may not be abrupt depending on the flow of traffic).

My wife thinks I'm a lunatic :) "braking way too late, going too
fast"

I love to drive and try to do the art of driving (in such a fine auto, no less) justice. I need to take a good performance driving course though, I've got alot to learn I'm sure

Regards,
- Ryan

How fast will it wear out?
 

A mildly varied driving style, one without excesses of dogging or flogging will usually yield the longest system life. In a Nissan 12V with a 5spd, I often touched the redlne near 7k, and at 110,000 mi. I replaced 8 bent valves, a timing chain set, and an oil pump cover. The replacement sets lasted another 50,000 with the same results, while an acquaintance with a similar car put over 180,000 with no engine issues.

My current '85 190E had 120,000 abused miles when I got it, and I've been paying for that abuse ever since. My only reasons remaining for near WOT ( wide open throttle) behavior are passing, or uphill performance.

I like to push it a little :D take corners a little faster than most just so I can feel the rear end slide ;) I stink at matching revs as of right now so it's kind of jerky ridding with me :rolleyes:
The feeling of speed is addicting and its got me hooked I try to keep from speeding but when I see open road it's real real hard.

Smooth for me also. I like to get on the interstate, get up to about 60mph and then just keep gradually pushing the pedal and feel the V-8 push me back in the seat. I too try and limit brake use as much as possible because of the brake dust...I clean the front wheels every time I have the car out. Speaking of brakes, the other day I'm soing about 70 mph when the women in the van in front of me decides to hit the brakes because she saw a cop passing out a ticket on the side of the road. I thought she would pick up again but n, she decides to virtually stop. With instant reaction I hit the brake pedal and seemed like I stopped on a dime...I know my Old's Intrigue company car would never have stopped like this and I would be buried in the rear of this lady's van I guess getting a little brake dust is small annoyance to put up with.

Me, Pokey Joe. As slow as possible without tying up traffic! Heh.. :)

Kuan

I have something in common with many of you!! I hate brake dust!! I dont like that about european cars cause of the amount of dust and it ruins the nice looking rims. I try to limit the amount of braking also and also my dad has told me that sudden braking almost to a stop or also exiting a highway and reducing speed pushes more oil into the engine and then when getting on the gas again, the oil burns so it is basically a waste of oil, especially when mine is burning it.