Smooth driving tips
If possible, get a ride with a police trainer, police class one driver or other expert driver. This will help you to develop a 'mental model' of smooth driving that can act a s your target.
Perhaps one of the best ways to experience an expert drive is to join your local advanced driving group (IAM or RoSPA). You can get details of local groups from your local Road Safety Officer or traffic police – you can also check with the organisations directly (contact details here).
The 'secret' of achieving a smooth drive is learning to relax. When you are relaxed behind the wheel you will 'feel' the car more and be more responsive to developing situations ahead.
Keep these points in mind when practising:
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Plan your driving well ahead to avoid sudden changes in speed
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Not too quick moving off!
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Take your time moving off, aim for smoothness rather than speed
Spread your braking, releasing the pressure on the brake pedal as the car comes to a halt (explained here).
Consider your tyres
I can tell you officially, some tyres have a better life than others! As you complete the 'Swan Lake' project consider your tyres.
How does it feel to be a tyre? This might sound like a silly question at first, but if you imagine just how your tyres 'feel' as you are braking and cornering you will start to develop a lot more vehicle sympathy.
If you want to be kind to your tyres (and believe me you do) avoid braking or increasing speed as you drive around bends – aim to finish your braking and select the appropriate gear before arriving at the bend.
The appropriate gear will be one that requires light pressure on the accelerator to maintain your speed as you drive around the bend (notice the term 'drive around the bend' as opposed to 'roll around the bend').
Time to go out and practise!
Next: Step 3 - Swan Lake - how smooth is your driving?