ADI Part 2 - Gas or No Gas?

ADI Part 2 Manoeuvres - all revved up and ready to go

Warning: This page contains advice relevant to the DSA ADI Part 2 test only, NOT the Part 3 test. On Part 3, you may have to teach the SE how to complete one of the driving manoeuvres. If the SE chooses such a PST for you, you are advised to teach the SE to set the gas, no matter what the manoeuvre. This is because the SE will want to see your skills in teaching them full co-ordination of the car controls

This is a question often asked of us, and one that we're happy to answer

The question is this . . . do we have to set the gas and apply a few 'revs' to perform any driving manoeuvre? or is it acceptable to simply use clutch 'slip' to control the speed of the car throughout the exercise?

Well, the answer depends only upon the make and model of car that you are training in and will use for the test

If your chosen car is capable of carrying out the manoeuvres without setting the gas, then there is no requirement to do so. You can simply use the clutch to control the car

If your chosen car is incapable of achieving this, then clearly you will need to set the gas

You may also like to consider the environmental impact our driving has on the planet. The DSA certainly do, and will soon be introducing new procedures for the part 2 test of driving ability. Trainees will actually receive driver errors against them for displaying poor eco-safe driving techniques during the drive

The Vauxhall Corsa is a perfect example of a training car that is more than capable of carrying out the manoeuvres with no gas being set. The engine management system ensures that enough revs are provided to get the vehicle moving, at slow speeds, from a stand still. In fact, we've used a Vauxhall corsa on some of the most improbable slopes imaginable for the manoeuvres, without any gas being set at all, and the car coped admirably

On the other hand, we've tried the same in other vehicles and found them to stall at even very light gradients. Check out your chosen car and test it on all gradients in a variety of manoeuvres. By doing this you'll gain confidence in the car and get a 'sixth sense' for what the car can do

There is no box on the SE's part 2 marking sheet for 'failing to set the gas during a manoeuvre', however, there certainly are boxes for not being in full control of the vehicle. So, you need to ensure that your car is capable of carrying this out, and under what conditions it may struggle

Similarly, there is no requirement at all to set the gas for manoeuvres on a learner test, but the same warnings with regard to control apply here too

Advantages

The advantages of not setting the gas are many and varied

The technique tends to smooth out the entire process, eliminating the awful sound of high revs at very slow speeds. Such situations typify many learner tests

It gives an unprecedented degree of control over the car throughout the entire exercise. There is no risk of the foot slipping off the clutch of a highly revving engine, to find it lurching forwards dangerously

The driver can concentrate fully on their all important observations, without the distraction of having to worry about full coordination of the gas and clutch in difficult circumstances

An added advantage, and one to become very meaningful in the near future, is the DSA's plan to introduce an 'environmental impact' mark for drivers who use too many revs during the test

This technique may also become particularly relevant when the DSA introduce eco-friendly driving requirements into the part 2 driving test

The Old School

There are many trainers who consider the use of modern engine capabilities to be a little like cheating. They believe that you should set the gas under all circumstances, no matter what the car is able to do

The argument goes that we should be teaching our learners to drive all vehicles under all circumstances, and that using modern advancements in engine design don't achieve this. Quite true, and you will need to take all these factors into account with each individual learner

But does that mean that you can't take advantage of the technology when it is available?

To us, this seems like failing to acknowledge progress in vehicle design, and is effectively taking a step backwards

Over 95% of present day instructors have cars fitted with power steering. Yet it's still possible to buy a car without power steering, and one of their learners may just do so once they pass their driving test. Should we therefore all revert to cars without power steering for driving lessons, just in case? Or should we take advantage of the advances in vehicle design, and stick with power steering?

I'm sure you'll come to the same conclusion we have. Exactly the same argument can be made about anti lock braking systems

Our answer then . . . use the technology available, but be aware of the limitations on your learners if they purchase an older vehicle. It may be prudent to teach them the exercise with and without gas

For your test at part 2, use what you have. If the car can perform, the forget the gas and make your life easier. Simply 'cover' the gas pedal with your right foot for use if absolutely necessary

ADIT Team