LJK Setright

[UK6]

Dear Forum,
My 1939 Jag burns 1 gallon of 92 octane petrol every 20 miles at a constant 2000 rpm (52 mph). Further, the vehicle produces a lot of NOX and a plethora of unburnt hydrocarbons - especially in the form of fuel vapour from the tank breather and atop the old Skinner's float bowls during a hot Aussie summer. Apart from the vehicle's inherent driving pleasure, I am not about to trade the clunker in on a newer/cleaner burning car or indeed, fit a catalystic converter or apply similar mods. The greenies reading this ramble will no doubt be in a mild state of apoplexy at this point, however, in my defence ,I make two important points:
1. The vehicle in question is lucky to travel over 5000mls in one year, and
2. Most of the car is over 70 years old and therefore the energy required to build the car initially has, I believe, been well and truly put to good use.

In closing, I think that the next time I receive my registration bill, I should ask for a rebate given that my vehicle embodies a significant carbon sink ie the car has a wooden body frame!

Brett

[Blenheim Boy]

My cars are autos and I am learning to use my left foot to brake. My work involves driving ambulances, which have manual transmissions; I have no problems in 'switching' between the two mediums.

I also employ a method, apparently championed by Setright, of traversing speed ramps with greater smoothness. By applying the brakes with a quick stab of the pedal, just as the front wheels meet the sleeper, causes the suspension to be compressed from above and below, cancelling out the thump.

[Rubbond]

Don't!
If you need to brake, your right foot will already have lifted off the
accelerator, and you will know exactly where the brake pedal is using the
same foot.
Especially important if you need to brake hard in an emergency!
Amazed ambulances by the way don't have automatic gearboxes!
Andrew.

[Ashley James]

When I first started driving automatics I had to keep my left foot
well clear of the pedals to avoid putting both feet on the brake
pedal to stop.
I believe that some modern cars not only have ABS but also Emergency
Brake Assist, which realises you're anxious to stop quickly and
increases pedal pressure to emergency to stop levels. This is because
experiments have been to show that we don't brake hard enough or fast
enough in emergencies.

[Markus Berzborn]

I don't think it's a good idea getting used to using the left foot for braking.

Regards,
Markus

[Rubbond]

I'm glad mine doesn't!
What if there are cars behind you and you, or in this case your car, over
reacts?
Andrew.

[penman]

[deleted] double post

[penman]

Originally Posted by Blenheim Boy

I also employ a method, apparently championed by Setright, of traversing speed ramps with greater smoothness. By applying the brakes with a quick stab of the pedal, just as the front wheels meet the sleeper, causes the suspension to be compressed from above and below, cancelling out the thump.

As a Fleet driver trainer, my advice would be to brake (if needed) before the ramp and release the brakes just before the upslope.
This allows the nose of the vehicle to rise just as the wheels try to rise, giving some relief to the shockers.
Your (Setright's) technique means that the suspension is already compressed, at a time when it is supposed to start doing it's work, putting a greater strain on the shocker turrets.

Another technique, often used by chauffeurs on driveways with those short high type of bump, is to angle the vehicle so that you traverse them one wheel at a time, this is of course doen very slowly and is not a normal roadway method.

[Blenheim Boy]

Originally Posted by penman

As a Fleet driver trainer, my advice would be to brake (if needed) before the ramp and release the brakes just before the upslope.
This allows the nose of the vehicle to rise just as the wheels try to rise, giving some relief to the shockers.
Your (Setright's) technique means that the suspension is already compressed, at a time when it is supposed to start doing it's work, putting a greater strain on the shocker turrets.

Another technique, often used by chauffeurs on driveways with those short high type of bump, is to angle the vehicle so that you traverse them one wheel at a time, this is of course doen very slowly and is not a normal roadway method.

Thank you for your advice. Gratefully received!

It is possible that the technique you have described is in fact the one employed by LJKS; I received the information second hand, as the saying goes, by an individual who recalled reading a piece that Setright authored. I have not seen the article.

The method that I described does seem to be effective but I will nevertheless experiment with your method. Thank you for your imput!

[John Keighley]

I think we need to be very proactive - that developing philosophies along lines similar to Brett's thoughts if we are going to survive in a future as older car custodians. Particularly so as prevailing opinions could well become increasingly hostile towards those of us with an appreciation for any classic car.
John Keighley.