Different ways to drive for small car and big car?
By Cars & Motorcycles on Feb 12, 2009 with Comments 2
Keong S asked: I’ve always drove small cars for my lessons, but when i decided to try out my moms car which is a mini-van it was much harder. Is there a different method of driving both cars?
Also if i drive mini van more often does that mean i’m going to crappier when driving a smaller car?
Filed Under: Car Care • Car Maintenance
About the Author:
the more vehicles of different shapes and sizes you drive.
the better you will drive any of them
It’s not only to do with size. All cars handle very differently.
When you first start driving, you get used to the driving instructor’s car (or what ever you learnt in), and moving to a different car feels odd. It’s just a matter of practice.
Bigger cars will tend to handle more sluggishly – there’s more weight, and in a minivan in particular – the higher centre of gravity will give it more roll in the corners.
The hardest difference to get used to is front wheel drive to rear wheel drive. If you push a rear wheel drive too hard, it will react very differently to a front wheel drive.
The worst scenario would be accelerating out of a corner in the wet – if you put too much power down too quickly, the back will oversteer and you can end up spinning off.
So in terms of size – the driving style isn’t much different (but go easy through the corners in a minivan). It’s just practice – in a years time it’ll all be second nature to you.