Driver Training: BMW Advanced Driver Training

They also demonstrated how to hold the wheel and steer – and made us practice before doing the practical driving exercises. It’s hard to do but sensible. Position your hands at 9 and 3 o’clock and steer with the rally drivers’ technique: Pull, Push, Slide. This is hard to explain and not sensible without seeing it in action. The short version and great advantage is that the arms never cross and get mixed up. Plus you always know where the wheels are pointing. (Ever cross hand over hand so much you think that the straight-ahead position of the wheel is also pointing the tires forward, even though it ain’t? That’s panic in a box.)

BMW Advanced Driver Training. Click image to enlarge

Rethink how you set your side-view mirrors. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day was this heresy: positioning side-view mirrors to reflect the back of your car is “a wasted angle.” Wasted?

“When was the last time the side of your car came up and hit you?” Good point.

BMW Advanced Driver Training. Click image to enlarge

Instead, BMW’s instructors suggest widening each mirror slightly, though the height remains the same. But how far is appropriate? Sitting in the driver’s seat, move your head about another head-width to the left and then you should see the left side of the back of your car in the mirror. Same process for the right: move your head from centre position about a head-width to the right and you should see the back of your right rear. It takes up to a month to get used to it but extends your view significantly and increases your safety.

“You still need to do your shoulder check,” said Buck, “but by looking ninety degrees to the right and ninety degrees to the left you have 360 degrees of sight.”

And some random smart tips.

Train then use your peripheral vision (not just the sides, but above and below your ‘central cone’ of sight) to be aware of what’s on the road. And keep your central cone of vision looking in the distance. At least thirty metres ahead. You’ll see things sooner. So you’ll have plenty of time to deal with any changes. Keep your head up and you’ll need to stop and start less because you anticipate what’s coming.

Use your side windows (“hey, cool, they’re transparent!”) not just the windshield for directing the car.

All-wheel drive provides better traction than two – sure – but only if your foot’s on the gas. When surprised, we tend to hit the brakes. Suddenly all-wheel drive is irrelevant because, well, you’re not driving, you’re braking. But if you keep your foot on the gas, you can still steer. So you’re still technically in control and are more likely to avoid any ugliness. (Provided, that is, you’re still looking where you want to go and not fixated on what you’d prefer to avoid.)

The number one cause of tire blowouts is under-inflation. If you ever drive on an underinflated tire, touch it. It’s hotter because it has to work harder. Why? With less air, it’s smaller. So it has to turn faster to keep up with the other tires. Friction creates heat. If it gets too hot, KA-BOOM! Solution? Check your tire pressure at least once a month.

Epilogue: Robin Buck said that the day before our course, a high school principal had attended the BMW Advanced Driving Training program. “She said, ‘We need to get the kids in here to make them understand. It’s so crucial to keep them and our streets safe.’” I agree but only if they promise to bring their parents.