teaching a newbie to drive a manual

[shearer]

please recommend some quiet large open spaces / roads to teach someone. thanks 

is the Whenuapai airstrip up to much these days? 

[Simon MkII]

Straight in the deep end imo. On my first ever driving lesson I was taken out in to rush hour traffic, it was terrifying at the time but I think it was for the best. Practice the clutch in the driveway a bit then go for it 

[SteveC]

with supermarkets open 7 days, their carparks are no longer available, so I have looked for large church carparks, particularly if they have some slope on them, which helps with learning clutch control

the one I've used on the Shore is Harbourside church on Esdmonde Rd, which was particularly good, don't know if it is completely open these days, seems to have some chains around and about

[Gordo]

There's a lot to be said for just sitting in the car with the engine off, practicing getting the movements right - clutch, then gear then release, etc. Also good for learning where the gearlever is without looking down.

[deedub]

Straight in the deep end imo. On my first ever driving lesson I was taken out in to rush hour traffic, it was terrifying at the time but I think it was for the best. Practice the clutch in the driveway a bit then go for it 

Depends who you're teaching. An eager car loving and confident boy, sure maybe, but many girls are hard enough to get to even try driving. That might put them off for life!

[choppy16v]

unitec on weekends and evenings or purewa cemetary,lots of intersections,small hills,and very quiet

[AngleBox]

Anywhere in the country where a dead end road exists. If you're in Auckland that's easily within a 30 minute drive.

[SteveC]

because the balance between clutch and throttle is difficult to get the feel of the clutch, have the engine idling and get them to feel for the engagement point and try to get the car rolling without any throttle, then once they can do that, introduce the throttle into the equasion

non-drivers are not accustomed to subtle movements with their feet and have to learn how much pressure/movement to use

[5-pot]

the one I've used on the Shore is Harbourside church on Esdmonde Rd, which was particularly good, don't know if it is completely open these days, seems to have some chains around and about

That's my church.  They've got chains now so the back of the car park isn't accessible, as it was before.  People doing doughnuts and drugs out the back.   I've got a key though

[rambo_005]

That's my church.  They've got chains now so the back of the car park isn't accessible, as it was before.  People doing doughnuts and drugs out the back.   I've got a key though

Ah, so you are still able to do doughnuts and drugs when it suits?

[5-pot]

Well, if I so choose, yeah i guess so. It's like the last place most people would look right?   Good spot for a "higher experience" I suppose, whichever way you're inclined

[Simon MkII]

Depends who you're teaching. An eager car loving and confident boy, sure maybe, but many girls are hard enough to get to even try driving. That might put them off for life!

Good point 

There is an industrial spot out by the airport which is fairly quiet in the evenings and on sundays. Ascot road, Montgomerie road and all the ones in between;
http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=auckland+airport&sll=-41.244772,172.617188&sspn=52.248438,135.263672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Auckland+Airport&ll=-36.977187,174.784069&spn=0.013696,0.033023&z=16

[flying]

Good point 

There is an industrial spot out by the airport which is fairly quiet in the evenings and on sundays. Ascot road, Montgomerie road and all the ones in between;
http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=auckland+airport&sll=-41.244772,172.617188&sspn=52.248438,135.263672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Auckland+Airport&ll=-36.977187,174.784069&spn=0.013696,0.033023&z=16

I learnt to drive there, its a good spot.  Good mix of faster back roads and slower industrial roads.

[SteveC]

North Harbour stadium. Plenty of good big wide open car parks surrounding it and there always open. Double lane roads and round-a-bouts too if you want to get crazy.

then when they get a bit more confident the Albany Hill, old SH1 and East Coast Road loop is a good place to start them on roads with traffic, took my daughter out there