Strange driving habits you've developed...

M

Michael O'Connor

Guest
Well, I'll go first. I've developed a sort of 'tick' if you will. Every time I get in my car, I wiggle the gear stick to make sure it's in neutral. EVERY TIME. I knew I had some sort of low-functioning OCD to some degree, so I guess this is it.

I started doing it ever since I hurriedly pulled into the petrol station on the way to work, parked at the front in some spaces, jumped out to get some milk, left the car in neutral, then jumped back in and lurched forward when I started the ignition. There was a bollard in front, when I got out to see the damage, the bumper was an inch or two away from it, lucky b**tard. Not a bad habit I suppose, but damn annoying.

I'm also really fussy with parking. I used to laugh watching my old man do it, getting in and out several times... Oh the irony. I'd like to think anyone who enjoys their car and likes driving is a bit like this though... right?...:blink:

What's yours?
 
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You left the car in neutral and it jumped forward lol.

Mine is checking my keys are in my pocket. Not really sure why, but every since start/stop buttons came along I have this thing in my head that even though I'm driving, I've dropped the keys before setting off. So I always check after starting the engine.

Btw I never start a manual without my foot on the clutch.
 
pxr5 said:
You left the car in neutral and it jumped forward lol.

Mine is checking my keys are in my pocket. Not really sure why, but every since start/stop buttons came along I have this thing in my head that even though I'm driving, I've dropped the keys before setting off. So I always check after starting the engine.

Btw I never start a manual without my foot on the clutch.
Click to expand...

So like keyless start? I'd no doubt do the same thing.

Ha yeah, it's one of those 'do it once and never again' things I think. The foot on the clutch is definitely a good replacement for the gear stick wiggle though
 
When I pull up to a junction I put the car into first. I sit and wait to go, as soon as it’s time to go, I put the car into neutral then back into first.
 
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Lord said:
When I pull up to a junction I put the car into first. I sit and wait to go, as soon as it’s time to go, I put the car into neutral then back into first.
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It's that oh so satisfying movement of N to 1st when you have a nice gearbox no? :D
 
B5NUT said:
When I had manual cars I always used to do this, but have no idea why.
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You didn't school boy error it and do the same thing as I did as some point did you? Haha

I noticed one of my mates does this too, I think he's got it from working in a garage though
 
My old dad was a very good driver , and did drive a lot of kit from HGV and PSV , also had been an instructor and then an examiner so knew his stuff.
Anwway he taught me to drive and I passed first time for my bike and car test, he allways drummed it into me that one should should allways check the car is in neutral ( wiggle the lever side to side) and cover ( depress) the clutch before starting a car or anything manual really, it has stayed with me ever since....second nature really and most certainly not a strange habit.
 
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I am ocd about locking the doors when I park, pretty boring but I have interrupted work outs or walked clean across the mall back to the car just to hear the beep or see the lights while locking the car or rather relocking it
 
Mine is having to check my lights are on, via the switch, even though I know they are on !!

Paranoid about driving without my lights on. Did it once when I was around 18. I'm 43 now, and still have to double check.
 
But they is general lack of indicator use among more and more drivers. Not indicating right when going round a roundabout really annoys me.
 
Mine are using bad language to a lot to drivers (in the car and not so they know) and questioning their driving license ownership.
 
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Frozenr6 said:
I am ocd about locking the doors when I park, pretty boring but I have interrupted work outs or walked clean across the mall back to the car just to hear the beep or see the lights while locking the car or rather relocking it
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Ha, I do the same thing quite a lot. I think it's like one of those things you do so much without thinking, that you then think about it and question yourself
 
wab172uk said:
But they is general lack of indicator use among more and more drivers. Not indicating right when going round a roundabout really annoys me.
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Absolutely, I find this incredibly annoying. Especially when you're on a main road in traffic, and someone is pulling onto it from a minor road, but they don't think anyone needs to know what direction they intend to go. This is usually followed by them abruptly pulling out across someones path. It's really just an incredibly pig-headed approach to driving
 
Just Rob. said:
My old dad was a very good driver , and did drive a lot of kit from HGV and PSV , also had been an instructor and then an examiner so knew his stuff.
Anwway he taught me to drive and I passed first time for my bike and car test, he allways drummed it into me that one should should allways check the car is in neutral ( wiggle the lever side to side) and cover ( depress) the clutch before starting a car or anything manual really, it has stayed with me ever since....second nature really and most certainly not a strange habit.
Click to expand...

I guess yeah, that habit has a safe origin. Also some cars require you to depress the clutch when you start it anyway.
 
voorhees said:
Mine are using bad language to a lot to drivers (in the car and not so they know) and questioning their driving license ownership.
Click to expand...

Haha! Before I started driving I used to think 'nah I won't be like that' or get road-rage, but I also do the same. Especially with people in SUVs who don't give way, ignorant drivers etc. Not a great idea as there are some nutters on the roads these days, but yeah, can't help it. Definitely leads on from the fact that I swear a lot, am a teacher so can't swear much at work, so it all comes out in the car haha.
 
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So that's exercising stress management in the car then..lol
 
New one that's been in the works for some time now. Rev-matching improperly (in terms of foot placement not rev management)

Off the gas with right foot then onto the brake quickly, clutch in then change down, hold the clutch in long enough to get my right foot back over to blip the gas with right foot and clutch out. I've gotten pretty good at this but it takes ages to do compared to heel-toeing. Maybe other people do it like this too but it just seems completely wrong to me. I tried heel-toe technique a while back and fluffed it and it seems pretty dangerous to practice on the road.

I'd like to try toe braking and heel blipping, but I feel like when my heel goes over to the gas it only really touches the bottom of the pedal where theres no leverage to push down... Now, where can I go to learn how to do this without ending up in someone's front bumper...
 
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When listening to music in the car, I never have the volume set on number 13
 
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Ghost said:
When listening to music in the car, I never have the volume set on number 13
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Haha, good one. I'm similar except I have to have the volume on an even number.
 
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Whilst we're on it, I used to have a B7 A4 and I had to have the volume dial pointing straight up, if not I would position it straight and adjust with volume on the steering wheel.

We are probably slipping into the OCD side now!
 
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voorhees said:
Mine are using bad language to a lot to drivers (in the car and not so they know) and questioning their driving license ownership.
Click to expand...

I am the absolute worst/best at this! Nothing like a good rant at every other driver on the planet.

My Mrs recorded me one time, freakin' hilarious listening to myself!

My comments about moustachioed middle-aged men ALONE in Renault Scenics/Peugeot 3007s etc who have no idea about their surroundings are priceless.. And not for here!
 
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Michael O'Connor said:
New one that's been in the works for some time now. Rev-matching improperly (in terms of foot placement not rev management)

Off the gas with right foot then onto the brake quickly, clutch in then change down, hold the clutch in long enough to get my right foot back over to blip the gas with right foot and clutch out. I've gotten pretty good at this but it takes ages to do compared to heel-toeing. Maybe other people do it like this too but it just seems completely wrong to me. I tried heel-toe technique a while back and fluffed it and it seems pretty dangerous to practice on the road.

I'd like to try toe braking and heel blipping, but I feel like when my heel goes over to the gas it only really touches the bottom of the pedal where theres no leverage to push down... Now, where can I go to learn how to do this without ending up in someone's front bumper...
Click to expand...

Heel and toeing takes a lot of practise, and the right shoes make a hell of a difference. Not that I am an expert in it by a long way...

I remember being much younger and learning the technique, while also experimenting with left-foot braking. After peeling my face of the windscreen the first time I decided maybe not for me!
 
I have a few OCD habits that MUST be completed before I set of on any journey.

These are:

1. Check mirrors. I'm the only one who drives my car, so they won't change but I MUST check every time.
2. Check Air Vents are level. Again, they don't move but I must check them every time I get into the car. Passengers know not to touch them!
3. Key in the ignition but don't start the car.
4. Wipe down all surfaces. More to just keep the car clean but I do this every time I get in the car, door pocket is full of cloths.
5. Ignition on but again, don't star the car.
6. Check I have everything I need for the journey/day, then I can start the car.

Drives my girlfriend potty lol

I don't really have any 'strange' driving habits as such......that I'm aware of just some strange pre-flight checks :)
 
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JRock247 said:
I have a few OCD habits that MUST be completed before I set of on any journey.

These are:

1. Check mirrors. I'm the only one who drives my car, so they won't change but I MUST check every time.
2. Check Air Vents are level. Again, they don't move but I must check them every time I get into the car. Passengers know not to touch them!
3. Key in the ignition but don't start the car.
4. Wipe down all surfaces. More to just keep the car clean but I do this every time I get in the car, door pocket is full of cloths.
5. Ignition on but again, don't star the car.
6. Check I have everything I need for the journey/day, then I can start the car.

Drives my girlfriend potty lol

I don't really have any 'strange' driving habits as such......that I'm aware of just some strange pre-flight checks :)
Click to expand...

Having got a black car must be hard work for you?
 
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My previous two cars were also black, so I am well trained in the art of keeping black cars clean lol

It's ****** hard work to keep it looking clean, especially living in the country side but the rewards are worth it :)
 
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Ozmosis said:
Heel and toeing takes a lot of practise, and the right shoes make a hell of a difference. Not that I am an expert in it by a long way...

I remember being much younger and learning the technique, while also experimenting with left-foot braking. After peeling my face of the windscreen the first time I decided maybe not for me!
Click to expand...

I bet! I wore a certain pair of trainers today that I haven't worn for a long time and they are absolutely terrible for driving, let alone any kind of specialised techniques. I was watching some videos of this crazy Japanese famous drifter guy doing all these techniques in an AE86 round a track, showing another guy how to do it properly. He was heel-toeing in that huge bulky 90s skate shoes haha
 
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JRock247 said:
I have a few OCD habits that MUST be completed before I set of on any journey.

These are:

1. Check mirrors. I'm the only one who drives my car, so they won't change but I MUST check every time.
2. Check Air Vents are level. Again, they don't move but I must check them every time I get into the car. Passengers know not to touch them!
3. Key in the ignition but don't start the car.
4. Wipe down all surfaces. More to just keep the car clean but I do this every time I get in the car, door pocket is full of cloths.
5. Ignition on but again, don't star the car.
6. Check I have everything I need for the journey/day, then I can start the car.

Drives my girlfriend potty lol

I don't really have any 'strange' driving habits as such......that I'm aware of just some strange pre-flight checks :)
Click to expand...

Pre-flight checks haha. Number 4 sounds just like my dad with his car. Side compartments and centre glovebox are teeming with tissues for wiping everything down, he even has those disposable gloves to wear when he puts petrol in haha
 
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Michael O'Connor said:
Pre-flight checks haha. Number 4 sounds just like my dad with his car. Side compartments and centre glovebox are teeming with tissues for wiping everything down, he even has those disposable gloves to wear when he puts petrol in haha
Click to expand...

Your making me feel even older now lol

I have not gone as far as wearing gloves when filling up..........yet.

Next will be the old man driving gloves :tearsofjoy:
 
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I have to have my window open slightly when first driving off. Even if it’s raining/ snowing etc.
Drives my wife mental. I generally close it a minute or so afterwards. I’ve done this since I first started driving and I have no idea why! It’s probably a hangover from when I used to smoke.
 
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Some times my wife is fed up of traveling with me. Especially, when traveling with kids, as my 3yo son sitting next to me on the front passenger seat is picking up a loads from me or both of us is talking about. He recently started to repeat some swear words which "daddy said". LOL

I point out mistakes of every single driver around. "What is the point for you to indicate", "Would you see more with your lights on, perhaps", Why making someone else's life better when your is already awesome (when an SUV parked just on a curb with majority of the car on the road and wheels on full lock turn, in a narrow street)". These are just some of my quotes. Cannot stop it, I have to comment some idiotic driving/parking behavior.

As a tick during driving, I also check rear view mirror a lot.
When locking the car from outside, pull the handle to check if it is really locked. I've heard the beep and locking mechanism doing it's job but still need to do it every time.
As soon as I get in to the car, I lock myself in. Funny to see my wife's face, when she's pulling the handle and the car is locked. LOL
 
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KrisKrk said:
Some times my wife is fed up of traveling with me. Especially, when traveling with kids, as my 3yo son sitting next to me on the front passenger seat is picking up a loads from me or both of us is talking about. He recently started to repeat some swear words which "daddy said". LOL

I point out mistakes of every single driver around. "What is the point for you to indicate", "Would you see more with your lights on, perhaps", Why making someone else's life better when your is already awesome (when an SUV parked just on a curb with majority of the car on the road and wheels on full lock turn, in a narrow street)". These are just some of my quotes. Cannot stop it, I have to comment some idiotic driving/parking behavior.

As a tick during driving, I also check rear view mirror a lot.
When locking the car from outside, pull the handle to check if it is really locked. I've heard the beep and locking mechanism doing it's job but still need to do it every time.
As soon as I get in to the car, I lock myself in. Funny to see my wife's face, when she's pulling the handle and the car is locked. LOL
Click to expand...

I've noticed I do the commentary thing as well haha. Literally everything: 'it would be good if you stayed in your lane (roundabouts), who the **** parks there (someone parked right after a bend, right parallel to where there's an island in the middle that consequently makes the lane very very narrow), and so on... I also comment good things on people's driving from time to time haha. I think I just talk to myself in the car when I'm on my own hahaha
 
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I get days that on a single journey I even allow 2 or 3 cars to join the traffic in front of me or merge quicker. Not because car is driven by a good looking blondie, no.
It is also a day for OAP’s or just another parent with a wagon full of screaming kids that I feel for.

If BMW’s are surrounding me? No way I’m doing that!
BM and no indicators? Forget it. I’m going to cut you off just when you thought you could squeeze in. Mwah ha ha ha (evil laugh)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I have actually one more thing I do that may be annoying to others than me.

When I drive into a narrow road, there are cars parked on my right hand side (opposite way is obstructed) and I see some idiot is pushing in, although I’m taking 3/4 of the road and he’s/she’s obstructed by parked cars, I drive right to their bumper.
When they want ME to move over so they can pass by, just because they are in 17 plate E class or something like that (not picking on Merc owners only to particular situation that happen to me recently), I do not let go.
Just sit there patiently, looking right in their eyes and ... smirk. Not a word, just look at them.
That does the trick and ***** driver with steam out of their ears lets go and I can pass by with a smug smile.

Love these moments and hate these brainless people same time


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i now drive like im drunk just to miss the pots holes just waiting to be pulled over and explain
 
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