Why Does Subject 3 Report Neutral Gear Coasting During Startup?
2 Answers
Subject 3 reports neutral gear coasting during startup because the clutch pedal is released too slowly, causing the vehicle to remain in neutral and coast. Below are the relevant details: Introduction: Subject 3, also known as the road test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. It refers to the road driving skills and safe driving knowledge test for motor vehicle drivers. Test Content: The road driving skills test varies depending on the type of vehicle license. It generally includes: preparation before starting, starting, driving straight, shifting gears, changing lanes, pulling over, going straight through intersections, turning left at intersections, turning right at intersections, crossing pedestrian crosswalks, passing school zones, passing bus stops, meeting other vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, and nighttime driving.
When I was practicing for the Driving Test Part 3, the instructor always emphasized that gear shifting must be done in one smooth motion. Why does the system report 'neutral coasting'? Mainly because the gear shifting action wasn't completed properly. Common situations include pushing the gear lever before fully depressing the clutch, causing it to get stuck in neutral instead of engaging first gear; or releasing the gear lever halfway through the shift. The system detects the wheels turning while the gear display shows neutral. Some nervous students mistakenly think they've engaged the gear and release the clutch directly, triggering a violation when the car creeps forward. I remember during one test, the student ahead failed because their floor mat was too thick, preventing full clutch depression, resulting in an immediate 'neutral coasting' failure. Always double-check the dashboard to confirm '1' is displayed before releasing the clutch – that's the safest approach.
