76 replies to this topic

[Carlos W]

I tend to sit in the centre lane anyway so this isn't too much of a problem.

I hate MLM's so much, I'd make it a law that they get an instant motorway ban for life.

Instant driving ban for life!

[Jacko-lah]

I'm not a saint, it'll be A. Then I'll move to the middle lane and give you a blast of neat wash fluid and then slow down to 65 next time I'm overtaking a lorry, forcing you to overtake (see b above) - except that once you are along side I'll floor it again.

I hate MLM's so much, I'd make it a law that they get an instant motorway ban for life.

Bit harsh LOL but yeah it's the reason why I just join the unofficial train, it's lovely when the motorway is empty though

I will accept that the inside lane on parts of the M6 have a set of grooves (from the lorries) which fill with water and then Ice up, and even when dry can cause some instablity at high speed, so if the motorway were empty, and you are doing over 80, I'll let you be a MLM, provided that you move over when there's more than 1 car in your mirror.

[Apple]

I’ve only recently had the pleasure of the motorway myself having past late last year and a few things I found that made things go a little easier for me, mostly covered above but here we go.

Make sure you mini is motorway worthy, checking your tyres, fluids, lights, wipers etc. will give you confidence that isn’t unfounded. (And we all do that before every trip anyway don’t we)
Know your route, which junctions you’re using any areas of road works and somewhere to stop for a cuppa.
On my dad’s advice I did a couple of runs off the public road to know my cars capabilities and if I needed a bit more speed was it there.
Take an old hand with you, have someone to ask and give advice. (I check my mirrors, prep to signal and manoeuvre and then get my passenger to confirm its safe at the last moment).
Take a pair of sunglasses and night driving glasses, being sat so low I find these invaluable for rear mirror dazzle.
Plan your manoeuvres two cars ahead, if the numpty in the car two ahead is stuck right up the chuff of a lorry you stand a good chance of joining his conga line shortly.
Try not to get frustrated with the middle lane crew and do anything crazy.
And mostly find a speed that comfortable for you (within reason) and enjoy your drive, It’s a motorway not a motorwar!

Hope there’s something you can gleam from that lot

Apple

[minim@t]

being your typical white van man bullying other motorists can be very amusing/entertaining, especially when its some moron in an Audi on his laptop, texting on his phone whist in the fast lane, (true story)
lorry driver too also enjoy making other road users life awkward,
best tip I can give for driving a Mini on the motorway would be stick with the lorries, most have to drive a 57 any,

also put your head lights on,

also make sure your wheel nuts arnt loose, mine were, realized just in time before the wheel came off

in what way do lorry drivers enjoy making other road users lives awkward? from someone who admits to fiding it amusing/entertaining to bully other road users? and your such a professional you nearly lost a wheel because the nuts were loose !!hhmmm a proper white van man obviously...

Bit touchy are we.....

not saying all lorry drivers are like that just from what Ive witnessed on the roads, some can be right ars*'s, didn't say it was a bad thing anyhoo,
as for finding it amusing to bully other driver if you check my quote, I only chose other road users who haven't the courtesy to drive with due care and attention (texting whist driving is very dangerous)
No I'm not a professional and don't claim to be, but the OP was asking for tips regarding his first trip down a motorway and i was only re-calling mine, was 17 just past new set alloys fitted that morning off i went, rookie mistake,


P.s whilst spell checking this post the suggestion for your user name was Handicapper (take what you will from that)

[sazal]

I treat it the same as driving on dual carriageways!

I try and stick in the left hand lane except for when Im overtaking, but always indicate when moving into another lane and check my blindspots when moving across lanes (just have to be careful for people undertaking, but if your using the lanes properly then it shouldnt be a problem).

[Bec]

Vern got me to many a mini show when we lived out of the back of beyond. I never took him above 60mph on the motorways - just set off a bit earlier to allow more time for service station breaks for both of us I always carried a big can of oil, water, antifreeze and coolant and a big tool box in the boot. Oh and I had the AA's number just incase.

All the shows we did and he was brilliant, the only times we've had problems were fairly local

Now I am one of the 'Rover drivers' whilst he gets some tlc.

[GreaseMonkey]

Just close yours eyes and go for it! Hehe

Be aware of whats going on around you, don't just keep looking ahead once your at a pace. Plenty of looking around when moving lanes

[1984mini25]

it's lovely when the motorway is empty though

Unless it’s closed of course lol

Saying that there is something a little bit spooky driving on an empty ish stretch of motorway at night.

[mattkjsmith]

Your in a Mini!!! Why would you want the motorway? Country lanes are the way to go. Most of the time it takes longer, but it's sooooo much more fun

MS.

[littlemissmagic]

I tend to sit in the centre lane anyway so this isn't too much of a problem.

I hate MLM's so much, I'd make it a law that they get an instant motorway ban for life.

Instant driving ban for life!

i HATE people who cruise in the middle lane. its so annoying and can be dangerous!

As for lorrys, ive had a fair few tailgate me very badly and it did scare me alot because it looked like they were going to go into the back of me and no matter how much quicker i went, they just kept getting way too close. the problem is, sometimes its just a case of they dont see you, and sometimes its them thinking its funny to scare you

i also had one pull out on me at a junction joining the motorway and i was in a mini i had just bought with bad brakes......(drum brakes which got dramatically worse on the way home)
the lorry just went for it and it was also pouring with rain so the brakes completely locked up and there was nothing i could do. very scary moment



Youve been on duel carrigeways so im pretty sure you know what your car is capable of and any issues that it might have (for example, mine always use to burn oil on 1 of the spark plugs so i had to keep oil topped up and replace the spark plugs from time to time so that it would run nicely on longer journeys)

my mini has always been brilliant on motorways, mostly because i know what my car can take. i check all the basics before i go on a long journey and obviously make sure all my brakes etc are working well. its also helpful to carry a few spare parts/tools just in case

Edited by littlemissmagic, 04 January 2011 - 11:19 PM.

[littlemissmagic]

it's lovely when the motorway is empty though

Unless it’s closed of course lol

Saying that there is something a little bit spooky driving on an empty ish stretch of motorway at night.

i love driving on motorways at night

although guess wouldnt be so fun if broke down on that dark empty bit of road
ive been on some dark country roads in fog which is fun but very scary if you break down!

[GTIAlex06]

ha i go to work for a few hours and come page with four pages to read
Thanks for all the replys and stuff, nice little thread, with minimal aruging for once as well i joke.


But yeh i might just make my next sunday pleasure drive into a little motorway trip with my dad then, just so when i need to use it, iv been on it before with someone.


Il keep an eye out for those foriegn lorry drivers.

Dont want to end up like that Clio that got pushed down the motorway sideways by a lorry

[1984mini25]

Dont want to end up like that Clio that got pushed down the motorway sideways by a lorry

There’s a traffic cops (or something along those lines) were truck drive was mucking around with a mobile, failed to see the stationary que in front and ploughed into a young woman in a 206.

The 206’s front and rear wheels were pretty much touching, with the driver unfortunately being killed instantly. Although the truck driver was more concerned with the car in front of the 206, as that’s the only one that was still car shaped.

[mab01uk]

Always make sure truck drivers can clearly see you......

Truck travelling along the A1(M) near Wetherby with Clio trapped under its front bumper. The scene was filmed on a mobile phone by another motorist.

XJic8Z4Tx9Q

[mab01uk]

One tip I learnt while on an IAM course:

Look out for foreign, left hand drive lorries. These foreign HGVs have a blind spot on the right hand side, reducing their ability to see smaller cars. This in turn means that they have difficulty moving lanes to overtake. Because they're sat the other side of the cabin they have a mirror above their right hand door facing down to help with this blind spot. If you are overtaking a lorry look out for this mirror and it should serve as warning that the driver may have difficulty seeing you.

eBegTI28N5M


More than 400 motorists a year are victims of potentially fatal "side-swipe" collisions from blind-sided foreign lorries.
The juggernauts, with left-hand drive, often fail to see cars when the pull out to overtake - "side-swiping" unwary British drivers, sometimes with devastating results.

Edited by mab01uk, 04 January 2011 - 11:47 PM.