I passed my IAM test in 1999 and those questions have me stumped. There was no written exam that I had to sit, just an hour long (or so) drive with an examiner.

Looking in the "Pass your IAM test" book, I can not find any reference to what you are being asked

 

Try Malcolm Kinross's website for Perth IAM at: http://www.perthiam.org.uk/ IIRC he has a forum there, too.

 

Check the doors are shut, yes. Why on Earth would you need to check the windows?

 

Originally posted by RA:
[qb]Check the  doors  are shut, yes. Why on Earth would you need to check the windows? [/qb][/b]

If you are driving a convertible, should the windows be placed in the up or down position?

 

Gordy. is this an IAM test or normal one you're sitting

I would imagine you have to keep your windows shut to stop some 'ned' nicking your wallet as you drive through Glenrothes.

& the same reason holds for mirrors, you need to check them to make sure there still attached.

Regarding neutral, that's just good practice for driving through Edinburgh

ps If anyone is offended by my reference to Glenrothes I actually meant Kirkcaldy.

 

a few years ago my son was saying goodbye to his friend, who was in the backseat of a car, his friend thought it would be ok to close the car window with my sons arm still in the car. at the same time the driver started to move off. i will never forget the horror of seeing my son being dragged off down the road. lucky for everyone the driver heard my son shout before any harm was done. maybe this is why you make sure your wndows are closed.

 

Ok, discussed this with my observer last night after he raised it with the local committee. It's apparently for:
1. Safety - to stop bad people attacking you while sitting in the car.

2. Noise reduction - so that the observer can hear your commentary.

3. Fuel economy - having the window down increases the drag coefficient.

Also, my brother thought that having the windows up increased the structural rigidity of the car.

Thanks to everyone for their comments.

 

This is very curious. Not that long ago, the mantra was "windows down when in town". The logic was that driving around town with the window open a couple of inches allowed you to hear much better what was going on around you, so that you are more aware of hazards that you might not be able to see.

 

Originally posted by black&whitesaab:
[qb]I would imagine you have to keep your windows shut to stop some 'ned' nicking your wallet as you drive through Glenrothes.

[/qb][/b]

You see, and everyone though I was being flippant.

 

IIRC the start up procedure is this for the benefit of others.

After checking the fluid levels in the engine compartment,

1. check doors shut,
2. position seat correctly,
3. set mirrors
4. footbrake for pressure,
5. handbrake for travel and tension
6. depress clutch and switch ignition on check warning lights function correctly.
7. apply seat belt and check passengers are wearing theirs.
8. Start engine and gently release clutch.
9. Await unlighting of warning lights,
10. Set heating controls and demister etc. as appropriate,
11. Depress clutch and select first gear
12. mirror check before moving off gently.

followed by moving brake test I don't recall anything about windows being shut.

 

Originally posted by Gordy:
[qb] It's apparently for:
1. Safety - to stop bad people attacking you while sitting in the car.[/qb][/b]

I think that is a spurious reason. How often have you been attacked in your car, regardless of windows up or down?

Originally posted by Gordy:
[qb]2. Noise reduction - so that the observer can hear your commentary.[/qb][/b]

How fast are you planning on driving?

If the observer can not hear your commentary then I suggest you talk louder or the observer must be somewhat hard of hearing.

Originally posted by Gordy:
[qb]3. Fuel economy - having the window down increases the drag coefficient.
[/qb][/b]

Yes, but closing the windows and sticking the air conditioning on also decreases fuel economy.

I agree with Mark B's point about windows down when in town so that you can hear things better outside.

 

This proves my theory that the Car IAM people are pedantic to a fault (apologies for any offence). These points can be argued either way as seen above, without any serious safety issue.

I have taken the Motorcycle IAM test and have found the instructors and examiners far more realistic. Safety and progress are paramount, the rest, well make your own mind up.

Nick.

 

Having passed both the IAM car and motorcycle tests and having been an observer on both I cannot remember ever asking motorcyclist to lower his visor. Although that sounds far more necessary than closing your window. Bee in helmet not a good idea.

Add to J'mo's comments :-

I always asked drivers of bikes and cars to do a shoulder check prior to moving off just in case something or someone was in the blind spot.

Anyway, you need the window open, what if you smoke during your test to settle your nerves where are you going to flick you *** ash---just kidding

Aren't all direction in Glenrothes given using the giant tulips as a starting point?

 

1. Safety - to stop bad people attacking you while sitting in the car.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think that is a spurious reason. How often have you been attacked in your car, regardless of windows up or down?[/b]

/john

Thrice.

1. Oxford City centre - windows down sitting at traffic lights. Punched in the face by motorcyclist. Mystery why, both to myself/ passengers and the police.

2. London, Finsbury Park - windows up and managed to get doors locked pronto. White van driver screaming down a Bus lane and unhappy to find me pulling out in front legally, at end of bus lane at traffic lights. Punched the bodywork - bet it hurt .

3. Leicester - windows down, stationary, reading map. Shot at with air rifle/gun?. Missed me - cracked the windscreen.

That's why we have that button marked "lock" between the seats Now I aways lock the doors with windows up in central London or any other dodgy looking city .

 

That's bad luck. In my sixteen years of driving nothing like this has ever happened to me, and I travel a lot of miles by car.

 

Captain Aero,

your experience with the British road going public is terrible!! I'm sure there are people on the roads in this country who are mentally or emotionally deranged, and shouldn't be let loose on a bicycle, let alone a car/van/truck/motorbike!!

I must admit that I always press that little button to lock all the doors when I get into my 9-5, regardless of where I'm driving to. I also do it when we're in the wife's Rover 25. Hurrah for central locking!!!

Gordy,

as for the IAM windows closed/open debate, I did the IAM test back in '97, and the only time opening the windows was mentioned was when approaching very sharp bends or hump back bridges on twisty country roads, so that you might be able to hear an oncoming vehicle before you actually saw it!

I assume that when you put the car into neutral, you would actually be stopped?? The only reason I can think to check your mirror in this instance would be to see what/who you are about to roll backwards into before you manage to pull the handbrake on.....

Perhaps the rules have changed a little to encompass other factors since my time!

 

Re my experiences.

Perhaps I'm one of the "old boys" on this board at 46 and having travelled half a million miles+ in nearly 30 years having experienced the worst of 'road rage'. I must say that I never get "agro" since I started driving a Saab!! My three worst experiences were in Ford/BMW

/Peugeot.

PS: I always advise my wife to hit the "lock" button in the West End and keep those windows up. There has also been a car jacking on the M11 at Bishops Stortford some months ago (can you beleive that!). Mad World

 

We both have the automatic "rolling lock" set on our cars. Locks all 4 doors as you drive off.

Interestingly, the 9-5 automatically locks the doors again if you stop briefly and unlock them to drop someone off. The 9-3SS only does the auto lock once per journey. It will not do it again until you have turned the ignition off and restarted the car. Saab dealer says there is only one option on Tech 2 for 9-3 rolling lock.

 

 Saabscene Staff
Member # 946
Member Rated:
  posted 14-12-2003 21:04                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
We both have the automatic "rolling lock" set on our cars. Locks all 4 doors as you drive off.
Interestingly, the 9-5 automatically locks the doors again if you stop briefly and unlock them to drop someone off. The 9-3SS only does the auto lock once per journey. It will not do it again until you have turned the ignition off and restarted the car. Saab dealer says there is only one option on Tech 2 for 9-3 rolling lock.[/b]

I didn't know you could do that in the UK. We rent cars frequently on holiday in the US and ALL (rented = Pontiac/Ford/Chevi/Chrysler) have that feature as standard - once you get rolling the central locking, locks you in. Such a sensible idea in this mugging crazed world.

Do you know I've never felt safer driving than in the US = NYC/DC/California/Georgia/Florida.

But the UK =

 

I have always thought it more likely we'd get hijacked or have something snatched when stationary, like at the lights. Presumably this is when it decides to unlock itself!

 

There are several locking options on the 9-5.

I have:

Double unlock - first press of remote opens driver's door only. Second press opens the other three doors.

Rolling Lock - as above.

All doors unlock on key removal from ignition. Option is driver's door only.

Double Lock - first press of remote locks doors and boot. Second press locks deadlocks.

Also have the "chirps" turned off to avoid upsetting the neighbours,

 

Originally posted by Cosmic Blue 9-5:
[qb]I have always thought it more likely we'd get hijacked or have something snatched when stationary, like at the lights. Presumably this is when it decides to unlock itself!    [/qb][/b]

It only unlocks when key is removed from ignition. Or you press the console switch.

 

And if you crash? The doors remain locked?

 

Don't crash

 

IIRC it should also unlock if you crash, ie if the airbags deploy. Or something.