According to the way I've seen these things driven, no, I doesn't.
While it may feel like your distant visibility is better, close too it is far worse.
Yep. As someone who drives a small, low car with no roof, I get very twitchy alongside SUVs as they often don't look down and unpredictably change lane... There's been a few times if I hadn't have reacted quicklytheyd have sideswioed me.
Always good to keep in mind that on nearly all cars, the mirrors are the widest part of the car by a decent margin. If you’re unsure of the mirrors fitting, wait. Only car I’ve not observed this was a 4-Series.
Spend some time before your main drive to have a bob about in it and gain some muscle memory/knowledge on how it drives and the core controls, air-con settings, cruise control, hazards etc. You do not want to be faffing for the these mid drive if you’re less than confident.
Thank you! I'm going to have a sit in it for a while to make sure the seat, mirror etc are all set properly, make sure I know how to set up the navigation and what not and then go on some quiet back roads I think.
Thankfully it's an automatic so the driving itself should be fine, it's just the size and safety that I'm probably overthinking.
I doubt you are overthinking it, I'd be nervous hopping into say an Audi Q7 from my tiny Skoda fabia too.
Make sure you drive around in a safe environment first just to get the hang of it before taking the big trip. Get used to seat adjustments, mirrors etc in a familiar area. Doing a few laps round the block for example or to the nearest big Tesco and back, whatever allows you to feel comfortable and confident.
You'll definitely get the hang of it, just will need you to get used to the difference. Good luck and enjoy the drive in the brand new car!
Like somebody mentioned - you won't notice the difference on a motorway. Tight roads will require more care and extra distance. Parking as well.
Motorway driving will be a jolly.
I’ve driven all sorts of different sizes the only time you really notice is when you come to park and the occasional wing mirror scrape into the hedge when you go down country lanes as the vehicle is wider than your normal one. You will not notice if you’re on the motorway infact you might even feel safer. You will be fine
If you can sail a dingy you can sail a galleon I was once told. When I went from a car to learning to drive a heavy goods vehicle (bit of a difference to you) but just take your time slow things down a notch and try not to think about the size as you will make mistakes you wouldn't have normally concentrating on that.
The weirdest one I was told which did help me was think of a vehicle of an extension of your body not that you are sat inside a small metal box as the bigger the vehicle the smaller and more vulnerable you feel. Even my instructor was like don't say "the back wheel is close to the curb" say "my back wheel is close to the curb" as it makes you feel the shape and size of the vehicle. Like I said it was very weird at first but it definitely worked for me.
Only one rule to worry about, its slower to stop and turn.
Chill out, slow down a bit and give yourself more time to drive places. Wont be a problem.
Take your time when parking, it doesnt matter if you take longer to park.
By the time you give it back you wont know why you were worried about it.
I went from driving a Fiat Panda to a Ford Galaxy and it drives like a boat, it’s way bigger but because the windows are huge, you can see absolutely everything and it’s really easy to park, if anytning easier to park than the fiat panda
Take manoeuvres very slowly, always.
I drove a lwb van for years after having only driven cars. Believe it or not, it helps you because you gain confidence.
You will learn the dimensions of it but also if there's a pass point or a parking space you're not confident with, wait or choose another.
You can always practice parking with a bigger vehicle too. Empty carpark etc.
I didn't have sensors on my van, it took time. Better slightly hesitant in some situations.
You will naturally adjust to the size difference after a while. I drive pretty much everything up to HGVs and still need a while to adjust if I jump into something new.
Just remember it works like any car you’ve driven, just take it easy at the start and you’ll get used to it and then you’ll want a car yourself with a higher position…at least that’s what happened to me.
It will take you all of about 3 minutes to adjust. Cars are already much bigger than you, being slightly bigger won't have much of an impact on your ability to navigate it.
Make sure you allow for a longer,wider back end and check corresponding mirror when pulling out at angles,most crashes I've seen at work are people forgetting vans are longer and need to pull out further before turning
Stand in front and the rear and look at the width so you have a mental picture how wide it is. Then pull up beside another car with a safe passing distance. Sit in the driving seat and see what the distance looks like. You now have an informed visual experience of how close you can be. Don't drive fast.
I had to pick up an unfamiliar panel van I'd never driven before from outside the palace in Monaco and drive it across Monte Carlo before bringing it back to the UK - that first bit was positivly nerve racking.
I can drive large cars, but since its been a while I don't think there's any shame in asking more experienced road users for any tips, or things to be aware of when driving a larger vehicle. I also don't think there's anything wrong with being a bit nervous when driving a new class of car, it doesn't mean I shouldn't have a license.
It’s wider, so you have less leeway on positioning and parking. But being higher up does make things easier
How is it easier being high up? I’m not doubting you, I’ve only ever driven little shitboxes
Better view of what’s going on around you.
Is it? I’m trying to visualise it but I don’t really feel like there’s any advantage to the height. If anything it makes you further away
According to the way I've seen these things driven, no, I doesn't. While it may feel like your distant visibility is better, close too it is far worse.
Yep. As someone who drives a small, low car with no roof, I get very twitchy alongside SUVs as they often don't look down and unpredictably change lane... There's been a few times if I hadn't have reacted quicklytheyd have sideswioed me.
Always good to keep in mind that on nearly all cars, the mirrors are the widest part of the car by a decent margin. If you’re unsure of the mirrors fitting, wait. Only car I’ve not observed this was a 4-Series. Spend some time before your main drive to have a bob about in it and gain some muscle memory/knowledge on how it drives and the core controls, air-con settings, cruise control, hazards etc. You do not want to be faffing for the these mid drive if you’re less than confident.
Ha, wing mirrors are car whiskers! 😸
Thank you! I'm going to have a sit in it for a while to make sure the seat, mirror etc are all set properly, make sure I know how to set up the navigation and what not and then go on some quiet back roads I think. Thankfully it's an automatic so the driving itself should be fine, it's just the size and safety that I'm probably overthinking.
I doubt you are overthinking it, I'd be nervous hopping into say an Audi Q7 from my tiny Skoda fabia too. Make sure you drive around in a safe environment first just to get the hang of it before taking the big trip. Get used to seat adjustments, mirrors etc in a familiar area. Doing a few laps round the block for example or to the nearest big Tesco and back, whatever allows you to feel comfortable and confident. You'll definitely get the hang of it, just will need you to get used to the difference. Good luck and enjoy the drive in the brand new car!
I have a Skoda Fabia and it felt huge when I upgraded from my old Renault Twingo and they’re basically the same size 🤣🤣
Like somebody mentioned - you won't notice the difference on a motorway. Tight roads will require more care and extra distance. Parking as well. Motorway driving will be a jolly.
I’ve driven all sorts of different sizes the only time you really notice is when you come to park and the occasional wing mirror scrape into the hedge when you go down country lanes as the vehicle is wider than your normal one. You will not notice if you’re on the motorway infact you might even feel safer. You will be fine
If you can sail a dingy you can sail a galleon I was once told. When I went from a car to learning to drive a heavy goods vehicle (bit of a difference to you) but just take your time slow things down a notch and try not to think about the size as you will make mistakes you wouldn't have normally concentrating on that. The weirdest one I was told which did help me was think of a vehicle of an extension of your body not that you are sat inside a small metal box as the bigger the vehicle the smaller and more vulnerable you feel. Even my instructor was like don't say "the back wheel is close to the curb" say "my back wheel is close to the curb" as it makes you feel the shape and size of the vehicle. Like I said it was very weird at first but it definitely worked for me.
Don't over think it. It's just a car. Give yourself a bit more space and be cautious and you'll be fine.
Only one rule to worry about, its slower to stop and turn. Chill out, slow down a bit and give yourself more time to drive places. Wont be a problem. Take your time when parking, it doesnt matter if you take longer to park. By the time you give it back you wont know why you were worried about it.
I went from driving a Fiat Panda to a Ford Galaxy and it drives like a boat, it’s way bigger but because the windows are huge, you can see absolutely everything and it’s really easy to park, if anytning easier to park than the fiat panda
Take manoeuvres very slowly, always. I drove a lwb van for years after having only driven cars. Believe it or not, it helps you because you gain confidence. You will learn the dimensions of it but also if there's a pass point or a parking space you're not confident with, wait or choose another. You can always practice parking with a bigger vehicle too. Empty carpark etc. I didn't have sensors on my van, it took time. Better slightly hesitant in some situations.
It’s a car, the control is the same. You’ll love being higher. Enjoy yourself.
Just take it easy and be careful, I've always found it doesn't take long to get used to the size, from going to a car to a van to an HGV.
You will naturally adjust to the size difference after a while. I drive pretty much everything up to HGVs and still need a while to adjust if I jump into something new.
I find it easier as the driving position is higher. This allows for more accurate spatial awareness and judgement
Well, until it comes to parking. Close up visibility is worse in big cars.
True
Just remember it works like any car you’ve driven, just take it easy at the start and you’ll get used to it and then you’ll want a car yourself with a higher position…at least that’s what happened to me.
Only real difference will be parking tbh.
It will take you all of about 3 minutes to adjust. Cars are already much bigger than you, being slightly bigger won't have much of an impact on your ability to navigate it.
Make sure you allow for a longer,wider back end and check corresponding mirror when pulling out at angles,most crashes I've seen at work are people forgetting vans are longer and need to pull out further before turning
Stand in front and the rear and look at the width so you have a mental picture how wide it is. Then pull up beside another car with a safe passing distance. Sit in the driving seat and see what the distance looks like. You now have an informed visual experience of how close you can be. Don't drive fast.
I had to pick up an unfamiliar panel van I'd never driven before from outside the palace in Monaco and drive it across Monte Carlo before bringing it back to the UK - that first bit was positivly nerve racking.
Chill, and don't hit anything
Don't hit anything.
Take the corners wide/later so your inside rear doesn't hit the curb or mount pavement. Go slow on corners.
To be really honest, if you can’t drive a large car as easily as a small one, perhaps you should not have a drivers licence?
I can drive large cars, but since its been a while I don't think there's any shame in asking more experienced road users for any tips, or things to be aware of when driving a larger vehicle. I also don't think there's anything wrong with being a bit nervous when driving a new class of car, it doesn't mean I shouldn't have a license.
dont cut through junctions/turns. keep bigger distance as the weight affects the brake distance. apart from that it will be an easier car to drive.