I am learning to drive and have an issue with coasting, I know it is bad as you are not in control of the vehicle. When I approach a junction I obviously have to slow down and that can mean changing from 5th gear to 2nd gear. My instructor says it's bad to go from 5th to 2nd and that I should work my way down the gears. The problem is I press down the clutch change to 4th, then have to gradually lift the clutch back up to prevent the car from jerking, then clutch back down to 3rd then gradually back up etc. The time I reach the junction I am just going to fast. I tried keeping the clutch down for the motion and just switching the gears and I was told that none of the gear changes worked. How can I get better at this?
Can I afford to just slow the car down while in 5th and then just change to 3rd close to the junction and then select 2nd?
I have a similar problem when moving off I am in 1st release clutch, then quickly back on the clutch into 2nd again. When I change the gear while just driving I get told that I leave the clutch pressed into long, I know I do this but I find when I release the clutch the car jerks and stutters. My instructor says I need to lift off the clutch smoother, but when I do he says I need to let go of it sooner otherwise I am coasting...any advice?