Please help me drive my new automatic tomorrow

HotLegs

hothothot wrote: »

So it seems Im not as rich as Hot legs, my car only has a 2 and 3. and so far all I think is that 2 is for snow and grass and too scared to shift it into D once its moving in case I get the engine wrapped around my neck. :rotfl:

No you can't be as rich as me Mr Hot I drive a Ferrari......


















Red Clio What car have you bought Mr Hot?

hothothot_3

HotLegs wrote: »

No you can't be as rich as me Mr Hot I drive a Ferrari......















Red Clio What car have you bought Mr Hot?

Vauxhall omega elite............it also has this sports function i just wont be able to learn how to use it.........race ya?

phunkeymonkey

Just to expand on a point. The auto I had also had a button on the side of the gearstick. When pushed it illuminated a light on the dash "HOLD", which I discovered kept the car in a low gear (as previously mentioned). This I found particularly useful when driving up and down steep slopes.

Don't think I ever used D2 or D1.

thistledome

hothothot wrote: »

Thanks, and the points you raise here are the only bit im still confused. Im concerned of changing from 2 or 3 to D whilst the car is moving, because if 2 and 3 is for taking off in snow, grass etc, obviously the car will be moving and would it be dangerous to then change into D?

I do this all the time and according to my Husband it's fine. He's driven automatics for many years. I take my foot off the accelerator when changing gear, but nothing else. We have some very steep hills round here and I often go from D to 2 and 3 and back again.

I don't have a button on the shift lever, maybe that's why it's different from some others on here.

Just read the manual that comes with the car and it will tell you if it's OK or not.

diable

Before you put the car into drive you normally have to press the brake pedal down as it won't engage.

Have fun I loved the J gate auto box in my X300.

Debt_Free_Chick

I've not yet found an automatic that "didn't allow" a change from D, to 2 and then 1 whilst in motion. Of course, you need to use some common sense and not attempt this when doing 80mph on the motorway!!!

However, it's very useful for current snow/ice conditions when you can shift down a gear to slow down without touching the brakes! I use it all the time, generally when travelling at less than 30mph and I want to slow down, without braking.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Its really very easy. When parked (ie you're not in the car), the vehicle should be in P, with the parking brake (handbrake) on.

When you start the car, you usually have to press the brake pedal to take the gearbox from P, to D.

When driving, keep it in D. If you want to control your speed while descending a steep hill, just move it to 4, 3, 2, whichever is appropriate - its just like a manual in that respect, lower gear = lower speed. You can't damage anything. The car should not change into a gear that will result in engine damage, so knocking it into 2 when at 70mph should do nothing (check instruction manual though).

If you want reverse, just stick in R. Make sure the vehicle is fully stopped before you do this, or the thing will bounce around a little.

If you're in snow or ice, some gearboxes have a winter mode that forces the car to set off in 2nd, as opposed to 1st gear.

When stopped at traffic lights, keep the car in D. If its dark, keep it in D and put the parking brake on. Don't change from D to N and back to D at lights.

Never put the car in N while driving "to save fuel". It doesn't work, and damage may occur.

In an automatic, your left foot does nothing. Right foot controls the accelerator and brake.

diable

Oh and make sure you don't mistake the brake pedal for the clutch and for the first few days keep your left foot well away from the pedals.

hothothot_3

So is N basically a waste of time?

will report back my fun (if I make it back in one piece tomorrow). I will be keeping it in D all the way, as it seems I strictly dont have to make use of anything else until I get a good read of the manual. Thanks for the good hints everyone!

Alcmene

hothothot wrote: »

So is N basically a waste of time?

will report back my fun (if I make it back in one piece tomorrow). I will be keeping it in D all the way, as it seems I strictly dont have to make use of anything else until I get a good read of the manual. Thanks for the good hints everyone!

Neutral is good if you have to push it as Park is the same as having the hand brake on so it won't move.

I am still confused as to my Over/Drive button! In my old car I had a Hold setting that would stop the gears changing and a Snow setting, this car I have this Over/Drive.