Automatic Car - driving tips

glenbois

I have only ever used an automatic abroad and not really had any thoughts as to what are the best ways to drive the car. Foot on brake, foot off brake, foot on accelerator.

Now that I have just bought an automatic car that I intend to have for a good number of years are there any correct (money saving) ways of driving the car?

At traffic lights - into neutral, handbrake, or just foot on brake?

On a hill in queueing traffic, neutral, handbrake, or just foot on brake?

Any tips?

Mint1955

Right foot driving only for brake and accelerator so you have to change pedals otherwise brain could get confused in an emergency and you wil try and press both at the same time!!!

Neutral and handbrake always.

colino

Unless you heel and toe a manual, just use your right foot for brakes and accelerator. Leave it in gear for anything other than long stops, your gearbox will wear out quicker if your constantly putting it in and out of neutral/park and the slippage in the box/torque convertor will make sure it's coming to no harm.
Be prepared for awful mpg in most small to medium autos compared to their spanish rivals.

Richard53

The best advice I had when I first drive an auto was to tuck my left foot right away under the seat, as far as possible from the pedals. Your left leg is 'trained' to push much harder than your right, and if you brake with the left foot by accident you will regret it

As many autos 'creep' when idling, I always reckon it's safer to put it in neutral with handbrake on at anything other then a brief stop.

Fuel consumption will be dire, no matter what the adverts say. My 2-litre diesel Mondeo estate (manual) - average 42 mpg. My wife's 2-litre Focus hatch (Powershift auto) - average 36 mpg.

LandyAndy

I drove autos for quite a few years and tbh you soon get into driving them. Keeping your left foot well out of the way to start with is good advice.

I'd have another but the fuel consumption puts me off now.

Hintza

I only use my right foot. But honestjohn seems to advocate left foot braking, the only times I have tried it I nearly impale myself on the steering wheel.

Carcluster

Yes right foot only, I think. Did hear of someone advised to somewhat gymnastically sit on their left foot whilst they learned...

I had an auto car a couple of years ago and really liked it - so much more relaxing on nearly all journeys.

I was polite and slotted into neutral and handbraked when stopped (basically to avoid blinding those behind me with all of the brake lights), but many do not. Also depends on the gear lever - to get to neutral should be fine - but don't go all the way into Park as that is likely to go through Reverse and a flash of reversing lights can be alarming for those behind!
I'm too thoughtful for drivers behind me, I wish those in front were similar!

somethingcorporate

I just leave mine in D unless I will be stopping longer than 30seconds to a minute.

I've tried braking with my left foot - it often causes whiplash!

Edit; average 32mpg in a 1.6l megane, mostly town driving.

glenbois

Thanks for the replies,

So difference of opinions, at traffic lights use brakes to stop Gearbox trouble, use neutral/hand brake to presumably reduce brake wear?

Richard53

Agreed, never use Park unless you are - er - parking. If you move it to Park when the car is moving, the detent in the box will engage and you will have a very abrupt stop, and probably a wrecked gearbox. Neutral and handbrake is fine, and well done Carcluster for being a decent chap and thinking about those behind you. I wish more people thought like that.

I'm reminded of one of Viz's Top Tips: motorists! Make your neighbours think you have an expensive automatic car by briefly engaging reverse before you drive away in the mornings.

somethingcorporate

Worn brakes are also cheaper to replace than a knackered gearbox!