How to drive an automatic

ailuro2

Ok, it's been a while since I did it,and I worried about it last time I did it even though it turned out to be a piece of cake...but...since many of us are going to be in the same situation abroad...

Can someone post a rough guide to driving an automatic.:o

I remember the bit about tucking your left foot away because you won't need it, but can't remember how to start up and get the car moving...it's the Drive Park Neutral thing I just can't remember.

Many thanks in advance!

MrsTinks

Don't worry... it's easy Yes you usually have to have the car in "Park" when you start it. Most automatics won't start unless they are in Park.
Then you keep you foot on the break and put it into reverse or drive and gradually release the break. It's virtually impossible to stall an automatic so play about with it
I don't tend to use my left foot when driving an automatic, but there should be a plate on the floor for you to rest you foot on
Don't worry, it's a doddle!

Mark7799

I'd never driven one at all until I went to Florida and picked a car up from the airport (after an eight hour flight). I was surprised how easy I coped with it. But - when I cam home and drove my normal car, I stalled within 30 seconds!!!

jackieb

When stopping at lights I put our one in neutral and pull on the handbrake. I used to put it in park but then realised the car behind would wonder why my reversing lights would come on when I changed back to drive!

I was a bit wary of driving an automatic at first, but it's so easy. I love driving off from a hill, as there's no rollback either. I don't want to go back to a manual! Ours is a multitronic/tiptronic, so we also have 6 gears and can override the automatic gearbox. I don't use it, but dh sometimes does, for overtaking usually. But even that's easier than a manual as there's no clutch.

wolfehouse

very easy to drive. leaves you more time to concentrate on the road.

if it's a full automatic it will creep forward when stopped rather than roll back. (the clutchless manuals drive more like a regular car) the good news is you don't have to put on your handbrake every time you stop or change any gears at all- just when you park.

the most important thing i'd say is not to confuse the brake pedal with the gas by mistake.

to start - foot on brake and turn the key. then put in drive.(d)
when parking up its P-B-K (put in park, hand brake, key). you have to be in park to start the car and in order to take your key out when youre done.
enjoy your trip.

dzug

There IS the equivalent of a hand brake on most automatics, sometimes foot-operated!

If it's been left on by the previous hirer (assuming he knew where it was...) then you'll make slow progress until you take it off (as I found out the first time I drove one...)

Hermione54

Honest John in the Daily Telegraph recommends left foot braking, but I've never been able to master this successfully. My auto has a plate to rest the left foot. I wouldn't want to go back to a manual now, but the autobox does put me in a higher road tax bracket because of its increased emissions.

Jimble

Most important thing, DON'T USE YOUR LEFT FOOT. Keep it well away from the accelerator and brake. If like I you have the bad habit of engaging the clutch on a manual before you brake, this is especially important as your left foot will go into "clutch mode", but slam down on the brake instead. Plenty of Emergency Stops Ahoy!

astonsmummy

sorry this thread made me chuckle, never realised people would be confuzzled about driving an auto.

ispartacus75

Most important piece of info I can offer on an automatic is BRAKE EARLIER.

Because there is no clutch there is no option to use it as an engine brake. So in an auto you need to press the brake a littel earlier to avoid having to slam on as you get to the junction/car in front.

Another little bit of advice. The gearbox goes Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, 3*, 2, 1

* 3 is not present on some auto gearboxes.

HelzBelz

Jimble wrote: »

Most important thing, DON'T USE YOUR LEFT FOOT. Keep it well away from the accelerator and brake. If like I you have the bad habit of engaging the clutch on a manual before you brake, this is especially important as your left foot will go into "clutch mode", but slam down on the brake instead. Plenty of Emergency Stops Ahoy!

Yeah, but you don't half stop fast when both feet hit the brake:rotfl: