Automatic advice please

knightstyle

My two Cmax have also been the 2.0 diesels. I towed a folding camper around Europe twice with the old one and have now got a caravan, 1090kgs that I towed around Yorkshire and then to Sussex last year. We plan driving to Italy this summer.
AsI have already said no problems. Hope I haven't spoken too soon, MOT next week!

[Deleted User]

He's a though, have you considered a used Nissan Leaf electric vehicle?

They are "automatic" in that there are no gears at all, and you can get a used one for about £5k. Extremely reliable, there is very little to go wrong with them, no exhaust, no spark plugs, no oil, no belts, no starter motor, no gearbox... And very cheap to run. You can get a grant that will cover the cost of installing a home charger too.

They are great cars for young drivers.

vansboy

Take into account the way you use the peddles and practice LEFT FOOT breaking.

This is something which many don't do, but especially in slow speed situations, car parks, or tight spots, it is most certainly a better way to ensure more control of the vehicle.

VB

GDB2222

vansboy wrote: »

Take into account the way you use the peddles and practice LEFT FOOT breaking.

This is something which many don't do, but especially in slow speed situations, car parks, or tight spots, it is most certainly a better way to ensure more control of the vehicle.

VB

I've been driving autos for years, as DW has an auto-only licence. I've never needed to use left foot braking. YMMV.

Transformers

vansboy wrote: »

Take into account the way you use the peddles and practice LEFT FOOT breaking.

This is something which many don't do, but especially in slow speed situations, car parks, or tight spots, it is most certainly a better way to ensure more control of the vehicle.

Absolutely no need at all to use left foot for braking.

Not only are the pedals offset so it's not a natural movement but also it creates a confusing 'muscle memory' which can be dangerous when swapping between manual and auto cars.

Far better to park you left foot on the footrest and use your right foot for braking as the manufacturers intended.

vansboy

Transformers wrote: »

Absolutely no need at all to use left foot for braking.

Not only are the pedals offset so it's not a natural movement but also it creates a confusing 'muscle memory' which can be dangerous when swapping between manual and auto cars.

Far better to park you left foot on the footrest and use your right foot for braking as the manufacturers intended.

Certainly it is a method to get used to and I appreciate that lots were taught to NOT left foot brake, but please have a look at this...

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/driving-automatics-safely/

VB

AnotherJoe

Trouble with those examples is, I wonder how many there are not quoted the other way round, where because the drivers right foot was on the accelerator, not being needed to be lifted off, they didn't slow down enough in time?

Maybe electric cars will fix this, take your foot off the accelerator and you are pretty much braking instantly.

knightstyle

We have only owned automatics for many years and never had a problem driving one footed. My DW has to do this as she has a gammy left leg.
I drive one footed as when i hire a car I get a manual as they are cheaper, available and more choice.
Have you tried to hire an auto in places like France? They have a few luxury ones at airports but the usual hire laces do not have them.

facade

GDB2222 wrote: »

I've been driving autos for years, as DW has an auto-only licence. I've never needed to use left foot braking. YMMV.

Whereas I've been driving autos & manuals for 40 years, always 2 feet for autos, never had any trouble (except with a vectra*) swapping from one to the other.

So drive however you want, it is your car

I suppose in a real unexpected emergency I might either brake with both feet (and the abs will sort it) or simultaneously brake and accelerate (when I will find out whether the brakes are stronger than the engine or not) but I'll worry about that when it happens.

*The vectra used to drop into neutral if you had your foot on the brake, and then went back into gear while you moved your foot from brake to accelerator, except I never did, so it used to go in with a jerk as I lift up the left foot and mash the right foot into the floorboards at the sane time.
(I never got used to that.....:o)

abssorb

Inforapennyinforapound wrote: »

I will be buying my partner a small automatic car soon.

We have never owned an auto so my main question is : is there anything to be aware of when choosing an auto as opposed to a manual (of which ive owned many).

And any recommendations? Been looking at fiestas, Jazz,Micras. These cars,im my opinion,are quite reliable. We want a 2nd hand and will pay perhaps £3k-5k.
The car is only for one person(no kids) so a small hatchback type is ideal.
Thanks in anticipation of useful replies.

My partner has a Honda HR-V with a CVT gearbox and she's put 120,000 fault free miles on it. I believe the Jazz has the same box.

Internet wisdom for the Hondas says only ever use genuine honda gearbox oil and change it once a year.

The difference in real world MPG is much smaller these days. You can't cheat an auto in the consumption tests, so the stated MPG is closer to the real world MPG. With manuals, there are all manner of tricks an expert can employ to make the figures a lot more attractive on paper.

Auto pros:

• Stress free driving
• Every gearchange perfect same = longer engine life.
• Getting off the line without any planning is much faster than with a manual. You just point your toe and you get the best the car can do immediately. Ma

kes a difference on the commute.

Auto cons:

• You can't tow it or bump start it, so look after the battery.
• Not taking care going from FWD to REV (and vice versa) can shorten its life. So maybe avoid a car with lots of owners.
• Hill starts will always need the handbrake.