How to drive an Automatic Transmission car

[nev2u]

I've learnt to drive on a geared car. But now, I want to buy an automatic car. But the thing is that Ive never driven an automatic car ever. Would some one tell me the basics of driving one? Where I live, there are no driving schools with Automatic cars to learn on!!

[marcus5771]

http://www.2pass.co.uk/auto.htm

Driving an automatic car on your driving test is allowed, although after you have passed your driving test, that is the only type of car you are licensed to drive. If you ever wanted to drive a manual car you would have to retake your test in a car with manual gears.

Learning to drive in a car with automatic gears (transmission) is a lot easier than driving a car with gears because there is no clutch pedal to operate. So the left foot should not be used at all, you should use the right foot to operate the accelerator (gas) pedal and the brake pedal. This makes it a very popular choice by learners who find it difficult to get used to the gears and clutch when driving a manual car or for older and disabled learner drivers. After you have selected drive with the gear selector the automatic gearbox changes the gears for you. There are certain situations where you may need to select a specific gear to help control the car or to lock the car in a certain gear stop the car changing up for example when driving down a steep hill. You will also need to use the handbrake and brakes a lot more because of the cars creep, this is when the car will start to move after you select a gear.
When driving an automatic car the usual layout for a gear selector is:

P - Park - this locks all the gears and should be used when stationary.


R - Reverse


N - Neutral - No gear is selected.


D - Drive - This is used for driving forward.


1 - First Gear.


2 - Second Gear.


Note: Some automatic cars may have extra selections than those shown above.

[sddsddean]

A good tip if you have never driven an automatic before, is to try driving at first with you left leg tucked under your right (if you see what I mean). This stops you automatically going for the clutch. Also automatics usually have double sized brake pedals (I've never known why) and so when you go to slow down you tend to brake with your right, put the clutch down with your left, the result being you go through the windscreen with both feet on the brake!! After a couple of hours you will get used to it.

[tommytwotank]

hi, you could allways contact the aa/bsm, they must have automatics, tell them that youve learnt to drive a manual but wish to buy an auto but are unsure, about driving an automatic and wish to have a couple of lessons in an automatic to see if you like it and for safety reasons, im sure they will help you,

plus you will have an instructor to answer all your questions

cheers

[ianess]

Take it gently, go down to your local industrial estate in the evening when it's quiet, and just practice with being gentle on the throttle to start with. Ease off with your right foot and it will change up, boot it hard and it will change down.
Try to forget that you have a left leg and in next to no time you'll fall in love with automatic gearboxes.
Forget all the bull excrement that you'll hear about auto boxes.......make up your own mind.
Enjoy!