Driving an Automatic

[lseagulls]

I have been driving manual cars for 30years but have never driven an automatic. I have been given one by a relative, but I dont feel at all confident about driving it. Do you think I should ask a driving school to give me a lesson or am I just being stupid!

[Count-A-Strong]

Is there no one else who could teach you? One tip: slap your left thigh really hard before you get in the car. This will remind you that you don't need to do anything with this leg or foot.

[alexanderd]

I was in the same position and nervous about it till I took it out for a drive it is so much easier than a manual. If you can take it out when it is quiet on a quiet road you will soon get used to it.

[alexanderd]

p.s. No you are not being stupid better to think about it rather than jump in

[cazzz1975]

essentially its like driving a dodgem, put your left foot on the foot rest, start the car in park, press the foot brake down and put it in d (drive) to move off. you shouldnt need to use the gears unless you are towing

[ChuckFickens]

Tuck your left leg well out the way under the seat so you don't try and use it. If you keep you left leg near the pedals you will go for the clutch without thinking and end up hitting the brake very hard!

[Zeuhl]

I drove manual for years then switched to auto about 12 years ago occasionally driving manual rentals here and abroad.

In my opinion you will find auto very easy after a very short transition.

I doubt an instructor could do much other than reassure you while you have a go. Why not get someone to drive you in your new car to somewhere quiet like a large empty car park where you can just pootle about in a relaxed way and get the feel of it?
.

[R1Geezer]

Golden rule, drive with one foot only! D to go forward R to reverse P to stop. Foot on brake to move gear nob usually. Very simple you won't want a manual car ever again believe me.

[derekpara]

Very good advice from ChuckFickens as usual. Tuck your left foot right back out of the way. I drive auto and manual on a daily basis and have no problem switching from one to the other - and I started driving in the 50s ! Good luck.

[joggerjayne]

Yep ... agree with Chuck.

Tuck the left leg out of the way.

[ChuckFickens]

So thats at least 3 people on this thread that have nearly put themselves through the windscreen by going for a non-existent clutch and standing on the brake pedal instead then :)

[LoftyLottie]

Yep, tuck your left leg away and forget you have it.

I would be really nervous now driving a car with gears. I had to change because of back and shoulder problems. I would never go back to a manual car again.

[LoftyLottie]

Although funnily enough, even though I have been driving an auto for 6 years now, very occasionally I try to change gears. Weird.

[joko]

i drive an automatic and i use both feet...i have to as my feet are so small it was just awkward to try to just use one...never had any problems

[cazzz1975]

I would find that dangerous using two feet..

[cazzz1975]

not too mention that it wears the breaks out quicker

[cazzz1975]

brakes

[lseagulls]

Thanks for all your replies. I will find a nice quiet road and give it a go.

[joko]

cazzz....err how do you work that out?

i brake the same as i would with one foot...and it doesn't wear out brakes on a manual when you use 2 feet so why on earth would it in an auto...?...

[ChuckFickens]

You don't use two feet in a manual on the brake and accelerator, you use the right foot for both.

[cazzz1975]

because your foots slightly rests on the brakes whilst driving, on a manual your right foot controls brake and accelerator and your left foot controls the clutch only. therefore no brake wear as your foot is switching between the two.

if you rest your foot on the brake whilst using the accelerator, you dont realise that you could be overheating the brakes, which can cause brake failure and accidents. this is why there is a foot rest in the left hand part of the footwell for your left foot to rest upon