Automatic V Manual - How Easy Is It For Me To Learn How To Drive An Automatic Car

[Jaidyn]

We are buying a new car - I have used manual gears for 43 years but hand surgery means my wrists are what they were so we are choosing an automatic The garage is happy to take me out for a few hours in test car to let me practice . How easy has it been for others to feel confident switching to automatics? Comments / advice welcome 

[roopower]

We had an automatic car for the first time in September. I was very nervous of driving it having driven manual cars for nearly 50 years but got the hang of it very quickly. Took me a while to get out of the habit of fumbling for a gear stick. Small problem is the reverse is a bit fierce - don't know if that's just because it's a BMW - have to play it very gently to reverse.

[david small]

After driving for forty five years with many different manual cars, I purchased an automatic Honda CRV. Foolishly used my left foot to brake and nearly kissed the window screen. Alarming the lorry driver behind me.

After five minutes I loved it. I'd never go back to a manual transmission again. You'll love it.

 

[Paul22118]

I would make a few suggestions.

Firstly automatic gearboxes are so clever these days that all you need to do is select the direction you wish to travel D for forward and R for backwards.  Then using the only two pedals on the floor, brake to slow or stop and accelerator to go.

I would suggest that in the early days of driving an auto get into the habit of tucking your left foot out of the way eg on the far left of the footwell or tuck under your right calf.  Once you resist the temptation of punching the non existent clutch you will wonder why you ever persisted in all that pumping up and down of a clutch.

[gingejbee]

^because that's driving. With an automatic, you're just aiming!

[bhg481]

When you have a crash gearbox, that's driving. Been there, done that, now I like my automatic.

PS How do you get on with manually adjusting the advance and retard on your ignition?

[youngmafbog]

I drove for many years without driving auto's - except in the States.  Just put your foot on the rest or tuck it under as suggested.

If its a new auto then the handbrake stuff wont come into it, they all have hill assist and many have auto handbrakes in that it pops it on/off for you (Our Jag has the BMW thought does have a manual one!). 

The "gear lever" is not a lever either, its all electronic.

Honestly once you have one you wont want to go back, especially in traffic - I was an avid manual driver for many years but totally converted now.

 

[Jaidyn]

Thank you to all of you who responded ! I am now the proud owner of a new automatic car - 300 miles on the clock and I LOVE it ! I feel I am a safer driver now , my left leg is finally relaxing and I will never go back to a manual ! 

[MargoTester]

Our last three cars have been automatic. I have arthritis in most of my joints so I would never go back to manual and anyway autos are much easier to drive It just took a couple of trips to get used to. I found it much harder to go back to a manual when my car was in for a service and I forgot to ask for an automatic courtesy car. Go for the test drive you'll never look back

[MargoTester]

Oops I didn't scroll down. Glad you are enjoying your new car

[ToraToraTora]

15:00 great glad to hear it. A little tip when reversing, just lift off the brake and let it creep, no need to use the throttle at all, do it all on the brake.