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Iknow how to drive stick but please tell me about driving an automatic
BlindZenDriver
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I may have to visit the US soon which would then include renting a car so I foresee my self having to use an automatic gearbox. I think they have P=park, D=Drive and R=reverse but the ones I have seen i cabs also have some number slots so what is the deal?
And how do you go about starting on a hill without a clutch pedal. Left foot breaking or?
Also info on what to look out for driving in the US as opposed to Europe?
And how do you go about starting on a hill without a clutch pedal. Left foot breaking or?
Also info on what to look out for driving in the US as opposed to Europe?
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On a hill you just move your right foot from the break to the gas. Don't use your left. The car will only roll very slightly, nothing like you'll experience in a manual.
You're forgetting neutral on the gearbox. As for the numbers, if you're just driving around in a rental, don't worry about it. They're lower gear settings that 90% of people don't use. Just throw it in drive and be on your way.
As for what to look out for? Well, that depends on where you're from. Germany? Our speed limits are lower. Other countries? We have larger cars. England or Japan? You're driving on the other side of the road and we don't use that many roundabouts.
You have two pedals. One for breaking and one for speeding. The stick is used to designate what type of action you want the car to take (P for parking, D for driving, R for reverse).
Starting on a hill is similar to driving with a stick. You hit the break pedal and press the gas to get momentum into the car. Once you believe you have reached the momentum to break the downwards momentum, you release the break pedal and go forward (and perhaps increase the pressure on the gas pedal).
Compared to driving with a stick, you are only missing 1 pedal (clutch) and would have to move your feet faster between the break and the gas pedal (unless you are a "clutch-rider" and use the clutch and gas to keep the car still while on a hill).
Edit: Meant to say "press the gas" - not "pass the gas"
Don't dawdle, but yea, the car won't roll nearly as much.
The Number slots are for when you need to stay in a low gear without automatically switching, some people use them for towing or steep hills. Probably won't see much use in regular city driving.
As far as driving in the US, it can vary depending on what area you're in. The general rule is expect people to drive like crap. There will probably be giant SUV's and trucks all over the road. There will be teenagers driving those giant vehicles while talking on the phone, texting, etc.
In 15 years of driving, I've never done, nor needed to do this. In fact, two-footed driving is a pretty good way to ruin your breaks in an automatic.
A car with an automatic transmission in "drive" will always tend to go forward if the brake is not depressed. In most cars (and on most hills) this is enough to never make your car drift backward like it does in a manual transmission car.
The only time this wouldn't be the case is on a very steep incline.
The only thing you'll really want to worry about is practicing depressing the gas pedal slowly when you start moving (this applies on flat land as well). It's slightly different for every car (but not to worry if you don't plan on driving multiple cars)... and it's pretty easy to get the hang of it. You just don't want to stomp on the gas.
Yea...don't do this. As everyone else has stated, driving an automatic is super easy mode. If you are on flat ground, and you ease up on the brake, you will automatically (hah) start moving forward since the car is already in first gear. As was mentioned above me, this is also normally enough torque to keep you from rolling backwards if you are stopped on a hill.
But as the others said, you're overthinking automatic. You pretty much hold the brake until you're ready to go, let off and push on the gas. Unless the person behind you is literally an inch from your bumper, you aren't even going to come remotely close to them
when parking, put the car in "P"ark
when driving, put the car in "D"rive
when backing up, put the car in "R"everse
when going through a car wash, put the car in "N"eutral
the numbers are not important for regular operation of the vehicle
Err. Based on your post, I'm fairly certain that you've never actually driven an automatic. Perhaps you saw it in a movie once?
OP, an automatic is the easiest thing to drive next to a one speed bicycle.
1. You start the car without touching any pedals.
2. You need to step on the brake to shift out of park.
3. You select D if you want to go forward, and R if you want to go backwards. You must come to a complete stop before shifting between R, D, and P.
4. You never have to use more than one foot. Basically, you're either accelerating or breaking. This works regardless of any incline because the transmission basically only allows you to go in the direction that you've selected - either forwards or backwards. You may roll a little but its nothing to worry about it.
5. You must shift into park to remove the key. Shifting into park also essentially locks the wheels, so you don't have to use the parking brake unless you're on a significant incline.
The only times the above do not apply are when you're trying to do something extreme like a burnout (by doing a brakestand), towing (when you use the other gears, 1,2,3), or off roading.
Don't use more than one foot. You'll get used to it pretty quick.
And end up pounding on the brake with both feet, resulting in a pleasant lurching, screeching moment.
I've noticed that the brake pedal seems wider in automatics, on that note. I've never noticed the gas to be more sensitive than it is in a stick, unless you're used to starting out in second on a stick or something? Dunno man. Just try to remember to leave your left foot on the floor.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
Which is something that hasn't been even remotely necessary for 30 years or more*, now it's just wider because that's the way it is. You could also argue that it's an easier target for old ladies to hit violently for no reason at all. Either way, it's never, ever, ever, ever a good idea to do that. I can only think of a few instances when you'd use two feet behind the wheel of an automatic, and they all involve tricky maneuvers or drag racing, and none put both feet on the brake pedal.
*because passenger car braking systems are much, much more efficient now and not having the leg strength to push the pedal down enough to lock the wheels or engage the ABS with one foot is indicative of a systemic inability to safely operate a vehicle.
A strong right leg! It's still not too difficult to lock the wheels with drum brakes and no power assist, assuming everything is in good shape.
The only hard thing about moving to an automatic is your left foot feels like it should be doing something. Beyond that an automatic is stupidly easy to drive, nothing worth thinking/worrying about.
If you're ever going to Gatlinburg from Georgia in the Winter, take the route with the lowest altitude. So much fog and snow. The locals thought we were suicidal when we told them how we came. We were glad to learn of the highway we were supposed to take in.
The parking brake is likely to not be engaged.
I don't have to take the car out of 1st and make sure it's in neutral.
I don't have a clutch to press as I'm turning the key.
It makes the simple act of sitting in the chair and starting the engine feel very alien, as if I'm doing it all wrong.
But seriously, all there is to it is: sit down, put the key in the slot, turn the key.
This. I drove a stick for a long time...it still feels weird starting up an automatic. I tend to still keep my foot pressed down on the brake when I start the car.
buy warhams
what car has this?
are you driving a bus?
Generally pickup trucks, SUVs and older cars.
the worst part about an automatic (aside from the usual) is stomping down on what should be the clutch, and jarring your leg when you hit something with no give to it.
The rest, you have stop and go faster.
Some minivans as well.
Just an FYI, this is not a good habit. You should always press in the brake when starting a car. Things may not function properly and you could end up back in your house or running over someone
If you're driving an automatic it shouldn't be in gear when you start it. I doubt most would, but if your car can start out of P, don't.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
Yeah, I was surprised when my mom bought a Honda CRV in 2008 and it had this style e-brake.
I keep the brake depressed when starting. I haven't seen a car where it's necessary, but ...eh, I do it anyway.
engage the handbrake, don't worry about the brake pedal
touch on the accelerator until you are on enough revs to move forward and release the handbrake
You don't need to engage the handbrake.
It will not roll backwards.
on a steep enough decline it will
Automatic hill starts:
1. release brake
2. accelerate
3. there is no step 3
But really, even in the mountains of Pennsylvania, I have never encountered a hill where an auto will slide backwards. It won't creep forward like it does on flat, level ground; but I've never had it slide backwards.