New car!

LSainsbury · 20-08-2009, 20:18

Hi all,

On Saturday, I pickup my new (well - used - 1 yr old) car.

I'm going from a manual to an automatic, so does anybody here have any tips to help be adapt to this new style of driving?

One thing I've heard so far is never use the handbrake when parking up - just put the auto into (P)arking and it locks the gearbox so it's not going to go anywhere without a fight - opinions?

Cheers

Lee

Peter_ · 20-08-2009, 20:21

When in the driving seat put your left foot behind your right foot to help getting used to not using the clutch for a while till you get used to it, as other wise you may without thinking depress the clutch while braking and stop a lot quicker than expected, just check out the size of the brake pedal.

haydnwalker · 20-08-2009, 21:15

I would say... having an auto at the moment but having a manual previously....

Leave your left foot on the footrest (if it has one) and ALWAYS put the handbrake on...but BEFORE you put the car in Park because if you just use park or use park first, then you put unnecessary strain on the gearbox for no real reason.

You really (depending on the engine size) just have to be a little lighter with your right foot until you get used to the auto, and also, you will need to slow down for corners more as you generally dont get the engine braking of a manual.

Hope this Helps!

PS: What did you go for in the end?

**Rob** · 20-08-2009, 21:28

I'd always use the handbrake. Consider the "P" setting as an additional bonus and backup. The principle of driving the auto doesn't change. If you are at a stop you would still put the handbrake on and put the car into neutral, just as you would with a manual. If you leave it in drive, with your foot on the brake, you are creating strain on the clutch mechanism, OK for a few seconds maybe, but it all adds up.

LSainsbury · 20-08-2009, 21:28

Thanks for that.

I'm changing from a Skoda Octavia diesel manual to a Ford Mondeo diesel automatic.

Looking forward to not having to change gear every 30 seconds!

Arthurgray50@blu · 20-08-2009, 21:32

PLEASE, PLEASE be careful, if you want to buy a new car from a certain company begining with V and ends with L, by son bought a car under the scrappage scheme, and ended up with a very large bill, that he cannot get out of. And his car being sold at auction. - l can't tell you further for legal reasons, BUT be careful

martyh · 20-08-2009, 21:35

i tried an automatic a few years back and couldn't get on with went back to manual as soon as i could i think the problem for me was i use a van for work (manual) and using a automatic car was a bit confusing

haydenwalker is right by the way always use the handbreak

LSainsbury · 20-08-2009, 21:38

Not a V******l
F**d!

---------- Post added at 21:38 ---------- Previous post was at 21:36 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

I'd always use the handbrake. Consider the "P" setting as an additional bonus and backup. The principle of driving the auto doesn't change. If you are at a stop you would still put the handbrake on and put the car into neutral, just as you would with a manual. If you leave it in drive, with your foot on the brake, you are creating strain on the clutch mechanism, OK for a few seconds maybe, but it all adds up.

Yeah of course - and I'm not bliding the person behind me...

Well - depends on if it's a chav in a boy racer's car....

Peter_ · 20-08-2009, 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSainsbury

Well - depends on if it's a chav in a boy racer's car....

Well the Kickdown should give the average chav quite a surprise especially if its 2 litre turbodiesel

DaiNasty · 20-08-2009, 22:56

As was said before, tuck your left foot under the seat. It's rather too easy to hit the brake when you're used to operating a clutch.

Use handbrake. Even in Park the car can still slip away if the slope is steep enough.

bopdude · 20-08-2009, 23:12

Yep, about covered, I drive a Volvo Torlander 2.3 petrol and it is way different to my Vauxhall Zafira, the changing between the 2 still catches me on occasion. If you do start making mistakes with your clutch foot after trying to tuck it away, SIT ON IT, yep, tuck it under your bum

sounds daft but it works

and as said, whatch out for bends / corners and also in conjestion you won't have to accelerate, just lift your foot of the brake and glide.

Hope that helps.

21-08-2009, 05:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSainsbury

Thanks for that.

I'm changing from a Skoda Octavia diesel manual to a Ford Mondeo diesel automatic.

Looking forward to not having to change gear every 30 seconds!

Them Mondeo TDCI Auto's sure know how to move. Make sure you give it plenty of boot once a week to clear it out, diesels need to be driven hard once a week. Make sure you put decent quality diesel into it, I use Shell or BP, I steer clear of the supermarkets when it comes to fuel.

**Kymmy** · 21-08-2009, 08:54

It's weird, when I drive an auto I always left foot brake, though quite happy to then step into a manual I'm fine with left foot on the clutch only.

With the auto get used to feathering the throttle more as this'll really help on fuel economy, also remember that depending on the car if you want to accelerate from a high gear low revs you'll have to perfom some sort of kickdown (the volvo we have does it automatically but some require a foot off then back on..)

Osem · 21-08-2009, 09:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSainsbury

Thanks for that.

I'm changing from a Skoda Octavia diesel manual to a Ford Mondeo diesel automatic.

Looking forward to not having to change gear every 30 seconds!

Have a look here for some useful information:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=920

Jon T · 21-08-2009, 09:01

When your going down a steep hill, lock the car in to a lower gear, otherwise you'll be permanently breaking. Also remember that on level ground with no pressure on the accelerator at all, your car will creep forward.

I learnt in an automatic due to my disability, never passed my test as I ran out of money. Now the DVLA don't want to give me my provisional back

.