questions for auto drivers
 

Looking for answers from those that drive automatics.

In stop start traffic do you:-

1 keep in drive with foot on brake
2 keep in drive with hand brake on
3 put in neutral with foot on brake
4 put in neutral with handbrake or no brake
5 put in park

please vote

why do I ask?
1 At work a lot of drivers sit with their foot on the brake dazzling those behind. Inside a ship is not that bright

2 I find going from drive to park and back to drive gains me nothing over a manual. In a Mini this is quite an unpleasant experience as the gear shift is so notchy.

You should put in park or N and put the hanbrake on. I confess to sitting in drive with my foot on the brake.....

:wot:
All drivers do, whether in a manual or automatic, on virtually every journey I make. The question I would like answered is why? Perhaps Dawn could set the ball rolling as she has been brave enough to own up?
'Park' is so named because it's for when the vehicle is ... errr ... well, parked. ;) It should not be used during driving. Neutral should be selected (as with a manual gearbox) and the handbrake applied.

Simon

One click into neutral, handbrake on, sit back relax then one click into D handbrake off sit back enjoy the ride take in the scenery in your stride, it’s always enjoyable in my rover ride. :cool:
Mick ( you make decisions in life, you don’t look back!)

+ 1 unless it's a momentary stop.

At traffic lights, and when engine is warm and turning @pprox 650, leave in D with h'brake in 3 clicks. That tells me when h'brake needs adjusting. At longer stops, say railway crossings, P and then h'brake.

Edit: just discovered I am in a minority of 1. Even so, my favourite non-car colour of Blue.

In drive with foot on the break - unless it's obvious I will be there for a while

Neutral with handbrake on... the reasons as follows.

Leave in drive and the auto fluid gets very hot!

Don’t use handbrake on an auto, come mot time it will be virtually useless!

As Macafee 2 says, keeping your foot on the brake pedal at night ruins the night vision of the driver behind. This practice also is at odds with the Highway Code. It is an Offence to dazzle other drivers with your lights at night! It is recommended you apply the handbrake when stopped and remove foot from brake pedal once your vehicle has stopped and the vehicle behind has also stopped. See Highway Code for these points.

I too notice many drivers keeping their foot on the brake pedal while stopped, day or night. However, seeing the number of cars around with foot pedal operated parking brakes, as well as electric parking brakes, I think these systems encourage the practice. You cannot beat a traditional parking brake operated by a hand lever. Manufacturers claim removing the handbrake lever opens up space for more storage - such as extra cup holders!

On my auto CDTi I always keep it in Drive and apply handbrake when stopped at lights. As the engine is turning over so slowly there is no fear of overheating the transmission fluid. On the other issue of depressing or not depressing the handbrake button when applying the handbrake, I ALWAYS depress the button. To do otherwise upsets my Engineering sensibilities due to the teeth jarring noise. Pun intended.

Voted 1st choice, there are that many dip $h*& drivers on the roads these days I'm keeping my brake lights ON.