Never driven autos

purdey · 12th November 2013, 14:21

Hi All
Am looking at getting a diesel conny saloon in the not to distant future, as well as my tourer, I want something else to play with. However in my 40+ plus years of driving I have never driven an automatic car and I must admit to feeling slightly apprehensive about buying one, this of course rules out a lot of nice looking connys. Am I being a wuss or is it as easy as it looks.
Regards
Steve

stevestrat · 12th November 2013, 14:44

Frankly it couldn't be easier, just remember to park your left foot on the footrest AND LEAVE IT THERE!

David3807 · 12th November 2013, 15:02

Should'nt worry - driving the auto is a relaxing experience and you will soon wonder why you ever droVE a manual car. Just put the car in drive (D) and push the accelerator.

Until you get used to the autobox remember:

The engine will only start with the gear selector in D or P (Park), Any other position and when you turn the key to start engine nothing happens.

And when going dowhill with brakes applied the gearbox will change automatically to a lower gear and give a bit of engine braking. Can be a bit of a surprise if you were not expecting it.

Oh and remember to keep left foot firmly on foot rest. After 40 years of manual cars you may be tempted to push a non existant clutch pedal and cos the auto gearbox car has a bigger ie wider, brake pedal hit that instead

Good luck with you search for the right car

pab · 12th November 2013, 15:04

Left foot well out of the way. If you hit the brake pedal with it, you'll know about it.

t5tart · 12th November 2013, 15:05

good tip when I started driving autos my dad told me and it really works
rather than putting your foot on the foot rest put it behind your right leg tuck it back to the seat
it oon breaks the habit of going for the cllutch as you have to think about getting your foot up there

of you go for the clutch youll hit the brake hard .,.. can be painfull as I found out first drive when my nose hit the steering wheel

DMGRS · 12th November 2013, 15:07

I bought my first Auto last month, after coming from 14 manual cars over 6 years.
It's absolutely fantastic - the night before I could barely sleep as I was panicking so much (not very manly I know) but it was a breeze.

I don't think I could go back now - enjoy.

brgcdti · 12th November 2013, 15:15

After a very short time you'll wonder why you were even worried about driving one, after all it's a lot easier driving an automatic than a manual. Enjoy !
Happy motoring.

Chris

dattrike · 12th November 2013, 15:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by brgcdti

After a very short time you'll wonder why you were even worried about driving one, after all it's a lot easier driving an automatic than a manual. Enjoy !
Happy motoring.

Chris

I totally agree, I've just bought an automatic, I don't know why I didn't do it 30 years ago. I've only had it three weeks and much prefer it to my wifes manual tourer which I keep stalling now!

KWIL · 12th November 2013, 15:42

I was taught to use two feet with an auto, left for brake only, right for gas pedal only. Never had any problems.

purdey · 12th November 2013, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by t5tart

good tip when I started driving autos my dad told me and it really works
rather than putting your foot on the foot rest put it behind your right leg tuck it back to the seat
it oon breaks the habit of going for the cllutch as you have to think about getting your foot up there

of you go for the clutch youll hit the brake hard .,.. can be painfull as I found out first drive when my nose hit the steering wheel

OUCH now you've put me off LOL

12th November 2013, 14:21	#1
purdey Regular poster rover 75 club se cdt tourer Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: newbury Posts: 55 Thanks: 38 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Never driven autos Hi All Am looking at getting a diesel conny saloon in the not to distant future, as well as my tourer, I want something else to play with. However in my 40+ plus years of driving I have never driven an automatic car and I must admit to feeling slightly apprehensive about buying one, this of course rules out a lot of nice looking connys. Am I being a wuss or is it as easy as it looks. Regards Steve

12th November 2013, 14:44	#2
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,459 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	Frankly it couldn't be easier, just remember to park your left foot on the footrest AND LEAVE IT THERE! __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

12th November 2013, 15:05	#5
t5tart Posted a thing or two MG ZT cdti Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Northants / Bucks border Posts: 1,815 Thanks: 260 Thanked 204 Times in 182 Posts	good tip when I started driving autos my dad told me and it really works rather than putting your foot on the foot rest put it behind your right leg tuck it back to the seat it oon breaks the habit of going for the cllutch as you have to think about getting your foot up there of you go for the clutch youll hit the brake hard .,.. can be painfull as I found out first drive when my nose hit the steering wheel __________________ now with ZT Diesel power after killing the connie and the zt180 combusting see my scrapbook thread check your sunroof drains and plenum drains http://www.buddy-icons.info/img/smile/1609.gif members who do t4 diagnostics map

12th November 2013, 15:07	#6
DMGRS Discount MG Rover Spares Rover 75 CDTi, 2x MG ZS180 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hythe, Southampton Posts: 11,320 Thanks: 456 Thanked 3,377 Times in 2,027 Posts	I bought my first Auto last month, after coming from 14 manual cars over 6 years. It's absolutely fantastic - the night before I could barely sleep as I was panicking so much (not very manly I know) but it was a breeze. I don't think I could go back now - enjoy. __________________ Your trusted MG Rover specialist! Tel: 02380 001133 / Email: [email protected] We now have a 'chat' function on our site for even quicker replies. Give it a try! Remember - discount code FORUM5 for 5% off

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12th November 2013, 15:02	#3
David3807 Posted a thing or two 2002 R75 Conn SE 2.5l Auto Tourer, 2001 R75 Conn SE 2.5 Auto Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gravesend Posts: 1,897 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Should'nt worry - driving the auto is a relaxing experience and you will soon wonder why you ever droVE a manual car. Just put the car in drive (D) and push the accelerator. Until you get used to the autobox remember: The engine will only start with the gear selector in D or P (Park), Any other position and when you turn the key to start engine nothing happens. And when going dowhill with brakes applied the gearbox will change automatically to a lower gear and give a bit of engine braking. Can be a bit of a surprise if you were not expecting it. Oh and remember to keep left foot firmly on foot rest. After 40 years of manual cars you may be tempted to push a non existant clutch pedal and cos the auto gearbox car has a bigger ie wider, brake pedal hit that instead Good luck with you search for the right car

12th November 2013, 15:04	#4
pab Banned MG ZT V6 190+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 33,223 Thanks: 41 Thanked 1,614 Times in 1,416 Posts	Left foot well out of the way. If you hit the brake pedal with it, you'll know about it.

12th November 2013, 15:15	#7
brgcdti Gets stuck in N/A Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: N/A Posts: 658 Thanks: 50 Thanked 133 Times in 103 Posts	After a very short time you'll wonder why you were even worried about driving one, after all it's a lot easier driving an automatic than a manual. Enjoy ! Happy motoring. Chris

12th November 2013, 15:42	#9
KWIL Precise Rover 75 Tourer 2.5KV6 Connoisseur SE Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Fleet Posts: 2,952 Thanks: 630 Thanked 617 Times in 480 Posts	I was taught to use two feet with an auto, left for brake only, right for gas pedal only. Never had any problems.