2006-09-19 01:06:40 · 37 answers · asked by Nj 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Warlock summed it up well for me.
The only other thing to add is that most Auto's won't start unless they are in Park, unlike manual cars that can start in gear if the clutch is dipped.
2006-09-19 02:27:21 · answer #1 · answered by 'Dr Greene' 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's much much easier than doing it the other way around!
Things to remember are:
An automatic will always 'creep' when it's on, so, as has been mentioned, make sure you keep your foot on the brake as you can't hold the biting point as you would on a manual.
There is, I've found, ever so slightly less control with an automatic because you don't have the gears, this can mean it feels a bit as if you're hurtling around corners (like it would if you had your foot on the clutch).
Remember that the brake also acts as a clutch for the car, it uses the brake to know when to change down a gear.
Most importantly, particularly on the older automatics, the brake is slightly slower to respond than on a manual, so make sure you leave plenty of stopping distance between yourself and the car in front. You'll get used to this on no time.
Personally I find automatics quite boring and you lose a lot of the control you have with a manual - but I'm a bit of a control freak behind the wheel so like to know the car's dong EXACTLY what I want!
Automatics are much easier to drive, but can be more expensive and if something goes wrong it'll cost more to fix.
Test drive a few different ones first and see if you get on with them.
Happy driving!
2006-09-19 01:23:26 · answer #2 · answered by SilverSongster 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1) As some others have already said, keep your left foot stuck under the seat so that you can't use it on the pedals. This is crucial.
2) Remember that the car can change gear when it wants to, not when you want to, so don't throw it around corners or you could be in big trouble.
3) To prevent creep when you stop its the same as a manual, handbrake + neutral. Otherwise just keep your foot on the brake to start with.
4) Until you get used to it stick to (D) drive, and let the car sort out the changes.
5) Remember to put it in (P) park before you switch off, otherwise it may not let you have the key.
Good luck.
2006-09-19 02:03:13 · answer #3 · answered by Warlock 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An automatic is easier to drive than a manual. The shifter has the letter p for park r for reverse 1 for low drice 2 for medium drive and d for drive and n for nuetral. some cars have a safety installed so that you either need to turn the wheel to start it or you have to put on the brake to put it in reverse. The hardest thing that I found when going from a manual to automatic was that I kept trying to put in the clutch but that went away pretty quickly. Have fun.
2006-09-19 01:17:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Driving an automatic after manual is quite easy. remember that there's no clutch so keep a foot on the brake while stopped at lights etc. the car moves as soon as you touch the accelerator so keep the touch light.
I've driven both and prefer manuals, the autos are boring and lazy after all you simply put it in drive and go.
2006-09-19 01:22:22 · answer #5 · answered by Alucard 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I drive both manual and automatic cars. You will get used to it in no time! I find the only time I forget I am driving an automatic is at a junction when I go for the gear stick to go down the gears. Driving an automatic is so much easier especially in heavy traffic!
2006-09-19 01:15:15 · answer #6 · answered by KAZ M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's like driving a giant dodgem car. I drive an automatic and call it my lazy person's car - I love it!
The only problem I had was when I was about 8 months pregnant, it was icy and I couldn't get into my drive (which is sort of round a curve in the road). As I didn't have 1st (only 2nd and 3rd) gear I couldn't get it up the icy slope without sliding all over the road (could be that I'm just a crap driver). My poor neighbour had to come out of his house and push me eventually.
Other than that, flex your right foot and enjoy!
2006-09-19 01:17:05 · answer #7 · answered by Roxy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forget you have a left foot and remember to let the car do the work only use kickdown when you really need it gentle acceleration is the key to good economy. Never leave the car in N when parked. At lights at the beginning get back into the habit of applying your hand brake. Good luck and enjoy having a less stressed left leg and driving experience
2006-09-19 03:37:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are much easier to drive as you have more time to concentrate on the control of the car, however i would suggest getting friendly with the brake pedal. they have a tendancy to lurch forward a little bit when you are parking, (backwards when your reversing). but if you hover over the brake then you will find it easily controllable. also make sure you keep the transmission fluid topped up otherwise it will take longer for the gears to engage (a second or two) and the car will again jump a bit.
i hope you enjoy your new car and drive safely. remember its only the gears that are automatic, you still need to steer.lol. enjoy
2006-09-19 01:29:02 · answer #9 · answered by kylus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it is fairly straightforward, it's the other way around which is difficult. The only thing to remember is that putting your left foot down does not hit the clutch. It hits the brake.
Left foot hits the brake. There is no clutch.
Left foot hits the brake. There is no clutch.
Left foot hits the brake. There is no clutch.
Keep saying it, and you'll probably be so busy thinking about saying it that'll you'll forget about the left foot not being a clutch! Oh well.
2006-09-19 01:24:59 · answer #10 · answered by Steve-Bob 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whe you first get it drive with your left leg tucked under the seat.
If you don't then you're quite likely to stamp on the brake as you try and change gear with bad results for both your neck and the car behind!
It won't take you long to get used to it and you'll wonder why you ever drove a manual in the first place! Kickdown is fun!
2006-09-19 01:16:30 · answer #11 · answered by wally_zebon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋