My driving instructor always makes out to me that I am a poor student leaning to drive my automatic. Just thought I'd do a poll of automatic drivers to see how many people out there found it difficult to learn to drive and how long it took them. Then I can compare to see how I am doing.
2007-01-19 09:35:07 · 15 answers · asked by Clare C 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
I asked this question to try and find a few folks who could empathise with my situation. I asked if anyone found it difficult and all I get is folks telling me how easy it is to pass a driving test they all seem to have missed the point I wasn't asking about positive driving experiences!
2007-01-19 10:48:00 · update #1
I struggled for ages learning to drive a manual car and then tried automatic, i love it, it took me 8 months to learn and i passed my test 1st time. You will soon get the hang of it, just try and relax. Good luck
2007-01-19 09:47:01 · answer #1 · answered by Nic Nak 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Was used to driving lawn tractor, first time in automobile with automatic, had going forward and turning nailed within first hour, took about a dozen times to get parallel parking down. First car 1980 mustang with a 4 -speed manual. Once across town (4-5 miles) and had shifter nailed. Been stick-shift ever since.
If you've been "learning" to drive for more than a few days, I would probably suggest you are a slow learner, at the least. Different people have been given different abilities, and this just might not be one of your strong points. Remember these things, over half of America's drivers have no idea what they are doing, most of whom probably should not have a license, until they improve, they will always blame you, even when they know it's their fault, and it is your responsibility to drive defensively. Especially when you are the one who has to buy your own replacement car.
2007-01-19 18:12:50 · answer #2 · answered by I think, therefore I broke it? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I learnt to drive over 16 years ago in a manual car. I have always driven manuals, even when hiring a car, even though everyone has said that automatics are easier. When I emigrated to Canada, I had to learn to drive an automatic. It was very strange at first and my left foot kept going for the clutch, but I have been driving here for 2 months now and it's so much easier than a manual. They are very easy to drive, but driving itself, isn't the easiest thing in the world, so stick with it. It's one of the best things I've ever done, but I only passed on my 3rd test (I was very nervous the first 2 times) but I love driving.
2007-01-19 17:50:43 · answer #3 · answered by barbara_lomas 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do you feel your doing? thats all that matters? When you approach a space that is big enough for two cars to squeeze through at say 25MPH do you feel comfortable carrying on through or do you slow down a lot just because your not sure? I learned to drive a manual though I do drive a lot of Auto's too, but after taking my advanced driving test and my pursuit exam (not a cop just wanted to take the exam when I was younger) I realised the only real bearing on a drivers ability is their ability to adapt to non-tested situations, their confidence in what they are doing and their ability to judge accurately what is and isn't safe. If you feel your driving safely, confidently, appropriately and are not getting aggro from other road-users your probably fairly competent irrespective of what your instructor thinks. If you enter a 70MPH zone at 30 in top gear your dangerous, if you can see past this danger and stick to an appropriate gear with appropriate acceleration for example your probably fine. as long as your fitting in with everybody else your doing nothing wrong.
2007-01-19 19:04:55 · answer #4 · answered by Bealzebub 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I drove a manual for about ten years and have just switched to automatic and it is a breeze (as long as I keep remembering there is no clutch).
The proof of its ease is by the fact that you can drive an automatic when you have taken a test in a manual ar but I believe that you are unable to drive a manual if taken the test in an automatic (unless this has changed recently).
2007-01-19 17:48:47 · answer #5 · answered by The Dragon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I HAVE DRIVEN BOTH , AS FOR LEARNING AUTOMATIC FIND AN OPEN AREA WHERE YOU CAN STOP AND START AND BRAKE MAYBE A LARGE PARKING LOT ON A SUNDAY FOR EXAMPLE. PRACTICE STOPPING ,TURNING ETC REMEMBER TO USE YOUR RIGHT FOOT ONLY FOR ACCELERATION AND BRAKING. ALWAYS LOOK AHEAD AND DONT FOLLOW OTHER VEHICLES TOO CLOSELY. YOUR DOING FINE JUST KEEP AT IT AND LOOK WAY AHEAD WHEN DRIVING AND TAKE YOUR TIME. ACCELERATE SLOWLY WHEN STARTINGAND STAY IN YOUR LANE AND ALWAYS CHECK MIRRORS WHEN MOVING FROM LANE TO LANE. IF GOING INTO A LEFT LANE ALWAYS LEAN FORWARD A BIT TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR TO BE SURE ANOTHER VEHICLE ISNT BESIDE YOU IN YOUR BLIND SPOT. WHEN IN DOUBT ABOUT A CERTAIN MOVE JUST STAY IN THE LANE YOUR IN AND KEEP GOING AND TURN AROUND AND GO BACK TO WHERE YOU SHOULD HAVE BUT COULDNT TURN. DRIVE RELAXED AND ACCELERATE SLOWLY WHEN STARTING AND CHECK MIRRORS AND BE SURE THE MIRRORS ARE ADJUSTED BEFORE YOU START. INSIDE MIRROR AND OUTSIDE MIRRORS. WHEN DRIVING LEAVE PLENTY OF SPACE BETWEEN YOUR VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE AHEAD. START AND STOP SLOWLY /LOOK WAY AHEAD AND STAY IN YOUR LANE . PRACTICE MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY LITTLE TO STAY IN THE LANE WHEN CRUISING. DONT CONSTANTLY MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH ( THIS WEARS OUT YOUR TIRES FASTER) STAY IN YOUR LANE ALWAYS ON THE CURVES AS WELL AS ON THE STRAIGHTAWAY.. LOOK AHEAD ALWAYS CHECK MIRRORS AND ACCELERATE AND WATCH AND MOVE YOUR EYES SO YOU SEE SPEED SIGNS ETC. ALWAYS SIGNAL YOUR INTENTIONS SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO MOVE YOUR EYES QUICKLY FROM THE FRONT TO THE SIDES ET`C. YOU WILL BE THE BEST SAFEST DRIVER ANYWHERE. DRIVE SLOWLY IN PARKING LOTS AND AT FIRST PRACTICE PARKING IN A VACANT PLAC`E ALSO PRACTICE BACKING INTO A VACANT PARKING SPACE, REMEMBER PRACTICE, PRACTICE,PRACTICE PRACTICE ETC. ENJOY! ! !
2007-01-19 18:45:53 · answer #6 · answered by woolly worm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would take half the number of lessons because you do not have to learn clutch control and correct use of the gears which is the hardest part when learning to drive.
2007-01-19 17:46:32 · answer #7 · answered by frank S 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there is nothing easier than driving automatic. learn the rules of the road and practice in a p-lot.
2007-01-19 17:44:59 · answer #8 · answered by Adam W 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
your enstructor should never have said that to you
i think you should find a new instructor one who will encourage you and guide you where you need to emprove
people are all different we all take different lenghts of time to learn different things so dont compare your self to others as you will learn at your own pace
hope your future lessons are better for you
2007-01-19 17:49:30 · answer #9 · answered by little flower 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
automatic is so much easier - that's what i drive, but i studied first in usa on automatic, then had to study again here in russia - we study only on manual!!! But i was quick enough to get use to both of them.
You'll get it too...
good luck to you
2007-01-19 17:46:54 · answer #10 · answered by yuliyasa2003 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋