Newbie Driver - Driving Tips needed for an automatic transmission car!?

Question

Well I just received my permit and soon I will be going out to the empty parking lot with the teacher to begin my driving. I need as many tips as possible, from starting the car to moving it. Totally newbie driver I am, and I don't want to go out there and be and look totally clueless, so ANY tips would help!

Thanks!

Answer 1

auto's easy, just dont jump the gas take it easy

Answer 2

Well, being totally newbie, you ARE going to look clueless....if you have NOT had any exposure to cars (from the driver's seat), then you will be subjected to embarrassing episodes no matter how hard you try to look "cool" trying to learn.
Example #1 - starting a car. I don't know HOW many times I've seen newbies hold the key in the START position. You DON'T need to hold it for 4-5 seconds, usually just split second, or more if it's an older car with a carburetor. It requires you to listen with your ears, to determine the exact moment the car engine starts to move on it's own, and you can release the starter via key. And as it's the FIRST thing you do, it will be the most embarrassing to you. :) The teacher has probably seen it hundreds of times. But it is embarassing to have the car not start because you held the key too long, and it floods the engine with gas, or grinds the teeth on the flywheel if the engine overrides the starter. If you have no chance to practice starting a car, then you'll have to take your chances.

Example #2 - getting used to the brakes. This is always fun for the teacher, as either the learner is too tentative on the brakes,and gets yelled at, or womps the pedal, causing the old "screech and lurch" act. Either one is funny ( for a watcher ), not so for the learner. Again, learning to feather the brake pedal is something done by "feel", and is hard to tell someone how to do by direction. So, you'll probably just have to learn by experience . Ok, I'll give you a hint. Start by pressing firmly on the pedal, then releasing some of the pressure after 1 second (tiny fraction), then slowly increasing the pressure until the car is coming to a stop, then slowly decreasing pressure to allow it to smoothly roll to a stop. That feathering and decreasing pressure at the end is what makes for smoothness, but again is hard to explain. First-timers tend to react and stomp, or be tentative, so you need to be in between, firm quickly, then back off enough to get it smoothly stopping, then back pressure off more as it rolls to a stop. It will still be fun to watch, if the brakes are touchy. Usually medium pressure to test the brakes, then firmer, then back off a tiny bit, then as it comes to 5 mph, then you decrease pressure until the very end. Sort of a long-wave pump. Anyway...you'll learn.

Example #3 - steering wheel / hand position - This all depends on the teacher, as to where they want your hands, and if they allow crossing over when executing a sharp turn. Something that is hard to say when different teaching styles are done. Good luck with this one.

Well, that's all for now, just go learn, you'll probably have some embarassing moments, but hopefully not TOO many. Get someone to take you to an empty mall lot sometime, in the early morning or evening hours, to get some practice in. ONly way to get better is practice, practice, practice. Good luck!
- The Gremlin Guy, USA -

Answer 3

Not too much to do with an automatic transmission the only gears you will use in Driver's training is drive and Reverse.

Before starting the vehicle make sure you adjust your mirrors, adjust your seat. Fasten your seatbelt, make sure that the parking brake is set. Then if you have any other passengers in the car make sure they are wearing their seatbelts also. Start the vehicle, and depending on how your parked either select reverse or drive and move out after releasing the parking brake (very important don't forget).

If you have more questions or need more details on certain things feel free to email me at [e-mail]

Answer 4

First of all- hold in the brake,start it,put it in drive,ease of the brake,press gas until at a comfortable crusing speed and you're moving!Be sure to watch were youre going,but just relax,dont tense up and just cruise,feel the car,Just let the car take you where you need to go.Also,dont slam on the brakes when you stop unless its an emergency,about 10-25 feet from the stop sign(depending on how fast youre moving) ease of the gas and tap the brake gently as you slow down,when you get to the stop sign,gently press the brake.Go the speed limit(unless no one else is w/ you and theres no one else to see-hehehe).Well I hope i Helped Good Luck!

Answer 5

Don't drive faster than you're willing to crash!

Seriously, at first you'll be tempted to drive faster than you can actually control the car. Resist the temptation until you've driven enough (say around an empty parking lot) to become comfortable. Remember, you have to be in control of the car, don't let the car control you.

Answer 6

the gas is on the appropriate(the thin pedal) and the brake is on the left (the huge pedal) no offence yet even my 4 365 days previous could desire to tell you this - basically she'd be at a loss for words, thinking the place became into the grasp... nicely, 1st placed on your seatbelt, verify and adjust your mirrors. placed your foot on the brake (the huge one on the left) and heavily shift the vehicle into 'D'. reckoning on the make of the vehicle, the shifter could be between your knees and the instructors knees - it incredibly is a stick concern with a button on the facet and it is marked P, R, N, D, 2, a million, or it incredibly is a lever at the back of the appropriate facet of the guidance wheel, it incredibly isn't any longer marked w/ the three's, yet once you progression it there's a trademark under the speedometer on the sprint in front of you. as quickly as you get the vehicle in D(for going forward - i anticipate they gained't make you returned up first), SLOWLY enable off the brake and SLOWLY placed a splash tension on the gas pedal...and heavily turn the wheel to the left or appropriate to dodge products. stable success, in case you could watch somebody else force on a thank you to the lesson.....