Automatic versus Manual Cars

[The Tinker]

OH has just purchased an automatic car as has knee problems and is too young for a knee replacement - he is finding it hard to adjust - a few earth shaking emergency stops e.g. - are there are any long term automatic drivers out there with any tips?

[david63]

We went to an automatic a few months ago after having a manual for many years. I had driven automatics on and off - mainly when hire cars when on holiday but Mrs63 had never driven one before and was, to say the least, apprehensive. However after a couple of weeks she has vowed never (OK never say never) to go back to a manual.

It all a question of being careful until you get used to it - but it will soon become second nature.

[The Tinker]

Thanks for that, David, - I have told him it will take a few weeks and to try and remember not to move his left leg!

I had the same problem when I changed to an electronic handbrake and am dreading going back to a manual one as some car dealers have discontinued them.

[Dark Knight]

having driven autos on and off
I would say a lot of it is adapting to having to think ahead and allow the autobox to do the work rather than using the gears to slow the car down etc and keeping your left foot still
Also I believe that bigger cars are more suited to an auto, than smaller cars
we have had a few autos , mainly jeeps and 4x4's, which suited the car rather than small autos

[jay-ell71]

Only use one foot/leg ... the right one!

Make absolutely sure you are in the correct gear when you start, i.e. forward or reverse, and that you start off gently. We have seen two accidents in our neighbourhood, when auto cars were being driven by novices, which involved a) a garage door, and b) a large shrub. Both were eliminated!! In each case the damage was not car owners property. oooops

[johnds]

and keeping your left foot still

Ah but I was taught ti drive automatics nearly fifty years ago. In those days we used both feet, one go one stop.
Having driven them for a large part of my life (but manuals too) I still use both feet. There are admittedly rare occasions when it is useful to balance
accelerator and brake. Would probably fail my test now if I used both feet

[Ray Scully]

Do they still manufacture cars with a manual gear shift?.
We have had autos for more than 25 years. So much more relaxing, particularly in traffic,

ray

[HK phooey]

I love automatics and would never go back to driving a manual. For a couple of weeks I had a severe ache in the left leg but you soon get used to it. My nephew is taking driving lessons in an automatic as he has no wish to drive a manual.

[wolfie]

After many years driving an automatic I still sometimes lift my left foot to use the non existent clutch. Thankfully I never get as far as depressing the pedal that is there that is the equivalent of a hand brake.

I recently had a 4x4 off road driving experience. Didn't tell them until it ended that I drive an automatic! It's like riding bicycle.... you never forget.

[Suekersh]

I had to change to an automatic 20 years ago after a skiing accident. I think I was born to drive automatic as had no problem at all adapting and DH changed to an auto after being convinced by mine that it was the way to go.

Don't even think about gears just put it in D and go when I stop I put it in P and if I need to go backwards put it in R. Simples just like driving a dodgem car.

Sue

[GillD46]

My car has a manual gearbox, my husband has an automatic. I was apprehensive when I started driving his car - a 4x4 - but now I do find not having to change gears sooooo much nicer.

[oldbluefox]

You soon get used to automatics and then realise just how easy they are to drive. I changed cars about 6 weeks ago from a manual to an automatic and at first found it very strange not using the gear stick and keeping the left foot out of the way. However I really love it now. R to reverse, D to go forwards and no worries about balancing the clutch and doing hill starts.

[Onelife]

I had my first automatic 42 year ago which was a black and gold Ford Capri and without doubt it was the most handsome thing on our council estate...apart from me that is

Sadly it all ended in tears.... I took it round to a mate who offered to weld a patch onto the sill....unfortunatly he didn’t realise the fuel line ran along the inside of the sill which ended with disastrous consequences ...I’ve only ever had my heart broken a couple of times and she was the reason for one of them

Regards

OL

[Romig1]

Had an automatic for the last 2 cars, and wouldn't go back to a manual without a fight. I was reluctant at first to go auto, but have never looked back. Along with many others, I just use the right foot - though if mastered I assume the two-foot technique is better in theory.

[Jan Rosser]

Love an automatic - I've had four new Minis and all have been automatics - have on the odd occasion had a manual if the car has been in for a service and hated it - I particularly like the automatic when I drive to my son's up north especially in traffic on the flippin M6

Have to say it doesn't affect the performance either - still pretty nippy and most importantly I feel very safe

[jay-ell71]

Do they still manufacture cars with a manual gear shift?.
We have had autos for more than 25 years. So much more relaxing, particularly in traffic,

ray

My OH always says that!! I have to admit I couldn't be bothered to "drive" again. Whether in heavy town traffic or on the open road, it is the only way to go.

[Frank Manning]

I have had both and as several have said I just clamp the left foot firmly away from the pedals, use only the right foot, and dont depress the accelerator pedal too hard, In IAMs they like you to bring a car to a stop very gently, which I imagine is quite tricky if the brakes are the kind I have experienced on automatics in the past i.e. very fierce.

There are pros and cons for both, but I like manuals best.

[Dancing Queen]

I have had an automatic now for 6 years, my OH kept saying I should have one but I love driving and I honestly believed it would take the pleasure out of driving ..how wrong was I

We picked it up from the garage on a Friday and I refused to drive home, we agreed he would take me off road on the Sunday to get used to it, Sunday arrived and I thought "how stupid is this" I have been driving for xx years and as long as I know where the brake is there isn't a problem so I warily drove off our drive, by the time I got to the end of our Cul de Sac ( approx. 500 yards ) I thought ... I love this car by the time I got to our destination about 15 miles away ( I was totally in love with this car ) one final test ... Derbyshire is very hilly and I needed to be convinced I wouldn't "roll" on a hill start ...well it passed that test too

Yes it took a bit of getting used to especially as for a while I automatically went to change gear but this was the best choice I ever made, it took no pleasure out of driving in fact if anything it enhanced it, I wouldn't even consider going back to a manual now.

[Deefitz]

I always had manuals, and the first time I drove an automatic was in the US. Good fun getting used to driving an auto and driving on the wrong side of the road, but after that 2 week holiday I was amazed at how easy it was to drive. I had a knee replacement 3 years ago and decided to change to an automatic and I now don't know if I could go back to a clutch again.

[sunsetsail2night]

I too have been driving automatics for many years and would never go back to a gear stick. I find autos nippy in town traffic and so easy on motorways.

I can't understand why drivers in the UK are so reluctant to drive autos - a macho thing? In the States there are very few manual cars so people who hire cars are going to have to drive an automatic which could prove difficult if they haven't driven one before and have to drive in the right-hand lane.

Brenda

[Not so ancient mariner]

I too have been driving automatics for many years and would never go back to a gear stick. I find autos nippy in town traffic and so easy on motorways.

I can't understand why drivers in the UK are so reluctant to drive autos - a macho thing? In the States there are very few manual cars so people who hire cars are going to have to drive an automatic which could prove difficult if they haven't driven one before and have to drive in the right-hand lane.

Brenda

Automatics tend to be thirstier than their manual equivalents, and are often one tax bracket higher as well. They may be easier in town traffic, but on motorways I hardly need to change gear at all, so an auto would be no advantage there. I don't particularly like them because (unless they have improved over the past few years) they have a disconcerting habit of changing gear when you are neither wanting nor expecting them to!
Admittedly changing to an automatic from a manual box does take a bit of getting used to - but is nothing compared to going the other way.

[Delboy]

I would seem to be in the minority here, I have driven both Automatic and Manual cars over the years, both large and small, and for me I much prefer a car with a 5 gear manual gearbox.
I love to drive a car, not just sit behind the steering wheel, that I find boring.
I can understand why a lot of women prefer automatics

[oldbluefox]

I can understand why a lot of women prefer automatics

Delboy,
Flowers, Lucozade or grapes?

[Delboy]

I can understand why a lot of women prefer automatics

Delboy,
Flowers, Lucozade or grapes?

OBF

It's been nice knowing you, I've got my tin hat on, but don't think that's going to save me, Help!

[towny44]

I think I will seriously consider an automatic for my next new car, I always enjoy driving an auto hire car when in the US although the roads tend to be better maintained there, at least in Florida, which helps to give you that nice smooth relaxed driving feeling.
A pity that we have to pay so much extra for them, when in the US you pay extra for a stick shift (manual).