Driving an automatic

antodeco

Hi all,
Heading to the states soon, and I am renting a jeep. Ive only ever driven an automatic for about 2 minutes in a cul de sac, but this time it will be for 2 weeks. Can anyone advise some tips on how to drive an automatic?

I know its left foot does nothing. You have D N R on the "gears". You only ever use N when parked? D is used all the time and its simply a case of lifting the foot of the brake to start moving away then using the accelerator to move off? Reverse steps to slow slow down?

Thanks

Alanstrainor

Use P when parked. Id leave it in D when driving. Especially in the states.

In D when you lift off the brake l, the car will creep forward. Then hit the go pedal to get properly moving.

Piece of cake. The less you think about it the better!

Kenny Logins

D. Go pedal, stop pedal.

N when waiting at lights or in traffic. No P for park?

Cee-Jay-Cee

Yeah that's basically it. You'll probably find yourself stamping for the clutch when coming to a stop the odd time but you soon get used to it. It really is extremely easy and you won't have any difficulties with them.

If your still unsure then find a dealer or someone selling an auto car or jeep close to you and go and take a test drive in it on the pretense you are interested in buying it.

wildefalcon

That's it. There are subtleties that you could get into, but that'll get you going. Experts will explain about stopping at junctions and hand brakes and all, but that will get you going.

Keep whacking the left leg as you approach junctions - stops you jabbing the clutch.

The thing to watch out for is when you get back - you coast up to a roundabout and forget to hit the clutch!

ABajaninCork

I'd get a couple of auto lessons in before you go.

langdang

Tie your left foot to something to avoid embarrassing peel yourself off the windshield stops. You WILL try to hit the imaginary clutch otherwise! Naw, just be wary of it til you get used to things

Neil_Sedaka

Been a while since I owned one, but yeah pretty much.
It won't let you select any gear unless the brake pedal is pushed in first.
Going forward - Push brake pedal and select D, release brake pedal and give it some gas.

Going in reverse - Push brake pedal and select R, release brake pedal and it will start creeping backwards.
I only ever used P when parked (again brake pedal first)

One tip, tuck your left foot under your right leg until you get used to driving it.
Once you get the hang of it you will love it. Being stuck in traffic is a pleasure simply on and off the brake pedal to creep forwards and stop.

Unless you are driving on some serious mountain roads, I wouldn't bother with gears 1 or 2.

Also remember, the car probably won't start when you turn the key if it's in any gear other than P.

Best of luck.

antodeco

Thanks for all the replies.

So when stopped at the lights, leave it in D, with foot on brake?
When parked/stopped properly, use P?

I assume the brake acts like the way a clutch does when biting at the gears? Lift it up slowly to get movement then Im ok to go with the accelerator?

Alanstrainor

ABajaninCork wrote: »

I'd get a couple of auto lessons in before you go.

Overkill for someone who knows how to dive imo.

antodeco wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.

So when stopped at the lights, leave it in D, with foot on brake?
When parked/stopped properly, use P?

I assume the brake acts like the way a clutch does when biting at the gears? Lift it up slowly to get movement then Im ok to go with the accelerator?

D with foot brake, or pop the handbrake on, whichever takes your fancy.

I wouldn't even compare it to a clutch. With no brake the car will crawl forward. So slowly lifting the brake will just gently let the car start creeping forward.

Obviously the car will not stall ...well not unless the car is shagged!

ABajaninCork

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Overkill for someone who knows how to dive imo.

With respect, I disagree. The OP's come on here asking HOW to drive an auto. So from that, I would think he's never driven one before. It's better to be absolutely certain he can drive one BEFORE he takes the car out on hire, don't you think? There are already quite a few suggestions on how he drives one, confusing the issue even more.

That is why I suggested he get a couple of auto lessons before he goes. Either that or borrow one to practice on.

Time & money well spent, I think...

Kenny Logins

ABajaninCork wrote: »

With respect, I disagree. The OP's come on here asking HOW to drive an auto. So from that, I would think he's never driven one before. It's better to be absolutely certain he can drive one BEFORE he takes the car out on hire, don't you think? There are already quite a few suggestions on how he drives one, confusing the issue even more.

That is why I suggested he get a couple of auto lessons before he goes. Either that or borrow one to practice on.

Time & money well spent, I think...

To be fair, the hardest part is trying to imagine what it's like before actually sitting behind the wheel. Once you're in there and have your left leg switched off, it pretty simple. Before I bought mine I was running through it in my head over and over (!?), but when I picked it up it was grand, just hopped in and drove 170 miles to the ferry.

alias no.9

Take your time and you'll be fine, it's handy to revert to driving test style with your hands at 10 to 2 on the wheel etc... to get used to driving on the wrong side of the road, the automatic makes this easier as you're not planting the clutch then reaching with the wrong hand and finding no gear stick. Watch out for carparks, they're the one place I always find myself drifting to the wrong side of the aisle and next thing a car turns into the aisle at the end I'm approaching. The road layout everywhere else will keep you wise to where you should be.

MBSnr

alias no.9 wrote: »

.
.
Watch out for carparks, they're the one place I always find myself drifting to the wrong side of the aisle and next thing a car turns into the aisle at the end I'm approaching. The road layout everywhere else will keep you wise to where you should be.

Yeah defo! I found when I turned into an access/side road from the main road, that didn't have any road markings, I'd automatically head for the left hand side.....

antodeco

Thanks for all the replies.

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Overkill for someone who knows how to dive imo.


D with foot brake, or pop the handbrake on, whichever takes your fancy.

So if the handbrake is on, I can sit it in D, and wont wear the gearbox at all? ie: The car recognises the handbrake is on, so doesnt try and drive?

antodeco

antodeco wrote: »

...........The car recognises the handbrake is on, so doesnt try and drive?

Nope, the handbrake will/should hold it.

StompToWork

antodeco wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.



So if the handbrake is on, I can sit it in D, and wont wear the gearbox at all? ie: The car recognises the handbrake is on, so doesnt try and drive?

It won't cause any problems, but if you are going to be stopped in traffic for a while, best to stick it in N (Neutral) while sitting there.

Believe me, once you get started, it will all make perfect sense.

Also note that if you are going to overtake something, once you put the boot in far enough, it will automatically drop a gear to get you the power you need. This is called kick-down. Also note that if you have a heavy foot when taking off, and prefer to accelerate hard, you will notice that the gearbox will run to a higher engine RPM that you are probably used to in a manual.

You will also probably find that if you are climbing a hill, and you happen to be at the speed and RPM where the gearbox wants to change gear, it will maybe change gears quite a lot. However, most modern Auto boxes are dynamic, and quickly learn your driving style, so as you drive more, it will get more clued in to what you are looking for from it.

In a car with an auto box and cruise control, you are just a passenger!!

hi5

antodeco wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.



So if the handbrake is on, I can sit it in D, and wont wear the gearbox at all? ie: The car recognises the handbrake is on, so doesnt try and drive?

When the car is idling, stopped and in D any small force acting on the car will prevent it from moving.
Autos are great for hill starts, as the hill versus the creep in many cases is enough to keep the car stationary without the handbrake:).

keithclancy

Looks like this, just pick D and your off

megafan

antodeco wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.



So if the handbrake is on, I can sit it in D, and wont wear the gearbox at all? ie: The car recognises the handbrake is on, so doesnt try and drive?

The car will want to creep forward but brake will hold it .... no clutch to burn out... Oil in gearbox will heat up but designed to.. Now as you drive off you will feel a slip & then will engage gear & on it will go through the gears (3 or 4 times depens how many gears?)... You'll love it in traffic or towing!!

antodeco

Awesome. Looking forward to it now. I just hope its a straight forward auto. The picture of the one above seems to have 3 stages of D? I have to wait till I get there, but its something along the lines of a Ford Kuga/Escape

ironclaw

antodeco wrote: »

Awesome. Looking forward to it now. I just hope its a straight forward auto. The picture of the one above seems to have 3 stages of D? I have to wait till I get there, but its something along the lines of a Ford Kuga/Escape

Some automatics allow your to select a 'gear' and drive in that without auto shifting. Handy for extreme hill climbs etc. I doubt you'll need it at all.

Just to add my two cents, do remember the left foot does nothing! If you hit the brake with your left foot and your not used to left foot breaking, you'll be peeling yourself off the windscreen!

megafan

If put in low gear L(1st) 2(2nd gear) it keeps the gearbox in low gears for steep hills or towing but you will have no need to use these on normal roads/driving start off in "D" (3rd or 4th?) & you'll br fine let the gearbox do the work!

antodeco

Haha, yeah ive been warned about that! Tie it to the chair apparantly! Three of us are going, and located right beside Disney, so shouldnt be a massive amout of driving, more start stop in traffic.

Depending on how I work things, I may drive to Miami on one of the days for a few hours. Seems to make sense if Im that close already anyway!

Kenny Logins

You'll wonder what all the fuss was about. It's just 'go, stop'.

Joe10000

It's a doddle but like others have said keep your left foot on the floor and concentrate on what side of the road you are on as it takes a bit of getting used to.

ironclaw

antodeco wrote: »

Haha, yeah ive been warned about that! Tie it to the chair apparantly! Three of us are going, and located right beside Disney, so shouldnt be a massive amout of driving, more start stop in traffic.

Depending on how I work things, I may drive to Miami on one of the days for a few hours. Seems to make sense if Im that close already anyway!

Read up on Florida's rules of the road. They have a few differences but nothing major.

Also Miami is a fair drive from Orlando

antodeco

About 3 and a half hours I think? Leave at 8am get there for midday. Leave at 5, get home at 9. Im just toying with the idea at this point in time, probably wont happen!

MBSnr

Also the US rental car I had didn't have a hand operated 'hand brake lever' - it was operated by foot pedal (was a few yrs back though). No need to use it at all.

ironclaw

MBSnr wrote: »

Also the US rental car I had didn't have a hand operated 'hand brake lever' - it was operated by foot pedal (was a few yrs back though). No need to use it at all.

In my opinion, it would be foolish to park and not apply the handbrake irregardless of automatic or manual gearboxes. I know for a fact most Americans don't use it however.

Victor Meldrew

ABajaninCork wrote: »

With respect, I disagree. The OP's come on here asking HOW to drive an auto. So from that, I would think he's never driven one before. It's better to be absolutely certain he can drive one BEFORE he takes the car out on hire, don't you think? There are already quite a few suggestions on how he drives one, confusing the issue even more.

That is why I suggested he get a couple of auto lessons before he goes. Either that or borrow one to practice on.

Time & money well spent, I think...

I agree. It is often assumed that if you can drive stick, you can drive a slushbox.

especially in the US where they drive on the wrong side of the road. OP will have enough to contend with .

I saw my wife try auto for the first time. Jack rabbit down the road and then lamping on the brakes hard.

I test drove a slush-box last week after 3 years back in a manual and fell straight back into the comfort zone.

Victor Meldrew

ironclaw wrote: »

In my opinion, it would be foolish to park and not apply the handbrake irregardless of automatic or manual gearboxes. I know for a fact most Americans don't use it however.

Foolish and horrible to the parking pall that locks the transmission. Especially parking on hills

Handbrake on first. into "N", let car "hang" on handbrake, shift into park.

That way you will be able to get it out of "P" without a "thunk" that would make you cry if it was your car.

My wife was incapable of doing this the right way by the way... much to my annoyance.

Syllabus

Dont think anyone mentioned but it wont start when in gear

In other words if you park up and leave it in D when you want to go again it needs to be in D or N to turn over.

Ive seen people get caught out with these before to the extent of calling out the break down service

Joe10000

I've driven from Miami to Orlando and its a handy enough run. Two tips, don't go to downtown Miami and whatever else you do make sure you do an airboat trip on the Everglades, you can do an hour long one if you're stuck for time and it will be a highlight of your trip. The closest tour is about a half hour from Miami beach.

ironclaw

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

Foolish and horrible to the parking pall that locks the transmission. Especially parking on hills

Handbrake on first. into "N", let car "hang" on handbrake, shift into park.

That way you will be able to get it out of "P" without a "thunk" that would make you cry if it was your car.

My wife was incapable of doing this the right way by the way... much to my annoyance.

Sorry, I wasn't getting at order of application. I was merely saying parking a car without a handbrake applied would be foolish in my opinion. Agreed though!

gurramok

Don't park on street facing traffic, they'll fine you and tow the car away!

pcardin

antodeco wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.



So if the handbrake is on, I can sit it in D, and wont wear the gearbox at all? ie: The car recognises the handbrake is on, so doesnt try and drive?

Don't bother with handbrake while in D. Will only confuse you and there's no need anyway. Besides who said that the model you'll drive is not footbrake (additional pedal)?
When approach traffic lights leave it in D just keep your foot on brakes, if long traffic jam move to N but still keep your leg on brake pedal. When parked move to P
And when driving up steep hill you can switch to from D to 4 , 3 , 2 and when doing that yu don't have to stop.

the culture of deference

Always put it in P or N to start. It will not start in any other gear and will appear dead.

Watch the brakes.

People who have never driven an Auto have a habit of slamming them on. The missing clutch pedal does funny things to people.

Brake as you would in a manual, smoothly and progressively, and remember the car will also slow down when you take your foot of the gas.

Never leave the engine running in drive when you get out of the car (even with the handbrake on)

Marcusm

the culture of deference wrote: »

Always put it in P or N to start. It will not start in any other gear and will appear dead.

Watch the brakes.

People who have never driven an Auto have a habit of slamming them on. The missing clutch pedal does funny things to people.

Brake as you would in a manual, smoothly and progressively, and remember the car will also slow down when you take your foot of the gas.

Never leave the engine running in drive when you get out of the car (even with the handbrake on)

This is the bit I had trouble with when occasionally driving autos; right foot on gas, left foot to brake led to face on windscreen moments.

Other thing to check before you go is driving licence validity. Florida passed a law requiring all foreign licence holders to have an intl driving permit and forgot to exempt people with licences in English. They want to amend it but haven't done so yet.

antodeco

Im applying for the international permit anyway! Only back from Thailand where I was meant to be driving, but never got around to it (had the forms for the permit anyway!)

the culture of deference

Marcusm wrote: »

This is the bit I had trouble with when occasionally driving autos; right foot on gas, left foot to brake led to face on windscreen moments.

If you were driving a manual normally you wouldn't use your left foot to brake. In an Auto your left should do nothing.

As I said above the lack of a clutch pedal confuses people.

07Lapierre

A few years ago i booked a hire car in Florida. When i arrived it was MANUAL.

Matt Simis

the culture of deference wrote: »

Watch the brakes.

People who have never driven an Auto have a habit of slamming them on. The missing clutch pedal does funny things to people.

The way you right that it sounds like you are suggesting Left Foot braking.. Braking in an Auto is exactly the same as a manual. Only if you brain-fart how to use brakes in general does braking in an Auto cause confusion.

OSI wrote: »

I don't recall driving any auto that would even let you turn off the engine unless it was in P.

That doesnt sound safe at all (emergencies or if gearbox, gear selector fault = no way of stopping engine??).

Ive had loads of autos and you can turn them off in any gear, you just need to start in P (usually only P, not N or P) and sometimes with modern ones you need to hold the brake pedal, which it tells you on the MID, to start the car.

Kenny Logins

Left foot braking in any car will bop your head off the windscreen.

thewing

3 pages on how to drive an automatic? Must be bored this weather.....

antodeco

I know, its a 4 pager on automatic driving!

Im used to left foot braking anyway, but I wont do it over there. Id be afraid that as I would be nrevous driving, there would be a partial brain fart.

keithclancy

ABajaninCork wrote: »

With respect, I disagree. The OP's come on here asking HOW to drive an auto. So from that, I would think he's never driven one before. It's better to be absolutely certain he can drive one BEFORE he takes the car out on hire, don't you think? There are already quite a few suggestions on how he drives one, confusing the issue even more.

That is why I suggested he get a couple of auto lessons before he goes. Either that or borrow one to practice on.

Time & money well spent, I think...

Just read the manual.

E.G. You could get lessons in a Toyota automatic and then spend 15 minutes trying to figure out how to disengage the Handbrake on an E Class Merc.

Once you know how to stop/go/park in an auto box thats all you need.

Other side of the road is fine, no biggie.

langdang

Matt Simis wrote: »

The way you right that it sounds like you are suggesting Left Foot braking.. Braking in an Auto is exactly the same as a manual. Only if you brain-fart how to use brakes in general does braking in an Auto cause confusion.

I was fine in stop start driving, it's the first few times that you're coming to some kinda yield junction or whatever, so you're not going all that fast, ready to go if the way is clear but you have to stop for whatever reason - your active brain is watching the road and muscle memory/ habit/ whatever stomps your clutch foot down so you don't conk - BAM you hit the brakes instead of the clutch. You only do it once or twice though! some shock haha!

Eric Cartman

be careful incase the handbrake is a pedal, you may hit it thinking its a clutch peddle, can get quite embarassing.

Syllabus

OSI wrote: »

I don't recall driving any auto that would even let you turn off the engine unless it was in P.

I dont recall driving any auto that WOULDNT let turn off the engine tbh

Its getting the key out while in geat thats causes the probs

Plenty of cars about that allow you leave it in gear and take the key out in my experience

OSI

OSI wrote: »

I don't recall driving any auto that would even let you turn off the engine unless it was in P.

I'd be surprised if there was any auto out there that wouldn't let you turn it off in D, N or R tbh.