Thoughts on Automatic

EllenAnne

Hi all, have been learning to drive for a year and a half now. Still crap at it. Main problem is confidence, being a late learner but gears is the other bane in my driving life. Have major problems gearing down, say if I am in 4th coming to a roundabout or turn off an I have to go into 3rd and then 2nd, I don't know if I am braking too much or too little and can't seem to get the timing right. Sometimes the car seems to go faster when I gear down an sometimes it seems to stop or chug. And then sometimes I am only coming off the clutch when I am turning a corner. So am now thinking is automatic my only answer. Your thoughts on this please....

iverjohnston

As long as you never have to drive a manual car, for example, for work, then why not. Nice to drive, and you can keep your hands on the wheel at all times. as you probably know, a driving licence granted for an auto. car does not permit you th drive a manual gearbox car. Also there is less of a choice of secondhand auto cars out there. Tax can be higher, as they are a little less efficient than manuals models. Try one and see. Your driving school may not have one. You may have to buy one yourself and get your lessons in it. I love them.

I can't tell you why

EllenAnne wrote: »

I have to go into 3rd and then 2nd
No, you don't. You can skip from 4th to 2nd if you want.

I don't know if I am braking too much or too little and can't seem to get the timing right. Sometimes the car seems to go faster when I gear down an sometimes it seems to stop or chug. And then sometimes I am only coming off the clutch when I am turning a corner.
Sounds like a variety of problems, involving your rate of deceleration and timing of your gear change. Has your driving instructor not told you what you are doing wrong in each situation.

So am now thinking is automatic my only answer. Your thoughts on this please....

Automatics are generally more expensive. A lesson from a good ADI should help you recognise what you are doing wrong and fix your mistakes, for a lot less money.

EllenAnne

Hi Darragh, its over a year since I had lessons but had no car then. Have my own car for the last few months but the gear changing is still a problem. My instructor mentioned automatic to me a few times and I think now it was a subtle hint. Is more lessons the answer or are some people just not meant for manuals.

I can't tell you why

When you had lessons, how many did you have? It's not easy for anyone to 'get the hang of' the car control with just lessons and the same applies to just practice. A lesson or two could be a very easy fix to many of your problems. It could help now towards a test in the future. (Yes, I just mentioned the driving test. It could be more realistic then you think.)

LilyShame

I think you should get a couple more lessons in your own gear car first, with a recommended instructor. PM me if you would like me to pass you on a name, i know someone who is very good at teaching the gearing down process. Give yourself a timeline with this and then, say after Christmas, if it still isnt happening for you, then get an auto. There is no doubt you will be on the road alot quicker with an auto imo but driving a gear car can be more enjoyable. Like others pointed out, autos are more expensive.

EllenAnne

Thanks all, will get a few more lessons in my own car. Probably will be after Xmas. Will give it a few weeks to see will I eventually get the hang of it. Maybe 1 day.:rolleyes:

ProudDUB

OP, I bought an automatic car last Spring and I was spoiled for choice when it came to selection and price and makes and models. Don't let that put you off if you are thinking of buying an automatic car. They are very, very easy to drive. If you think that having one would make the driving experience simpler and more relaxed, then go for it, as it will.

However, if you decide to switch over to driving an automatic car and you sit your test in one, your driving license will only allow you to drive automatic cars. Think about that if you will be needing to drive anyones elses manual car from time to time. You won't be able to, unless you have a full license for both automatics and manuals.

But if you don't see that as being a problem for you, go for it. Get yourself an automatic and don't let people put you down for doing so. I don't know why some people are so quick to run others down (no pun intended :P ) for driving one. They take a lot of the hassle out of driving (especially if you do a lot of congested city driving) and if that works for you, then more power to you.

ciarashauna

OP I struggled for ages with driving a manual, was suffering bad anxiety when it came to changing gears and trying to observe at same time. My boyfriend suggested an automatic and I wasn't having any of it to begin with. Eventually changed my mind, bought one, did one driving lesson, one pre-test and passed driving test first time.
Give it a go for another little while but if it's really not working there's no shame in driving an automatic. If you're only looking for a cheap run around there's plenty of automatic Micras, and if something a bit dearer then you've loads of choice. :P

meathstevie

Look into using only the palm of your hand turned inward or outward depending what gear you need ( pushing outward combined with downward/upward when you move the stick away and pulling inward combined with downward/upward ) to select and never needing to look at the stick again.

Also train yourself to match your gear to your road speed at all time ( no high rev howling while driving and no low rev chugging ) which only comes with experience.