Advice please: Moving from manual to automatic transmission car.

Ezeoul

Due to worsening mobility issues, I have to reluctantly part with my manual car and move to one with automatic transmission.

Any advice would be appreciated. I have never driven an automatic, is is difficult to transition too?

I'm also looking at automatic cars for sale online - any tips on what I need to be aware of, red flags to avoid.

Typical annual mileage is between 6k and 8k per year. Not interested in EVs at this point. Thanks.

(eta) Budget would be trade in value (171 Micra, 83000 km) + €5k (cash). I don't like spending a lot on cars!

Firblog

There will be no difficulty, after a couple of days you'll wonder why the hell anyone would use manual.

tritriagain

No difficulty at all. The problem arises when you go back to manual and need to stop you can forget to use the clutch.

This is it

It's very easy. My Nana is 84 and has an issue with her shoulder making changing gears difficult, she bought an automatic last year and hasn't looked back. She wouldn't venture too far at the start, she was a little nervous, but after a few days there wasn't a bother on her.

Damien360

My dad who is close to 80 was the exact same as you and had manual Toyota's all his life. Even had the auto box Yaris delivered to the house as he was afraid to drive it. About 2 hours later he was away and never looked back. Loves the ease of the auto.

Where to place your clutch foot is the only thing to remember. I used to tuck it under my seat for a few days to get used to one foot driving. Now it's second nature and I don't have to bother. As someone above said, remembering what to do if you go back to manual is the hard part especially when rolling up to traffic lights in a manual. Re-start the car and you won't forget a second time.

Height of car will be important if you have mobility issues. You don't want to be climbing in and out of a car. You want to step in. Current Yaris is a nice height (out of your budget) for example but the current Corolla hatch would be quite low.

yagan

Its much easier.

Essentially you're just using your right foot for either the accelerator or the brake, basically press to go and slow down/stop.

No difference on how you use the handbrake, although pulling away while parked on an incline is easier in an automatic as you don't have to think about releasing the handbrake while also balancing between the clutch and accelerator. It will just be easing off the handbrake while you press the accelerator in an automatic.

I know nothing about Nissen Micra's but you can get them in automatic so simply switching to would probably provide the easiest transition. All you have to remember is you don't need to use your left foot at all. It might feel weird at first but you'll quickly get used to it and wonder why you didn't transition sooner.

We have both manual and automatic in our household and I much prefer using the automatic. When we finally trade out the manual we'll never go back.

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122513472#Comment_122513472

Thanks.

Never thought of the height, that's a good tip. I'll look at the Corollas and the Yaris.

Can increase the budget for the right car as I would intend to keep it for a good few years.

carveone

My mum changed to an auto and finds it way easier on her knees, especially in stop start traffic or when negotiating turns. The previous car had a very heavy clutch.

When I drove in Canada for a few years, I found I never used the handbrake. The car won't roll back on inclines unless they're really very steep. When parking I put the shift into Park, only using the handbrake on a hill.

I found two gotchas when I started on an automatic. One was remembering to put my foot on the brake before changing into Drive (the car won't let you shift otherwise) and the other was trying to put my foot on a non existent clutch when stopping the first time or two.

There's a Nissan Micra automatic in my apartment blocks car park. It's only 1 litre but it seems a decent enough car.

pinkfloyd34

Yes use right foot for brake and accelerator, the salesman said to me if you use your two feet you will go out through the window so I think that is important. Then you just have park, reverse, neutral and drive, you get used to it after a half an hour.

Atlantic Dawn

Have a look at the Prius too, roomy inside. Id be not too pushed on 1 litre automatics, too little power and sluggish through gears.

I drove an automatic for a week on holidays, came home and sold my manual for an automatic, have only driven automatics since, would never ever go back. Best tip someone gave me before I drove one was to imagine your left foot no longer exists, you only ever use your right foot.

Marcusm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058364816/advice-please-moving-from-manual-to-automatic-transmission-car

For me, the most important thing was to ensure that you use your left foot for nothing, ie use right for accelerator and break just as you would with a manual. When I first started with an auto, I used left foot braking but it’s way too harsh whereas lift off, transfer foot etc is more natural.

Marcusm

The Toyota mild hybrids are all automatic. An 80 year old aunt was addicted to petrol Corollas but has taken to the hybrid one like a duck to water. You might even find a Micra of a similar vintage?

spurious

It's just steering.

Jim_Hodge

I made the switch to automatic this year. For a day or two I found myself reaching for the gear stick. After that it just became second nature. Your parents will live it. Just don't overthink it. Driving is a joy and I should have changed years ago.

blackvalley

Absolutely agree with all the previous comments regarding the simplicity of driving an automatic. Have been driving them for the last ten years and wouldn’t dream of going back to manual.
Suggest that you try one out somewhere quiet and safe just before you make the purchase in the extremely unlikely event that you don’t like it. Within twenty minutes you will be wondering why on earth anyone would drive a manual.
Good luck with your purchase.

accensi0n

I used to have a stupid lad attitude of it's not real driving.

Part of the reason I moved to auto were unrelated hip and ankle issues/pain which my old manual nissan Almera with stiff pedals was absolutely not helping with.

Moves to an auto with much smoother pedals was a life saver. The ability to drink a coffee while driving is also a great benefit.. 😅

Buddy Bubs

Its easy to jump into an automatic and be very comfortable almost straight away and the best thing is you don't have to relearn manual - I have not owned a manual car since about 6 cars ago and have no problem jumping back into one whenever I need to.

Oscar_Madison

1/2 a day max OP and you’ll be asking yourself why you didn’t switch to automatic years ago

beachhead

Ezeoul,you have asked about the practicalities of using an automatic.Consider fuel economy on automatic ICE cars,also.with some marques there can be appreciable difference in fuel economy between a manual and an automatic.I have driven Hondas one example and saw 20% increase in fuel consumption(in a diesel).Whereas with an Opel or Ford hardly any difference.Another thing to consider on test drive is that the lag between going from neutral to drive will be noticeable-it varies between manufacturers.No opinion on hybrids-not driven them yet.

Damien360

Given the OP's low annual mileage, a petrol hybrid is the way to go. Between ourselves, extended family and in laws there are 4 petrol Toyota hybrids. Not the most exiting car but every one of them is reliable.

Fuel economy depends on town Vs motorway. Town driving we get 5 L/100km on a Toyota CHR over the whole 35L fuel tank. Motorway at 120 it hits 7.5 L/100km.

Tippbhoy1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122513936#Comment_122513936

This is the best piece of advice you will get. No longer use your left foot, ever, it’s redundant. Temptation to use the left foot will be a clutch type movement on a sensitive brake with bad results.

Other than that, in a week you will ask yourself why didn’t you make the transition years ago.

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122513429#Comment_122513429

hopefully she uses the rear view mirrors though?

Jackiebt

I lived in the US for 20 years emigrated in my early 20s so got used to an automatic, moved home and bought an automatic, you'll be grand and if you've issues its a smart move. I wouldn't drive anything but an automatic now, best of luck.

MrMusician18

I'm going to go against the grain here and argue that the transition isn't always easy or straightforward

For example, for some people the muscle memory of clutching and braking can come back in high stress situations and that can make things worse for them.

Jackiebt

A great point, theres a foot rest for your left foot and that's where it stays, right foot only, like a bumper car.

tphase

as per previous posters, very easy to change to automatic

first time I drove one (many years ago), I hit the brake when my brain told my foot to clutch - after that, I planted my left foot on the floor, let it push whenever the urge to clutch took over but never lifted off the floor. Doesn't take long to cure that affliction….

antodeco

Question on automatics and I only thought if it when driving down through the Dublin mountains.

In a manual you can rev limit the engine to a certain speed going down a hill, however in an automatic will it just keep speeding up unless you keep your foot on the brake too?

Buddy Bubs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122514877#Comment_122514877

Automatic will change gear going down a hill just like you do yourself in a manual to limit speed, you'll still need to use brakes at times of course

Just like everything in an automatic though, it will do what it sees as correct itself rather than exactly what you'd do yourself.

A good auto though and you will be fine

djan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122514602#Comment_122514602

Modern automatics tend to have lower consumption due to usually higher amount of gears and they will shift at the ideal RPM especially when compared to your average Joe.

There's different types for autos but honestly unless it's a weekend sports car, there's no reason for staying with manual and I've yet to meet someone who regrets the switch.

Ezeoul

Had a look around and spotted a couple I like at first look, two stood out, one is a micra and one is a Citroen C3 (had a manual C3 for over a decade and loved it).

The micra is a japanese import, is that a problem with insurance?

I changed from manual to automatic last year after having never driven an automatic for the 16 or so years prior.

The only slight challenge I had that took a few months to get used to was in supermarket car parks where you can be holding up drivers if I was under any sort of pressure/stress the actual of moving it into drive and reverse was a bit foreign compared to a manual. A few times I ended up driving forwards when I meant to go backwards

yagan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122514877#Comment_122514877

Some autos have lower ratios that you move the shifter to when going downhill. I think it make the engine use fewer revs, retarding the descent.

My current automatic has gear shifting pedals on the steering wheel that allow me drop a gear if I feel the transition is too sluggish for acceleration, or for saving the breaks on downhill driving.

I'd recommend padal shifters so it will feel you have the control over gears like you have with a manual, but without needing a clutch pedal.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122519217#Comment_122519217

The Micra probably won’t have an alarm & immobiliser so you’ll need to get one fitted. Shouldn’t be a problem with insurance

moonage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122519217#Comment_122519217

There are different types of automatics: torque converter, CVT, dual clutch, automated manual, eCVT.

I'd be a bit wary of CVT and dual clutch due to reliability issues. Also, dual clutches can be jerky at low speed. I'd totally avoid automated manuals.

Personally I'd either go for a torque converter or a Toyota hybrid (they've got eCVT). Torque converters unfortunately are becoming less common and dual clutches tend to be replacing them.

Of the two you've mentioned, I believe the Micra is a CVT (or possibly an automated manual?) and the Citroen is a torque converter, so I'd favour the Citroen.

If it was me, I'd concentrate on Toyota hybrids: Yaris, Corolla, C-HR, Prius. They're very reliable and there are lots to choose from. (Honda hybrids are very good as well: Jazz and Civic).

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122520145#Comment_122520145

Also the automatic gearbox in the Micra is extremely expensive/impossible to repair if thats a concern

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122520145#Comment_122520145

This is great information, and the kind of thing I would be utterly clueless about, when it comes to automatics.

Thanks for sharing.

yagan

I had to test drive a few small run arounds for an elderly aunt who doesn't do much driving now and I thought the Yaris was good, but for shear ease of parking the Suzuki Ignis was a dream. It sits higher than a Yaris and all round visibility is excellent. Brilliant in urban, but I wouldn't recommend if a motorway is part of you daily drive.

moonage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122520145#Comment_122520145

Just a clarification regarding the Citroen C3. I think the older ones were automated manuals (not so good) and the newer ones are torque converters (good). I'm not exactly sure when the switch was made.

For some automatic cars it can be quite difficult to find out what type they are. Sometimes the manufacturers aren't very explicit. And the type in some Japanese imports can be different to the ones in the same Irish model from the same year.

_Kaiser_

I haven't driven a manual since the mid-90s and would NEVER, EVER go back.

Back then they were pretty hard to come by unless Japanese imports or mid-higher-end German saloons, but nowadays you can get pretty much everything in auto (except vans - I've looked in the past at renting one when moving house and they're still almost all manual).

Far easier in traffic, better on hills/inclines, just better all round IMO for the majority of driving. Unless you're an enthusiast or purist you'll - as others have said - wonder why anyone would choose a manual nowadays.

My current car doesn't even come in manual. EV's are all automatic as well.

User567363

With an automatic car you only use one foot, do not take the other foot off the foot rest while driving

I cant remember if its the left foot or the right foot, but you will know if you use the wrong one

kermitpwee

In the beginning keep your left leg bent so your foot is flat on the floor and your left arm under your left arse cheek, it's a simple way to make yiu drive if like yiu should. Another mental cue is to think its like a bumper car at a carnival

blackbox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122520145#Comment_122520145

I've never heard of reliability issues with Toyota CVTs.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058364816/advice-please-moving-from-manual-to-automatic-transmission-car

Like others have said drive with the left foot tucked back.

Driven manuals all my life, decades still like them, especially on a twisty road. But for driving in traffic or easing the work load, an automatic is a no brainer. An EV lightens the load even more. So don't rule an EV in the future.

Whatever it takes to stay mobile. Maybe it because I switch between a manual and an auto (I take whatever is in the drive) But while I picked up driving the auto easy, I was still making little mistakes for ages.

moonage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122521986#Comment_122521986

You may be right.

Nissan CVTs have been very poor, which is where the bad reputation has come from.

Toyota and Honda CVTs seem to be pretty good, although I'd prefer a good torque converter over any CVT.

Strumms

I’ll be making the change soonish.

Inspired by seeing my parents make the transitions from manual to auto and they both love it. You couldn’t pay them to go back to manual. Both have arthritis and the ease of them not having to clutch and keep shifting gears is brilliant for them.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122521959#Comment_122521959

I'll assume that you are being sarcastic there. There's a foot rest for your left foot. Taking a hand off the steering wheel in order to tuck your arm anywhere is a fool's game.

OP, tell them to go for it. They'll love it.

kermitpwee

No not being sarcastic at all, it's a good way to get into it in the beginning, obviously do this fir a short period of time, it stops the person trying to change gear with their left hand etc.

It was a driving instructor that gave this advice to my sister.

Nate--IRL--

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122522114#Comment_122522114

Just to point out that CVTs and Torque Converters are two different things altogether. A CVT is a type of Gear box, a Torque Converter is in lieu of a Clutch.

You can have a CVT with a Torque Converter, or a CVT with an Automatic Clutch. I've had issues with Automatic Clutch based CVTs before.

Nate

GSBellew

I love automatics, it makes driving in general a lot less taxing.

Once you keep your left foot on the foot rest it will be fine, if you use it to brake it can be difficult to overcome the muscle memory reflex of using the clutch, so you will brake very hard & suddenly unless you learn to left foot brake.

One thing to also keep in mind is what to do with your left hand, if it is a floor mounted Automatic and not a column mounted one and you are in the habit of keeping your hand on the gear lever your brain may take over and want you to shift gears, I've seen this happen to older people who are used to manuals all their lives.