How to Drive an Automatic Car
Despite the name, an automatic car should not be confused with an autonomous or self-driving car. While an autonomous car is a vehicle that is capable of sensing its environment, and navigating without human input, an automatic car requires a human at the wheel whenever it is on the road.
The word ‘automatic’ refers to the gears used by today’s automatic cars. Based on relative speed and the load on the engine (such as when you are transporting several passengers or goods), the car will automatically choose the most appropriate gear. Usually, an automatic will change to a higher gear as the road speed increase, and to a lower gear as it falls. A manual transmission car, on the other hand, requires the driver to select the best gear using a combination of clutch and gearbox.
Research has shown that automatic cars are easier and much less stressful to drive than using a manual transmission, especially when it comes to sitting in heavy city traffic. This is something we have known for years at Autobility!
Basics
Most automatic gearboxes are very straightforward and will give you the option of selecting ‘P’ (for park), ‘R’ (reverse), ‘N’ (neutral) and ‘D’ (drive). ‘P’ locks the transmission and is selected when the vehicle is stationary.
Many automatic cars also have a first and second gear available for the driver to select. These allow the driver override the automatic system and select a low gear, such as may be required when going down a steep hill. In these situations, an automatic transmission will change into a higher gear. In such cases, for safety reasons it may be better to drive down a very steep hill in a lower gear, so a driver is given the option of a manual override.
How to Get Started
When you get into an automatic transmission car, it will normally have been left in ‘park’. In order to drive the vehicle, you will notice that unlike a manual transmission, which has three foot pedals to include a clutch, an automatic only has two pedals on the floor. These are the brake and the accelerator.
To start out, you place your right foot on the left-hand pedal – which is the brake - and push down, then start the car using the key or start button. With your foot still on the brake pedal, use your left hand to move the shifter to ‘D’ if you want to drive forward or ‘R’ if you wish to reverse. To perform either of these operations, you will simply need to push in the security button mounted on the gear lever.
When you lift your foot off the brake, it is very likely that your automatic car will begin to slowly move forwards (D) or backwards (R) without your foot touching the accelerator. This is intended to help with parking or in very slow moving traffic.
Remember, unlike a manual, which requires the use of both feet, you only use your right foot when driving an automatic car. You simply alternate between the brake and the accelerator as necessary.
Once moving, your automatic gearbox will select the correct gear without you having to worry about it. You can keep both hands on the steering wheel and just point your vehicle in the right direction. When you need to stop briefly, for example at a traffic light, you don't need to move the transmission out of Drive and into Park. You may use the handbrake to ensure the car is safely immobilized.
If you need to perform an overtaking manoeuvre, then press the accelerator down to the floor. This will cause the transmission to automatically drop down to a lower gear, which immediately gives you increased acceleration.
If you want to slow down, shift your right foot from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal. The automatic transmission will work its way down the gears as you slow down, and when the car comes to a stop, avoid moving forward slowly by keeping your foot on the brake.
Relax, you will never stall in an automatic car, even on the steepest hills!
Call us now and find out what it is like to drive an automatic. Why make passing your driving test harder than it needs to be? At Autobility we are proud of our outstanding record when it comes to our students passing the test on their first attempt!