How easy is it to switch to driving an automatic car?

[Communionmom]

I’m looking for a new car and I like the fuel efficiency of the hybrid Toyota Yaris Cross but it’s automatic.

I’ve never driven an automatic, is it easy to get used to?

Couple of days like PPs. I was really nervous about it. Had to get DH to take me out to a small road to show me how to do it. The way it creeps forward if it is in Drive without you touching the accelerator was freaky for a bit but got used to it.

Had it just over a year, still prefer our other car which is a manual. The automatic is fine but the manual is still more fun. I wouldn't want to take the automatic on a long journey.

You put it in D(rive) and go.

It really doesn’t take a couple of days of getting used to. A couple of minutes, maybe.

And there is absolutely nothing ‘fun’ about driving a manual in traffic. It’s tedious.

Bought one, had never even tried to drive an automatic before and just drove. It's really easy. And sooooo annoying when they sometimes give me manual courtesy cars when mine is in for servicing. I'll never go back to manuals. Or petrol, for that matter, full electric is amazing!

I prefer manuals - feels more like I’m actually driving. We’ve got both types and I drive both regularly - I have no problem switching from one to another but just prefer manual.

And there is absolutely nothing ‘fun’ about driving a manual in traffic. It’s tedious.
For me the concentrating on changing gear and the additional concentration on not stalling at very low speeds help alleviate the tedium of being in slow moving traffic.

This. Go for it. It is particularly good for stop start urban driving. Not going back to manual.

For me the concentrating on changing gear and the additional concentration on not stalling at very low speeds help alleviate the tedium of being in slow moving traffic.

Have you tried an audiobook? No really. Or a language course?

Extremely easy- and that's the car I'm currently driving. It really is juts point and go.

I usually have Radio 4 for entertainment. Doesn't mean you can't use physical cues to also alleviate boredom when stuck in traffic without any way of getting out of it.

You realise I'm not seeking out teaffic jams just to spend more time changing gear?

Takes a bit of getting used to for sure-am 9months in and still occasionally go to change gear! But it is an easy drive.

Extremely easy.

My Yaris has a little ledge where you place your left foot - it’s tilted at the same angle it would be if your foot were on the clutch - and I’ve found that really helps with fooling your left leg into thinking it’s doing something! I was so nervous about changing but I honestly had nothing to worry about - so easy to drive and has made the commute (lots of stop start traffic) so much easier.

Dead easy. We switched to an automatic when we got an EV (all EVs are automatic). Within about 30 seconds I realised it was a dream and was wondering why I’d struggled with manuals all this time

Not sure what you mean here. You press the accelerator it goes. You press the brake it slows down.

That's exactly it. Because you are doing so much less to control it it can feel like you aren’t controlling it. Only being able to slow down by braking and not by changing gears or just doing less overall can make it feel like you aren't driving properly and therefore not so much in control.

For me that feeling only lasted the first hour or so but I can see how it could last longer.

Ever driven a go kart at the fair? Or a dodgem? You’ll be fine!