Scared to drive new car

[Darksquirrel90]

I've been driving manual cars for 33 years. No points or accidents ever.

Today we pick up a brand new automatic car. I test drove it with DH. He was fine as he's driven automatics before. But I have never and couldn't remember there is no clutch and slammed the break thinking it was the clutch. Im terrified im going to have an accident in it. This morning I woke up after a v vivid dream of being in prison, but no sight of why I was in there in the dream, now im panicking I'll have an accident and go to prison.

I don't want to drive the car im so scared. I need the car to get to work.

The dream has REALLY shaken me

You'll get used to it really quickly. Why not get your DH to go out with you today just for a really short drive

When I first got an automatic I found it helpful to tuck my left foot under so I didn’t try and use it on the pedals. You’ll get used to it pretty soon I’m sure.

Autos are much easier. Plant your left foot and stop catastrophising.

I have one of each and I’ve never got them confused when I thought I would! Go and sit in the car on your own. Familiarise yourself with the controls. Turn it on and drive it forward and then backwards. See how it feels. Do a short little drive at a quiet time of day. Build up from there. You can do this!

You have to put your left foot totally out of the way of the pedals. Some automatics, like mine, have a ledge on the left that you can put your left foot on, and then it’s a lot easier never to use it. Then, what you do with your right foot is exactly the same as with a manual.

You wouldn’t go to prison if you had an accident in your car, though, because you wouldn’t have committed any crime.

You just learn sooooo quickly. Like others said you must plant your left foot and then it’s all the same. Good luck.

We’ve got both manual and automatic, honestly, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you get used to the automatic. Get your DH to drive it to a quiet car park if there’s one near you and have a bit of practice in it. Happy new car day!

The first time I drove an automatic was a hire car in the US. The hire guy had obviously met a fair few manual driving Brits, and told me to make sure that one leg stayed still, out of the way. I'd say it only took me a few minutes to get used to it. It took a while longer to stop my arm from going to change gears. Give yourself a quiet place to practice and I'm sure you'll be fine after a few minutes.

It’s literally like driving a bumper car. Just put your left foot on the sloping foot rest in the left and don’t move it. It’s being tempted to use both feet that causes issues but it’s very quick to get used to. You’ll never want to drive a geared car again 😂

Get a grip. Has some faith in yourself. Take confidence in the fact that millions of people
around the world drive them
no problem and you aren’t special.
Get out there and after half an hour you’ll be fine.

Not necessarily. I don’t mention this to frighten OP, but let’s be accurate.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cze0xr9g5lno

We have one geared car and one automatic. I do have to think about it when I get in a ‘diffferent’ one, but literally for 5 seconds and then it’s absolutely fine.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5549582-automatic-car-help-i-cant-do-it?reply=153290264

I found this advice helpful - honestly I managed and drove to Liverpool and back - actually reluctant to give it back and might be slightly converted.

keep your left foot out of the way and only use your right - it’s easy once you get that.

i was the same. love it now. it just took a few days to get used to it.

tuck your left leg under. it’ll be fine. get your partner to come with you, perhaps even drive you both to somewhere nearby and you drive back.

honestly youll be fine. once your leg is tucked it feels different and you cannot reach the “clutch” ie brake with it under there!

My husband got an electric car. It took me ages to get my courage up to drive it solo. I probably wasted hundreds of pounds' worth of petrol by continuing to use my own car in preference.

It is so easy. There's a gap where the clutch is, you will very quickly get the hang that the brake and gas are just there for your right foot. I'm a complete convert, and I say that as someone who struggled with it.

@VestibuleWeaver thanks for that. I do hope that it doesn’t put the op off driving her new car.

Others are right, you’ll get used to it so fast. I’d never driven auto until we had an automatic hire car and was very nervous but picked it up right away. Tuck your left foot behind your right leg and away you go!

Me too. Equally, I hope no one thinks there are no serious consequences if they have an accident in their car, which is what you suggested.

What if the accident involved crashing into pedestrians and killing one? Of course a little bump into the car in front wouldn’t have prison time but you’re wrong to say they wouldn’t have committed a crime, maybe they will have depending on what actually happens. Very unlikely I’m sure but your comment is incorrect

We got an electric car last year. I have always been very nervous driving a different car, but DH can drive anything, so I was the one to take it on the test drive. I was very surprised to find that I got used to it very quickly!

It has distinct advantages - not having to think about what gear you need to be in when pulling out into traffic or going up a steep hill is really helpful - and not having any loss of power when going up hill is fantastic.

Yes - if I haven't driven for a while I have to think about what I'm doing at the start, but it's actually very natural. My DH still gets frustrated when he forgets that he needs to depress the brake and press the starter button at the same time to start it though! (It's electric - and he IS 72).

Have some practice runs in it. You will soon get used to it and it is easier than you think.

Perhaps I was treating the word “accident” in its literal sense, as in not criminally negligent or careless. I can see, thanks to @VestibuleWeaver’s prompt correction that I was wrong to do so and that no one can assure the OP that she won’t end up in prison after a car accident.

That is the mistake you make once and never again. We have an EV and a manual car and I go between both routinely with no issues adjusting. I much prefer driving the EV now even though I was an automatic sceptic! Just park your left foot entirely, it’s not needed at all with an automatic. Don’t try to drive it like a go kart!

Embarrassingly I've been moaning about my automatic Kia being sluggish and non responsive when I accelerate and Dh pointed out that there are still some gears even in an auto, you just don't have a clutch. My other auto is an antique and doesn't have this, so that is something to watch out for when you drive it. I mean, you prop know already, but just in case.

I have a little shelf on the left to put my foot on.

I promise you will get used to it quickly. I was terrified when we got an EV the first time I drove it. I wanted to send it back.

Mine has a little foot rest on the left to put my left foot out of the way. Does yours have that? Go drive it somewhere quiet to get a feel for it.

i love mine now, it is so ridiculously easy to drive. I’ll never drive a manual car again.

I was the same when I started with an automatic.

gove yourself a number of short stop and start drives today, you will be used to it within days and will love it within the week!