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AIBU?

To not want to drive the car again?

43 replies

TheIronGnome · 30/07/2014 14:51

Started a new job recently, where I can drive the car. I'm a confident driver- drive all around London happily, motorways etc, no problems. It took me a total of4 years to pass my 4th test but I'm fine now I've nailed it.

The car at work is an over 3 litre automatic, mine is a 1.6 manual. I drove a friends auto once and though I found it totally weird, I managed ok. I tried to drive the car at work today and freaked out. I was using both feet on the pedals and treating the break a bit like the clutch on a manual. In the end, I had to get my boss to drive back, as I couldn't.

I was so embarrassed, I kept apologising and trying to explain what I thought I'd done wrong. She says we'll go out in it again but I'm thinking I might ask just to leave it. I was so excited to have access to a car in this job but I really really don't feel at all safe to be in control of such a different and powerful car.

I could manage the job fine on public transport. There's only one place we'd go which would be so much easier by car. Most places would be fine on buses and trains but I don't know if I'm being stupid- automatics are meant to be so much easier and now I'm freaking out about it, I feel even worse.

Am I being silly? Do I just need to get over it?? I don't thing using my car would be very practical so I'd probably be either work car or public transport. Will my boss think me totally ridiculous to not drive it? It's not ideal when trying to make a good first impression on my first week

OP posts:

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Yambabe · 30/07/2014 15:48

Get an auto lesson or two, you will soon get the hang of it.

True story, DH and I were in Vegas last year on holiday, had a hire car which was an auto. Had a massive row (can't remember what about but it was his fault for being alive when I had PMT) and I stormed out, intending to take the car and just drive for a bit til I had calmed down. Couldn't get it out of the hotel car park! 40 minutes later crept sheepishly back to the room and had to ask him to show me how it worked, been driving for 20+ years and just couldn't get my head round it by myself.........

cansu · 30/07/2014 17:08

I would suggest you do take it on your own. I hate driving other cars and when I recently had a courtesy car which was a diesel and seemed very clunky and different I took it to a big empt car park and practised there until I felt I had the clutch right. I think you just need a bit of time.

ramrod757 · 02/08/2014 09:13

Now, 13 years on I drive a 340bhp auto, it's so torque-y and powerful they don't actually make it in a manual as the physics render it impossible

Whoever told you that was talking bollocks I'm afraid. Of course it would have been possible to make a manual version - the manufacturer just chose not to, possibly because they didn't have a gearbox in their current range that would cope and didn't want to spend the money on R&D.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 02/08/2014 09:21

Put your left foot on the 'fake' pedal on the left and DON'T MOVE IT, then use your right foot to move from gas to brake.

Getting used to a bigger car takes a while,I did it and it just takes practise.

BlueThursday · 02/08/2014 09:22

I

BlueThursday · 02/08/2014 09:24

I went from a 2l manual diesel to a 4.2 auto petrol and at first thought it was a bad idea.

Couldn't go back now, you will pick it up don't worry

Droflove · 04/08/2014 09:57

You cant let this get the better of you. It's a car, a different type, but you are well able to drive so do a lesson if needed but it won't do your image and reputation any good in the new job if you basically say you're too scared to drive it.

specialsubject · 04/08/2014 10:40

it is in fact quite good to drive different cars occasionally.

as everyone notes, forget your left leg when driving an auto. Then it is just a car. It is a different car so will respond differently. In UK conditions having 3 litres makes no difference apart from a colossal petrol bill I drive a 3l auto car occasionally and it doesn't run away with me.

when stopped at lights, ALWAYS put the handbrake on; autos creep if you release the brake by mistake.

CaurnieBred · 05/08/2014 10:41

When stopped at lights, always put the gear stick into neutral; that way the engine isn't revving (and burning petrol) and thus the car won't creep. Leaving it in Drive is like sitting in a manual car with the gears at the "contact/biting point".

ramrod757 · 05/08/2014 10:57

Life's too short to keep taking it out of drive at the lights. Many modern autos with stop/start will stop quite happily if left in drive.

BookABooSue · 05/08/2014 11:38

I have to drive different vehicles for work, swopping from manual to auto, diesel to petrol, huge engines to tiny ones. There is always an initial period of adjustment so try not to worry too much. My own car is manual and I haven't had any problems swapping back to it after work.

The tip about keeping your left leg tucked back is a good one as is the suggestion to have an auto lesson or hire an auto car for a few hours and drive round a car park. (I'm not sure which would work out cheaper!).

However if you feel really uncomfortable about it could you suggest you use your own car for work instead and get a fuel/mileage allowance?

Thebodyloveschocolateandwine · 05/08/2014 11:40

Yep forget your left foot

crazyspaniel · 05/08/2014 11:45

Honestly, if you can drive a manual, there is no way on earth that you won't manage an automatic. As other posters have said, the key is tucking your left foot out of the way.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 05/08/2014 22:13

When waiting at lights you keep your foot on the brake, you do NOT put it into neutral, seriously you don't.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 05/08/2014 22:15

Creep is something that happens to old autos , certainly new ones don't need the neutral gear.

TamzinGrey · 05/08/2014 22:26

I know that I'm repeating other people here, but if you just tuck your left foot out of the way it will come easily. I took lessons in an automatic and the very first thing that the instructor told me to do was to put my left foot under the seat.

You can do it.

TheIronGnome · 31/08/2014 15:30

Right, thank you all SO much for your replies.

I have now driven the car! I went out with my other boss and it was ok. Pretty shoddy (by my standards) driving. It reminded me of about lesson number 10 but it was alright enough he said he'd be happy for me to go out in it now.

I was driving up to the speed limit at some points but was careful enough at junctions, rounderbouts etc. it's a super clever car with auto lights and windscreen wipers so some of the techy bits might take some more time to get my head around.

I think the trick now is to take it out ASAP so I don't leave it too long and freak myself out again.

Thanks for all the replies, I felt so silly about the whole thing but I'm so glad I went with it rather than backing out.

OP posts:

Catsmamma · 31/08/2014 15:37

Well done for having another go, you will get used to it.

I have an old London taxi and she's automatic, I find it's not so much the clutch I miss, but the gear stick...certainly the tip about keeping your left foot tucked back is a good one nonetheless..

if I don't drive her for a while I often find myself slowing to take a turn and flapping my left hand wildly trying to pop her into second.

...dh sits in the back going "no gear stick dear....no gear stick....." with a :o face on.

AND if I have been driving her for a while when I go back to the Panda, I often find myself juddering about junctions cos I have forgotten the damned gear box. 8)

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