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Original poster

Husband bought automatic car and I'm nervous help!

195 replies

wishes1111 · 26/05/2021 08:19

Hi everyone

My husband has bought an automatic car, I'm very grateful, mine has broke completely after 7 years of having it (its 10 years old).

However, I've never driven an automatic before, I took it for a drive last night with him and I just cannot see me getting used to it 🤦🏻‍♀️ has anyone swapped from a manual to auto and can reassure me because now I feel like I've gone back to being an 18 year old nervous driver!

The automatic gearstick isn't there it's on the lever on the side of the steering wheel (in my old car it was the windscreen wipers).

OP posts:
Pinkdelight3 · 26/05/2021 11:00

I sympathise totally. We almost got an auto last time but I put my foot down (no pun intended) and we got a manual instead. I could tell the guy at the dealership thought I was nuts, but I hate the feeling that it's like a dodgem car and will just go on its own. Mind you, we had a much older car before, and this new one has the switch instead of a handbrake and an 'on/off' switch instead of a key and I hate those too. I like keys and clutches and gearsticks and proper handbrakes. Think I'm going to have to get an old banger!

Vivi0 · 26/05/2021 11:02

I have an automatic. I would NEVER go back to driving a manual car.

You’ll get used to it very quickly and I promise, you won’t look back!

Dongdingdong · 26/05/2021 11:04

WTF? If it was the other way round I’d understand, but automatic is so much easier than manual!

looptheloopinahulahoop · 26/05/2021 11:05

The tricky part was trusting the car on hill starts. But they don't roll back!

Yes! I was demonstrating this to ds yesterday. He can't wait to pass his test and then never have to drive a manual again...

It doesn't work on every hill, but all but the steepest.

sbhydrogen · 26/05/2021 11:07

I’m more shocked that your have a defunked 10 years old car
Same here!

Autos are piece of piss to drive. You'll get used to it in about half an hour. As for steep hill starts, just use the handbrake.

DappledThings · 26/05/2021 11:08

It doesn't work on every hill, but all but the steepest.
So what do you do on a really steep hill without a clutch? I've never had a problem with hill starts in a manual and assumed that the automatic would just manage all of them but a couple of comments about this have now made me nervous.

Oblomov21 · 26/05/2021 11:09

My new hybrid is an automatic. I'd driven Dh's occasionally. It's really easy. Your'll get used to it in minutes. If someone takes the time and care to talk you through it. Have they?

Why would your Dh buy you a car without you actually test/driving it? That's wierd,

PussGirl · 26/05/2021 11:09

I’ve driven both over the years & actually prefer a manual gearbox Grin

AryaStarkWolf · 26/05/2021 11:09

Automatics are so much easier than manuals, you'll be surprised how quickly you'll get used to it

Iwasonceabrownie · 26/05/2021 11:12

I passed my test in an automatic, so I can't drive a manual. But I've had automatics for over 40 years now, why do people think it's not like proper driving ?

Menschenskind · 26/05/2021 11:13

This is a very well-timed thread for me as I'm just about to take possession of a new (to me) automatic, having never driven one before.

I'm very nervous but the dealership will take me somewhere quiet to get the feel of it.
I've also had a look at someone driving one on Youtube and that reassured me a bit.

Everyone I know says they wouldn't go back to a manual, so I'm hopeful I'll quickly feel the same.

RufustheBadgeringReindeer · 26/05/2021 11:13

@DappledThings

It doesn't work on every hill, but all but the steepest. So what do you do on a really steep hill without a clutch? I've never had a problem with hill starts in a manual and assumed that the automatic would just manage all of them but a couple of comments about this have now made me nervous.
You put one foot on the brake and one on the accelerator and find the bite

A bit like in a manual cept you use the clutch in the manual (do you? Ive got literally no idea)

RufustheBadgeringReindeer · 26/05/2021 11:15

@Iwasonceabrownie

I passed my test in an automatic, so I can't drive a manual. But I've had automatics for over 40 years now, why do people think it's not like proper driving ?
A friend once said to me that driving an automatic was lazy

So i said ‘ok, so like putting your clothes in a washing machine is lazy, rather than beating them on a rock’

DappledThings · 26/05/2021 11:17

You put one foot on the brake and one on the accelerator and find the bite

A bit like in a manual cept you use the clutch in the manual (do you? Ive got literally no idea)

OK, thank you.

For those who don't understand why people would be nervous of an automatic or feel it isn't like proper driving this is a great example. With a manual I known I can find the bite using the clutch and accelerator easily enough. With an automatic I have to trust the car rather than myself and I trust myself more!

RufustheBadgeringReindeer · 26/05/2021 11:24

With an automatic I have to trust the car rather than myself and I trust myself more!

Absolutely!

But in my case locally there were only two hills I couldn’t manage in my automatic, and both of mine are big heavy cars that were full of children

My children...not random ones

Every other hill is usually a breeze

FamBae · 26/05/2021 11:32

I switched from a manual to an automatic last summer, I also went from a small car to a much larger one and also moved home so didn't know the area, I was nervous as hell but now actually prefer the automatic and wish I had switched years ago when I had to negotiate London traffic on a daily basis.

FamBae · 26/05/2021 11:34

... every now and then I still go to change gear Grin

DialSquare · 26/05/2021 11:35

I went from driving only manual cars for 34 years to an automatic in December. My old car was 23 years old and we had it for 19 so going from manual to automatic was a breeze compared to trying to work out what all the icons on the touch screen do compared to the easy buttons and knobs on the old car! I suspect it's going to take some time still! I also wouldn't go back to manual now.

CounsellorTroi · 26/05/2021 11:37

@DappledThings

It doesn't work on every hill, but all but the steepest. So what do you do on a really steep hill without a clutch? I've never had a problem with hill starts in a manual and assumed that the automatic would just manage all of them but a couple of comments about this have now made me nervous.
My auto has an electronic handbrake I put on on hills. I can then just drive off when ready - the handbrake goes off automatically.
Figgygal · 26/05/2021 11:37

You will get used to it and then realise you’ll never want to drive a manual car ever again
Both mine and my husbands cars are automatic just what was available when we went looking for the particular models we wanted and I absolutely bloody love it

God help me next time I have to drive a manual car I’ll have no clue what to do with myself it’s been about 18 months

Slub · 26/05/2021 11:38

Honestly you'll be fine and in a week or so you'll never want to go back to a manual as automatic cars are such a doddle Smile

Iamnotminterested · 26/05/2021 11:46

I've got 2 automatic cars, a big 'un and a little one and love them both. I too passed in a manual car 1st time many years ago, but there's no way I would ever drive one now, automatics are soooooo much easier, and fun too, a bit lke a speedy dodgem Grin

Chemenger · 26/05/2021 11:50

@sbhydrogen

I’m more shocked that your have a defunked 10 years old car Same here!

Autos are piece of piss to drive. You'll get used to it in about half an hour. As for steep hill starts, just use the handbrake.

Ours doesn’t have a handbrake.
Iamnotminterested · 26/05/2021 11:56

@RufustheBadgeringReindeer

What a strange attitude your friend has! Good retort though Smile

mam0918 · 26/05/2021 11:58

My husband adapted nearly instantly after 18 years of manuals and says he wouldnt go back.

I did lessons in manuals then switched to do my test automatic and found no problem switching at all.

Worst issue I found is for the first few days/weeks manual drivers can be hard on the breaks (my brother has done an emergancy stop before thinking he was going to press the clutch and DH took a while to realise breaking didnt require as much pressure, felt like I was going to go through the windscreen a few times lol).