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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:
1dayatatime · 26/05/2021 11:59

You'll get used to it very quickly and then won't want to go back to a manual.

I am sure you be a lot better than what I used to do which was forgetting I was in an automatic and then jabbing my foot on the brake thinking it was the clutch and nearly causing several high speed rear end shunts as I suddenly braked for no apparent reason 😦

MissingTheMoonlight · 26/05/2021 12:24

This was me earlier this week!
Felt funny for the first few minutes and now i feel like I've driven auto my whole life. It's SO much easier for things like stop start traffic and hill starts. Just keep that left foot on the ground :)

pigsDOfly · 26/05/2021 13:20

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

I've never heard of anyone doing this and I used to live in an extremely hilly place.

On a hill you just put your food on the accellarator and lower the hand brake, the car will start to move forward when you reach the 'bite'.

pigsDOfly · 26/05/2021 13:21

*Don't know where the weird spelling of accelerator came from.

therocinante · 26/05/2021 13:56

I got an automatic, not through choice, and I actually love it now (after a couple of days getting used to it) - I'm about to get a new car and I'm thinking I might stick with auto!

coogee · 26/05/2021 15:05

On a hill you just put your food on the accellarator and lower the hand brake, the car will start to move forward when you reach the 'bite'.

There's a problem with this. Not all cars have a hand brake.

Rainbowsaremyfriend · 26/05/2021 15:08

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DynamoKev · 26/05/2021 15:11

@coogee

On a hill you just put your food on the accellarator and lower the hand brake, the car will start to move forward when you reach the 'bite'.

There's a problem with this. Not all cars have a hand brake.

All cars have a parking brake; it is a legal requirement in the UK and many other Countries.
bungabungaboo · 26/05/2021 15:15

I drive an automatic (prius) and a manual vw interchangeably.

Tbh the automatic is brainless driving

Stop or go and steer

You will get used to it in no time Wink

coogee · 26/05/2021 15:17

All cars have a parking brake; it is a legal requirement in the UK and many other Countries

Indeed, but all cars don't have a parking brake operated by a hand lever.

We have one that is operated by pushing down on a foot pedal. It can't be released gradually.

DynamoKev · 26/05/2021 15:27

@coogee

All cars have a parking brake; it is a legal requirement in the UK and many other Countries

Indeed, but all cars don't have a parking brake operated by a hand lever.

We have one that is operated by pushing down on a foot pedal. It can't be released gradually.

Mercedes? You have the USA to thank for that
Anonymous48 · 26/05/2021 15:35

I don't understand this. If you can confidently drive a standard transmission, there's absolutely nothing to get used to in an automatic! It's so much easier, especially in stop and go traffic where you'd have to be constantly switching gears in a manual.

wonkylegs · 26/05/2021 15:46

We have automatic parking brakes but they are miles away from the handbrake in my old car
Ours automatically goes on when stopped and automatically releases when accelerator is pressed. You can also manually put it on with a push button.
It's great as I was starting to struggle with the arthritis in my arm and the manual brake.

sbhydrogen · 26/05/2021 15:47

@Anonymous48

I don't understand this. If you can confidently drive a standard transmission, there's absolutely nothing to get used to in an automatic! It's so much easier, especially in stop and go traffic where you'd have to be constantly switching gears in a manual.
Hear, hear. At last, some sense.
pigsDOfly · 26/05/2021 15:49

@Anonymous48

I don't understand this. If you can confidently drive a standard transmission, there's absolutely nothing to get used to in an automatic! It's so much easier, especially in stop and go traffic where you'd have to be constantly switching gears in a manual.
Yes, this is one of the reason I love an automatic it's so much easier in traffic. No changing up and down manually, the car does it all for you.

The fact, that if you pass your test in an automatic your licence doesn't allow you to drive a manual, should make it very clear that driving an automatic is a lot easier than driving a manual.

Kokosrieksts · 26/05/2021 15:49

You’ll get used to it in no time. Just careful with the brakes. I once slammed the brakes in an automatic (after driving a manual for a while, because I needed to change the gear and pressed the “clutch”).
Enjoy your new car!

KeyWorker · 26/05/2021 15:53

Did you not get any say in purchase if the car, or did he just decide for you??

poppym12 · 26/05/2021 15:58

I switched to an automatic when I bought my last car a couple of years ago and I'll never go back! I love driving and thought an automatic wouldn't feel like I was actually driving the thing but it's great.

DappledThings · 26/05/2021 16:03

If you can confidently drive a standard transmission, there's absolutely nothing to get used to in an automatic! It's so much easier, especially in stop and go traffic where you'd have to be constantly switching gears in a manual
It might be easier but you still have to get used to it. You have to get used to moving forward without depressing the accelerator, to not using your left leg, to not being able to control speed by changing gear, to not keep reaching out with your left hand and attempting to change gear mid-drive. It might be easier but it's still different and different means something to get used to.

Chemenger · 26/05/2021 16:17

@coogee

All cars have a parking brake; it is a legal requirement in the UK and many other Countries

Indeed, but all cars don't have a parking brake operated by a hand lever.

We have one that is operated by pushing down on a foot pedal. It can't be released gradually.

We have a Kia, it only has a foot operated parking brake, for parking, not for use like a handbrake. It has never had any problem with hill starting, though, even on our drive, which is very steep.
Blossomtoes · 26/05/2021 16:21

I thought this when I first had an automatic. That was over ten years ago now and I doubt if I could drive a manual any more.

pussycatlickinglollyices · 26/05/2021 16:21

@KeyWorker

Did you not get any say in purchase if the car, or did he just decide for you??
This is what I thought. If my DH did that, I'd be returning it and swapping it for a manual. Sorry. Grin
Blossomtoes · 26/05/2021 16:23

Oh - and don’t forget to put it neutral before you kill the ignition. It won’t start if it’s in gear, it won’t as much as cough!

DappledThings · 26/05/2021 16:26

@Blossomtoes

Oh - and don’t forget to put it neutral before you kill the ignition. It won’t start if it’s in gear, it won’t as much as cough!
Is that what neutral is for? I've been starting it in park. Couldn't really work out what circumstance would require it ever to be in neutral.
Original poster
wishes1111 · 26/05/2021 16:31

To everyone referring to my Husband buying a car without me, we agreed a budget the day before, I didn't mind what make or model.

He bought the car within budget, nothing else really matters.

Thank you everyone for your replies

OP posts:
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