How to Drive a Car With an Automatic Transmission
76How to Drive a Car With an Automatic Transmission
Driving an automatic car is easier than driving a manual car because you don't have to learn how to change gears; the car does all the work for you. Perhaps you have been learning to drive in a manual car and are finding it difficult to master gear changes and clutch control. If you are having a problem perhaps you should consider changing to an automatic. The steps below give you some guidance on how to go about it.
Steps
- Find an experienced driver, preferably a professional driving instructor, to teach you.
- If you have been learning to drive in a manual car explain this to the instructor.
- Tell him about any problems you have been experiencing such as not knowing how or when to change gears.
- Sit beside the instructor and listen to him as he explains the different controls.
- Notice there are only two foot pedals - the brake and gas pedals.
- Remember both pedals are operated by your right foot - your left foot stays on the floor.
- Study the gear selector. Instead of markings 1 - 5 and R (for reverse) an automatic gear selector has the following markings - P for Park, R for Reverse, N for Neutral (use this if the car has to be pushed or towed) and D for driving.
- Check that the car is in Park (P).
- Turn on the engine.
- Press the brake pedal down with your right foot.
- Move the gear lever to drive.
- With your hand on the handbrake look all around, including the blind spots, to check it is safe to move off.
- Release the handbrake.
- Use your indicators if there is anyone around who is likely to benefit from a signal.
- Lift your foot gently off the brake - the car will start to move forward.
- Move your foot over to the gas pedal and press down to increase speed.
Tips
- Be aware that driving a go cart car is extremely boring before you learn in one.
- Remember the car will creep forward as soon as you select D for drive. It is vital you keep your foot on the brake until you are ready to move forward.
- Driving an automatic car is far easier than driving a manual car. This means you can spend more time studying the road conditions and looking out for hazards.
- You still need to learn how to drive safely and considerately.
- You will still need to learn about all the road signs and markings.
- It is not necessary to put the car into neutral every time you stop at a junction or traffic light. However, if you are stopping for more than a few minutes then you should put the car into neutral.
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Was this information helpful to you.
I drive a mitsubishi lancer cedia. What do Ds, + and - signs stand for? When should I use any of these?
pretty Good answers, very good and thank you. I'm about to learn how to drive but I think this will help makes it more easy for mee!
thnks this was really helped me
It is but wonderful in the description given. I knew how to drive a manual car but didn't know how to drive a n automatic car. Now i have known and i will try. Fear off.
May be when nearing bumbs what do you do to slow down or a cow passes infront when you are not aware or emergencies,thats what you need to show.Otherwise it was a perfect and simple expanation.
Thanks and nice time
Just bought an automatic after driving a stick shift for over 50 years! What I really needed to know was which foot where? This really answered that - thanks!
I learn't alot from this site and have learn't to drive in front. However, I haven't learn't how to reverse a car. The make of my car is Mitsubishi Magna automatic. I know that while taking reverse, I must keep the lever on R mode and gently release the break but I do not know if I have to move my car in right directionthen in which direction should I steer and in which mirror should I look for direction..... Pls guide me. Eagerly waiting for help.
Thanks.
Hi, this is a very detailed account of HOW to drive an automatic car. I am very grateful for it, it has made me want to try out an automatic! I hve passed my driving test on a manual car about 5-6 years ago, but I have never driven a car since Ive passed as I am such a nervous driver, and I keep stalling! I have been told to try automatic, as it is much easier....? :S
I have to get the bus/train everywhere I go...and I hate it! So I really hope driving an automatic is as good as every1 says it is! :)
i used to drive manual trans car and now i switch to automatic..tnx for this..so easy but i hope i will not be confused.
+ &- means that your car is tiptronic when you shift the lever into that slot you can manually select your gears in a sequential(backward and forward) manner.Its really for those people who like shifting gears but tiptronic engages much faster.Automatics may be easy to drive but they are heavy,complicated and can sap acceleration.
what is the best? To move the gear lever to drive, should I press the brake pedal down "hard" until the limit or?
press it down, and release to move forward.
I learned on manual car and drove manual for 3 years.....then i bought automatic ..... i found it lot lot easier to drive but the driving pleasure and the real THING of driving is completly absolutly absent in automatic car.......
nutty on automatics says:
15 months ago
This account of how to drive an automatic car is spot on. It is soooo easy. The car will do exactly an only what you tell it to do! From the moment you slip behind the wheel on your first lesson You are in control of that car, enabling you to give your full attention to the important (at in the begining) scariest part of learning to drive, road sense. I learned to drive in an automatic and i love driving now. Manual cars are much more difficult to master and can put nervous drivers off for life. If there had not been automatics I would never had learned to drive.I am currently learning to drive a manual and finding it extremely hard going. The only reason i am putting myself through this torture is so i can take a job which offers a company car. If more people in britain opened their closed minds there would be many more automatics on the road. Do not let anyone put you off learning to drive an automatic with there negative comments. Remember an automatic can do everything a manual can do (except stall-hehe!) but a manual cannot do all an automatic can do. Happy aotomatic motoring!!!!!!!