DRIVING AN AUTOMATIC VEHICLE

Driving an automatic vehicle is a lot easier than driving a manual vehicle. It is a lot easier when starting off, stopping and steering the vehicle. Because there is no clutch pedal, the left foot is not normally used to operate a foot pedal. The right foot is usually used to operate the accelerator and footbrake.

When the car is in stop position, normally the first gear selection is made, and the all the following changes in gear selection are done automatically. The speed and acceleration of the car regulates the gear change.

The brakes are normally used more regularly than a manual car, because the automatic car tends sometimes to creep forwards from the stop position.

Automatic vehicles are generally easier to drive because there is no manual clutch, which means the driver can concentrate more on the other driving tasks, such as steering. This makes driving easier for the diabled and also older people.

Whether you are driving an automatic or a manual car, it is good practise to engage the handbrake when you stop. This would stop the vehicle from being shunted forward if the vehicle was hit from the rear. If your vehicle was hit from the rear, it would try and move forward.

If you are at a stop position for some time, engage the handbrake and select the Neutral position.This will stop the vehicle from creeping forward.

When you are parking the vehicle, as soon as you stop, select the park position. This will lock the transmission.

Some stress studies have shown (by measuring the heartbeat) that drivers of manual vehicles are more stressed than those driving automatic vehicles.

Automatic Car Hire will find the best Deals!