Adjusting to an auto after years with a manual
Discussion
Starting/stopping might take you a while to adjust to, but once you're going you'll barely notice the difference.
When coming to a stop you'll probably panic at the last second and find your left leg searching for a clutch pedal to avoid stalling. If you're unlucky your left leg will find the edge of the brake pedal and you'll screech to a halt. You'll probably only do that a couple of times before adjusting.
When setting off you'll try to engage first gear, but again you'll adjust soon enough.
If (like me) you prefer to stick to lower gears, then you may find 'D' mode of a modern 6+ speed automatic a bit off-putting. They tend to change up as early as possible. Modern boxes can change gear so quickly/seamlessly that it's not a big issue when you need to accelerate, but personally I found myself using 'S'/sport mode quite often (or just putting it in manual/flappy-paddle mode). But it can be nice to embrace the laid-back high-gear driving style of an auto box, even if I'd never drive a manual like that.
When coming to a stop you'll probably panic at the last second and find your left leg searching for a clutch pedal to avoid stalling. If you're unlucky your left leg will find the edge of the brake pedal and you'll screech to a halt. You'll probably only do that a couple of times before adjusting.
When setting off you'll try to engage first gear, but again you'll adjust soon enough.
If (like me) you prefer to stick to lower gears, then you may find 'D' mode of a modern 6+ speed automatic a bit off-putting. They tend to change up as early as possible. Modern boxes can change gear so quickly/seamlessly that it's not a big issue when you need to accelerate, but personally I found myself using 'S'/sport mode quite often (or just putting it in manual/flappy-paddle mode). But it can be nice to embrace the laid-back high-gear driving style of an auto box, even if I'd never drive a manual like that.
sidekickdmr said:
Don't use your left foot
That about covers it surely?
This, in my experience, is all you need to do. That about covers it surely?
A few years ago I did exactly the same, switching to an auto after decades (and dozens) of manual cars. To further complicate it, I still drive manuals most days of the week, using an auto only at weekends or for longer journeys however I am yet to feel for the clutch or unintentionally stomp on the brake with my left foot which remains 'glued' to the footrest. That's all you need to do to adjust, after which you can play around with sport mode, flappy paddles and whatever other toys you may have.
A quick question back...
What type of auto (auto can mean different things to different people) is it and what do you want to do with it?
The only reason I ask is I went from a manual to an old torque converter auto it is just start stop and then back to manual, but now (only recently) I have a seven speed dual clutch, which has/is a learning experience.
Of course sticking it in drive and just going on my current car is an option but with the different mappings (individual, comfort, sport and sport+) you do have to think a little more about how you pull away from a standstill and how you drift on to a roundabout and the availability of go (gearbox dropping a gear unexpectedly, as said before you tend to be in a higher than expected gear).
Switching it to it's manual mode and using the paddles alleviates this but it's a whole new process to learn to use your hands and when/how many gears your car will allow you to change.
Obviously it all depends on what and how you use your car, oddly or maybe not given the forum I am on I miss the manual even though it's more work and prone to user error. Luckily I still have one for when I feel like it.
What type of auto (auto can mean different things to different people) is it and what do you want to do with it?
The only reason I ask is I went from a manual to an old torque converter auto it is just start stop and then back to manual, but now (only recently) I have a seven speed dual clutch, which has/is a learning experience.
Of course sticking it in drive and just going on my current car is an option but with the different mappings (individual, comfort, sport and sport+) you do have to think a little more about how you pull away from a standstill and how you drift on to a roundabout and the availability of go (gearbox dropping a gear unexpectedly, as said before you tend to be in a higher than expected gear).
Switching it to it's manual mode and using the paddles alleviates this but it's a whole new process to learn to use your hands and when/how many gears your car will allow you to change.
Obviously it all depends on what and how you use your car, oddly or maybe not given the forum I am on I miss the manual even though it's more work and prone to user error. Luckily I still have one for when I feel like it.
Durzel said:
Don't listen to the guy above. The correct posture is to either drape your obsolete left leg over the centre tunnel, dangling into the passenger footwell, or sit on top of your leg (some dexterity required).
I thought the official guidance was to stuff your left foot in the glovebox?I'm also currently driving my first torque converter auto after 25 years of manuals (and an M5 SMG that I always drove in manual mode).
The only adaptation to driving style I've had to make is on large roundabouts be wary of powering into the roundabout and then lifting off (so the gearbox goes up a gear or two) and then booting it on the exit so it drops down again in an unruly manner - instead use a constant throttle so it stays in the lower gear all the way around and is ready for you to power out.
I'm sure newer autos are more clever than my 10-yr old car so might not have the same issue.
The only adaptation to driving style I've had to make is on large roundabouts be wary of powering into the roundabout and then lifting off (so the gearbox goes up a gear or two) and then booting it on the exit so it drops down again in an unruly manner - instead use a constant throttle so it stays in the lower gear all the way around and is ready for you to power out.
I'm sure newer autos are more clever than my 10-yr old car so might not have the same issue.
vtecyo said:
Tuck your left leg behind your right so that your left shin is just behind your right calf if that makes sense. A couple of days and you'll be fine.
Not quite what I advised my wife but close.She was very concerned never having driven an auto having had manuals for 40 years, I advised her to pull her left leg back so it was against the front of the seat (drivers
).Couple of days and she couldn't understand what she had been worried about.
The key thing to be aware of is that on an auto-trans your only real input to tell the transmission what you want to do is the throttle pedal.
1) Be smooth with the pedal - they are designed to give max capability when possible so if you boot the pedal, they will believe you need max capability therefore be aggressive on downshifts
2) Make use of creep - just lift off the brake when in traffic and let the trans do the work
3) To get engine braking, use manual tip modes to go down one or two gears and hold you against the engine
1) Be smooth with the pedal - they are designed to give max capability when possible so if you boot the pedal, they will believe you need max capability therefore be aggressive on downshifts
2) Make use of creep - just lift off the brake when in traffic and let the trans do the work
3) To get engine braking, use manual tip modes to go down one or two gears and hold you against the engine
My only tip would be buy a proper auto , some years ago I bought a 08 civic with a honda semi auto, hondamatic or some odd name it was called
hated it , the car tried to kill me on a few occasions , you'd be approaching a junction in second as you would in a manual, judging whether you had room to get out then when you'd made your decision it'd decide to change into first but it was that dimwitted and slow the approaching car was a lot closer than it would have been, I was 1/2 way out of a junction once when it changed down in the middle of the road leaving me almost stationary with an approaching bus bearing down on me
The car lasted 3 months then I PX'd it I hated it that much
hated it , the car tried to kill me on a few occasions , you'd be approaching a junction in second as you would in a manual, judging whether you had room to get out then when you'd made your decision it'd decide to change into first but it was that dimwitted and slow the approaching car was a lot closer than it would have been, I was 1/2 way out of a junction once when it changed down in the middle of the road leaving me almost stationary with an approaching bus bearing down on me
The car lasted 3 months then I PX'd it I hated it that much
When I first moved into a big auto the main thing I had to watch out for was maintaining speed limits in towns.
In a manual you'll be used to holding certain revs in a certain gear for 30 mph - an auto will simply change into top, begin to lock up the torque convertor and run away on a wave of torque - all whilst holding near constant revs. Before you know it youre trickling easily over the limit unless you lift off again.
In a manual you'll be used to holding certain revs in a certain gear for 30 mph - an auto will simply change into top, begin to lock up the torque convertor and run away on a wave of torque - all whilst holding near constant revs. Before you know it youre trickling easily over the limit unless you lift off again.
Edited by ChemicalChaos on Tuesday 17th January 10:41
I remember when my work upgraded all of our vans, from old manual Iveco Dailies to automatic Merc Sprinters. I had been driving the old Iveco's for 9 hours a day for a solid 6 months. Spent the following month or so in the Mercs with the whole left side of my body flailing around uncontrollably as I drove along.
The one thing I don't like about any auto- my driving style: on country/moor roads I like to drop to 2nd and really raise the revs/use a combination of engine braking and light brakes when hitting a tightish bend.
You can't with a auto- it's heavier brakes.
Don't like that.
Saying that approach the lights in a manual you forget to press the clutch after any period in a auto car
You can't with a auto- it's heavier brakes.
Don't like that.
Saying that approach the lights in a manual you forget to press the clutch after any period in a auto car
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