First car with auto transmission
Discussion
Just picked up my first automatic/tiptronic car. When I drove a manual, I'd use handbrake and neutral when waiting in traffic or at the lights (unless I was at the head when I'd wait ready in first gear).
What do the assembled PHers do? Put the box into 'Park' or 'Neutral' or leave it in 'Drive with their foot on the brake/handbrake on?
What do the assembled PHers do? Put the box into 'Park' or 'Neutral' or leave it in 'Drive with their foot on the brake/handbrake on?
rudecherub said:
foot brake.
handbrake is an option if you need to be fast on the throttle.
Once in park the handbrake is actually superfluous
Definately handbrake for fast offsky.handbrake is an option if you need to be fast on the throttle.
Once in park the handbrake is actually superfluous
Foot hovering over speed pedel, hand on hand brake, thumb on button release, lights change, release handbrake, push go faster pedel with foot, always a winner first away from the lights, assuming of course your in the front.
If I am going to be stopped more than say 10 seconds neutral handbrake. At night especially if raining I tend to do the same but sooner as I don't enjoy being blinded by brake lights. From a mechanical sympathy point of view I've never quite worked out whether it is better to leave in gear or slip into neutral.
Vipers said:
Foot hovering over speed pedel, hand on hand brake, thumb on button release, lights change, release handbrake, push go faster pedel with foot, always a winner first away from the lights, assuming of course your in the front.
Or even quicker: left foot on brake, rev to 200rpm less than stall point, then launch.... Somnophore said:
What is it? I'm considering an auto barge as I do a lot of stop/start city driving as well as a few longer runs so auto would be easier
A6 Avant 2.7 TDI. I luvs it.So the consensus is neutral/handbrake.
The 'handbrake' is one of those electromechanical switch jobbies so you can leave it in 'Drive' and just put your foot on the gas for a quick off; the 'handbrake' releases automatically.
Edited by chromatin64 on Friday 6th August 21:00
Constantly shifting in and out of neutral/park and drive leads to increased wear on the clutch pack. Leave it in drive when at lights or even in slow moving traffic. Use the handbrake at lights if you don't trust your foot to keep the brake pedal depressed. If you are going to be stopped for a few minutes, you would have the car switched off anyway.
Of course if it is a new car with a warranty and you will be getting rid within a couple years, fiddle with the shifter to your heart's desire.
Slightly off topic, but do people really find brake lights blinding?. How do you manage on sunny days?.
Of course if it is a new car with a warranty and you will be getting rid within a couple years, fiddle with the shifter to your heart's desire.
Slightly off topic, but do people really find brake lights blinding?. How do you manage on sunny days?.
redtwin said:
Constantly shifting in and out of neutral/park and drive leads to increased wear on the clutch pack. Leave it in drive when at lights or even in slow moving traffic. Use the handbrake at lights if you don't trust your foot to keep the brake pedal depressed. If you are going to be stopped for a few minutes, you would have the car switched off anyway.
Of course if it is a new car with a warranty and you will be getting rid within a couple years, fiddle with the shifter to your heart's desire.
Slightly off topic, but do people really find brake lights blinding?. How do you manage on sunny days?.
Yes, that's the way it works. The whole point of an auto is it's built to be left in Drive. Also, if you have a high torque engine it can be difficult to hold the car reliably on the "parking brake".Of course if it is a new car with a warranty and you will be getting rid within a couple years, fiddle with the shifter to your heart's desire.
Slightly off topic, but do people really find brake lights blinding?. How do you manage on sunny days?.
Garlick said:
Driven autos for years and I must admit to simply leaving my foot on the brake and the car in D. Lazy maybe, but that's what I do.....
If it's your first auto, you can look forward to using your left foot on the brake accidentally and performing an unwanted emergency stop
Me too, never selected neutral under normal traffic conditions, always thought that's why you have an auto box - to leave it in D.If it's your first auto, you can look forward to using your left foot on the brake accidentally and performing an unwanted emergency stop
If you leave an automatic car in drive and don't apply the brake, most will roll up to 10 or 15mph on a level road without the the accelerater being depressed.
You are using the aquivalent fuel to driving at this speed without going anywhere when in drive with the brakes on.
The energy that is being wasted by the torque converter slipping in this situation, causes the trans fluid to be heated and can cause overheating of the fluid during city/town driving in warm weather.
You are using the aquivalent fuel to driving at this speed without going anywhere when in drive with the brakes on.
The energy that is being wasted by the torque converter slipping in this situation, causes the trans fluid to be heated and can cause overheating of the fluid during city/town driving in warm weather.
Quick Google around and I can't see anyone recommending putting an auto into neutral - someone in one forum noted their manual for their car recommended this when towing, but otherwise it's leave in D
IAM says:
"At traffic lights.
Leave in D. If red, stop and apply hand brake."
http://www.neleiam.co.uk/Driving_Information/Autom...
IAM says:
"At traffic lights.
Leave in D. If red, stop and apply hand brake."
http://www.neleiam.co.uk/Driving_Information/Autom...
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