Automatic box question
Discussion
In my new focus if you were sat at the lights you could have it in drive and put the handbrake on,take your footboth off the pedal, and the car would happily sit there.
If you tried this in my xkr (which i did recently) the car tries to pull forward.
Ultimately you then have 2 choices- put your foot on the brake, put the handbrake on, put it into N and then release the foot brake. When the lights go green repeat in reverse and try and do it sharpish before the car behind pips their horn (you have approx' 0.5 sec)
alternatively leave it in D and put your foot on the brake to stop it creeping forward, blind the poor soul behind you who has "sensitive eyes', and then pull away smoothly and sharply when the lights go green by just switching your foot from one pedal to the other.
If you tried this in my xkr (which i did recently) the car tries to pull forward.
Ultimately you then have 2 choices- put your foot on the brake, put the handbrake on, put it into N and then release the foot brake. When the lights go green repeat in reverse and try and do it sharpish before the car behind pips their horn (you have approx' 0.5 sec)
alternatively leave it in D and put your foot on the brake to stop it creeping forward, blind the poor soul behind you who has "sensitive eyes', and then pull away smoothly and sharply when the lights go green by just switching your foot from one pedal to the other.
stuartmmcfc said:
In my new focus if you were sat at the lights you could have it in drive and put the handbrake on,take your footboth off the pedal, and the car would happily sit there.
If you tried this in my xkr (which i did recently) the car tries to pull forward.
Ultimately you then have 2 choices- put your foot on the brake, put the handbrake on, put it into N and then release the foot brake. When the lights go green repeat in reverse and try and do it sharpish before the car behind pips their horn (you have approx' 0.5 sec)
alternatively leave it in D and put your foot on the brake to stop it creeping forward, blind the poor soul behind you who has "sensitive eyes', and then pull away smoothly and sharply when the lights go green by just switching your foot from one pedal to the other.
This. Although you don't need anything as powerful as an XKR. My diesel Cadillac BLS did this. I went for N at traffic lights to prevent buying a new handbrake cable and to stop dazzling the guy behind. I don't know if there's a better way.If you tried this in my xkr (which i did recently) the car tries to pull forward.
Ultimately you then have 2 choices- put your foot on the brake, put the handbrake on, put it into N and then release the foot brake. When the lights go green repeat in reverse and try and do it sharpish before the car behind pips their horn (you have approx' 0.5 sec)
alternatively leave it in D and put your foot on the brake to stop it creeping forward, blind the poor soul behind you who has "sensitive eyes', and then pull away smoothly and sharply when the lights go green by just switching your foot from one pedal to the other.
tr7v8 said:
Stay in D but if for more than 30 sec or so, then pull the handbrake on, once the situation behind is stable release the foot brake.
Its interesting you mention that because i had new brake pads put on my (automatic) car the other day and i picked it up from the garage and drove 17 miles before i realised the handbrake was on. Thats how good the handbrake is.Doesnt matter though, i never use it and ive never met any auto owner who's ever touched the handbrake...handle.
martin84 said:
ive never met any auto owner who's ever touched the handbrake...handle.
to be fair I never did- even when I parked up (unless it was on a hill etc), however I've recently tried to make an effort if I'm at lights now I know how some people dont like the bright lights of a brake lamp being held on.blearyeyedboy said:
This. Although you don't need anything as powerful as an XKR. My diesel Cadillac BLS did this. I went for N at traffic lights to prevent buying a new handbrake cable and to stop dazzling the guy behind. I don't know if there's a better way.
This - if your handbrake won't hold it.Especially as:
The Highway Code said:
In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights.
martin84 said:
Doesnt matter though, i never use it and ive never met any auto owner who's ever touched the handbrake...handle.
Drivers who sit with their foot on the brake at the lights really annoy me, especially one with modern luxury cars with ultra-bright LED brake lights - Mercs and Range Rovers seem to be the worst offenders. Spare a thought for the guy behind you. It's pretty unpleasant having that lot shining in your eyes from six feet away.mollymoo said:
Drivers who sit with their foot on the brake at the lights really annoy me, especially one with modern luxury cars with ultra-bright LED brake lights - Mercs and Range Rovers seem to be the worst offenders. Spare a thought for the guy behind you. It's pretty unpleasant having that lot shining in your eyes from six feet away.
while I appreciate what you're saying (and you're quite right- it can be annoying), here's a tip- don't stare at them 
!mollymoo said:
Drivers who sit with their foot on the brake at the lights really annoy me, especially one with modern luxury cars with ultra-bright LED brake lights - Mercs and Range Rovers seem to be the worst offenders. Spare a thought for the guy behind you. It's pretty unpleasant having that lot shining in your eyes from six feet away.
You do know automatic drivers can have cars in front of them also? I've never had a problem with brake lights, it really confuses me when people go 'the brake lights are too bright!!!' because ive never experienced this. These people must have vision problems or something and need an eye test. Although i agree about Range Rovers as the lights are higher up so if you drive a normal car the lights are pointing right at you.Personally im too busy paying attention to the traffic lights to stare at the brake lights of the vehicle in front. But each to their own.
By the way, my car is a V reg Rover 75 so rest assured im not blinding anybody with LED's.
martin84 said:
I've never had a problem with brake lights, it really confuses me when people go 'the brake lights are too bright!!!' because ive never experienced this.
I've never had a problem with epilepsy, it really confuses me when epileptics have fits because I've never had a fit.People perceive contrast differently, which makes some people more susceptible to brake light rage than others.
Rawwr said:
I've never had a problem with epilepsy, it really confuses me when epileptics have fits because I've never had a fit.
People perceive contrast differently, which makes some people more susceptible to brake light rage than others.
The typical PH strawman. Epilepsy is a medical condition, brake light knobbery isnt. All you've proven is its not the fault of the car in front that the driver behind is blinded.People perceive contrast differently, which makes some people more susceptible to brake light rage than others.
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