1st time auto driver question
Discussion
Im between cars just now(saving for RS6) so i have been given a 06 auto Mazda 6 as a interim car of the in-laws. Not really had much auto driving experience. When you pull up at lights do you knock the car out of Drive into Neutral, or just sit with it in gear with foot on the break? Can you tow? Do you need to change the auto fluid as often as the engine oil? These will prob be silly question to some, but i have never owned a auto before!
The clue is in the name - "automatic", so leave it in Drive. That's the way it was designed to be used.
If you're worried about the brake lights, use the handbrake.
PS. If anything, moving the car frequently from Park to Drive will INCREASE wear on the transmission, not decrease it. But the effects are minimal.
If you're worried about the brake lights, use the handbrake.
PS. If anything, moving the car frequently from Park to Drive will INCREASE wear on the transmission, not decrease it. But the effects are minimal.
Allow me to humbly offer a piece of advice, from someone who also bought an auto after many years of driving manuals...
For a period of time, until you are totally used to driving an auto, subconsciously....every time you drive it, fold your left leg back and wedge your left foot under the front of the driving seat.
Because if you don't, I guarantee there WILL be an occasion when you'll absent-mindedly go for the clutch pedal that isn't there, with your left foot, and actually stamp down hard on the brake pedal - terrifyingly, and with the possibility of damage to the car.
Trust me on this one
For a period of time, until you are totally used to driving an auto, subconsciously....every time you drive it, fold your left leg back and wedge your left foot under the front of the driving seat.
Because if you don't, I guarantee there WILL be an occasion when you'll absent-mindedly go for the clutch pedal that isn't there, with your left foot, and actually stamp down hard on the brake pedal - terrifyingly, and with the possibility of damage to the car.
Trust me on this one
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Allow me to humbly offer a piece of advice, from someone who also bought an auto after many years of driving manuals...
For a period of time, until you are totally used to driving an auto, subconsciously....every time you drive it, fold your left leg back and wedge your left foot under the front of the driving seat.
Because if you don't, I guarantee there WILL be an occasion when you'll absent-mindedly go for the clutch pedal that isn't there, with your left foot, and actually stamp down hard on the brake pedal - terrifyingly, and with the possibility of damage to the car.
Trust me on this one
For a period of time, until you are totally used to driving an auto, subconsciously....every time you drive it, fold your left leg back and wedge your left foot under the front of the driving seat.
Because if you don't, I guarantee there WILL be an occasion when you'll absent-mindedly go for the clutch pedal that isn't there, with your left foot, and actually stamp down hard on the brake pedal - terrifyingly, and with the possibility of damage to the car.
Trust me on this one
yip done that today!!!!
. What a fun job you have Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Allow me to humbly offer a piece of advice, from someone who also bought an auto after many years of driving manuals...
For a period of time, until you are totally used to driving an auto, subconsciously....every time you drive it, fold your left leg back and wedge your left foot under the front of the driving seat.
Because if you don't, I guarantee there WILL be an occasion when you'll absent-mindedly go for the clutch pedal that isn't there, with your left foot, and actually stamp down hard on the brake pedal - terrifyingly, and with the possibility of damage to the car.
Trust me on this one
i'd say the opposite, use it as an opportunity to aquire left foot braking skills. For a period of time, until you are totally used to driving an auto, subconsciously....every time you drive it, fold your left leg back and wedge your left foot under the front of the driving seat.
Because if you don't, I guarantee there WILL be an occasion when you'll absent-mindedly go for the clutch pedal that isn't there, with your left foot, and actually stamp down hard on the brake pedal - terrifyingly, and with the possibility of damage to the car.
Trust me on this one
V88Dicky said:
Leave it in drive and use the handbrake at the lights, out of courtesy to the drivers behind you 
Yes you can tow.
No, you don't have to change the transmission fluid as often as the engine oil. Roughly about every 50k if you wish.
HTH
This^^.Yes you can tow.
No, you don't have to change the transmission fluid as often as the engine oil. Roughly about every 50k if you wish.
HTH
Qwert1e said:
The clue is in the name - "automatic", so leave it in Drive. That's the way it was designed to be used.
If you're worried about the brake lights, use the handbrake.
PS. If anything, moving the car frequently from Park to Drive will INCREASE wear on the transmission, not decrease it. But the effects are minimal.
This^^.If you're worried about the brake lights, use the handbrake.
PS. If anything, moving the car frequently from Park to Drive will INCREASE wear on the transmission, not decrease it. But the effects are minimal.
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Allow me to humbly offer a piece of advice, from someone who also bought an auto after many years of driving manuals...
For a period of time, until you are totally used to driving an auto, subconsciously....every time you drive it, fold your left leg back and wedge your left foot under the front of the driving seat.
Because if you don't, I guarantee there WILL be an occasion when you'll absent-mindedly go for the clutch pedal that isn't there, with your left foot, and actually stamp down hard on the brake pedal - terrifyingly, and with the possibility of damage to the car.
Trust me on this one
And this^^.For a period of time, until you are totally used to driving an auto, subconsciously....every time you drive it, fold your left leg back and wedge your left foot under the front of the driving seat.
Because if you don't, I guarantee there WILL be an occasion when you'll absent-mindedly go for the clutch pedal that isn't there, with your left foot, and actually stamp down hard on the brake pedal - terrifyingly, and with the possibility of damage to the car.
Trust me on this one
All top advice.
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