Correct protocol for using an automatic transmission?
Discussion
The wife's Jaaaag is an auto with the semi-auto handbrake.
Roll up to the lights, pull up on hanbrake button, knock the box into N, feet on't carpet.
Lights move from red to amber, select D, lights go green, squeeze throttle pedal, handbrake automatically disengages, car pulls away.
Very intuitive and easy to live with.
Roll up to the lights, pull up on hanbrake button, knock the box into N, feet on't carpet.
Lights move from red to amber, select D, lights go green, squeeze throttle pedal, handbrake automatically disengages, car pulls away.
Very intuitive and easy to live with.
Ari said:
Making the handbrake do the holding rather than "park" feels instinctively to be correct I must admit.
The theoretical issue you could have if you let the parking pawl take the weight of the car is that on a very steep hill you might not be able to get it out of Park.I've never heard anyone say a Merc "hand"brake wasn't up to the job - they work on a spearate set of drums that are dedicated to the task.
Deva Link said:
The theoretical issue you could have if you let the parking pawl take the weight of the car is that on a very steep hill you might not be able to get it out of Park.
I've never heard anyone say a Merc "hand"brake wasn't up to the job - they work on a spearate set of drums that are dedicated to the task.
The car is three years old and my guess is the handbrake's never been used. It pulls up ok, and holds on a slope, but on a steep hill even pulled on hard the car slips very gently forward.I've never heard anyone say a Merc "hand"brake wasn't up to the job - they work on a spearate set of drums that are dedicated to the task.
Ari said:
The car is three years old and my guess is the handbrake's never been used. It pulls up ok, and holds on a slope, but on a steep hill even pulled on hard the car slips very gently forward.
I don't think whether it's been used or not would affect its effectiveness. When you say it slips forwards, do you mean just momentarily as the car settles, or does it continue to slip? If the latter, then you ought to get it looked at urgently.
My drive is quite steep, so I use the handbrake. I just don't fully trust 'P'. It rolls forward sometimes.
If I'm on a flat I just leave the car in'P' and don't use the handbrake.
As for stopping at the lights, I leave it in 'D' and keep my foot on the brake. If it was dark I would consider using 'P' as not to 'dazzle' others. But, in broad daylight? hmmm... sounds all a bit ott imo.
Auto's better than manuals?
I love the Auto for City driving and motorways, but on the back roads I find the car is not always in the gear I would rather it was in.
The manuals are wonderful for back road driving. I was out in the MG today for some 'spirited' driving, well, I had no choice, I left the cooker on with food in it, totally forgot and had to do a dash home before the house burnt down. Was a brilliant drive, I could have done it quicker in the Merc but nowhere near as much fun.
If I'm on a flat I just leave the car in'P' and don't use the handbrake.
As for stopping at the lights, I leave it in 'D' and keep my foot on the brake. If it was dark I would consider using 'P' as not to 'dazzle' others. But, in broad daylight? hmmm... sounds all a bit ott imo.
Auto's better than manuals?
I love the Auto for City driving and motorways, but on the back roads I find the car is not always in the gear I would rather it was in.
The manuals are wonderful for back road driving. I was out in the MG today for some 'spirited' driving, well, I had no choice, I left the cooker on with food in it, totally forgot and had to do a dash home before the house burnt down. Was a brilliant drive, I could have done it quicker in the Merc but nowhere near as much fun.
Deva Link said:
I don't think whether it's been used or not would affect its effectiveness.
When you say it slips forwards, do you mean just momentarily as the car settles, or does it continue to slip? If the latter, then you ought to get it looked at urgently.
It's a creep. It's only on very steep hills, it's as though the pads can't quite get enough purchase. When you say it slips forwards, do you mean just momentarily as the car settles, or does it continue to slip? If the latter, then you ought to get it looked at urgently.
Ari said:
PaulV said:
My 2 pence worth of advice from my Dad.
Best to never use park instead of the handbrake (get it fixed), stick it in neutral, h/b on and let it take up the slack, then into park.
At lights, instead of foot brake, apply the h/b and then feet off the pedals. Modern boxes can cope with this and there is less internal wear than going into neutral and back.
My Dad used to mend Auto Boxes for a living, so I guess he should have some idea.
That's really useful advice, thanks.Best to never use park instead of the handbrake (get it fixed), stick it in neutral, h/b on and let it take up the slack, then into park.
At lights, instead of foot brake, apply the h/b and then feet off the pedals. Modern boxes can cope with this and there is less internal wear than going into neutral and back.
My Dad used to mend Auto Boxes for a living, so I guess he should have some idea.
Making the handbrake do the holding rather than "park" feels instinctively to be correct I must admit.
Surprised about leaving it in "drive" being better than slipping into neutral though, so glad I asked.
Leaving the box in D with foot removed from the brake pedal will result in the car dragging itself forward with the h/b pads still engaged!
Put it in N, and h/b if on an incline, then slot it forward into D without touching the brake pedal as the lights change.
The E65 7er has an hydraulically activated parking brake, which can be set to auto-engage as you come to a stop or activated by the button on the dash beside the headlights control switch unit.
The Lexus GS (and LS?) from '05 (3rd Gen) is foot-operated parking brake (as too the '06 Honda Legend), and will happily ignore its engagement when removing foot from brake pedal whilst still in drive.
So, if yours behaves similarly, get on the brake pedal again, throw it in N, then relax until it's time to move off.
jamoor said:
I'm not sure if there's a correct technique, I used to either use PR or D, never used the neutral function, not sure what it's for.
I never used the handbrake either as it barely worked.
Neutral is just that - no gears engaged.I never used the handbrake either as it barely worked.
Rather handy if your box should ever crap itself, or the engine, so you can at least push or have it towed without causing (further) damage.
Much like knocking a manual box into neutral for exactly the same reasons.
Is there ever a reason to park by using neutral and handbrake over park?
As mentioned, leaving the car in drive but using the handbrake instead of the footbrake is a no no? Putting it in neutral at the lights is a pain as my car requires you to hit the brake pedal just before you change - takes some getting used to I guess.
As mentioned, leaving the car in drive but using the handbrake instead of the footbrake is a no no? Putting it in neutral at the lights is a pain as my car requires you to hit the brake pedal just before you change - takes some getting used to I guess.
I'm surprised auto's aren't more popular in this country, given that most people can't be feckin' bothered pulling on a handbrake at the lights, or extending a finger to flick on an indicator occasionally.
Yes it is 'real' driving...my Volvo C30 has a manual override so you can go up & down gears to your heart's content...
Yes it is 'real' driving...my Volvo C30 has a manual override so you can go up & down gears to your heart's content...
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