Correct protocol for using an automatic transmission?
Discussion
Automatic gearboxes seem to suit big cars best. A manual 7 series feels as much wrong as an automatic 1.6........Focus.
I bought my auto 5'er after spinal surgery. Still got after 5 years. It does have the tiptronic manual gear option, but in reality it is still quite slow & slushy.
Re: leaving in gear while queued in stationary traffic. I was told that holding in gear for a short time, up to a minute was preferable than taking in/out of drive. Less wear on selector mechanism & torque converter. If prolonged waiting, then of course, apply N/P.
When queued in traffic I try to be courteous to drivers behind being subjected to brakelights. Fortunately my E39 dates back to a time when brake lights were believe it or not.. small glass bubbles containing a heated wire element! Back then, Light Emitting Diodes was considered to be witchcraft!
I bought my auto 5'er after spinal surgery. Still got after 5 years. It does have the tiptronic manual gear option, but in reality it is still quite slow & slushy.
Re: leaving in gear while queued in stationary traffic. I was told that holding in gear for a short time, up to a minute was preferable than taking in/out of drive. Less wear on selector mechanism & torque converter. If prolonged waiting, then of course, apply N/P.
When queued in traffic I try to be courteous to drivers behind being subjected to brakelights. Fortunately my E39 dates back to a time when brake lights were believe it or not.. small glass bubbles containing a heated wire element! Back then, Light Emitting Diodes was considered to be witchcraft!
I love autos. For my daily drive I would use nothing else (esp in traffic etc). For weekends though (and for a bit of fun) it has to be manual.
I always knock into neutral unless I think its just for a couple of seconds or something - never had any issues doing this.
I think having an auto has calmed me driving style down. It tends to make the whole thing more relaxing and I get much less tired and less annoyed in traffic.
I engage tiptronic for braking too when I have a long steady breaking distance, changing down to allow the engine to brake the car slightly.
I always knock into neutral unless I think its just for a couple of seconds or something - never had any issues doing this.
I think having an auto has calmed me driving style down. It tends to make the whole thing more relaxing and I get much less tired and less annoyed in traffic.
I engage tiptronic for braking too when I have a long steady breaking distance, changing down to allow the engine to brake the car slightly.
I had a Vectra Auto for a bit and I also avoided having the the brake lights on at junctions etc. I noticed that after a few seconds of sitting still still the gearbox puts itself in neutral, so you could feel the back end of the car rise up a little as it stopped fighting the handbrake.
If a "crap" car like a 1998 Vectra does that, I'd have thought yours will do something similar.
If a "crap" car like a 1998 Vectra does that, I'd have thought yours will do something similar.
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.
Not sure about holding the car against the handshake while in drive at the lights. If the handbook slips, the car will creep into passing traffic possibly before the driver realises. 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.
V88Dicky said:
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.
My A8 had the semi auto handbrake. So similarRoll 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.
I never bothered with the D-N and back though.
Roll up using footbrake, handbrake on. Then throttle to go.Nothing else needed
Plastic chicken said:
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...
If it is dark and you're gonna light up someone's car cockpit for along period of time then yes, put the handbrake on.Yes it is 'real' driving...my Volvo C30 has a manual override so you can go up & down gears to your heart's content...
I really don't understand the attitude on here about pulling up at a set of traffic lights and leaving your foot on the brake being a nuisance or lazy. I think there's less chance of you being accidently rear -ended and it's never bothered me sitting behind somebody with their brake light on.
Not indicating, well, this is something entirely different not obeying rules of the road and being a danger.
Am I the only person here who thinks using the handbrake in normal driving conditions is unnecessary?
deltashad said:
Am I the only person here who thinks using the handbrake in normal driving conditions is unnecessary?
No, becuse most people can't drive for s
t and have mechanical sympathy. Amount of times I see people trying (and failing) to hold the car on the clutch, or go from annoying foot brake straight into pulling away and rolling back 3-4 foot is quite alarming. Just make it safe, as my instructor used to say. I also think using the handbrake more keeps it all freed up.PJ S said:
Wrong!
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!
bLeaving 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!
ks!PJ S said:
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.
If you are putting it in neutral then it's vital to use the handbrake - sitting there in N without anybrake applied is asking to be punted into the traffic stream.And in auto's I've driven, sloting the selector forward from neutral would result in you ramming the car behind!
Modern autos, like the Merc 7 dspeed and BMW 8 speed, tend to drop into neutral internally anyway as the car comes to a halt.
I think it all depends on the type of auto box you are driving and the age of the system. Many modern autos put themselves into neutral when stopped without the driver having to move the stick. Also, with hill assist and many other fancy add ons with many new autos you can bring the car to a stop and it will apply the brakes so you can lift your foot off the brake and even in drive the car won't move.
I have driven nothing but auto's and semi autos for about 10 years now and wouldn't go back to a manual.
I have driven nothing but auto's and semi autos for about 10 years now and wouldn't go back to a manual.
Astra Dan said:
I had a Vectra Auto for a bit and I also avoided having the the brake lights on at junctions etc. I noticed that after a few seconds of sitting still still the gearbox puts itself in neutral, so you could feel the back end of the car rise up a little as it stopped fighting the handbrake.
If a "crap" car like a 1998 Vectra does that, I'd have thought yours will do something similar.
I drove an Omega that did the same thing. You could stop, put it in drive with the brakes off and it wouldn't creep forwards until you touched the throttle.If a "crap" car like a 1998 Vectra does that, I'd have thought yours will do something similar.
Deva Link said:
PJ S said:
Wrong!
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!
bLeaving 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!
ks!PJ S said:
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.
If you are putting it in neutral then it's vital to use the handbrake - sitting there in N without anybrake applied is asking to be punted into the traffic stream.And in auto's I've driven, sloting the selector forward from neutral would result in you ramming the car behind!
Modern autos, like the Merc 7 dspeed and BMW 8 speed, tend to drop into neutral internally anyway as the car comes to a halt.
I didn't know about the foot operated parking brake until my left foot caught it when I lifted it semi-instictively whilst playing with tiptronic mode.
Wondered if it was like the E65 at rest on another test in a 450h - stopped, brake on, foot off, car moved forward.
Lexus dealership salesman pointed out it wasn't designed to operate like that.
So, sorry to burst your bubble - it isn't big sweaty hairy ones!
Regarding sitting in N and being punted - am I the only driver on the road that pays attention to his rearview mirror, even when stationary?
It's not exactly taxing on the brain to think of possible scenarios, and be ready for them.
And the Lexus may have R between D and N (forgotten as I didn't study its pattern meticulously), but assuming you have the first clue about driving ANY vehicle, you'd only let go of the lever when in the correct position, not before!
Ergo, sitting on level ground, I never got punted from behind, and never managed to reverse into the car behind me.
Honda Leg-end from '06 - exactly the same with its foot-operated cable parking brake.
I'm either super skilled, or just like most normal folk who think about what they're doing before hitting the long pedal - I'll let you decide which it is.
Edited by PJ S on Tuesday 5th June 10:59
peterbredde said:
I think having an auto has calmed me driving style down. It tends to make the whole thing more relaxing and I get much less tired and less annoyed in traffic.
I engage tiptronic for braking too when I have a long steady breaking distance, changing down to allow the engine to brake the car slightly.
Definitely agree that it's a calmer, less tiring drive. I bought one because I do a few long trips (6 - 8 hours driving in a day) and it's so much easier and more relaxing than a manual. I engage tiptronic for braking too when I have a long steady breaking distance, changing down to allow the engine to brake the car slightly.
Agree about the tiptronic braking. The auto box on my car is actually quite "intelligent" in that if it senses you braking for longer than a quick check brake going down hill then it'll shift down a gear to provide a little engine braking, but actually I'll often just knock it down a gear or two as I start the decent using the "down" paddle. Once at the bottom, whatever the gear selected, holding the "up" paddle for more than a second puts it straight back into drive (a quick click moving it up one gear).
Also use the Tiptronic when anticipating an overtake so I'm already in a lower gear and ready to go rather than having to wait for it to kick down two or three gears. Other than that it seems pretty spot on at being in the right gear at the right time.
monthefish said:
Glosphil said:
2. Carry on putting it in neutral, applying the handbrake and taking your foot off the brake pedal. Then your brake lights won't be dazzling the driver behind.
...but it will make the driver behind sh*t himself as the reversing lights briefly illuminate.
I've had auto's since 2002. A Volvo S60, E38 728, 2x E39's and now a Mitsi Nativa (Shogun sport in the UK) and a Scoob Outback.
I now detest Manuals - particularly in heavy traffic.
I think good auto protocol is to make sure you have your foot on the brake whenever changing gear (P-R-N-D). So whether you choose to put it in Park (not something I ever do) or neutral (hardly ever) when stopped at the lights, the bloody thing won't take off without your consent. The scoob needs the footbrake applied to release the gate between N and R (I assume to make sure you are actually stopped?) and needs the footbrake applied before it will even start.
Not a beleiver in all this 'dont sit with your foot on the brake as you might dazzle the driver behind you'. fk that - I want whoever is coming behind to see I am either stopped or slowing down.
If it looks like you have a long wait then I think handbrake and P, however, in normal traffic - don't see the point and you run a much higher risk of being arse ended by somebody behind you who sets off quicker than you (and you inflict the momentary reverse light flash which I'm sure causes many a momentarily tightened sphincter in the vehicle behind....)
I now detest Manuals - particularly in heavy traffic.
I think good auto protocol is to make sure you have your foot on the brake whenever changing gear (P-R-N-D). So whether you choose to put it in Park (not something I ever do) or neutral (hardly ever) when stopped at the lights, the bloody thing won't take off without your consent. The scoob needs the footbrake applied to release the gate between N and R (I assume to make sure you are actually stopped?) and needs the footbrake applied before it will even start.
Not a beleiver in all this 'dont sit with your foot on the brake as you might dazzle the driver behind you'. f
k that - I want whoever is coming behind to see I am either stopped or slowing down.If it looks like you have a long wait then I think handbrake and P, however, in normal traffic - don't see the point and you run a much higher risk of being arse ended by somebody behind you who sets off quicker than you (and you inflict the momentary reverse light flash which I'm sure causes many a momentarily tightened sphincter in the vehicle behind....)
Ari said:
peterbredde said:
I think having an auto has calmed me driving style down. It tends to make the whole thing more relaxing and I get much less tired and less annoyed in traffic.
Definitely agree that it's a calmer, less tiring drive. I bought one because I do a few long trips (6 - 8 hours driving in a day) and it's so much easier and more relaxing than a manual. I found my driving style became very much more chilled out, I was no longer in such a hurry to get somewhere, despite having the power to boot it around if I'd wanted to. Since then I'd had a few other manual cars, and I was a bit more stressy than usual, but having just bought a W202 C-Class with an auto, I'm back to the chilled out "I'm in no hurry" mentality.
(Mind you, its only a C180 so it's not exactly going anywhere quick anyway!)
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