Best way to drive an autobox?
Discussion
Generally, the auto-hold function leaves the brake lights on. The only way to avoid pointing brake lights in the eyes of the driver behind you is to use N or Pnand manually engage a parking brake.
That said, maybe the people behind will just have to suck up the brake lights. With 50% of new cars now autos, and that likely to be near 100% within the next few years, it’s just going to be ‘the way it is’ I think. It virtually is already, it’s quite unusual to see a manual handbrake go on and off at the lights unless a hill start is needed, and even then, anti-rollback systems make that skill all but redundant too.
That said, maybe the people behind will just have to suck up the brake lights. With 50% of new cars now autos, and that likely to be near 100% within the next few years, it’s just going to be ‘the way it is’ I think. It virtually is already, it’s quite unusual to see a manual handbrake go on and off at the lights unless a hill start is needed, and even then, anti-rollback systems make that skill all but redundant too.
For me its time based, so stopping a traffic light for 30secs I just leave it in D with my foot on the brakes, but if its congestion where you're not moving for 1min+ etc then I pop it in P and put the electric hand-brake on.
The only exception to that which I have is if I've been on a "spirited" drive and my brakes are hot, in which case I pop it into P when ever I stop, even if just for a few seconds, as I don't want to keep the brakes on when they're hot.
The only exception to that which I have is if I've been on a "spirited" drive and my brakes are hot, in which case I pop it into P when ever I stop, even if just for a few seconds, as I don't want to keep the brakes on when they're hot.
brillomaster said:
i normally put it in N and put the handbrake on for a stop of anything longer than about 3 seconds.
^ This. On many TC automatics you can shift from D to N and back to D without pulling/pushing the shift-lock button/lever. Handy when you want to keep the engine on, but be able to move away quickly: Stop> push selector to N> handbrake on, ready to move?> handbrake off> push to D, drive away immediately. It's easier on cars with manual handbrakes and very intuitive. I get that many people say, just leave it in D, with your foot on the brake, but sometimes a quick break from braking is nice.
Wills2 said:
Just leave it D no need to try and be a "auto whisperer" it's designed that way and keep your brake lights on that way people know you're stationary in a live lane there is a reason they fit cars with those bright red lights...
IMO the "correct" approach is to apply the hand brake but keep your foot on the foot brake until a car comes to a halt behind you, then release the foot brake. From a safety point of view you definitely want both the hand brake and foot brake on when stationary with no-one behind you - the foot brake to illuminate the brake lights and the hand brake because if someone does go into the back of you, your foot will come straight off the brake pedal and the hand brake will be the only thing stopping you from rolling forwards. A significant proportion of the "secondary accidents" where someone gets rear-ended and shoved out into a junction whereupon they get T-boned by another car could be avoided if people used their hand brakes while waiting in traffic. Taking your foot off the foot brake once there is someone behind you isn't a safety thing, it's just common courtesy (which is sadly lacking both on the roads and in other elements of modern life).
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 9th May 09:10
kambites said:
IMO the "correct" approach is to apply the hand brake but keep your foot on the foot brake until a car comes to a halt behind you, then release the foot brake. From a safety point of view you definitely want both the hand brake and foot brake on when stationary with no-one behind you - the foot brake to illuminate the brake lights and the hand brake because if someone does go into the back of you, your foot will come straight off the brake pedal and the hand brake will be the only thing stopping you from rolling forwards.
A significant proportion of the "secondary accidents" where someone gets rear-ended and shoved out into a junction whereupon they get T-boned by another car could be avoided if people used their hand brakes while waiting in traffic. Taking your foot off the foot brake once there is someone behind you isn't a safety thing, it's just common courtesy (which is sadly lacking both on the roads and in other elements of modern life).
^^^ This is what I do.A significant proportion of the "secondary accidents" where someone gets rear-ended and shoved out into a junction whereupon they get T-boned by another car could be avoided if people used their hand brakes while waiting in traffic. Taking your foot off the foot brake once there is someone behind you isn't a safety thing, it's just common courtesy (which is sadly lacking both on the roads and in other elements of modern life).
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 9th May 09:10
kambites said:
IMO the "correct" approach is to apply the hand brake but keep your foot on the foot brake until a car comes to a halt behind you, then release the foot brake. From a safety point of view you definitely want both the hand brake and foot brake on when stationary with no-one behind you - the foot brake to illuminate the brake lights and the hand brake because if someone does go into the back of you, your foot will come straight off the brake pedal and the hand brake will be the only thing stopping you from rolling forwards.
A significant proportion of the "secondary accidents" where someone gets rear-ended and shoved out into a junction whereupon they get T-boned by another car could be avoided if people used their hand brakes while waiting in traffic. Taking your foot off the foot brake once there is someone behind you isn't a safety thing, it's just common courtesy (which is sadly lacking both on the roads and in other elements of modern life).
A significant proportion of the "secondary accidents" where someone gets rear-ended and shoved out into a junction whereupon they get T-boned by another car could be avoided if people used their hand brakes while waiting in traffic. Taking your foot off the foot brake once there is someone behind you isn't a safety thing, it's just common courtesy (which is sadly lacking both on the roads and in other elements of modern life).
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 9th May 09:10
Put it in N and apply the park brake. Holding on the footbrake creates the risk of the car rolling if you get hit from behind and your foot comes off the brake pedal.
Don't put it in P - if you do and you get hit from behind then there's a risk of damage to the transmission (broken parking pawl/gears).
Don't put it in P - if you do and you get hit from behind then there's a risk of damage to the transmission (broken parking pawl/gears).
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