Switching to driving an automatic
When you switch to an automatic car it could be for a wide range of reasons. Of course number one on that list could be that you are simply given an automatic car or you are driving in a country such as the United States where all cars tend to have an automatic transmission.
Whatever the reason, it will take a little bit of getting used to not automatically reaching over for the gears all the time as you would ordinarily and as becomes almost instinctive habit in a geared car.
You should familiarise yourself with the controls on the selector lever, and which option is for and when to select it. You must of course remember to move into 'P' when you park the car and exit it and it is particularly essential that you have the hand brake on with an automatic, even more so than with a manual drive car.
You will probably notice that the accelerator is a little more sensitive in an automatic than in a manual, and may also find that when you ease off the gas a higher gear could be selected, so one technique to slow down before you approach a bend or a junction, and as you turn into the bend to gently accelerate.
When it comes to braking, the braking effect from the transmission is usually more subtle (e.g. less) than with a manual car where the engine braking may be more pronounced. Overall, clearly the biggest benefit of an automatic is that it saes having to switch gear all the time and particularly for those who spend their lives in queues on the way to work and back it can save the constant switching of gears and use of the clutch; for those who have some physical disability too an automatica can be an atractive option or even necessary.
Related Articles...
Hazard Perception
There has been a significant increase in the focus of hazard perception and hazard awareness in the last few years since the introduction by the DSA of a separate hazard perception element to the...
What causes accidents: overtaking
When you overtake a vehicle, there are often many things to consider.
First of all you need to ensure that it is, as far as you are aware, safe to do so. Therefore don't overtake close to...
Your car and the lights on it
We are all used to seeing cars in the dark, and also seeing their indicators in the day to communicate to other car drivers. But what must you ensure with regard to the lighting of your...
Why new drivers are more likely to be involved in an accident
It is a well known statistic that new drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents, and indeed insurance companies definitely know this as you'll see by comparing premiums as a new driver...
Driving Theory Stopping Distances
Stopping distances refer to the distance that you car is going to travel from the time that you decide that you need to press the brake through the time that the vehicle physically stops...
Online Driving Theory
Why use an online driving theory website when there are also some books in publication that will help you study for your theory test? Well, there are several advantages to online driving theory,...
Mock Driving Theory Test
Many learner drivers are in the process of finishing A-levels or at university, and so the process of exams and tests is very familiar to you. For those that tests and exams are a distant memory, a...
Driving and mobile phones
Some people are confused about the rules about using a mobile whilst
driving, whilst others know the rules and break them. You might see other
people driving with a phone to their ear but you...
The different types of tyre and maintenance
You might tire of talking about tyres, but these are extremely important elements of your car, being the only part that touches the road.
And they need to be in good working order to do their...
How Pass Plus Works
What does pass plus contain? Well, it has six different modules and each of these ones focuses on a different set of conditions in which you might have to drive. These are in and around the town,...
Back to home page of driving theory test questions
