driving lessons- automatic

Former Member · February 2007

My driving instructor wants to try me out in an automatic next week. I can drive okay in a manual (on a good day) but the gear changes completely baffle me. I think it's partly due to my dyspraxia. I'm not offended that he wants me to try in an automatic because he's not the kind of instructor to push me. He said he won't be offended if I want to switch to automatic same as the other instructor won't be offended if I decide to go back to a manual. Maybe a bit embarassed on my part because I don't 'get' manuals when everyone seems to have no problem.

Anyone drive an automatic?

Former Member · February 2007

how many hours did you drive already??

It took me quite long-ish (longer as the others) to really be able to drive the car flawlessly, and now I drive rather good...

Just give it more time. Americans and amputees (who do not have a leg to clutch) drive automatics...

I know you gonna make it. It will take a bit longer since you are a girl, but you'll make it eventually.

Former Member · February 2007

Since I am a girl? Excuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me mister!!

Ahh quite a few lessons. Maybe 20?

Indrid Cold · February 2007

If you're having that much trouble with a manual maybe switching would be a good idea. You'll have less on your mind, and automatics aren't that hard to find nowadays.
Having said that, I've never driven an automatic so I can't really answer...

Former Member · February 2007

I don't see the problem with driving an automatic if you can't get the hang of a manual. I don't get these people who say that if you can't handle a manual, you're not fit to be on the road. I'd rather someone like you pass in an automatic, than have about 10 attempts in a manual, get lucky once and terrorise the roads for the rest of their driving life. If you're only into driving for purely practical reasons, then there's no reason to own a manual in my opinion. And what's more, you can get a Toyota Prius and save the planet as well.

Former Member · February 2007

I don't get why people have this attitude towards an automatic. It sounds like a pretty magical car really. Today in my manual lesson I felt so bad and unfit to even be behind a wheel. I REALLY don't want to be a shit driver and if a pedestrian even crosses the road a mile in front of me I freak out.

Former Member · February 2007

Drive an automatic then. The only problems with them is that they're not as good on country roads and stuff (apparently, I've never driven one), they're more expensive to repair, and you're obviously limited to what you can buy. But on the plus side, they're easy to park on hills, they don't stall and you're not worrying about your feet when doing manoeuvres. But I'd say go for it. I think that the way cars are going with hybrid engines and so on, we'll be seeing a lot more automatics in the future anyway.

Former Member · February 2007

If you cannot get the hang of changing gear then you should be driving a car in which you don't need to change gear. I drove an automatic for ages and they have a lot of benefits- they are easier to drive on city roads, they're less faff. The cons are that they are more expensive to repair.

There's no shame in driving an auto, and anyone who says that someone who can't drive a manual isn't fit to be on the roads is a moron.

Former Member · February 2007

No shame at all. But if you only have an automatic licence, then I'm pretty sure you can't drive a manual. However, if you have a manual licence, then you can drive an automatic by law.

Former Member · February 2007

Thankyouu. I'll let you all know how I get on. Apparently it's like driving a go-kart or a bumper car. Hmmmm

Former Member · February 2007

Rachael wrote: »

Thankyouu. I'll let you all know how I get on. Apparently it's like driving a go-kart or a bumper car. Hmmmm

Be careful not to fall out of the side then

Former Member · February 2007

I was just joshing anyway.

My father drives for 30 years now and REALLY wants to get himself an automatic, because manuals are a pain in the arse if you are in heavy traffic.

They are a bit more costy, but not really more prone to any kind of damage (I reckon) anymore and really convenient.

You shouldn't give up practising the manual tho. One day you might rent one or have to drive for a friend and being able to handle a manual here is important of course.

Former Member · February 2007

Theres no shame in driving an automatic. Anybody who's ever driven in heavy traffic and developed the horrible 'clutch foot' syndrome on a daily basis would tell you that

ETA: Only problem is you can't convert back to manual if you have an auto licence - although you could retake your test later in life if you wanted.

Former Member · February 2007

Passing your test on a manual gives you more options for the future as you can drive either sort, but if you are struggling to handle gears it may be worth thinking seriously about.

there's nothing wrong at all with driving an automatic. I used to have one, but had to get rid rather quickly (due to it becoming old and un-road worthy) and ended up with a manual this time. Would definately buy an automatic again as both my brothers have at times as well.

Former Member · February 2007

Rachael wrote: »

Thankyouu. I'll let you all know how I get on. Apparently it's like driving a go-kart or a bumper car. Hmmmm

Dunno who said that. There's a knack to driving them, but they are almost as much fun on country lanes.

Former Member · February 2007

Kermit wrote: »

Dunno who said that. There's a knack to driving them, but they are almost as much fun on country lanes.

Lol, my driving instructor said that. I think he was just trying to reassure me.

Former Member · February 2007

Have you only driven one car? I'd driven 3 diesel cars when I passed my test and always found the gears quite hard. I drive a petrol (fiesta) now and I just jumped in and drove away no problems, I couldn't believe how easy it was. All the problems I had with the gears vanished. I'm not sure whether its just a car I get on with or whether its because its petrol. To be fair its quite a forgiving car, it'll pull off in 3rd

What problems do you have with the gears exactly? I never knew when to change up for 4th and 5th, and I used to have a mare at roundabouts because I couldn't go very slow in 2nd gear so I could never decide whether to change down to 1st. I never knew when to put the clutch down when I was slowing down in 4th or 5th either, and couldn't choose which gear when I needed to start moving again. I realised that the car I was driving was quite picky about what it would do in which gear. My fiesta now I can slow down to almost a stop in 3rd before i put the clutch down but the one I learnt in would start juddering at about 10mph! I used to stall it until the end, even doing pass plus but I've never stalled the fiesta (although it does judder angrily at me sometimes)

I don't see the problem with learning in an automatic, there seems to be such a taboo but people in the US and australia drive automatics mostly and they're doing fine. The only problem I had with driving an automatic is that I'd finally got to grips with the gears so I was damn well going to use them!! Personally now I LOVE driving a manual car but the stress my instructor had with me, coasting round corners, stalling, crunching his beloved gears, revving fuck out of the engine until he hinted to me that 4th gear is there for a reason. If you really want to master a manual maybe ask to try another car? Otherwise just go with automatic, you can always learn to use a manual later on

Former Member · February 2007

I started in a diesel. They seem to be a lot more sensitive on the clutch, so they're really easy to stall. I went to a petrol after a few lessons and it was much better.

Former Member · February 2007

I learnt in a diesel too. I thought they were harder to stall than pertols though and i'm sure that is a fact for some reason or another.

Former Member · February 2007

I learnt in a diesel with my insrtuctor and then in a petrol which was my boyfriends car, and didn't really have a problem switching between the two, it just took me a while to get used to how quieter the petrol was!

I've never drove an automatic i wouldn;t mind having a go though, i'd imagine it to be qutire hard at first to try and not use a clutch every five seconds.

Former Member · February 2007

My diesels had anti-stall because you can't go as slow in the gears a small amount of gas is pumped into the engine to stop the car going to slow for the gear and stalling. But you can still stall moving off, or by braking too harsly when going too slow for a gear and anti-stall won't stop that. I found the clutch of diesels more sensitive, and that I needed to put on a lot more gas to move off without stalling

Former Member · February 2007

I never even bothered with manual, mainly because i was having enough problems with my lefts and rights (i can never tell the difference).

And im a good driver

Former Member · February 2007

hey

did you see my thread about driving lessons?

I wanna drive an automatic coz I have dyspraxia and I don't understand gears and how manuels work.

People do have a negative view of automatics and I don't know why either. They just seem easier to drive and a better car.

I looked into driving schools but they all charge more to learn in automatics

Former Member · February 2007

Hi, thanks for responding. Sorry for the late reply. What is a diesal car? Lol..Not sure what the one I drive around during my lessons is. Think it's a citreon cx..That's all I know. With the gear stick it's everything. I grip it too hard and just panic. My co-ordination is shit and I can never remember what is third etc. I never know when to change gear either. My instructor told me to listen out for the engine telling me but I hear nothinggg. Think I'll see how my automatic lesson goes which is next week on Wednesday. Haven't seen your thread Doomsday.

Former Member · February 2007

it was in home, law and money.

Former Member · February 2007

i am learning in an auto as we speak

i can do gears, i change my fellas for him when he's driving, i just have a huge problem with co-ordination

i find it especially hard at round abouts when you have to slow down, check for things comming from the right, change gear

also a big problem i have is confidence

so i`ve decided to learn and pass in an auto (as my funds are tight)
then maybe one day i can learn in a manual again, IF i feel the need, but i doubt i will

good luck anyhoo x

Former Member · February 2007

know any places do cheap lessons in autos?

Former Member · February 2007

Im not knocking automatic cars but just wanted to say I was close to swapping to automatic because I really could not get the hang of the gears and clutch control. I decided to stick just because everyone was telling me about how more expensive automatics are to buy and maintain. I also would have been quite limited on what I could get within my budget. Im glad I stuck with it because eventually, after a year and a half

, I passed my test first time.

Former Member · February 2007

I first started in an escort which was a bastard. But that's because I didn't understand the gears (when to switch and how)

I started taking lessons in a petrol clio and my god, I hated it. Then my instructor got a modus which was even worse, I stalled loads and really got upset.

I switched to an instructor with an astra and I haven't looked back since. passed my test in November (2nd time) and I think the astra is the easiest I have driven in.

Maybe you need to try a different car? If you really feel you aren't getting the hang of it then go for an automatic, I'd feel weird driving one but that's because I'm more used to manuals (wouldn't say no to either though)

Just out of interest - What do you not get about the gears? When to change? What to change to etc?

Former Member · February 2007

Easiest way to check whether you're going to like the gears on a new car, ask your instuctor if you can do a hill start at some point in your first lesson.

Former Member · February 2007

I would say stick at the manual, it took me almost 50 lessons, but I got there, and with only 5 minors too!

driving lessons- automatic

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