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driving lessons- automatic
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
in General Chat
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?
Anyone drive an automatic?
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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.
Ahh quite a few lessons. Maybe 20?
Having said that, I've never driven an automatic so I can't really answer...
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.
Be careful not to fall out of the side then
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
And im a good driver
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
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
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?