Non footy - Automatic cars

Always thought I would never have an auto as I enjoy the driving art of changing gear. But bought an auto Citroen DS5 because I drive a lot and am starting to get dodgy knees and its very nice - it can sometimes feel as though it is slipping gears when accelerating from a standing start as it pushes through the gears a lot faster than I would (1st is for standing still only, as soon as I touch the accelerator, it changes up), and it can sometimes delay slightly when I put my foot down before changing down, but I can, if I prefer, switch to the semi auto sequential gear change, which is bloody lovely. I wouldn't rule out going back to manual - it would depend on the car. But equally, I don't regret the change to auto this time and would happily have another.

Having said all that, I agree with others that you should definitely learn to drive in a manual, so you always have the choice. I would think it would be quite rare for people to learn and pass their test in an auto, limiting themselves to auto only.

I am also not sure about the advice to use left foot for braking and right foot for accelerator - if you are used to a manual, then at would surely cause more problems than just learning to tuck your left foot away - it would be like learning a whole different way of driving and would be quite dangerous.

 

This is worth a read; it details the correct way to use your feet when driving an automatic.

http://driving4safe.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/using-both-legs-while-driving-automatic.html

 

If I didn't know better I'd say Farnham was trying to kill someone!

 

Had one as a hire car once, it took me about 15 minutes of pressing butting and kicking things to work out how to actually start the thing!!

 

Some good information on here, cheers all. Manual gear changing aggravates an old shoulder injury with the repetitive movement patterns. Just a lot better for me to get an auto, plus i'm wanting to get on the road asap.

 

Lol

 

I had the use of one of a few Daewoo 'pool' cars at an old workplace. I was last to leave work one Friday nite and the last car left was an auto. I sat in, like you (pre mobile fone days) looked at it for a bit. Locked the door and walked home! Never sat in one since....

 

Mrs surreytyke has an auto. It's great if you spend time crawling at 0-5 mph in traffic jams. It's also a life saver when gout sets in to my left foot. I'd recommend an automatic with paddle shifts so you can decide when to change gear. I've had a couple of hire cars with it. It makes a Toyota Aygo feel like an F1 car!

 

Maybe he is trying to kill Righteous Ron?