britwhore

Well.......finally took a manual driving lesson !!!

I'm sorry but I just don't get it. I understand how a car works and how a clutch works but it seems like SO MUCH BLOODY WORK to get from A to B when an automatic gets me there in the same time without the stress. Anyone agree or am I a pathetic human being?!?!?

Probably the latter!

I did take lessons here before I left for the States but I think 10 years of driving automatic have messed with my head.

Oh well. Just wanted to vent!

Cheers......carry on!

iaink

Depends how much traffic you sit in I guess.

Generally I get the impression that those driving stick tend to be paying more attention to whats going on around them on the road so they are in the right gear at the right time.

But if my daily drive involved sitting in traffic or crawling along Id probably choose an automatic. We have one of each anyway.

Mummy in the foothills

I want an automatic when I move back too, I have become a lazy driver.
Once you get the hang of a stick it's isn't hard work, you do it all without even thinking.

lf1

That makes me a pathetic human being too! I am happy to drive an automatic, that way I can concentrate on avoiding pheasants.

britwhore

Hahahaha!!!!! There are an awful lot of those around! Glad to hear it's not just me

kimilseung

What is the correct procedure on a hill start when lights change, with an automatic?

If you use one foot, there is a short roll back when you move from brake to accelerator, not an issue on a gentle hill, but a pain on a steep hill with a car right behind you. Many automatics do not have a hand brake to use, I have used two feet, ease off the break as I press the gas, but I am sure this is not what you are supposed to do.

iaink

An automatic cant roll back too far due to the way a torque convertor works.

If it worries you, use the emergency brake, otherwise just go from brake to accelerator. Two footed is OK in a pinch, but all cars have an emergency brake of some sort.

Mummy in the foothills

There shouldn't be any rollback. I can sit on a hill with my foot on the brake, then remove it and put it gently on the accelerator without any roll back so long as the car is in D. I live in the hills and my driveway frightens some friends they park on the road.

CAdreaming

Ive just passed my US test in an auto - having only ever driven a geared car. Must say i prefer "stick shifts" which is a good job as our only car is a stick shift- its a PT Cruiser and i do find that the gears are really close together which is why I crunch my way around town - i seem to be in 5th instead of 3rd but im sure given time i will get it

Stick with the "stick shift" it just takes practice and then it suddenly all comes together but i do agree that it depends on where you are driving - lots of traffic then maybe an auto is best

Off to crunch some gears now

kimilseung

I drive an automatic with a hand brake and that gives me a sense of control, but I also sometimes drive one with the foot to brake and hand release, and that system gives me no sense of control, it is all or nothing. That's when I rely on two feet.

kimilseung

Maybe some brakes are not as good as they should be, but I give cars in front a bit of space on hills, as I see a good few move back a little before moving forward.

Sally Redux

When I first came I was trying to use the handbrake, but mine is a foot pedal which you release by scrabbling around with your left hand under the dashboard.. Nowadays I just try to be quick enough not to roll back. The driving instructor told my daughter to use 2 feet.

iaink

A little, but the torque convertor should catch it after a little motion. I think some trasmissions have a failsafe to prevent excessive rollback anyway, but thats not to say they are all in perfect condition I guess.

Once they are on the gas they should be going the right way anyway... TBH its probably safer to be behind an automatic on a hill start then a manual...

kimilseung

So maybe I am worrying too much about that small movement I see in other cars, and sense in my own.

I assumed that two footed was a no-no, but if that is what they teach, then I guess it is fine to do.

kimilseung

I can see I need to find a quiet hill, and try it out, to give me some confidence in the system.