You have an automatic car when you are not yet very familiar with this type of box? Don't worry, follow this article to see the steps to follow!
Why choose a car with an automatic gearbox?
Technology is evolving more and more nowadays! Before automatic cars were considered as less interesting cars. It was for people who were afraid to drive. But nowadays, driving an automatic gearbox has become more and more popular due to lower prices. And especially because it also allows to lower consumption. Especially since it's easy to handle, but you just have to get used to it. When you drive an automatic transmission, you don't have to shift gears anymore. You no longer need to manage the gearshift. That's an advantage, because you have more time to concentrate on handling the car and the road.
How do you drive a car with an automatic transmission?
If you have not yet driven a car with an automatic transmission, then you need to follow a few tips that will allow you to drive with pleasure and get used to it. First of all you need to familiarize yourself with the pedals. There is no clutch pedal, there are only two pedals: the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal. Remember then that only your right foot has to work. After the pedals, also memorize the meanings of the 4 positions on the automatic gearbox: P: when the car is stationary; N: neutral, it's the neutral point; D: start, for forward and finally R: reverse, it's for reverse.
And how does the driving feel? It's simple, switch to position P and make sure the handbrake is raised before turning on the ignition. Then, push the Start button while also pressing the brake pedal to turn on the ignition. After that, switch to position D if you want to go forwards or R if you want to go backwards, and now release the handbrake and press the accelerator to move.
Some precautions to note
There are certain bad reflexes to avoid. The first is the habit of pressing the clutch in case of danger. Whereas in an automatic vehicle, this reflex will make you press the brake, which results in a huge brake stroke. So avoid using your left foot. The second is the absence of engine braking: when you let go of the accelerator, the car still moves forward, but the gears also automatically downshift, so you have to use the brake more often and harder to stop the vehicle.