Driving an automatic
FOOT CONTROLS
There are only two foot controls, Accelerator (gas pedal) on the right and the Brake which is on the left. Both are operated with the right foot only. Most automatics also have a footrest up on the far left where the left foot can be kept out of the road.
HAND CONTROLS
There are three main hand controls. Steering wheel and handbrake, same as a manual, then a “Selector Lever”.
The selector lever in the majority of automatics has four basic positions: P - Park, N -Neutral, D - Drive and R - Reverse. In addition a couple of “lock up” gears are usually provided: 2 and L or 1. Discuss these and any different layouts with your instructor.
The lever itself cannot be moved between some of these positions without pressing a safety button incorporated on the lever to prevent accidental selection.
Park. This position is used when the vehicle is parked to prevent it rolling away in the event of handbrake failure, only to be used when parked, do not select when driving!
Reverse. This position is used when needing to manoeuvre the vehicle backwards, do not select this position unless the vehicle is stopped.
Neutral. Normally located between Reverse and Drive. This position disengages the gears as it would in a manual vehicle. On most makes, it is only possible to start the engine with the lever in Neutral or in Park or with the footbrake on, otherwise the car could lurch forwards or backwards when started.
In the unlikely event that your engine stalls, hold the car on your footbrake while you get the lever back into Neutral promptly. That then enables you quickly to re-start the engine and re-select Drive (or Reverse) to get you moving again.
Drive. This is the normal driving position, gear changes occur automatically as required. When you select Drive before moving off, the gearbox automatically selects 1st without actually engaging it, then, as you accelerate for moving off, the coupling of the engine to the selected gear becomes made, and transmission of power to the driving wheels is achieved progressively - just as it would be with a properly operated manual clutch. After that the gearbox changes itself to 2nd as soon as the proper speed is achieved, and so on. It will also allow for extra weight being carried, or whether you are driving uphill or downhill. Downward changes are automatically made as you slow down.
2. This position is a held gear and could be used when negotiating a long, steep downhill gradient, this helps keep the speed down without too much overuse ( and overheating) of the brakes. It may also be used in a properly planned overtaking manoeuvre where a lower ratio is required for more acceleration.
1 or L. Another lower held gear This will prevent the gear changing up automatically, which may result in the vehicle ‘running on’ and increasing speed when this is not required, for example in severe weather conditions where snow or ice and mud etc would cause wheel spin.
Kickdown. When immediate maximum acceleration is required the ‘Kickdown’ facility can be used This is engaged by pressing the gas pedal down sharply, overcoming the built-in resistance. This down shifts the gears to the most suitable for maximum acceleration. When the accelerator pedal is released the gearbox will automatically change back up again.
MOVING OFF IN AN AUTOMATIC
The first few times you move off, your vehicle should ideally be standing on level ground in a quiet area. The handbrake will be applied and selector in Park or Neutral. When safe, start your engine and allow to idle, your instructor, who will have previously briefed you on POM procedure will then instruct you to move off when safe to do so.
(a) Apply footbrake with right foot.
(b) Select Drive. (Move the lever as your Instructor will have shown you, from Neutral into Drive or if in Park then through Reverse and Neutral and into Drive)
(c) Release the handbrake but keep footbrake applied, otherwise car could move away before safe.
(d) Check your mirrors, and apply a signal if required when the conditions are good to go.
(e) Continue holding the car with the footbrake while you make your final checks to ensure that it is safe to move.
(f) If the checks confirm that you are still clear to go, move your right foot from the footbrake to the accelerator (gas pedal), and gently squeeze it. That will ensure a smooth start; you can then add acceleration gradually until you build up to the speed required.
Moving off downhill, uphill or at an angle can be dealt with by slight adaptations to the procedure. Downhill usually requires gentler than normal acceleration or, the retention of a little foot-brake control. Moving away steeply uphill normally requires a little gas and correct timing of the handbrake. Instead of holding the car only on the footbrake from (c) above, keep the handbrake on until (e). While you are checking that all is safe during (e), switch your right foot to giving slight acceleration - until you feel the car straining to go. For (f) you simply release the handbrake, increase your acceleration and away you go! If, for some reason, you can’t go straightaway, remove the acceleration until you are ready to begin again. Angled starts require correct coordination of the gas pedal, the footbrake and the steering wheel.
SLOWING DOWN AND STOPPING
Slowing down is achieved by first checking the mirrors and then coming off the gas, moving your right foot over to the brake and adding pressure as required. To come to a complete stop, you must first decide if an indication is necessary then use your footbrake as required to bring the car to a complete stop. DO NOT apply the handbrake until the car is stationary.
When stopped for any long period, it is better to apply your handbrake and select Neutral. This enables you to take your foot off the footbrake and relax.
It also safer to use your handbrake ( and Neutral on longer stops ) whenever you come to a stop at the front of a queue; at traffic lights or other junctions and especially at Zebra crossings or wherever pedestrians may cross in front of you and there is a possibility of your foot accidentally hitting the Gas pedal or where another driver could possibly shunt into the rear of your vehicle.
