Automatic cars

Woofy

Hi peeps. struggling a bit with the gears in my car. Hubby thinks I might find it easier in an automatic. I’ve never driven an automatic, are easy to get used to? I don’t do a lot of driving.

BettyMac

Hi Woofy

We changed to an automatic a couple of years ago.

Have to admit I was very worried about whether I’d adapt after so many years driving manual cars and thought about having driving lessons in an automatic.

Up until then, the only time I’d driven an auto car was on holiday in Canada - not helped by being on the “wrong” side of the car and on the “wrong” side of the road! My brain really struggled to cope with all those differences.

Since changing the car it’s taken me a few months to get used to driving automatic but now I love it.

At first, you do have to concentrate on what you’re doing - and keep your left foot firmly on the side as it’s not needed - but you will get used to it in a few weeks.

Maybe having a couple of driving lessons would give you some confidence? And then a few short drives when you know the roads are quieter would help.

Good luck

jamieA

Hi @Woofy

I had an automatic for quite a number of years a while back. It was a Volvo estate so a big vehicle and it suited it to be automatic. I remember when I bought it being told to tuck my left foot under the seat as there's no need for it. It can actually be quite hard trying not to use it. Once you are used to driving one footed having an automatic makes driving easier. You don't take it out of gear stopped at lights - you simply keep your foot on the brake. Newer automatics have a greater number of gears so are more economical than they used to be. I've also been thinking about an automatic as my left knee is giving issues as I depress the clutch. A lot of the smaller secondhand ones are ex-motability cars.

Hairobsessed123

Hi I had to change for the same reason !!

I have an Audi A1 Auto and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done x

Woofy

It’s the hill stops im wondering about.

Trish9556

Hi @Woofy

We have had an automatic since 2016 when I had problems with my hands with lots of pain both changing gears and using the handbrake.

Our last car, a Peugeot 3008 had hill assist which was even easier for me.

I suggest you try a few models out and find out which options are available to make your driving easier. We now have a 2008 which doesn'st have hill assist but as I haven't driving for a number of years due to my neck and hips, it doesn't bother me.

Good luck

Trish xx

jonr

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/716082#Comment_716082

No need to worry about those. Just stop as normal with your foot on the brake and the car still in "Drive" and then move it to the gas pedal when you're ready to go, you won't roll back because you've stopped in gear, just as if you were in a manual and holding onto the "bite" with the clutch.

Another advantage of autos is you have more freedom to move your legs around which is handy for me with OA in both knees, makes longer journeys a lot less daunting than they'd be in a stick shift.