How to drive an auto?

[JonFB]

...I had a hired new Focus manual estate in Sardinian earlier this year. Thought it was complete gutless then after a mile realised h/b was on.....

Ha, loved that! I once did something similar on the norfolk broads, about day three of our holiday I was wondering why the boat was behaving like an absolute dog, as we parked up that night and many miles later we discovered that we had set off without pulling the anchor up :Oops: !!!

Think it says alot about the Focus that it even allowed you to pull away, let alone why it didn't creak, groan, and generally start to produce a severe burning smell leading to spontaeous combustion:lol:


Jon

 

[SLinKyjoe]

i leave it in D unless i intend to park. then it goes into P or Park. its easy really. they did name them Drive and Park and Reverse for a reason you are still driving your car sat at the lights, you are just not moving.

i never use the handbrake even on a manual, unless i am parked on a very steep hill and then i move the wheel toward or away form the kerb depending on direction. I leave the manual in gear. Its good practice to start the car with the clutch depressed anyhow.

in my mercs and the chrysler, the handbrake has never held the car still while its in D. that dragging on the brake will be worse than any wear holding the car on the footbrake.

For those whose cars roll back, My SLK55 did, but this chrysler doesnt, one other option is for you to gently apply the throttle. the reason your car rolls back is that the weight of the car overcomes the Torque of your gerabox on some hill. apply a small amount of throttle and the car will remain in position, apply a bit more and you creep forward, apply loads and you hit the car in front, or wear out your tyres etc etc.

if you have enough room when slowing, you can allow the car to come to a rest and with foot dexiterity, you can get the car to come to a very smooth rest and remain still without the roll and little brake application.

Leaving the foot on the brake is taught by Auto driving instructors, as you are in control on the car. in a manual you have to have 3 feet to remain in control, so you apply the handbrake which allows you to take your feet off the brake pedal and not lose control of the car. on a downhill start, you have to apply the brake and clutch before removing the handbrake, then you control your movement by releasing the footbrake.

same principle.

 

[television]

For anyone not knowing why we have N,there has to be a break in the tranmision chain where the torque converter is out of operation, otherwise the rear axle and half shafts could snap with the jolt. Not everone reads their handbook where it says that you should pause a little when engaging reverse.
Sinse you have to go through R when going to P, I you do it too quick with high idle there is the risk of damage to the Box,axle and half shafts, and we have had two broken half shaft threads this year.
Leave it in D.

malcolm

 

[gls5000]

As an auto newbie myself (of three weeks), this a fascinating thread. I think I've come to the same conclusions as others though. I mainly just leave it in Drive; I use the hand/footbrake when parked (if I remember); and neutral never. I slightly worry with the footbrake though - not for mechanical reasons - but eventually my shoes are going to leave an unsightly black stain from chafing against the lovely sand carpet interior next to the pedal!

you should pause a little when engaging reverse.

I don't know if it's related but my CLK seems to make me wait for a short pause before actually responding to the accelerator to reverse. I wonder if Mercedes implemented this intentionally for the quoted reason.

 

[NorthDownsMerc]

My Advanced Driver training father and I had a very "spirited" and interesting conversation on this very matter.
My preferred method has always been:
1. "D" and foot pedal when paused briefly;
2. "P" without anything else when waiting that bit longer.
3. "P" and foot hand brake when parked more permanently.

His view was that 1&3 were fine for advanced driving but he didn't understand the concept of (2), not being familiar with the driving using the Mercedes foot operated handbrake. He thought that "N" and foot handbrake would be the AIM prefered method. To me this means having to use both hands and both feet when moving off, whereas my method used only one of each.

Process of moving off from "P" being:
1. right hand on wheel, right foot on brake pedal;
2. left hand moves gear shift to "D" and back to steering wheel
3. right foot on accelerator and away

Process of moving off from "N" being;
1. right hand on steering wheel right foot on brage pedal;
2. left hand moves gear shift to "D" and back to steering wheel
3. reft foot moves over foot brake pedal,
4. right hand moves to release handbrake, left foot smooths pedal release;
5. right hand moves back to wheel, right foot on accelerator and away.

Simplicity is key IMO.

Am currently trying his way though... just to see.
Rich

 

[television]

As an auto newbie myself (of three weeks), this a fascinating thread. I think I've come to the same conclusions as others though. I mainly just leave it in Drive; I use the hand/footbrake when parked (if I remember); and neutral never. I slightly worry with the footbrake though - not for mechanical reasons - but eventually my shoes are going to leave an unsightly black stain from chafing against the lovely sand carpet interior next to the pedal!



I don't know if it's related but my CLK seems to make me wait for a short pause before actually responding to the accelerator to reverse. I wonder if Mercedes implemented this intentionally for the quoted reason.

Yes they do what they can to give things a chance to come to a rest.

Malcolm

 

[fazer]

I personally use Neutral all the time - well for protracted stand stills anyway; the reason being is that I've always believed that holding an automatic back on the car brakes, the autobox is still "engaged" and is attempting to drive the wheels thus (and perhaps) putting it under undue strain? Perhaps that's just bourne of my habit of not slipping (read burning) clutches whilst driving a manual or riding my motorbike.

On the issue of Park and as someone stated above, this only locks the autobox and again I would have thought that not using the foot-brake would place quite a lot of strain on the gearbox depending on the size of the car.

 

[television]

I personally use Neutral all the time - well for protracted stand stills anyway; the reason being is that I've always believed that holding an automatic back on the car brakes, the autobox is still "engaged" and is attempting to drive the wheels thus (and perhaps) putting it under undue strain? Perhaps that's just bourne of my habit of not slipping (read burning) clutches whilst driving a manual or riding my motorbike.

On the issue of Park and as someone stated above, this only locks the autobox and again I would have thought that not using the foot-brake would place quite a lot of strain on the gearbox depending on the size of the car.

You should get out of the habit you are just wearing it all out, read your handbook, your car engine is coupled up to a torque converter, at Idle min revs the torque converter can just about make the car creep, nothing is slipping, nothing wearing out, as soon as you raise the engine speed, the torque converter converts the power of the engine to the drive on the car.

Malcolm

 

[thespirit3]

Thanks again to all of you - it's great to see others getting benefit from this thread too!

 

[BarryG]

Now been 20 years of driving automatics.
Always drove with just D and footbrake I havent had to use what I would call excess pressure on the footbrake on any, apart from the Datsun.
Lots of different models including,
Honda
Datsun
Volvo
Rover
Ford (ewww)
Few others, but all drove the same.
Apart from the Datsun which was a big lovely Laurel.
Of course it was a lot older car and needed firm pressure on the footbrake to stop any *creep* so if i was stopped for any length of time N and footbrake. But then it had the ability to be rocked back and forth if you were stuck in mud etc. (Wouldnt like to try this with modern car lol) As Malcolm mentioned when I reverse I always let the engine settle down before shifting the gear lever which happens a lot as I reverse onto my driveway.
I only ever use Handbrake and Park when actually parking the car up.
Oh and I knock the gearshift to 3 for running in the city with the MB, seems to prefer it.
And 2 for travelling down steep winding hills.

Barry

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Stay in Drive when waiting at lights. If visibility is poor, keep your foot on the brake until you are sure that the person behind you has noticed you've stopped. Once they're there, use the footbrake. Keep it in D - its less wear on the gearbox, and it doesn't damage it even slightly. Holding on the brake at the lights in D to the gearbox is no different than accelerating.

Holding your foot on the brake after prolonged braking (say coming down a steep hill) doesn't do your pads or discs any good when they're both roasting hot. Best to use the footbrake in that instance, once you've stopped. Use the pedal if you see traffic approaching from behind, just to let them know you've stopped.


You also have 2, 3, and 4. Most people don't use them. Use them to control your speed when descending a steep hill.

Also use them when you're driving along twisty country lanes. For instance, if you're doing 50mph along a nice bit of twisty road, its better to keep it in 3 or maybe 4. It allows for quicker overtaking should the need arise, you can also more accurately control the speed of the car through the bends and you can also engine brake when approaching corners where using the normal brakes might not be completely necessary. Don't change gear or brake mid-corner though.

Always use the P position in conjunction with the parking brake. The transmission lock isn't to be used to holding the car on a hill, its not designed for that purpose.

 

[frstep]

Anyone use left foot braking? I don't, but apparently it is useful in certain situations, such as balancing cars on corners on the track. Not having ever driven an automatic on a track, I've no experience of this. I have noticed chauffeurs using left foot braking for smoothing stops and starts.

(and for what it is worth, I'm in the "only use the foot/hand brake once per year camp. Actually I try to use it once every few weeks just to keep it happy. As long as you are not moving when going into P, I wouldn't think it should do much harm to the box)

F.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

Anyone use left foot braking? I don't, but apparently it is useful in certain situations, such as balancing cars on corners on the track. Not having ever driven an automatic on a track, I've no experience of this. I have noticed chauffeurs using left foot braking for smoothing stops and starts.


F.

track driving is not a style for use on the road. Those with karting experince will know its to keep the revs up whilst braking so you dont lose the engine power.

the idea of balancing a car is for very very quick driving where you dont want to unsettle a car so you can take the corner at almost the optimum race speed. ie. flat out. if you were to practice this style of driving on the road, not only will you run the risk of wearing out tyres, fuel, transmission, engine and so on, but you will almost certainly be driving far too fast for normal road use and you will almost certainly crash. even the very best rally drivers, take a while to master the art properly.

There is no problem in developing this method for chaffuer style driving as you dont get the transfer of brake to power issues that a real chaffeur will be trying to avoid.

If you really want to develop this skill for road use. and thats means for pulling away, as its of no use when actual driving as such. you need to bear 2 things in mind.

1. if you have learnt in a manual car and have been driving for a number of years using right foot braking, you natural reaction is right footed. so it will take time to master the art or applying the left foot in a gentle and progressive manner like you do your right foot. give it a go in the empty supermarket car park, at low speed. be very aware of what you are doing. it takes time to learn.
2. never ever, ever drive a manual car again. when you do, you will wish your windscreen was further away or made of marshmellow, as the first time you brake in your auto car with your left foot, you will be meeting your windscreen intimatley.

 

[television]

Anyone use left foot braking? I don't, but apparently it is useful in certain situations, such as balancing cars on corners on the track. Not having ever driven an automatic on a track, I've no experience of this. I have noticed chauffeurs using left foot braking for smoothing stops and starts.

(and for what it is worth, I'm in the "only use the foot/hand brake once per year camp. Actually I try to use it once every few weeks just to keep it happy. As long as you are not moving when going into P, I wouldn't think it should do much harm to the box)

F.

Left foot braking is something else, if you have a manual car that you drive as well,it may not be a good idea, otherwise you will be stalling it.

people that start using their left foot always over brake as they are used to the clutch pedal going all the way down with a hard push. Once mastered its very good when moving around in tight places.

Certain MB models do not have the throtle and the brake pedal at the same height, this makes it harder to right foot brake, as the foot needs raising when going over to the brake. With left foot braking you just move from the rest over too the brake,very easy. On the newer cars the engine cuts if you have your foot on the brake pedal.

Malcolm

 

[SLinKyjoe]

On the newer cars the engine cuts if you have your foot on the brake pedal.

Malcolm

yes you are right. i beleive its a normal trait with the electronic throttle pedal things they have nowadays.

 

[television]

yes you are right. i beleive its a normal trait with the electronic throttle pedal things they have nowadays.

You are right, going through Exeter a couple of weeks ago, I thought my car was going wrong, as it faultered when leaving the lights, it did it twice, but is was my left foot being too slow, Did your last one do that ?, the 129 did not.

malcolm

 

[SLinKyjoe]

I never actually drove it like to find out. me and left foot braking dont get on. it did have leccy throttle so I would assume it would have done.

the chrysler has a warning in the handbook telling you it will shut the throttle off when you apply the brake so you should avoid pressing both together. This car also has some elctronic torque reduction device under hard acceleration to prevent gearbox damage. dunno how that works either.

 

[BarryG]

I have only used left foot breaking when manouvering on an incline.
Barry




*Braking* even me and my typos
Barry

 

[hawk20]

I go along with SlinkyJo, Television (Malcolm) and NorthDownsMerc.

By the way somewhere on another thread a poll of Merc Owners showed a stunning percentage never use the foot operated parking brake. I was surprised as I always use it when stopping/parking for any length of time. Just belt and braces I suppose.

 

[kth286]

Normally, leave in D and foot on brake.

But if stop looks longer then into N and keep foot on brake.

The benefit of N is that it allows engine to rev slightly higher and in very hot weather it moves the coolant around better reducing hot spots in the engine, and also allows alternator to charge better.

Advanced/defensive driving techniques call for a good gap between you and the car in front, for two reasons:

1. Big increase in rear end shunts, and a gap will lessen the chance of three cars being involved.

2. In an emergency leave enough space to allow you to turn out from the traffic and get away ie. mugger trying to gain entry to your car to steal, getting shot at etc etc.

Do not like the idea of going into P at all !!!!!!!