How to drive an auto?

[BarryG]

Driving an automatic is much more relaxed.
I find, with every one I have had, for the majority of all driving, its just D.
On really steep inclines (either up or down) in traffic I drop down to 2, which allows the engine to do some of the braking.
Haven't done any steep hills in the Merc as yet.
Lately in crawling traffic about the city I have been putting it in 3 as the Merc seems to prefer it.

 

[BarryG]

Oh I can't remember ever putting any car in P whilst driving.

 

[television]

True what you say Ridway, we have had this talk before about being in P at the lights and for normal stops it is better to leave in D that includes traffic lights. Sure if you were hit up the back side the lifting effect should just make the wheels skid, the parking pawl is in an extention on the gear box,so not the end of the world, if my car was hit that hard up the back I would not want it back.

Malcolm

 

[eric242340]

When the shift is in P, there is no way that car is gonna move, so why have a handbrake? I understand it would be required if using N, but when is N ever used? I simply use D for moving and P when not moving. Perhaps I've got it wrong, could someone enlighten me? Thanks

Mark

There has been mention of a rear end shunt on this thread and thats interesting as I hadent thought about that. If you are in D with foot on brake then a rear end shunt sould not damage your transmission and the same for N. However if you are in P and not using the brake the the rear of the transmission housing the parking pawl would be smashed completely. My personal choice is D with foot on brake. The other thing is many people move from D to N or P whilst stationary and this is exessive use of the selector lever. Mechanical linked lever is no problem, but ESL (electronic selector lever) is a problem. Inside the lever is a small plastic fulcrum and it is prone to breaking after many years of use. The ESL is an expensive part, therefore I would advise prudent use of the selector.

 

[jpbp200]

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.

Surely you can go from drive to park in one swift movement. Bearing in mind the slight delay in engaging when you go from N to R. If you are swift enough I would hope the box will not actually try to engage R as long as you are stopped and, as you say, are idling.

 

[television]

Surely you can go from drive to park in one swift movement. Bearing in mind the slight delay in engaging when you go from N to R. If you are swift enough I would hope the box will not actually try to engage R as long as you are stopped and, as you say, are idling.

At absolute idle there is no problem, and you pass through N,and R so quickly the fluid flow has not had a chance to change.

Damage is done with high idle where quite a jolt takes place between D to N and then N to R

 

[jpbp200]

Very good. That's what I imagined to happen. I guess if you are moving even slightly but at absolute idle then the same damage may occur?

 

[television]

Very good. That's what I imagined to happen. I guess if you are moving even slightly but at absolute idle then the same damage may occur?

A test run in a car thats been misused makes a hell of a clonk when you go from D to R as all of the splines are badly worn and deformed.

 

[joem]

I think you need to be careful when swapping between settings especially when moving.
Agreed, read the handbook.
Leaving the IMO, I roll forward in N then stop on the brake. I think that should be OK. Then engage drive to move off.

 

[joem]

JPBP200 Congrats on making 'Senior member'.

103 posts since Feb 2008 - I have done 93 Since Feb 2006 and am looking forward to Senior Status!!

I would do more but my work is IT so I ambeing watched by Big Brother....

 

[television]

JPBP200 Congrats on making 'Senior member'.

103 posts since Feb 2008 - I have done 93 Since Feb 2006 and am looking forward to Senior Status!!

I would do more but my work is IT so I ambeing watched by Big Brother....

The post count is not important,, its nice to join in and offer some advice or to seek a little help,, that is what its all about,,

 

[jpbp200]

Wow. I didn't realise! Thankyou. I have too much time on my hands obviously!

 

[jpbp200]

hear hear television. Helping others and generally talking with like minded people is what it's all about IMO. joem for senior membership is my vote!!! I just wish now that I had thought more about my ID. jpbp200 is sooo boring!

 

[hawk20]

hear hear television. Helping others and generally talking with like minded people is what it's all about IMO. joem for senior membership is my vote!!! I just wish now that I had thought more about my ID. jpbp200 is sooo boring!

How about putting up your location to clebrate your new status. Wish everyone showed some details on their car and their location. So often seems to be relevant. Oh and Congrats.

 

[philharve]

Driving automatics

Hi All

I reserve 'P' for situations where I am parked or stationary with the engine running, for example, engine warming up or waiting for people to climb onboard or exiting.

I use the hand/foot brake when parked on an incline and have never used it during normal driving.

For most driving situations I use 'D' and the foot brake, but I sometimes use the manual gear settings when I want more control, for example, overtaking quickly, because kickdown can be unpredictable in certain situations.

I seldom use 'N' but will sometimes resort to it if held up in traffic for longer than expected. However, the prerequisite being is that the car must be on the flat, and I always cover the foot brake just in case. This gives me the opportunity to rest my foot and it extinguishes the bright rear brake light for the benefit of the driver behind me.

Changing gear is usually taken at a leisurely pace allowing the gearbox time to take the necessary actions. I also pause before engaging 'R'.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[jpbp200]

How about putting up your location to clebrate your new status. Wish everyone showed some details on their car and their location. So often seems to be relevant. Oh and Congrats.

Thankyou very much. I have done as you suggested.

 

[hawk20]

Looks good. Congrats again

 

[television]

hear hear television. Helping others and generally talking with like minded people is what it's all about IMO. joem for senior membership is my vote!!! I just wish now that I had thought more about my ID. jpbp200 is sooo boring!

All forum names are boring, really if you think about it,, recognition is the most important and yours is easy enough to sink in.

If you are really unhappy with it many administrators will allow a change without losing the post count

 

[jpbp200]

Thanks Malcom. I'll prob just leave it as you say recognition is the thing. Thanks hawk

 

[RichardSmith]

I always leave it in D with my foot on the footbrake at lights etc. Only if I have been in stationary traffic for some time and expect it to continue, would I slip it into N; possibly applying the handbrake (the SLK comes with a real one........) or I may just keep my foot on the footbrake. The latter depends how I feel!!

When parked I use P (have to - the key won't come out otherwise) and the handbrake.......

Richard