How to Drive An Automatic Car

Maybe the thought of an automatic appeals to you.

They sound easy to operate and are said to be a lot less hassle than manual cars.

However, if you've never gotten behind the wheel of one, it can take some time to get used to the lack of a clutch pedal.

That's why we're telling you how to drive an automatic, how automatic cars work, and what's different.

Do Automatic Cars Have a Clutch?

Nope, completely clutch-free.

You’ll only have an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal to worry about – on the right and left, respectively.

Automatic cars do have gears, of course. You just won't have to change them.

That's because, as the name suggests, the gears are changed automatically.

In a manual, you have to manually change the gears with the clutch pedal, but automatics do all the work for you. Letting you focus on the driving.

Automatic Gearbox Labels

Chances are that you've learned or will learn to drive in a manual car, in which case you'll be all too familiar with the pains of using the clutch pedal.

Plus, with a reverse gear and 5 or 6 forward gears, you'll be doing a lot of switching between them as you drive. It's a process that can take weeks (months?) to master.

When getting behind the wheel of an automatic, however, you're looking at a different set of gearbox choice/labels.

• P - Park: Something you won't get in manuals, but no real mystery here. This gear is used for when you've parked the vehicle and it's come to a complete stop. It should not be used on the move

• R - Reverse: Same as in manual cars, this gear is used whenever you want to reverse the car

• N - Neutral: Again, same as in manual cars, this gear should be used when you're in a stationary position

• D - Drive: The 2nd gear that's exclusive to automatics. This should be used whenever you're accelerating and on the move. Simples!

Depending on the model of your automatic car, your gearbox might come with additional options as well:

• 1 - first gear

• 2 - second gear

• S - Sport (giving you sharper acceleration and more revs when driving at a particular speed)

But why on earth would automatic cars have options for 1st and 2nd gear?

Well, in certain situations, and at a lower speed and a lower gear, automatic cars might change gears too quickly, and sometimes drivers need that extra bit of control.

So the 1st and 2nd gear options are a way of overriding the gear chosen by their automatic car.

The Different Types of Automatic Gearboxes

Technically, any car that changes gear without the driver having to use a clutch pedal is considered an automatic.

However, there are a few different types of automatic gearboxes on offer.

Conventional automatic gearboxes

These make use of a ‘torque-converter’ to do the job of the clutch and are more advanced than other automatic ’boxes, but they'll use more fuel than manuals.

Luxury cars such as the Volvo XC90 and the Range Rover opt for a conventional automatic transmission, using as many as 9 gears.

Continuously variable transmissions (CVT)

These are common in hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius, getting rid of cogs in favour of a belt that acts as a single gear ratio.

In addition to being more efficient and more reliable, they also make for a smoother drive as the car doesn’t have to constantly switch between gears.

One potential drawback is slower acceleration than other automatic gearboxes, as well as a loud, strained engine sound that can occur if you attempt to drive too quickly.

Dual-clutch automatics

This type of automatic transmission is similar to a conventional automatic gearbox, but two clutches (which operate automatically) replace the torque converter.

They line up alternating gears, meaning that the next ratio is constantly prepared, allowing for rapid gear changes.

Automated manual gearboxes

These aren’t as common as they once, but can still be seen in cheaper cars such as the Skoda Citigo.

These act much like a normal manual transmission, except that the gears are selected automatically and operate the clutch through a computer rather than a pedal.

The disadvantage is that, just like a manual, they can be a little jerky, and there’s a small pause as the system has to work through the gears.

Do Automatic Cars Have a Handbrake?

Yes they do.

But they come in the form of electronic parking buttons instead of the conventional pulley handbrake that you're probably used to in manual cars.

How to Drive An Automatic Car

It's not rocket science, but we'll tell you anyway . . .

1. Push down with your right foot on the left-hand pedal (the brake)

2. Start the car by pressing the start button or twisting the key

3. With your foot still on the brake, move the shifter to 'D' if you want to drive forward, or ‘R’ if you're looking to reverse

4. Lift your foot off the brake, which will cause the vehicle to ‘creep’ forwards

5. To increase speed, gently press your right foot down on the accelerator (the right pedal)

6. Once on the move, the gearbox will do all the hard work for you by selecting the correct gear for the situation

You Can Enjoy Stop-Start Traffic

Being stuck in slow-moving traffic in any kind of car is a pain, but especially if it's a manual car.

There's a lot of footwork involved. One minute you're stationary, in neutral gear with your handbrake on. Next minute you're creeping forward slowly.

Rinse. Repeat.

At least with an automatic transmission, you're not having to do most of the work.

Are All Electric Cars Automatic?

The vast majority, yes.

In fact, they even go a bit further than most automatic cars by only having 1 gear.

However, some manufacturers still release electric cars with a manual gearbox, but it's not common.

Can I Drive a Manual With an Automatic Licence?

Nope, afraid not.

Bottom line: if you have an automatic driving licence, then you can only legally drive an automatic.

That's not like a manual driving licence, which lets you drive both manual AND automatic vehicles.

But whilst it might restrict your options when it comes to car choice, learning to drive and pass your driving test in an automatic can often prove easier than in a manual.

It does take away a lot of elements of learning to drive that some learners might struggle with, such as clutch control and using the gears.

Not Having to Worry About Gear Changes

Yep, no need for that pesky clutch control or constantly reaching for the gear stick.

It's one of the biggest annoyances that manual drivers have to deal with, especially if you're not one for multi-tasking or hand-eye coordination. It can be frustrating having to pay attention to the road ahead and figure out which gear you need to be in at the same time.

But with an automatic, you can wave the hassle goodbye and instead focus on other things like the steering wheel, your speed, other traffic, etc.

Less Wear and Tear

As you probably know, the clutch pedal on manuals undergo a lot of wear and tear throughout the car's lifespan. So considering how much drivers typically use them on a day-to-day basis, it’s not surprising that they will eventually need replacing, which can be a costly affair. It’s one of the reasons why driving instructors need to keep changing cars every few years.

But with automatic cars, wear and tear is less of a problem.

Can Focus On the Road

Another advantage with an automatic transmission is that less attention spent on feet placement and clutch control means more attention can be spent on where you're actually going.

Obviously, you still need to be aware of your surroundings and plan ahead when driving an automatic car, especially when slowing down, but there's a lot more freedom. There's a nice simplicity about not having to faff around with gears or worry about stalling the car.

Driving On a Hill In An Automatic Car

Hill starts can be more of the more trickier aspects involved in driving an automatic, though they're still easier than in manuals.

Here’s how to get your automatic car going on an incline:

1. Put your gearbox in 'D', and your handbrake on

2. Push gently on the accelerator until you feel the car straining against the handbrake

3. As soon as this happens, release the handbrake. Your car will now start moving forward

And bingo, automatic hill starts just got a whole lot easier.

What Are the Disadvantages of Automatic Cars?

There's a whole host of differences between automatic and manual cars, and some consider the downsides of automatics to be:

• Often more expensive to lease/buy

• Depending on the vehicle, repairs can cost more

• Removes the 'real driving experience' that some car enthusiasts crave

Summary

So, that's how you drive an automatic car!

They are quite a bit different from vehicles with a manual transmission and can take some time to get used to.

Maybe you'll prefer them, or maybe you don't, and there's only one way to find out.