How to drive an automatic car

Driving an automatic car is, in principle, simpler than a manual transmission car. However, the lack of personal habit and even the lack of a tradition in this type of driving in the area in which we live can cause us to make mistakes that will make the control of the vehicle more complicated. To help you avoid these possible problems when driving this type of car in this article we give you a series of tips on how to drive an automatic car .

Read the instruction manual of your automatic car

Our first recommendation on how to drive an automatic car is that you read carefully the instruction manual of your vehicle, since it is usual for manufacturers to specify any advice in this regard. There are several types of automatic transmission cars and yours may have some specification in terms of handling that you should know to extend its useful life. It does not matter if you have a cheap or expensive automatic car or if it is a second-hand or new automatic car, they all usually have indications on how to drive them and how to take care of them correctly for better performance.

How to start an automatic car

To start an automatic car, the position of the lever must be kept in the "P", some models do not even allow the ignition if it is not in this way. Now to start the march, press the brake and place it on the "D", then release the pedal very gently. At the time of making a short stop, like a traffic light, it is enough to keep the position of the lever in the "D" next to the brake pressed.

How to use the automatic gear change

One of the tricks to driving an automatic car is without a doubt knowing the gears and how the lever works. As you know, in your automatic car the gear lever has the following positions:

  • D (Drive): to start and circulate.
  • P (Parking): when you park the car.
  • R (Reverse): move backwards.
  • N (Neutral): dead center.

In addition, you can have other options on the lever to drive your automatic car, marked with the numbers "1", "2" and "3". They are intended to be used as low gears, for special situations such as a very high slope or rapid acceleration. You do not need them to move from position D to position P, that is, to stop the car when you are driving normally.

Keep the left foot still

As you know, your automatic car does not have the clutch pedal . If you were used to driving a car, this can be a problem for you from the point of view of ergonomics, especially if you spend a lot of time driving every day. A good tip that we want to give you in this practical guide to drive an automatic car is that, before starting, place your left foot on the footrest so that you adopt a comfortable and not forced position. Avoid at all times, take your foot up because you can cause muscle pain.

You know that you only have the acceleration and brake pedals and, since it is impossible for you to use them at the same time, use the right foot to use both, so that the left foot always remains at rest .

Reduce the speed of an automatic car

When you can not drive the gears to control the strength of the car, you may have the feeling that the car is driving alone or is going to drive an automatic car . To solve this, you should know that you can use the brake pedal to automatically select the car for shorter gears . Anyway, you should be aware that an automatic transmission car is perfectly prepared to adapt to driving, so you should ignore this feeling of lack of control.

How to drive an automatic car in winter

In situations of low adherence, when it comes to knowing how to drive an automatic car, you have to check whether your car has winter or similar mode . In the event that you do not have this option, the best alternative is to drive at reduced speed, always respecting traffic regulations and using special winter tires or chains when necessary.