Automatic trans: correct usage at drive-through?

Foxhound5366

Foxhound5366

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In the past I've always been annoyed when stuck behind a car at a drive-through in the evening when it's clear the driver has an automatic transmission and they just keep their foot on the brake the whole time (meaning that their tail-lights blind me). Back when I was driving a manual I'd just put the car in neutral and engage the handbrake.

Now that I've got a car with an auto myself I'm determined to be more considerate, and the only solution I can find is to just press the Park button each time I stop in a drive-through. Foot off brake, no blinding ... maybe a second or two longer to respond, but who cares right? It's a drive-through.

If you drive an auto, what do you do? I've read online that it's recommended to even shift an auto transmission into Neutral whenever you're stopped with the engine running (e.g. at traffic lights) and then just keeping your foot on the brake to prevent the car from rolling, but obviously that won't help for the scenario above.
 
I have never been "blinded" by another cars brake lights at night at a drive through, one can look around mos duh, compared to driving behind a car with rear fogs on where you must look ahead at it.
 
supersunbird said:
I have never been "blinded" by another cars brake lights at night at a drive through, one can look around mos duh, compared to driving behind a car with rear fogs on where you must look ahead at it.
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Don't you agree it's inconsiderate? Brake lights are strong for a reason and way stronger when they're both on than a single rear fog light on a car ahead of you in the traffic (because you've got 1m or less between cars). Brake lights are strong enough to light up an entire car's interior at night: you try and look away from that into the pitch black night when you've lost your night vision thanks to the idiot in front of you who doesn't know how Park works.
 
Interesting question... I've never thought about what might be best for the motor.

I have been stuck behind someone in a drive-through with their brake lights (incl. High level) on, rear foglights on, and music blaring though. I just held back a bit and put my brights on for the duration.
 
If the drivethrough is so long that brake lights become a problem, you need to go elsewhere :D
 
You eat too many takeaways if this is an issue :).
 
saor said:
You eat too many takeaways if this is an issue :).
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Inconsiderate people are always an issue. Catch the wrong driver ahead of you in a slow drive-through on a busy night and you've got five minutes or more of light torture to enjoy.

I've considered putting my headlights on bright: do you think somebody who's not smart enough to realise the problem in the first place would be able to make the connection between their tail-lights and my headlights?
 
Brake lights shouldn't be blinding you. I can only imagine the effect the headlights of oncoming cars must have.

Maybe try wearing sunglasses, or just don't drive at night.
 
bwana said:
Brake lights shouldn't be blinding you. I can only imagine the effect the headlights of oncoming cars must have.

Maybe try wearing sunglasses, or just don't drive at night.
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Question: do you drive an SUV? Or have any experience of this at all?
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Is that any better than going into Park? It's my understanding that's basically what Park does anyway, plus there is less faffing about with the handbrake necessary.
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I don't know about newer cars. But in Older cars park didn't engage the back brakes like the hand brake does. Just blocks the transmission. So there's more wear on the car.
 
Never been blinded by brakelights in a drive-through.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
do you think somebody who's not smart enough to realise the problem in the first place would be able to make the connection between their tail-lights and my headlights?
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I doubt anyone would make that connection. Most people would just assume you're impatient or something.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Question: do you drive an SUV? Or have any experience of this at all?
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We have a few cars, and yes, one of them is a SUV.

The only time taillights annoy me is when the car in front has their rear fog lights on. Brake lights serve a purpose. They indicate the car in front is slowing or has stopped. Useful information to know in my books.
 
bwana said:
We have a few cars, and yes, one of them is a SUV.

The only time taillights annoy me is when the car in front has their rear fog lights on. Brake lights serve a purpose. They indicate the car in front is slowing or has stopped. Useful information to know in my books.
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And you frequently drive the SUV when visiting drivethroughs at night? May I put it to you that just maybe you're higher than us normal people in sedans and that's enough to reduce the uncomfortable brightness that myself and others here in this thread appear to experience?

Brakelights *are* useful information, but not for one minute at a time when you're in a single-file queue of cars waiting to be served some food. No kidding that you're stopped, doofus, we all are. Now kindly stop blinding the person with no choice but to be parked close behind you?
 
saor said:
I doubt anyone would make that connection. Most people would just assume you're impatient or something.
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Exactly, but at least I'd get the vindication of making them suffer a little in return for making me suffer. Woohoo, progress :D Sometimes I've contemplated getting out of my car at a drivethrough and going to have a polite conversation with the driver ahead of me, but in Gauteng that's likely to get you shot by a nervous driver.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Exactly, but at least I'd get the vindication of making them suffer a little in return for making me suffer. Woohoo, progress :D Sometimes I've contemplated getting out of my car at a drivethrough and going to have a polite conversation with the driver ahead of me, but in Gauteng that's likely to get you shot by a nervous driver.
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Who's going to suffer more? Me with my auto dimming rear view mirror and retractable side mirrors or you when I turn on my rear fog lights? :rolleyes:

If you're aware that your eyes cannot cope perhaps you should park and collect your takeaways inside? Expecting everyone to accommodate your situation is a bit unrealistic.
 
Or just slip on the pair od 3d-glasses everyone has lying somewhere in their car.
Will reduce some of that breaklight glare & make you look cool.
 
bwana said:
Who's going to suffer more? Me with my auto dimming rear view mirror and retractable side mirrors or you when I turn on my rear fog lights? :rolleyes:

If you're aware that your eyes cannot cope perhaps you should park and collect your takeaways inside? Expecting everyone to accommodate your situation is a bit unrealistic.
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So just to be clear Bwana, are you one of those people who sit with their brake lights on in a drive-through for however long it takes, not caring a jot about the person behind you? I mean, it fits your profile, but just giving the benefit of the doubt here.
 
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