Transition from Manual to Automatic

[satanboy]

And I always thought it was beeshaas

sit jou beeshaas in jou woefkardoes

 

[kanzen]

sit jou beeshaas in jou woefkardoes

Sounds rough

 

[dlk001]

As the title says; how long did it take most of you to get used to an automatic gearshift from the manual one?

Having driven manual for quite some time, my new toy (Golf 7 GTI) is a DSG, so i'm just trying to find out how quick it is to adapt to that.

Congrads

I drive manual, automatic interchangeably and no issues.

Maybe try driving the DSG in manual mode...

 

[superskully]

I drove manuals for +/-25 years and switched to automatic five years back. It took me less than a week (2 days if I remember correctly) to get used to it.

Switching over was easy, even switching over from left hand drive to right and back.
It took me a year for my left leg (now and again) to stop reaching for the clutch.

You're giving 34 year olds the world over a bad name.

Try Joburg traffic - drop kid at school and work = 1h20 min for 20kms and max speed < 30km/h.
I prefer manuals, but not in traffic.

 

[superskully]

I spoke to a few colleagues, and they say they have also pressed the brakes a few times.
I am surprised at this as most cars i have driven have the brake and accelerator at the same place irrespective of Manual or Auto.

P.S: Don't try changing your set position when braking.

 

[bakkies]

First time i drove a auto.Hit my head against the windscreen twice while reversing out of a parking. Hit the brake trying to get clutch control.I can still recall the pain

 

[Sinbad]

I spoke to a few colleagues, and they say they have also pressed the brakes a few times.
I am surprised at this as most cars i have driven have the brake and accelerator at the same place irrespective of Manual or Auto.

P.S: Don't try changing your set position when braking.

No, not true.


The brake on an auto car is a moerse big pedal.
On a manual it's smaller.

Compare

 

[kripstoe]

First time i drove a auto.Hit my head against the windscreen twice while reversing out of a parking. Hit the brake trying to get clutch control.I can still recall the pain

The back windscreen?

 

[Sinbad]

The back windscreen?

lighter than air objects move in the opposite direction to what you'd expect... I wonder what this says about his head?

 

[kripstoe]

lighter than air objects move in the opposite direction to what you'd expect... I wonder what this says about his head?

You're going to start the plane treadmill discussion all over again.

 

[Sinbad]

You're going to start the plane treadmill discussion all over again.

Earth rope problem too!

 

[Napalm2880]

Drove an auto for the last 5 years. Left-foot braked once in the first week I had it. Never made that mistake again!

Got a new bakkie last month which is manual and every minute I'm stuck in JHB traffic, I have regrets. If I had the money I would have gone for the automatic. IMO auto is safer, especially for overtaking as you can keep both hands on the wheel and full concentration on the road. Otherwise it's just really so much better in every respect.

 

[Colin62]

IMO auto is safer, especially for overtaking as you can keep both hands on the wheel and full concentration on the road.

If you're in the position that dropping a gear needs concentration (after years of driving), perhaps you should consider handing your license back and catching a taxi, because you're clearly not cut out for this driving business.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I don't understand why it takes getting used to for people.

Your right foot still does the same stuff it always did, brake and throttle.

Plant your left foot in the corner and move along.


The bigger habit to learn is remembering to put the thing in Park to get the key out.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Now actually learning to forcibly left foot brake...that is a whole different ball game.

 

[Nangi]

speak for yourself


No seriously, as you come to a halt and you habitually push in what would be the clutch with your left foot, you hit the brake by mistake and break your collarbone on the seatbelt.

On that topic... somehow the brakes feel sharper when I use the left foot. It's probably because I'm pressing it too hard since my left foot is not used to it, but still...

 

[Sinbad]

On that topic... somehow the brakes feel sharper when I use the left foot. It's probably because I'm pressing it too hard since my left foot is not used to it, but still...

Yup, you're not used to modulating the pedal with your left foot.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

Yup, you're not used to modulating the pedal with your left foot.

obviously never driven an auto,

but dont you just drive with your right foot for accelerator and brake?
you leave the left foot alone and never move it?

 

[Sinbad]

obviously never driven an auto,

but dont you just drive with your right foot for accelerator and brake?
you leave the left foot alone and never move it?

Correct.
However, left-foot-braking is a specific skill for certain circumstances (like rally driving)
For a "normal" driver, braking with your left foot is like writing with your non-dominant hand. Pretty damn difficult to get right.

 

[TheJman]

So if you want to do left foot braking, I strong suggest practicing a bit first, in an empty parking lot... going like 5km/h hahah!

You don't have to, you can keep using your right foot as you did in a manual car...

Just remember, your left foot is used to pressing the clutch in hard, so it takes a bit of practice to teach your left foot to be gentle