Automatic Driving Lessons

If you’re having driving lessons on an automatic car, it means that the car is equipped with automatic gear transmission. Unlike manual transmissions, which require the driver to shift gears using a clutch pedal and gear lever manually, automatic transmissions handle the shifting process automatically.

Here are a few key points to keep in mind when learning to drive an automatic car:

1. No clutch pedal: Automatic cars don’t have a clutch pedal. You only need to use the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal.

2. Gear selector: Instead of a gear lever, automatic cars have a gear selector with different positions, usually labelled as “P” (Park), “R” (Reverse), “N” (Neutral), and “D” (Drive). Some cars may have additional positions like “S” (Sport) or “L” (Low).

3. Park and Neutral: When starting or stopping the car, you should engage the “P” (Park) position. This locks the transmission and prevents the car from moving. The “N” (Neutral) position is used when the car is stationary and you don’t want it to move.

4. Drive and Reverse: To move forward, you’ll need to shift the gear selector to the “D” (Drive) position and release the brake pedal while applying gradual pressure on the accelerator pedal. To move backwards, shift to the “R” (Reverse) position.

5. Braking: When coming to a stop, you can simply apply the brakes. The transmission will downshift automatically as you slow down. However, if you’re coming to a complete stop for an extended period, it’s advisable to engage the “P” (Park) position.

6. No stalling: Automatic cars do not stall like manual cars. The transmission system takes care of gear changes, so you don’t need to worry about stalling the engine.

7. Additional features: Automatic cars may have features like “creep” mode, which allows the car to move slowly when you release the brake pedal without pressing the accelerator. Some newer models may also have paddle shifters on the steering wheel, allowing you to manually control the gears in certain situations.

Remember, always follow the instructions provided by your driving instructor and familiarise yourself with the specific controls and features of the automatic car you’ll be driving. Practice makes perfect, so take your time to get comfortable with the operation of an automatic transmission before venturing into different driving situations.