AUTOMATIC CARS
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LEARN TO DRIVE IN AUTOMATIC - IT CAN BE LESS STRESSFUL THAN A MANUAL CAR
MANUAL CAR - THREE PEDALS
CLUTCH- BRAKE- ACCELERATOR
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AUTOMATIC CAR - TWO PEDALS :
BRAKE - ACCELERATOR
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AUTOMATIC CAR:
An automatic car changes the gears automatically with the increase and decrease of the speed
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THE CAR CHANGES GEARS FOR YOU -
YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO CHANGE THE GEARS YOURSELF- THE LEFT FOOT RESTS -ONLY RIGHT FOOT IS USED TO EITHER BRAKE OR ACCELERATE
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AND THIS ALLOWS YOU TIME TO CONCENTRATE "WATCH THE ROAD"
TRAFFIC & HAZARD AWARAENESS - ANTICIPATION
AUTOMATIC CAR-HAS A SHIFT STICK. - PUPIL MOVES BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS -PUPIL CAN SELECT TO PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE P.R.N.D
AUTOMATIC CARS DO NOT STALL- AT ALL
-AS LONG AS YOU HAVE ENOUGH FUEL AND KEEP ENGINE RUNNING ON
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How to drive an automatic car? Driving a car with an automatic transmission is easier than the one that uses a manual gearbox. However, it does not mean that you can learn to drive automatic without any practice. It’s mandatory to learn driving PREFERABLY with driving school instructor. Learning the basics beforehand will help you big time in this regard.
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How to Drive an Automatic Car: The Functions of the Gears
What do the letters and numbers on an automatic gearbox mean? It’s crucial to know their role and functions to pass the driving test.
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In the automotive world, these letters are known as PRNDL (pronounced as ‘prindle’). What they stand for are:
P (Parking): to park the car.
It locks the transmission shaft and does not let the car to move anywhere. The only thing that can rotate in that condition is the non-driving wheels. Although, it will completely lock down a four-wheel drive.
R (Reverse): for reverse driving
Shifting to this gear allows you to drive the vehicle backward. To do that, stop the car completely and choose the R gear after pressing the shift-lock button. There’s no need to do anything while moving from R to N or D, but shifting to the R again will require the use of the shift button.
N (Neutral): no gear
It means the vehicle is using no gear. In this state, the transmission will have no connection to the driven wheels and the car will move using the momentum only. You should use it only for pushing or towing the car.
D (Drive): to start and move
Understanding the functions of this gear is the most important when you are learning how to drive an automatic car. Putting the car in this gear means driving normally.
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L (Low): to set a gear at low
An automatic car changes the gears automatically with the increase and decrease of the speed. Manually shifting to the low gear will decrease the speed but not the torque. As a result, your car gets more towing and staying power.
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Some More advanced Gear stick options and Their Functions
Depending on the make and model, your automatic vehicle can feature some other gears too. Let’s have a look:
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S (Sport) mode
It’s almost similar to the D mode but with maximum output levels. It enhances the engine performance when you are speeding up. The downshifting will also be much quicker in this position, boosting the braking effects.
OD (Overdrive) mode
It’s the highest gear and turning it on will allow the transmission to go through all the gears including the Overdrive. Turning it off will limit the transmission to move between other available modes. It’s helpful for towing, climbing hills, and overtaking.
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B (Brake) mode
Some models come with this gear that helps to decrease the speed of a car. It’s also useful in maintaining a certain speed when you are going downhill.
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Know the use of the feet
Unlike the manual cars, the automatic models don’t have the clutch pedal. They have only the brake pedal and accelerator and you will use only your right foot to control them. The first lesson of learning how to drive an automatic car is to know that your left foot should remain at rest all the time.
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Starting the car
The lever should be in P when the engine is off. Push the brake pedal and insert the key to the ignition to turn it on. Gently shift the gear to the D and then release the pressure on the brake pedal slowly. The vehicle will start moving.
If you want it to move faster, simply press the gas pedal. The speed has nothing to do with the gears. So, don’t change it for regular road driving. KEEP shift stick in DRIVE - D - WHILE DRIVING forward.
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NO CLUTCH PEDAL - NO PROBLEM
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What is a Automatic Car?
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We’re all aware of the two main types of gearbox: manual and automatic. Modern cars are usually split between the two but that doesn’t mean they’re the only options.
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We’re all aware of the two main types of gearbox: manual and automatic. Modern cars are usually split between the two but that doesn’t mean they’re the only options. There is another – a semi-automatic gearbox. If this is news to you, then you’re probably wondering what a semi-automatic car is and how it works, right?
Well, that’s exactly what we’re here to explain! We’ll answer all the questions you could possibly think of – and maybe a couple more besides.
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Page Contents (Click to skip to chapter)
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Manual vs Automatic
A manual car changes gear through the use of a clutch pedal and a gear stick. Depress the pedal, select the correct gear, pull the pedal back up and carry on your merry way. It always has done, ever since the invention of the combustion-powered motor car in the late 19th Century. Torque drives an engine and crank-started engines couldn’t produce enough torque on their own. As a result, gearboxes were fitted to keep the car moving.
The hassle of gear changes proved too much for one Alfred Horner Munro of Regina, Canada. In 1921, he invented an automatic transmission system to propel a car. Unfortunately, he decided to use compressed air and not hydraulic fluid to propel the car. Unsurprisingly, due to a lack of power, it never took off.
However, the shift away from crank-start engines fuelled the automatic adventure further and, in 1948, General Motors released the Oldsmobile, a car widely credited as the first model to use purely automatic transmission.
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Automatic cars, like most super cars, use electronically powered gearboxes to change gear when the computer recognises you need it the most. Nowadays, automatic transmission models are incredibly popular. The ease of slipping the car into drive and then not worry about it appeals to many people.
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How does a semi-automatic gearbox differ from the others?
Let’s address the semi-automatic car which, unsurprisingly, fits in the middle of the two.
The main appeal of having a semi-automatic car is that the driver has the option to control the gears manually or automatically, whichever they prefer at the time. The use of electronic components in an automatic car can sometimes mean it struggles to complete gear changes smoothly (unless the car uses a dual-clutch transmission). However, when you’re using a semi-automatic car since the driver can control the gears manually, it can be just as smooth as driving a manual car (given that the driver is skilled and has experience driving a manual car). When you combine this control with potential fuel savings, driving a semi-automatic car starts to make a lot of sense.
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How does a semi-automatic transmission work?
A semi-automatic transmission takes the basics of both manual and automatic transmission and combines them.
The kinetic energy produced by the engine helps rotate the wheels, while carefully tuned gear ratios control how fast or slow your wheels spin. The automatic clutch we mentioned connects to a hydraulic motor, which acts as a replacement for a clutch pedal, and controls automatic gear changing for you.
In addition, the layout of your gear stick is very different to a manual one. There’s no fork-like arrangement of the numbers, such as below. Instead, a lever with + and – symbols sits in its place. This is more akin to an automatic gearbox which has four simple settings – Park, Drive, Reverse and Neutral. Sometimes, there’s the option to select 1st and 2nd gears manually. This is for situations where you need to navigate difficult terrain, such as snow, and want the best gear for the situation. For a semi-automatic gearbox, you’re likely to see the letters P, R, N, D & M or A, N, R & M.
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What do the letters mean?
P = Park – While your semi-automatic car does still have a handbrake, you can’t rely solely on that. Whenever you get out of the car, make sure you select park. This locks the transmission and stops your car from ending up in a different place to where you parked!
R = Reverse – Pretty self-explanatory, wouldn’t you say?
N = Neutral – Not a great option to select when you’re moving along. It’s the same as knocking a manual out of gear and coasting. Driving instructors frown upon this for a reason, so only select neutral when stopped for a short period of time. It’s important to keep the handbrake on as well, as a semi-automatic car will creep forward if you take your foot off the brake, even in neutral.
M = Manual – This is the biggest difference between a semi- and full-automatic gearbox. Selecting manual gives you more control and takes away most of the automated input, save for the clutch. There are a variety of options where being able to take manual control might be necessary. Sometimes, it’s just because we miss the feel of changing gears ourselves!
D = Drive – Used to keep the car moving forward. Whenever you want to go anywhere, make sure you’re in drive. If you’re not, the computer can’t change gears for you.
A = Automatic – Exactly the same as drive (D).
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What is a dual-clutch transmission?
This form of automatic transmission is popular with semi-automatic cars due to the speed and smoothness of gear changes. One automatic clutch will control the even gears, the other, the odds. Two clutches allow for much smoother, often unnoticeable transmission.
A manual car halts the power flow when you change gear. Thanks to two highly responsive clutches, this isn’t necessary in a semi-automatic car.
When compared jerky manual gear changes, a smooth, seamless shift can be very appealing to drivers.
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Can I drive a semi-automatic car like an automatic? YES
Yep. In fact, the default mode is automatic. Think of a semi-automatic as an automatic car which gives manual control when you need it the most. In certain situations, this comes in really useful. Driving in snow and ice as well as navigating steep hills require a different style of changing gear, which a computer can’t understand.
This also means that you can drive a semi-automatic like a full manual most of the time, with an automatic option. This approach works well on long motorway journeys, but why would you want to miss out on all the freedom of an automatic most of the time?
Can I drive a semi-automatic car with an automatic licence? YES
If you’re worried that your automatic licence isn’t valid because of the manual option a semi-automatic car offers, you can relax.
The Government classes a semi-automatic car as an automatic. Why? Well, even though there’s a manual option, there’s no clutch pedal, which means it isn’t a full manual vehicle.
As long as you have some idea when to change gears should you engage manual mode, you’re can drive a semi-automatic car with an automatic licence. If you’re not confident with a manual, you can just stick clear of that driving mode.
What is a Semi-Automatic Car? | BookMyGarage
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