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Automatic car driving guidance for manual drivers

Introduction

This document acts like a primer for drivers who recently moved from manual to
automatic cars (and not vice versa)!

It does not try to prove whether one type of transmission is superior to another (like
most other manual vs automatic debate found on internet).

It does not try to teach learners how to drive cars!

Abbreviation used in this document:

AT = Automatic Transmission

MT = Manual Transmission

TCS = Transaxle Control Module

This document only discusses conventional hydraulic torque converter automatics.

Operation in other AT (e.g. DSG/TipTronic/GearTronic/iShift etc.) may be slightly
different.

Basic AT driving technique

In AT, you will have only accelerator and brake pedals (no clutch).

The gear selector will have P R N D 3 2 1 positions.

P = Use when parked (apply hand brake along with)

R = Use when reversing
N = Use when in neutral
D = Use for all forward normal driving. The car will select appropriate gear by itself.
3/2/1 = use when required (discussed later)

Not all AT cars will have 3-2-1 mode. Some older models will just have 2 and L (=1)
instead.

Some might have + & - mode alongside.

Remember, your left leg has no function while driving AT! Always keep it planted on
left foot rest.

Most AT cars will not start unless it is in N or P mode and/or you press brake during
start.
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You may hear about left foot braking on internet, but ignore it for the time being as
it can be a dangerous manoeuvre unless you are experienced in AT for long time.

Usually you need to press brake when moving selector between P and R.

For other modes, you can move selector without pressing brake.

When the car is in D (or other gears except P or N), it will move forward (or
backward for R) at very slow speed (~10 km/h) even without pressing accelerator.
This is known as creep. It is a typical characteristics of AT.

In general, AT cars are more relaxing to drive than MT cars. That is why most luxury
cars come with AT only. Modern AT cars offer same flexibility like their MT
counterparts.

A common problem drivers face when migrating from MT to AT is that during

stopping/slowing down, their left foot reaches for non-existing clutch and they end
up pressing brake pedal (as brake in AT is wider than MT) fully. This makes the car
make an emergency stop! Be careful.

Comparing AT with MT

Automatic
Serial Situation Manual (4 speed hydraulic
No (5 speed) torque converter with
planetary gearset)

Maintaining a steady Just control throttle via

speed - be it accelerator in Just control throttle via
1
20/30/40/50/60/70 appropriate gear for accelerator.
MPH road speed.

Use 2nd or 3rd

2 Uphill driving Use lower gears. depending on steepness
or slope

Use 3rd gear and do not

Use lower gears.
ride on brakes to
3 Downhill driving
prevent overheating of
brakes

4 Hill Start Use clutch, accelerator With slight incline, car

and hand brake in should creep in D so just
sync. press accelerator.
Otherwise, use 2nd gear
to move uphill from
standstill and then
gradually move to 3
(and/or D).
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Leave in D. If lots of
5 Winding country road Use lower gears. uphill/downhill use 3rd
instead.

Use 2nd gear with If surface is very poor,

Bad/rough surface
6 gentle throttle (just just allow the car to
driving
over idle RPM). creep.

Shift into N and then

apply handbrake if
required.
Waiting at traffic light Put into N and then
7 apply handbrake if P mode not
required. recommended because if
shunted from behind in
P, transmission can get
damaged.

Shift down to lower gear

but take caution that
lower gear does not red
Shift to lower gear
Extra acceleration line engine RPM. Usually
8 (without red lining
during overtaking TCM will prevent that
engine).
anyway. Otherwise, just
floor the accelerator
which signals TCM to
downshift.

Press brake firmly if ABS

Press brake firmly if
activated.
Driving on snow & ABS activated.
9
ABS activation
Use 2nd gear to start
Use 2nd gear to move
and move slowly on
slowly on snow.
snow.

Slow speed
Use 1st/2nd gear and You may just allow the
10 manoeuvre during
clutch control. car to creep.
reversing and parking

Slow down, then speed

Roundabout Just press brake to
11 up in 2nd gear if not
maneuver reduce speed. Speed up
stopping.
if not stopping.

12 Prevention of Not applicable. TCM will always select

unintentional best gear depending on
downshift load and speed. So you
can not override this.
However, in cars with
+/- option, you can
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select relevant gears. AT

does not downshift
immediately when car
speed is reduced. It
down shifts, if
necessary, when driver
picks up speed again
following momentary
braking.

13
Drive slowly in Drive in D but drive
Driving in rain
appropriate gear. slowly.

Use 2nd to move from

When to put 1 2 3 rest in snow. See other
14 Not applicable
mode manually? situations discussed
here.

Put selector in D to
creep. Move to N when
standing still (apply
Shuffle between 1st/2nd parking brake if
15 Stop start traffic
gear and neutral. necessary). You do not
have to press brake
while moving selector
between N and D.

Use 3 but shift to 2nd

even in slight slopes.

Towing a ATF can overheat during

16 See user's manual.
trailer/caravan towing.

Avoid towing altogether

if possible.

Happens when engine is Should never happen in

17 Stalling of engine
labouring. AT.

Stopping Just press brake while in

18 Depress clutch, keep in
momentarily. D. Release brake and
1st gear ready to move
press accelerator when
on.
moving.
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Put in P mode. Apply

Switch off engine. Put in
19 Parking permanently handbrake. Switch off
gear. Apply handbrake.
engine.

See user's manual for

Being towed by recommendation. FWD
20 recovery truck. Put in neutral. AT cars should not be
towed with front wheels
on ground.

Pressing either clutch or

Cancellation of Cruise brake overrides cruise Only brake pedal
21
Control (if fitted) control. overrides it.

Depress brake fully.

This is a special case

Making emergency Depress clutch and
22 when you may use both
stop brake fully.
feet on brake to apply
higher than normal
pressure on brake!

In D mode, car will do it

Often it is possible to
sequentially by itself. In
skip a gear (eg. 4th to
override mode, you must
23 Skipping a gear 2nd, 5th to 3rd etc.)
do all gear changes
while downshifting in
sequentially (either up
MT.
shift or downshift)

Can happen with

improper Should never happen. If
24 Jerky gear change clutch/accelerator happens, it often
control indicates fault with
transmission.

TCM will prevent

Redlining engine
Possible but it may redlining. But you can
25
cause damage to still reach high RPM by
engine. manually downshifting.

Operation of gears Gears can be Ignition must be

26 when engine switched moved/operated when switched on to operate
off engine is off. gear selector.
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Extra maintenance for AT

AT requires auto transmission fluid (ATF) be checked frequently (along with engine
oil checking). But unlike engine oil, which should be checked when engine is cold,
ATF should be checked when engine is warm (temperature gauge is between H and C
mark). Also, AT is very sensitive to the transmission fluid quality and condition.
Improper fluid type can damage the transmission. So it is mandatory that ATF
changed at specific interval as per manufactuer's recommendation.

ATF needs to be replaced at recommended interval as recommended by

manufacturer.

Myths and facts about AT

AT consumes more fuel.

Modern AT is as much fuel efficient as MT (with same engine).

AT will not have precise control over car.

False - AT cars are as controllable as MT cars.

AT will always shift gears at predefined speeds.

Depends as in modern AT, TCM continuously learns driver's driving style. So, it can
choose shift points accordingly.

AT is more expensive to buy than MT

True in Asia, Europe etc. Not true in North America.

AT is much easier for learners.

Absolutely true!

There is no driving pleasure in AT cars!

It is very much subjective opinion. I personally think AT cars can be as enjoyable (if
not more) to drive than MT cars. One can also select gears manually in AT just in
MT.

There is no engine braking in AT cars.

False - you can achive engine braking in AT by shifting to lower gear.

AT shifts to higher gear at high RPM to avoid engine stalling.

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False - modern AT with TCM shifts to higher gear often below 1500 RPM. When driver
brakes from high speed, TCM does not shift down immediately. It shifts down, if
necessary, again when driver picks up speed. So, it does offer engine braking like
MT.

AT's torque converter saps power.

True that is why AT cars with small engines (1-1.4 L) is not good combination.

AT is better with diesel engines than petrol engines.

Since diesel engines produce more torque than same capacity petrol engine, the
former will be better combination with AT gearbox. Though AT with petrol engines of
at least 1.5 L should have comfortable driving experience.

MT is more reliable than AT

As AT is more complex than MT, there are more things to go wrong in AT. However,
a well maintained AT should last lifetime of the car.

Semi automatic (dual clutch/automated clutch) AT are generally less reliable than
conventional AT.

MT is always the best for any situation.

Not really there are some cases only an AT is suitable. In off road 4WD vehicles,
there are some situations (e.g. hill descent) when car drives of its own without any
user input for brake/acceleration. I think a manual would be handful in that case as
it is very easy to stall the car.
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Why AT is more comfortable to drive?

Please note, if you are doing fewer miles (< 10,000 miles/year) or 3+ hours of
driving occasionally then you do not really need all these research. However, if you
do around 15,000+ miles a year and spend at least 3 hours on driving seat every
day, then understanding how human body behaves in longer journey helps save the
body in longer run. To appreciate findings discussed here, you must be spending a
lot of time on road driving a car.

When you press brake or accelerator, your right foot does not need to travel much
as you will rarely press brake and accelerator to the floor (unless it is an emergency
braking or you are doing a drag race). On other hand, to change gear, you need to
depress clutch fully to the floor (otherwise cogs will scream). So, your left foot needs
to travel more than right foot. For long motorway driving, it makes sense to position
seat so that your legs are properly stretched and you do not seat too close to
steering (if you do, you will feel pain in legs within an hour). However, every time
you depress clutch, your left leg travels further than right leg and it twists your
body. For this reason, sometimes I need to reposition my posture in seat for best
comfort. Also, throwing gear lever by left hand continuously (in stop-start traffic)
twists body slightly on left. All these actions for a continuous period day after day
put strain on back! An automatic saves this problem!

There should be a foot rest besides clutch for left foot (most ATs have it and even
many MTs have it too). But many cars do not have it. This is essential for longer
journeys (both in manual & autos). This footrest allows the left lower extremity to
exert effective counter-pressure for preventing the forward migration of the pelvis on
the seat. This is one of the most important features to look for in a car if you do
frequent long journeys!

A Cruise Control helps even more on long motorway journey.