Automatic cars appeal to many, even those who already own a car, and this is because they are easy to drive and comfortable. If this is your first time driving a vehicle with an automatic transmission, find out how to get started with this article!
Preparations Before Starting the Car
Before starting an automatic car:
Unlock the vehicle with a key or remote control.
Take your seat and adjust the seat and the rearview mirror.
Check the car’s various controls before putting on your seat belt.
Starting the Car
To start an automatic car, put your right foot on the brake pedal and hold it until you start the ignition. Once the engine is running, don’t take your foot off the pedal right away. Shift into D or Drive first. If the gear selector is mounted on the steering column, pull it toward you before pushing it down or up. However, if the shifter is located between the front seats, you must release it by pressing the unlock button before selecting a gear.
Only then can you release the parking brake. If it’s a floor pedal, you only have to press a button to unlock it. If it’s a lever installed between the front seats, just pull the lever.
You’re now ready to go. Slowly release the brake pedal. Make sure no one is around you so you don’t crush it.
Once you’ve reached your destination, slow down by stepping on the brake pedal. To come to a complete stop, hold the brake and shift to P. Don’t forget to put on the hand brake.
Changing Gears
To shift into reverse with an automatic car, the car must be completely stationary. Put the gearshift lever in Reverse or R. Look through the rearview mirror to ensure no one is behind or to the side. For a shortstop, put the transmission in neutral or N.
Automatic car transmissions have indications such as P, R, N and D. These refer to a full stop, reverse, neutral, and drive.
Please note that you must have an automatic clutch B license or BEA to drive an automatic car. If you already have a B license, you do not have to retake the test to convert it to a BEA license. You simply need to be evaluated by an inspector from a driving school, and he or she will check to see if you can operate a gearbox and clutch pedal.
If you have a BEA license, you can convert it to a B license. To do so, you must follow a 7-hour training course. At the end of this training, you will obtain a certificate certifying that you can drive a car with a manual gearbox.
In short, there are only two pedals in an automatic car: the brake and the gas pedal. Only your right foot is used to depress them. If you’re used to driving a car with a manual transmission, you’ll need a few driving lessons to get used to it. When buying an automatic car, consider the automatic transmission. There are several models to choose from. Ask a car dealer or garage for advice to learn more about finding the right automatic car.
