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Feeling nervous about my new car - an automatic

Marianne72

After decades driving a mechanical car, my garage found me an automatic. I had to have one, as I'm finding it increasingly difficult to change gears with my hands being painful. I'm feeling surprisingly nervous, both about the new [second hand] car and driving an automatic. I'm trying to book a driving lesson that should help, but the anxiety remaiins. Like many on here, I dislike change, and driving is already stressful. Your experiences, especially with automatics, would be helpful.

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  • I changed from a manual car to automatic several years ago, and I wouldn’t go back to manual.

    It was helpful to me to place my left foot in a comfortable position to the left of the pedals, and imagine it was tied down, before starting the car and driving off. That prevented me attempting to press a non-existent clutch pedal. 

  • in reply to ArchaeC

    I too changed to an automatic nearly 2 years ago, after 25 years with manuals, and also wouldn't go back. It's a fairly modern (automatic) car though, and they've improved a lot since days gone by.

    What Catwoman said about tucking the left leg slightly away is a good tip, and one I was given when I changed over. But I also agree that it is something you get used to relatively quickly, as you stop moving your hand towards the gear knob!! 

  • in reply to Literal_Joe

    I couldn’t do it that way as my knee became uncomfortable if my leg wasn’t kept fairly straight.

    Yes, keeping the left leg ‘fixed’ or ‘tucked’ stops the hand reaching for the gear lever. 

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