manual to automatic car

I don't get this left foot behind the right leg thing. Surely it impedes movement of the right leg? I think I'd soon get cramp.

Can people really not get used to not needing the left foot without tucking it out of the way? Just rest it where the clutch used to be or on the foot rest if there is one.

You don't need your left hand to change gear but you need it on the steering wheel. Left hand and left foot used to work together so if you're not changing gear you should soon forget about your left foot.

As the others have said just rest your left foot out of the way I used to switch between the two driving different work vehicles so haven’t found it a problem but I prefer a manual gearbox anyway.

When we bought an automatic car the seventies, DH just tucked his foot away behind his other leg and never looked back. It was the only automatic we ever had. I didn’t drive then but have driven automatics since and tried to persuade DH to get one, but he now seems to be wedded to manual gearboxes. Maybe next time!

I changed and had the same problem with my left foot. I kept it pushed hard against the floor until I got used to not needing it at all. Don’t worry, as others have said, you will soon get the hang of it. Good luck.

I love my automatic car, the first I've ever had! I didn't find it a problem to drive at all.

I don't understand why anyone would have their left foot over the brake pedal, as you'd not do that in a manual car, it would be over the clutch.

There's a rubber footrest where the clutch would be on my car so that's where my foot goes.

I just tucked my left foot behind my right leg - it sits there quite comfortably.

Oh, the joys of an automatic - once you have learnt to put away that left foot! I would never want to go back to a manual now with all that kangaroo petrol.

Tuck your foot back under your seat, or as near as you can get it. I hate trying to drive a manual car now, we kangaroo jump and squeal gears all the time, not a nice sound.

I not we, DH has no problems with either.

As others have said just keep your left foot out of the way. I'm just getting a new (ish) car and although I passed my test in a manual have been driving an automatic for over 10 years so am sticking with the automatic. I'll have enough trouble coping with a bigger car without having gears to worry about too!

When we had our first automatic car, which was about thirty years ago, I found that taking off my left shoe helped me to adjust.

I have had an automatic for many years, and what a blessing it was when I broke my left foot!

The secret is to put your left foot away - either towards the seat or off to the left. My car has a little foot rest for your left foot. You will soon get used to the idea that your left foot has nothing to do.

My car in France was manual too Fennel but on returning to Scotland I have been driving an automatic which, takes a while to become used to the very different way of driving.

It just takes time and eventually instinct takes over. Wouldn’t like to go back to manual now actually.

I was very fearful of changing to an automatic but am managing fine. The advice I was given was to keep your left foot away to the side. My problem seems to be when pulling out at a junction - I always want to change gear from first to second!