manual to automatic car

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!

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 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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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!

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.

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.

merlot I agree; drove my DB's automatic car for a while and kept left foot on the car floor, worked for me. The only thig that took a bit of getting used to was having to allow more time to get into traffic at roundabouts etc. maybe automatics have improved since then, and would definitely choose one when my manual needs replacing.

I loved driving our automatic when we had one but I did find it a problem at first but I just let my left leg flip off to the side and quickly got used to it ....and then we got a manual again now that WAS a problem and it lasted a for a bit longer than manual to automatic.

We thought we were happy with a manual but got an automatic a few years ago. Wish we had changed over before, it’s heaven never having to do a hill start. You will get used to it quickly I am sure. If I coukd so can you. Enjoy.

So many people with the same problem - I'm amazed! And relieved too.
So thanks for all the advice, I'll try to persevere and keep that left foot tucked away. Or take my shoe off.

And BTW I was quite surprised when a well known motor insurance company agreed to cover me, at my age (82) even though I had an accident 2 years ago. Resulting in car being a writeoff but TG no-one hurt.

Haha do any of you remember the tv adverts that promoted the invention of automatics? I do!! At the time I couldn’t drive anyway but remember them saying “leave your left leg on floor” or words to that effect. Now I have a manual car but drive an automatic for work. I find it very easy swapping between the two ... I must admit I LOVE the automatic- feels like a dodgem ???

When we first had an automatic DH told me to tuck my left foot behind the other leg. I did it for a couple of weeks until I got used to not using it. Now I never even think about it.

Ummmmm.
I've been using my left foot for the brake. I didn't know I was doing it wrong.
I had to give up manual and have been driving an automatic for past seven years.
Wrongly.
I honestly did not know.

I've Googled that Gmelon as I hadn't thought of it before! It seems it's not illegal and at least one commentator, Honest John, advocates it for manoeuvres. It's also a technique used by rally & racing drivers.

Has anyone regretted switching to an automatic I wonder?

suedonim Feel better now. Rally drivers eh? Quite liking the sound of that.