The Basics Of Efficiently Driving An Automatic Car - Know Your Controls Better

By Author: Eleanor Thompson
Total Articles: 118
Comment this article

Do you love cars, but feel a little uncomfortable when it comes to driving a manual vehicle? Do not worry because there are automatic cars, specially designed and engineered for learners who like to seek an easier route. These cars are easier to handle and operate than manual vehicles. The major difference between the two types of cars lies with controls. An automatic car does not have a clutch pedal for changing gears, allowing beginners to focus more on the steering wheel and the road ahead of them. This automatically gives them an edge with great road awareness and safe decision-making abilities. Not only a learner can develop more confidence but at the same time it is likely of them to get a faster grip on the vehicle.
 
Wondering How An Automatic Car Works?
Even though all cheap driving lessons in Brisbane will cover this topic, still we will like to briefly discuss on the mechanism. A lot of people are not aware of how automatic cars run. Drivers riding a manual car use the clutch pedal along with the gear stick to manually ...
... change the gears; in case of an automatic car, drivers do not have to invest their time and skills in changing gears. The car will automatically correct the gears without any intervention from the driver’s end. Automatic cars will select gears by means of automatic transmission, which can further help adjust the car to higher gears based on the speed and the engine power. Thus, you can very well understand the fact that this kind of a car is like a boon for learners as the latter will not need to use clutch pedals or the gear stick to navigate the vehicle. Drivers only need to keep their focus on the brake, accelerator, and the steering.
 
Do You Want to Get Used to the Controls of An Automatic Car? Here is What You Need to Know
While you enrol for cheap driving lessons in Brisbane, the instructor may teach you everything about an automatic car; nonetheless, we will also like you to get familiarised with all the basics involved in an automatic variant.
 
The Gear Selector
The automatic gearbox is engineered to deliver the right level of torque from your car’s engine to its wheels and while this happens, the gear will automatically change. Did you know there is something about an automatic car which you will not find in a manual one? The automatic car has a gear selector with few chief positions. P is parking the car, which means as you press the P, the wheels will automatically get locked keeping the vehicle in a stationary position.
 
R is for reverse gear which is applicable when it comes to moving the car in a backward position, especially while you try to reverse the car out of a parking space. N stands for Neutral. Upon pressing this, the transmission of the vehicle will be disengaged. As a result, your car will not roll freely.
 
Pedals
Coming to the pedals, you will find a pair of them in your automatic car. While one of the pedals is for accelerating the vehicle, the other one is the brake pedal, to bring your car to a stop or simply allowing it to slow down when a need arises. During one of those cheap driving lessons in Brisbane, an instructor will teach you how to use your right foot instead of your left foot while controlling the pedals.
 
Dashboard Symbols
Have you noticed the dashboard indicators of an automatic car? The key indicators include the following:
 

The parking brake light which shows a red P in a circle will remind you to release your car’s brake before you drive.
Watch out for the low fuel light. It will warn you when the fuel gets critically low.
Do not forget to look at signals indicating potential issues with the engine.
You will know about the current position of your gear once the gear selector indicator starts showing up.

 
Once you come to know what these signals mean, it will be easier for you to get issues addressed within a short span. Plus, you will be assured that the car you are about to drive is in pristine condition. All driving school instructors suggest that learners must be wary of the signals that show up on the dashboard as these indicators can help them avert chances of accidental issues or other potential problems that may arise during a ride.
 
One of the other main things to keep a note of is the driver’s seat. While you learn to drive, make sure your seat is positioned in a way such that you can easily access the steering wheel and the brake pads or the accelerator. The more comfortable you remain while driving, the better you will experience.
 
As you get familiarised with these basic controls of an automatic car, you will know what to do once you are asked to sit behind the wheel; and while you practice more, you will quickly master the skills of driving which include, moving, reversing, or parking a car.
 
About the Author: This contribution has been made by Eleanor Thompson who has written a number of articles on Cheap Driving Lessons Brisbane and provides fruitful information.