Automatic car question

Millbrook

Millbrook

Well-known member
Just got my first automatic car and have had conflicting advice about a particular situation.

Advice would be welcome;

When stopped at a traffic light do you

a) keep it in drive with your foot on the brake or
b) put it into neutral with the handbrake on.

Thanks in advance.
 
Millbrook said:
Just got my first automatic car and have had conflicting advice about a particular situation.

Advice would be welcome;

When stopped at a traffic light do you

a) keep it in drive with your foot on the brake or
b) put it into neutral with the handbrake on.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I always keep mine in drive with foot on brake. Had automatics for years and always done this
 
Corcaigh_the_Cat said:
It depends on how long I expect to be stopped for.
Click to expand...
This, be wary of using auto hold as well especially if you do alot of short distance non motorway driving as it wears your brakes out very quickly, stings even more if you have a car with expensive parts.
 
My older automatic I used to keep my foot on the brake. The disadvantage to doing this is that if someone comes in the back of you you could jump forwards without the handbrake on. I never used to put my manual into neutral and put the handbrake on so there was no change when I went to an auto.

My new car is an EV so the motor shuts off and the parking brake comes on automatically so there is no decision to be made.
 
When I learned to drive I was told to always apply the handbrake at traffic lights and roundabouts. The reason being that if you sit with your foot on the footbrake and someone hits you from behind, your foot will inevitably slip off the brake and you will be shunted into moving traffic or the car in front. I drive a 7.7 tonne truck at work and always use the hand brake in these situations even though I'm unlikely to feel a shunt.

I believe the advice for any car is that if you are idling for more than five seconds then apply the handbrake.
 
Never had a problem with driving and keeping foot on the brake. Lots of modern autos have an auto hold feature. Squeeze the brake pedal when stopped and it might hold and then you can take your foot off. Just hit the accelerator when you're ready to go
 
I have an automatic & in most circumstances I put the car in neutral & apply the handbrake.

If you don't do this the car will always be trying to move. You wouldn't sit with the clutch just biting & the brakes on in a manual car.

If you have an "instant fuel consumption" read-out try with & without the car in neutral & you will see an increase in consumption when the car is left in drive with the brakes applied.
 
BoroBosco said:
I have an automatic & in most circumstances I put the car in neutral & apply the handbrake.

If you don't do this the car will always be trying to move. You wouldn't sit with the clutch just biting & the brakes on in a manual car.

If you have an "instant fuel consumption" read-out try with & without the car in neutral & you will see an increase in consumption when the car is left in drive with the brakes applied.
Click to expand...
Automatics don't have clutches in the way that manuals do. Different process. Definitely better to just stay on the brakes until you need to pull off
 
SmallTown said:
Definitely better to just stay on the brakes until you need to pull off
Click to expand...

Highway code rule 114
"In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again."
 
Leaving it in drive with foot on brake puts a bit of load on the engine. Ok for short spells. Could put it in park if stood for a while. Most modern auto's have push button park
 
SmallTown said:
Automatics don't have clutches in the way that manuals do. Different process. Definitely better to just stay on the brakes until you need to pull off
Click to expand...
I see what you mean with that but it’s not quite accurate, both have clutches that engage the gearbox to channel the engine's power and move the vehicle, only difference is one is done by human interaction ie putting your foot on the clutch pedal, the other is done for you, clutches on autos tend to last a lot longer though as most wear is caused by people riding the clutch which you can’t do on an auto.
 
Depends.
At normal lights or anywhere i'll be stopped for less than 2 mins i just use the brake, if its 4 way lights or something i'll stick it in park and relax.
 
Wasn't there something going round online about how leaving in drive can damage your gears, absolute rubbish mine has stop start specifically designed to kick in when you have your foot on the brake in drive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top