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Subject Topic: First ever automatic.
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Personbofs
via mobile 02/3/2019 at 7:09pm
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Well, having read so many positive comments about how much better it is towing with an automatic car rather than a manual (and taken one out for a test drive), we’ve just put a deposit on a 2018 ex-demo Kia Sorento automatic. For the last 45 years we’ve owned and driven manual cars so I’m sure we’ll be trying to push the clutch down for a while before we get out of the habit! The electronic handbrake is also a bit strange. Our current car is a manual Sorento so at least everything else is familiar. The only thing we’re a bit disappointed about is that Sorentos now have a space saver, rather than a full size spare wheel.


woodman2
02/3/2019 at 7:56pm
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I would try taking your left shoe off for a while until you get used to it.

It may help to remind you not to use it.

I don't think you will go back to a manual once you get used to an auto.


Persondaveyjp
via mobile 02/3/2019 at 8:35pm
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It would be well worth having some lessons from someone who knows how to drive automatics properly.

It is very easy for the car to end up driving and the driver 'fighting' the car for control.


Personbofs
via mobile 02/3/2019 at 8:43pm
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Our son has an automatic and loves it.


PersonDavid Klyne
02/3/2019 at 8:50pm
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Can't understand anyone having a non automatic car!!! Autos are so much more relaxing to drive, especially in built up areas.


David


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PersonColin21
02/3/2019 at 9:33pm
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Once you have owned an automatic and got used to it you will wonder why on earth you didn't do it 45 years ago.

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


Personbofs
via mobile 02/3/2019 at 10:15pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 02/3/2019
Once you have owned an automatic and got used to it you will wonder why on earth you didn't do it 45 years ago.


Hope so!


Personmadasaman
03/3/2019 at 6:11pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 02/3/2019
Once you have owned an automatic and got used to it you will wonder why on earth you didn't do it 45 years ago.


because they were so unreliable 45 years ago

-------------
73 going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder


PersonMike3003
via mobile 03/3/2019 at 6:52pm
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You will never go back to manual again, they all seem rather pointless.



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Not ALL Newts get p**sed.

“Semper Fidelis”


PersonColin21
03/3/2019 at 7:16pm
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Quote: Originally posted by madasaman on 03/3/2019
Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 02/3/2019
Once you have owned an automatic and got used to it you will wonder why on earth you didn't do it 45 years ago.


because they were so unreliable 45 years ago


I have heard some say that, but my first automatic was a 1965 Ford Zodiac. Never had any problems whatsoever, while my friends with manuals were having problems with dodgy syncromeshes and burnt out clutches. My next one was a 1966 Mk2 Cortina, my first tow car. With that I used to tow things that would never be allowed today, such as car transporter trailers and boats. Both of which were considerably heavier than the car. I also towed a Sprite Musketeer all over the country with that Cortina. Never a scrap of trouble with the transmissions.

I must admit I was a bit wary at first towing with the Cortina automatic, so I went to see Borg Warner. The engineer I saw advised me that if I was worried I should fit a temperature gauge to the transmission sump, and if it went over a certain temperature, stop and let it cool down. It never went near it, even when I towed the car transporter with a Landrover on it from one side of Norfolk to the other.



-------------
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Colin


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Personromany girl
via mobile 08/3/2019 at 7:39pm
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Not by choice but l drive both a Manual and a Auto Honda, its fairly easy driving the Auto, but afterwards going back to the manual takes a fair bit of concentration and thinking about. The most common mistake is braking without depressing the clutch, causing the car to kangaroo forward.

Likewise its possible to use your left foot on the e tra wide brake of the auto, as if it was the clutch, resusting in sudden hard braking.   

We find the Auto is more sluggish and heavy on fuel, im seriously thinking of selling the auto, but mainly because my husband refuses to drive it.

Julia


PersonColin21
08/3/2019 at 8:09pm
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My Volvo and the Hyundai Tucson I have now, both autos, are quite good on fuel for their size, weight, and power. I was surprised how quick off the mark the Tucson is. Even towing!

I drive all sorts of things, with all manner of gearboxes, including old London buses. Some of these have semi-auto boxes, a gear lever but no clutch, and others have pre-select boxes. These have a gear lever and 3 pedals but the left-hand one isn't a clutch. Could be confusing but you get used to them.

With autos I just drive using only my right foot. Nice and restful for my left leg.


-------------
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Colin


Personbobmel
08/3/2019 at 9:04pm
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I have a Tucson and get 29 mph towing, how does that compare to the auto ? getting to the stage that auto might be the way to go.

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Robert (BoB)


PersonColin21
08/3/2019 at 10:04pm
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Quote: Originally posted by bobmel on 08/3/2019
I have a Tucson and get 29 mph towing, how does that compare to the auto ? getting to the stage that auto might be the way to go.


To be honest I haven't had it long enough to check yet, but we did have a week in Oxford with our caravan last September. Ours is only a light caravan, but it has the same size frontage as a heavy one, and therefore the same wind-drag. I didn't notice that much difference in consumption whether towing or not, and we get around 35mpg over a month of general running around. Ours is a 2007 2WD 2 litre diesel, and it barely notices our caravan on the back.

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Best Regards,
Colin


PersonThe 2 Tops
23/3/2019 at 2:59pm
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Quote: Originally posted by daveyjp on 02/3/2019
It would be well worth having some lessons from someone who knows how to drive automatics properly.
It is very easy for the car to end up driving and the driver 'fighting' the car for control.
I think this advice is unnecessarily scary.
I have been driving for over 65 years - always having manual cars except for an automatic for a short time in the 1980's. Didn't like it, but automatics are a totally different animal today.
Last year I changed to an automatic - VW caravelle - and have found it fantastic; both solo and towing our caravan. I did "declutch" ONCE! but quickly got the hang of it. Wouldn't go back to manual. Looking forward to taking it to France this summer.
Bertie.



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The 2 Tops


PersonRainbowsend
via mobile 23/3/2019 at 7:02pm
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For the last 4years we've an automatic towcar and manual run around. Neither of us had driven an automatic before but it's amazing how quickly you adapt.

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Jean

Sometimes a little rain must fall before you reach a rainbow.

The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won't wait while you finish the work.



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