How to Drive an Automatic Car?
3 Answers
Below are the steps to drive an automatic car: 1. Before getting into the car, check around the vehicle to ensure there are no small animals, children nearby, or any obstacles like nails or glass that could affect the car's safety. Once inside, the first thing to do is fasten your seatbelt. Otherwise, as a beginner, you might easily start driving without any safety measures due to nervousness. 2. An automatic car only has two pedals: the brake and the accelerator. The left one is the brake, and the right one is the accelerator. This order must be clearly remembered. Before starting the car, first press down on the left brake pedal. 3. Insert the car key and, while holding down the brake, turn the key clockwise. You will then hear the sound of the car engine starting. Check if the car's dashboard is functioning normally. The left gauge shows the engine RPM, and the right gauge is the speedometer. Look for any warning lights on the dashboard. If there are alerts like a door not being closed properly, address them first. Also, check the fuel gauge on the speedometer to ensure there is enough fuel. If the fuel level is too low, consider refueling. 4. For a twin-cylinder car, the engine will start one cylinder at a time. Initially, the engine noise might be loud. Wait for a few dozen seconds (or 1-2 minutes in winter) until the engine noise reduces, indicating that the engine has fully started. Only then can you shift the car into gear. 5. Release the handbrake while keeping your foot on the brake pedal, and shift the gear from Park [P] to Drive [D]. (Other gears, except for Reverse [R], are rarely used.) 6. Release the brake and gently press the right accelerator pedal to slowly increase the throttle and start the car. Always be aware of the surrounding traffic and be prepared to stop at any time. Once the car is on the main road, you can continue to accelerate.
I just learned to drive not long ago, and driving an automatic transmission car is much easier than a manual one, but the starting phase requires step-by-step procedures. First, I sit in the driver's seat, fasten the seatbelt, and confirm safety. With my foot on the brake, I start the engine. After the dashboard shows everything is normal, I keep my foot on the brake to prevent the car from sliding. Then, I shift the gear from P (Park) to D (Drive) to indicate moving forward, or to R (Reverse) if backing up. After shifting, I release the handbrake and slowly lift the brake pedal—the car will start moving slowly. At this point, I gently press the accelerator to speed up, avoiding sudden movements to prevent collisions. I adjust the speed based on road conditions. When parking, I firmly press the brake to come to a complete stop, then shift back to P, engage the handbrake, and turn off the engine. I’ve developed a habit of engaging the handbrake first before shifting to P when parking on a slope to protect the transmission. After driving a few more times, my confidence has greatly increased—it’s simple and practical.
As someone who has driven for many years, I believe automatic transmissions are simple to operate but have small tricks. After starting, press the brake, shift to D or R gear to start, release the handbrake, and control the throttle to maintain smooth driving in city traffic. When waiting long at traffic lights, I shift to N gear to rest and reduce transmission burden. For parking on slopes, always use P gear plus the handbrake for double locking to prevent rolling. Avoid coasting in neutral as it can damage the mechanics. Regularly check transmission fluid to prevent wear. When reversing, observe blind spots and use mirrors for safety. Most importantly, never drive under the influence of alcohol or fatigue. Selecting the wrong gear when shifting can cause big trouble. Developing good habits makes driving smoother.
