What to Do If You Don't Know How to Drive an Automatic Transmission Car?
3 Answers
After getting the vehicle, you should first familiarize yourself with the various gear positions and the functions of the operation buttons on the center console inside the vehicle. You can find an experienced driver to accompany you on the road, and under their guidance, you can try to start the car.
I just learned to drive an automatic not long ago, and to be honest, I was quite nervous at first. The most basic things about an automatic are those gear positions: P is for parking, R is for reversing, N is neutral for temporary stops, and D is for driving forward. Remember to press the brake before starting the car, shift to D gear, then slowly release the brake and gently press the accelerator to move; to stop, just press the brake. I suggest finding a quiet open space to practice, like a community parking lot, and trying out starting, driving straight, and parking a few times with a friend on the weekend. Don’t press the accelerator or brake too hard—focus on feeling the control during practice. If you’re nervous, you can try a few times in the garage first to get familiar with the sounds. Automatics are much simpler than manuals—no need to worry about the clutch—the key is to practice a few more times to build confidence. I’ve also watched some online videos, like automatic driving tutorials on Bilibili, which are free and practical—just watching for ten minutes or so gives you a good idea.
If you don't know how to drive an automatic, I can teach you how to learn. From my experience coaching beginners, the key points of automatic transmission operation are starting, shifting gears, and throttle control: you must press the brake before starting, shift to D gear and slowly start; normally, you only need to press the accelerator and brake to stop. I recommend you first sign up for an automatic transmission course at a driving school. Professional instructors will teach you from scratch, and you can be on the road in just a few days for a few hundred dollars. If you don't have time to enroll in a class, watch short driving tutorial videos on TikTok to learn the basic steps. Choose an empty parking lot in a park for practice, and avoid busy roads to prevent danger. Pay attention to safety precautions: always shift to P gear when parking, do not shift gears while moving, and check the car's condition before practicing, such as whether the brake lights are on. Simple three-step process: learn the basic operations, find a place to practice, and build confidence—you can get it done in a few days.
