{"id":5748,"date":"2024-08-22T07:41:25","date_gmt":"2024-08-22T06:41:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/?p=5748"},"modified":"2026-04-06T11:29:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T10:29:36","slug":"how-to-drive-an-automatic-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/how-to-drive-an-automatic-car\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Drive an Automatic Car? In 7 Simple Steps!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The UK is experiencing a surge in electric vehicle adoption, with over<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/statistics\/vehicle-licensing-statistics-january-to-march-2024\/vehicle-licensing-statistics-january-to-march-2024\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1.1 million electric cars<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the road as of March 2024, according to DVSA. More people now drive an automatic car.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While manual transmissions have historically been favoured in the UK, the shift towards EVs has introduced a new norm: automatic transmissions, as all-electric cars come with auto gearboxes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re wondering how to drive an automatic car, you&#8217;re in the right place. This blog post will guide you through the process, following the same steps used to drive a manual car to make the transition smooth and familiar.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What is an Automatic Transmission?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An automatic transmission automatically changes gears for you as you drive. It is the opposite of a manual transmission, where the driver manually shifts gears using a clutch and shifter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An automatic transmission uses a system of gears (mostly planetary) or pulleys, clutches, torque converter, and hydraulic fluid. It&#8217;s controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) that determines the optimal gear based on factors like vehicle speed, engine load, and throttle position.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the three most common types of automatic transmission:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Hydraulic Automatic Transmission:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It uses a torque converter to connect the engine to the transmission, transferring power through pressurised fluid to planetary gear sets.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It uses a system of two pulleys with variable widths and a belt to provide infinite gear ratios. One pulley takes the input from the engine and the other transfers the power onto the wheels.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It uses two separate clutches, one for odd-numbered gears and the other for even-numbered gears and electronic sensors. One <a href=\"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/how-much-does-a-clutch-replacement-cost\/\">clutch plate<\/a> preselects the next gear while the second one is engaged.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some people also consider <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/what-is-a-semi-automatic-car\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">semi-automatic cars<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to be a type, but it is essentially a manual transmission with sensors used for gear shifting. So, it isn\u2019t really a type of automatic transmission.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>7 Simple Steps to Drive an Automatic Transmission Car (+ How is it Different from a Manual Car?)<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s how you can drive an automatic car in 7 simple steps:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Starting an Automatic Car<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Spot a Difference<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Starting an automatic car is similar to starting a manual car, but you don&#8217;t need to depress the clutch before starting the engine. Instead, you press the brake pedal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An automatic car uses a gear shifter instead of a traditional gearstick. It is marked with P (Park), R (Reverse), N (Neutral), D (Drive), L or 2 (Low settings for steep inclines), and S (Sports mode). Some automatic cars also offer a manual mode with plus (+) and minus (-) signs for gear selection.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another difference is that there are mostly two pedals in an automatic car: a brake and a throttle. The third pedal isn\u2019t a clutch. It\u2019s a quick brake similar to a parking brake in a manual car.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The Process:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensure the car is parked on a level surface with the parking brake engaged.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before starting, check that the gear selector is in Park (P) or Neutral (N).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depress the brake pedal and turn the key to the ignition position or press the start button.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Moving Off an Automatic Car<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Spot a difference<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Unlike a manual car, there&#8217;s no need to coordinate the clutch and accelerator to move the car. The automatic transmission does that for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The Process:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Select the &#8220;Drive&#8221; (D) gear using the gear selector.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Disengage the parking or quick brake.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gently release the foot brake. The car will begin to move forward slowly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gradually apply pressure to the accelerator to increase speed.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Driving an Automatic Car on Level Road<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Spot a Difference<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Driving an automatic on a level surface is exactly similar to <a href=\"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/how-to-drive-a-manual-car\/\">driving a manual car<\/a>. The main difference is the absence of gear shifting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The Process:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use the accelerator pedal to keep a consistent speed. The automatic transmission will adjust the gear ratios as you accelerate or decelerate.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Driving an Automatic Car Uphill<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Spot a Difference<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: You don\u2019t need to manually lower the gears while driving an automatic car uphill, but you might want to change the gear setting to Low (L).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The Process:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The car will automatically downshift to provide additional power.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the car struggles to maintain speed, reduce it slightly and gradually increase it again.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Select the low (L) or 2 setting on the gear selector if the incline is too steep.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep the brake pedal depressed if you have to stop while going uphill.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Stopping an Automatic Car<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Spot a Difference<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: You don\u2019t need to press the clutch pedal while stopping an automatic car.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The Process:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Release the accelerator pedal to begin slowing down.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apply gradual pressure to the brake pedal to bring the car to a complete stop.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Reversing an Automatic Car<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Spot a Difference<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Similar to reversing a manual car, but without the need to coordinate clutch and accelerator.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The Process:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shift the gear selector to Reverse (R). But before shifting, ensure the car is completely stopped to avoid damaging the transmission.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Release the brake pedal slowly, and the car will begin to move backwards.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use the accelerator lightly to control your speed while reversing.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>7. Parking and Turning Off an Automatic Car<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.exchangemycar.co.uk\/assets\/empty.png\" data-original=\"https:\/\/www.exchangemycar.co.uk\/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fexchangemycar.co.uk%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F11%2FCar-parked-in-front-of-garage-min-e1739974760673.png&w=777&h=485\" class=\"img-fluid img-inherit img-cover lazy\" alt=\"How to Drive an Automatic Car?\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Spot a difference<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The main difference is selecting the &#8220;Park&#8221; (P) gear instead of the first gear in a manual car.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The Process:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive into a suitable parking space and depress the brake pedal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensure the vehicle is stationary before preparing to park.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engage the parking brake to secure the vehicle, especially on inclines.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shift the gear selector to &#8220;Park&#8221; to lock the transmission and prevent the car from rolling.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Turn the key or press the start button to turn off the engine.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Frequently Asked Questions<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>1. What are the benefits of driving an automatic car?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An automatic car simplifies the driving experience by eliminating the need for manual gear shifting and clutch operation, making driving easier for beginners and those with physical limitations. Plus, automatic cars excel in traffic, reducing stress and fatigue. They also enhance <a href=\"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/euro-ncap-ratings\/\">driving safety<\/a>. With less focus on gear shifting, drivers can concentrate more on road conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Can you drive an automatic car with a manual car driving licence in the UK?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, a manual driving licence allows you to drive both manual and automatic cars in the UK. However, if you pass your driving test in an automatic car, you can only drive automatic vehicles. You would need to retake your driving test in a manual vehicle to drive a manual car.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Are automatic cars less fuel-efficient than manual cars?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No, automatic cars are not necessarily less fuel-efficient than manual cars anymore. While in the past, manual cars had better <a href=\"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/economical-driving-tips\/\">fuel economy<\/a>, modern auto transmissions have caught up and, in some cases, even surpassed manuals. Technological advancements, such as the development of more efficient gears and torque converters, have led to this.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Wrapping Up: How to Drive an Automatic Car?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, there you have it: how to drive an automatic car in 7 easy steps. In conclusion, driving an automatic car is a convenient and stress-free experience, especially for those new to driving.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it differs slightly from manual driving, the basic principles remain the same. You can confidently navigate the roads in your new automatic vehicle by following these simple steps.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But remember, practice makes perfect. The more you drive an automatic car, the more comfortable you will become with its operation.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The UK is experiencing a surge in electric vehicle adoption, with over 1.1 million electric cars on the road as of March 2024, according to DVSA. More people now drive an automatic car. While manual transmissions have historically been favoured in the UK, the shift towards EVs has introduced a new norm: automatic transmissions, as [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":7295,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[1],"tags":[371,372,368,369,370],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5748"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5748"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5748\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11598,"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5748\/revisions\/11598"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7295"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5748"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5748"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exchangemycar.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5748"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}