Manual / auto

Simple. When the car comes to a stop the handbrake automatically engages, when you are ready to go press the go pedal, the handbrake automatically disengages. No driver involvement.

There is an override if you ever want to use it, the only time I have is when reversing and I’ve left the seat belt off to aid looking behind, the automatic handbrake won’t go off without the seatbelt fastened. 

Simple. When the car comes to a stop the handbrake automatically engages, when you are ready to go press the go pedal, the handbrake automatically disengages. No driver involvement.

There is an override if you ever want to use it, the only time I have is when reversing and I’ve left the seat belt off to aid looking behind, the automatic handbrake won’t go off without the seatbelt fastened. 

very interesting - thanks

Can’t wait for the Google self-drive car that can tow a caravan and reverse perfectly to the peg.

Due to a back problem I have been driving an auto for thirty years now, the only problem is it is difficult now to return to a manual. Hubby drives a manual for towing. I wouldn't ever buy a manual car again. Never use the left leg, just keep it tucked out of the way.

As others have said, forget the left leg completely would be my tip.  The real trick to driving autos well, particularly when towing, is knowing when to take over and stop the gear changing as it wants, this is probably most important when approaching a steep descent, when a manual selection/hold of a low gear will make the descent a lot safer.  It's better to select it early, rather than scrabbling to do it when the car starts to 'run away with you'.  As with any new skill, have a practice at working the 'manual' gear selection, so you can do it without having to look for controls etc.

I regularly switch between a fully auto Volvo, a manual Nissan Mirca and a semi automatic motorhome. It becomes second nature. About the worst thing I have done is forget that I have to change gear in a car with a manual gearbox. I definitely prefer automatic gearboxes whether full or semi.

peedee

We swopped from a manual to an automatic just over a year or so ago and we love it.  Apart from caravanning, it's just a lovely easy drive.

You might have to think about manoeuvres for a little while but you'll be surprised how quickly you adapt and never look back.

I was told "tuck your left foot under the seat". 

My own little motor is a manual but I can now easily go back and forth without any problems.

Good luck making the transition Roobz.

Speaking of manoeuvring the one oddball thing that threw me slightly was the position of drive and reverse on the stick. You have to pull the stick back to select drive (forward), and push it forward to select reverse. Not a big thing but I’m sure it could be configured to be push the stick forward to go forward and pull the stick back to select reverse. This has been the same on both my auto cars and they are different manufactures. 

How do you do hill starts with an auto? How do you hold the car still on a hill just using the clutch and accelerator? (I know its probably bad for the clutch)

hill starts are the same as you would with any car, assuming normal handbrake just release it as you press the throttle. But as said above, a lot of cars these days have fancy gimmick electric handbrakes & some kind of hill assist. Did we ask for all this electrickery & uneccessary complication?

And balancing a car on the clutch just wears out the clutch faster ... especially if you have a box on the back ... you see it so many times

How could having one less peddle (and, if anything, the one that inexperienced drivers have the most trouble with) make it any harder to drive?

Seriously......nothing could be easier.....