Janepie33 Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 After 10 years of driving a rather large automatic Landrover, I now have, as from 6.30pm today, a tiny - manual - Ford KA. I forgot how to use gears and do hill starts and be the first one off at the traffic lights. Has anyone else made the transition from an automatic ot a manual and how long did it take you to get used to it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 I have gone the other way I have always driven manuals and now have an auto Sorry not much help Am sure you will get the hang of it within a couple of weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 EEk I have been driving 27 years but I have never driven an automatic I'd be dangerous well done you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 (edited) Many years ago I had an automatic Volvo. It was great so easy just stop and go I've just gone from a large Galaxy to a little A class. Edited September 30, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Yes! Both of our cars were automatic! Had to replace the people carrier and went for a diesel this time which only came in manual, then replaced second car with a little, more economical car, again manual! Felt a bit strange at first but now, although I do miss my auto's, I'm used to manual again (although sometimes I do still forget to change down the gears when I'm in the big car and come off a motorway ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaP Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Its just like riding a bike, you never forget I had several years of driving just large automatics - a Shogun and then a Toyota Previa and then I got a Peugeot 106 manual as a little 2nd car runaround. I worried about it just the same as you but it really did all come back very quickly. Now I've got a manual Mini but we've still got the Toyota too and I find it very easy swopping back and forth between the two. Remember too that parking is so much easier in smaller cars Good luck and don't worry. Lisa P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 We have a manual Corsa and an automatic Volvo estate - sometimes I drive the corsa and forget that I actually have to change gear - very embarrasing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 OH used to drive buses (automatic) and then jump in the car (manual). How he remembered what to do is mind boggling! I've never driven an automatic so I don't know what the change is like!. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it again really quickly. Just as an aside, when OH and I were first going out we hired a boat on the Thames for a week. When we got back to the car after 7 days afloat OH couldn't remember how to drive!! He had to sit in the car and compose himself before plucking up the courage to drive off, and then he misjudged a corner!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted October 1, 2008 Author Share Posted October 1, 2008 Thanks for your encouragement everyone. It's not as bad as I thought it would be and the only disaster was when I forgot to use the clutch when I tried to put it into reverse. So glad I was on my own! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted October 4, 2008 Share Posted October 4, 2008 I've driven manual and automatics in the past, but never a diesel before now. In the past month, since getting a diesel car, I have stalled more than I ever have in 15 years of driving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
