Manual or Automatic transmission?

Do you prefer to drive with manual or automatic transmission (gears)?

  • Total voters
    87
Cole said:
Another type of transmission is called "semi-automatic", does that mean it only shifts the gear half way and you have to manually shift it the rest?. Of course not!
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It would be bloody funny though!
 
xcellerate said:
And the handbrake is for losers and is a crutch and should not be used for anything other than parking or correcting understeer.
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No offense meant, but that is a ridiculous statement to make. The handbrake is not there as some sort of "use it if you're not l33t" scenario, whereby driving gods can mock those less fortunate than themselves, it's there for a damn good reason. If you stop in traffic, or at red lights, then you should be using the handbrake, because if someone runs into the back of you then your car won't get pushed forward into the car in front, thereby avoiding an avoidable collision. The same goes for a hill start, yes, a good driver should be able to balance a car on the clutch, but only when pulling away on a slope without rolling backwards, having released the handbrake. What's the point in sitting there at a red light or behind another car, not using the handbrake purely because you think it's for "losers" ?!

edit: lol, i may have entered this thread 3 days late, but hell, i feel the same nonetheless !
 
I use my handbrake at stoplights, but that is only because my brake lights use a lot of juice and I don't have much to spare at idle. :/

Being in an accident in which I was rear ended while pressing firmly on the brakes, and seeing tire marks on the ground where I was stopped, I can safely say the hand/e/parking brake will not prevent you from being pushed forward. Firstly, most handbrakes only engage the front or real wheels, not all 4. Secondly, the handbrake does not hold them as firmly as the hydraulic break system.
Using both in conjunction I guess would help if you let go of the foot brake due to recoil in a collision, but I say at that point under those conditions the hand brake will not help much.
 
I never use the handbrake when sitting at a red light, I do not know anybody that does, my driving instructor included. Frankly I think you're one of the few people in the world that go trough that hassle every time in front of a rad light.
 
I know you aren't replying to me, but for me at least it is far from a hassle. My hand brake is quite conveniently placed.


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_Z_Ryuken said:
I know you aren't replying to me, but for me at least it is far rfom a hassle. My hand brake is quite conveniently placed.


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The only cars i've seen that had hand-brakes mounted differently were half tonne trucks...
 
There are a few vehicles, for example Dodge Caravan and I imagine other utility vehicles that use foot parking brakes. Quite inconvenient for use while driving.
 
_Z_Ryuken said:
There are a few vehicles, for example Dodge Caravan and I imagine other utility vehicles that use foot parking brakes. Quite inconvenient for use while driving.
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Actually, i'd imagine it MORE useful than handbrakes.

I mean, come to a stop and just hit the brake and the parking brake simultaneously.
 
Kind of removes the "hand" part of it though. "Parking" brakes.... bleh.
 
Not sure if you are joking. ?_?
You have to lift your left leg up to hit the park brake, and it has a ratcheting mechanism and requires a lot more effort to push than the hydro brake that would be using your right foot.
You then have to pull a release lever which violently flings the p-brake pedal to it's resting position.

My brake I simply hold the button and swing it up and down. Simple and easy. Since it's an auto, my right hand is free to use it.
 
_Z_Ryuken said:
Being in an accident in which I was rear ended while pressing firmly on the brakes, and seeing tire marks on the ground where I was stopped, I can safely say the hand/e/parking brake will not prevent you from being pushed forward. Firstly, most handbrakes only engage the front or real wheels, not all 4. Secondly, the handbrake does not hold them as firmly as the hydraulic break system.
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That's all good and well in the situation you describe, but that's making the assumption that when someone is rear-ended, they are going to keep their foot firmly planted, which in many cases doesn't happen, car runs into the back of them, they get jolted, foot off of brake, straight into the back of the car in front. I am aware that it won't necessarily stop the car moving completely, but in the situation i describe it could well prevent a further collision, which is good enough reason for using one. And as for the hassle that someone describes, please, are you really that lazy that pulling up a handbrake is a considerable hassle ?
 
I'm curious, is stoplight + handbrake really proper driving procedure, or is it just a good idea to do?
 
When coming to a halt, at traffic lights, in traffic, etc, it is correct practice to apply the handbrake, as taught when learning to drive. Failure to do so in a driving test would result in one minor. In the UK this is true at least, i don't know whether it differs from country to country.
 
3ssence said:
When coming to a halt, at traffic lights, in traffic, etc, it is correct practice to apply the handbrake, as taught when learning to drive. Failure to do so in a driving test would result in one minor. In the UK this is true at least, i don't know whether it differs from country to country.
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I don't believe it's so in the US. I was never taught this in Drivers Education, and had never witnessed this in real life, nor even heard of it, till this thread.
 
I passed my manual licence fine in Australia without having to use the handbrake at every red light.
 
It must be a UK thing then. But it was definitely the case when i was learning to drive and taking my test (7 years ago), and i'm fairly sure they still teach the same practice now.
 
The handbrake should be applied if you're stationary for three seconds or more. That's what I was taught.
 
My driving teacher has never said a word about using the hand brake in stop lights. In fact, this is the first time I've ever heard about it.
 
yeah i dont remember hearing anything about using the handbrake at stoplights when i was in driving school. as for the test i took it in an automatic.

anyway i think all sports cars should be manual. when i see a porsche 911 with an automatic shifter, i die a little inside.
 
3ssence said:
That's all good and well in the situation you describe, but that's making the assumption that when someone is rear-ended, they are going to keep their foot firmly planted, which in many cases doesn't happen, car runs into the back of them, they get jolted, foot off of brake, straight into the back of the car in front. I am aware that it won't necessarily stop the car moving completely, but in the situation i describe it could well prevent a further collision, which is good enough reason for using one.
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I agree, but there are so many variables. If you are close to the person in front of you, there is nothing you can do. The best precaution is to keep some distance, and keep an eye on your rear view. I was indulging in some ice cream at the time, sitting at a red light when I got hit. My head hit the supple soft steering wheel and cream went everywhere. D:
The recoil caused my foot to leave the break after about 12 inches of being pushed and I hit the van in front of me because I was fairly close to it. I may have been able to avoid front end damage.
sinkoman said:
I'm curious, is stoplight + handbrake really proper driving procedure, or is it just a good idea to do?
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Not in the US. I was not aware people besides me did this. It's just something I started doing because I have an underdrived pulley and high output alternator, and my idle voltage from the alt is not enough to charge the battery while any lights are on, including brake lights, so I use the p brake to keep still at long stops.
 
3ssence said:
When coming to a halt, at traffic lights, in traffic, etc, it is correct practice to apply the handbrake, as taught when learning to drive. Failure to do so in a driving test would result in one minor. In the UK this is true at least, i don't know whether it differs from country to country.
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If this is still being taught, its bad advice and should be ignored once the test has been passed.

The safest way to stop is to use the footbrake until you come to a halt. Then check the rear view mirror - only when you know the traffic behind you is slowing down (aided by the sight of your brake lights) should you apply the parking brake.

Another tip is, when on a motorway or dual carriageway where speeds are high, if you encounter stopped traffic ahead of you, leave a very big gap in front of you while you brake. This is to stop you becoming 'sandwiched' between two vehicles if other traffic cannot stop in time, and you are hit.
 
Don't leave too big a gap, though, or other people will see that as an invitation to slip in front of you.
 
Parrot of doom said:
If this is still being taught, its bad advice and should be ignored once the test has been passed.
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It's not bad advice for a learner driver. If you approach say, traffic lights that are at red, it's good to apply the handbrake when you are stationary and either:

1) Set your pedals (go position)

2) Remain in neutral.

Both are accepted as safe practice and you won't be penalised on a test. If you approach and use just the footbrake and clutch for more than 3 seconds, you'll get a minor fault.

But yes, once you're out on your own, it's brake+clutch all the way.
 
Manual, as everyone else has stated... gives more control.
 
Why would you even wanna press the brake at red lights? (Except if you're at a slope)
 
Pi Mu Rho said:
Don't leave too big a gap, though, or other people will see that as an invitation to slip in front of you.
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true. and keep an eye out for old people in buicks. they tend to float around from lane to lane. but i guess its tough when everywhere you look is a blindspot.
 
The only time I use the handbrake at the lights is when I'm on a steep slope and/or there is somebody really close to the back of the car.
 
I can't drive an auto anymore. I'll be sitting there, ready to hit the clutch, but WHOOPS! That's the break. I usually have my hand sitting on the shifter in an auto..just ready to shift it into second...but...alas, my hands are so bored. I usually steer with my knees, so both my hands are just dancing around, I could probably play a good game of cards!
 
On the bike I was taught to keep the rear brake on whenever you're stopped at any time, because if you get shunted from behind with the rear brake on you'll simply be pushed forward whereas if you get shunted with the front brake on the bike will throw you over the handlebars and land on top of you. Ouch.
Also, when the brake light is on it makes it more obvious to following traffic that you are stopped.
Which is why you usually won't ever see a biker's right foot touch the ground.
 
Parrot of doom said:
If this is still being taught, its bad advice and should be ignored once the test has been passed.

The safest way to stop is to use the footbrake until you come to a halt. Then check the rear view mirror - only when you know the traffic behind you is slowing down (aided by the sight of your brake lights) should you apply the parking brake.
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That's no different from what i described, i just didn't go into as much detail. Did you take what i said to mean that you should use the handbrake as the actual means of slowing the car down ? lol
 
Pussies, real man brake with their feet.
I knew a guy who used his fist to break and steered with his ears.
 
3ssence said:
That's no different from what i described, i just didn't go into as much detail. Did you take what i said to mean that you should use the handbrake as the actual means of slowing the car down ? lol
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No I took what you said to mean that the current driving test recommended that one puts the parking brake on as soon as possible, which isn't really very safe if one thinks about it.
 
Taxman said:
Both.
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So what happens if you get shunted from behind, with no brakes on the wheels?

That traffic thats criss-crossing in front of you - fancy getting T-boned by that?

With the brake lamps lit (by using the footbrake) drivers behind you at least have extra warning that you're stopped or slowing.
 
repiV said:
On the bike I was taught to keep the rear brake on whenever you're stopped at any time, because if you get shunted from behind with the rear brake on you'll simply be pushed forward whereas if you get shunted with the front brake on the bike will throw you over the handlebars and land on top of you. Ouch.
Also, when the brake light is on it makes it more obvious to following traffic that you are stopped.
Which is why you usually won't ever see a biker's right foot touch the ground.
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I am a biker. Got my rider's liscence before my driver's liscence.
Nobody I know or have ever seen keeps their foot on their brake. We were however taught to do this in our rider's course. I did it for a while.
Eventually I decided to keep both feet on the ground, for great stability.

Chances are if you get bumped, you are going to fall down no matter where your feet are.

Keep an eye on your rear view. Bikes are such that you can make a quick escape if traffic comes up fast.
 
_Z_Ryuken said:
I am a biker. Got my rider's liscence before my driver's liscence.
Nobody I know or have ever seen keeps their foot on their brake. We were however taught to do this in our rider's course. I did it for a while.
Eventually I decided to keep both feet on the ground, for great stability.

Chances are if you get bumped, you are going to fall down no matter where your feet are.

Keep an eye on your rear view. Bikes are such that you can make a quick escape if traffic comes up fast.
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Agreed. I usually just lean on whatever foot feels more comfortable. I usually don't hold the brake at all.

I've been wondering, why do people always move their shifter from side to side when they're in neutral?
 
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