Automatics

[supapapa]

Why do drivers of automatics keep their brakes on at traffic lights?

[anjlegs]

Because if you take your foot off the brake the car travels forward, unless you have the handbrake on .

[alexanderd]

this has been asked before, if you dont touch the brake the car will creep forward unless you take it out of gear

[supapapa]

Then why not take it out of gear?

[Prudie]

Although how do you know they're automatics?

[alexanderd]

its easier to touch the brake than take it out of gear

[sherrardk]

I'd got an automatic and put my foot on the brake, would never occur to me to take it out of gear (that would be a right pain). Have to brake to stop in the first place so why would I take it out of gear and remove my foot for a few seconds?

[Prudie]

Thinking about it most people have their brakes on at traffic lights with the clutch down or in neutral if it's geared.

[EcclesCake]

Having your eyes burnt out by high intensity brake lights is tiresome when in a line at traffic lights.

[Milvus]

Many autos have automatic handbrakes. These activate the brake lights without you touching the brake

[alexanderd]

ecclescake, not as bad as people driving with fog lights on in clear weather I would suggest

[supapapa]

Whatever the reason it annoys the hell out of me.

[EcclesCake]

Alexanderd, fog lights are a fashion accessory!

[Mick-Talbot]

Are you one of those annoying sn@gs who take forever to set off when the traffic lights change , supapapa?

[marje]

I think most people keep the foot brake on when at lights. I know I do unless I know that the lights take a long while to change, then it's handbrake on and out of gear.

[supapapa]

Mick, No I don`t hang about at lights but when sat in a queue of traffic as is the case quite often were I live, it is very annoying.

[Prudie]

But how do you know they're automatics?

[Toureman]

For the same reason that manual drivers do!

[douglas9401]

The last vehicle I know of that had the handbrake connected to the brake lights was an Austin J4 van circa 1973.

[SpikeyBush]

My Vectra automatic shifts into neutral when it senses speed as zero and brakes on, so as to save fuel. Other models use stop-start technology in the same way (my Vectra is just old and pre-dates stop-start technology). Due to a disability that necessitates an automatic, fumbling around with gearlevers and clutch pedals is painful. If my brake lights dazzle you, just look elsewhere while you are not moving. At least I'm not burning the eyes out of your head when you're trying to drive like those dozy eejits who leave their foglights on for two weeks after a bit of light mist.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

C'mon...answer Prudie..how do you know they're autos from the brake lights...are they a different red or something?