Automatic Car Procedure

[NC68]

Is this the correct procedure when driving in an automatic car? For stopping: Apply footbrake until stopped, when stopped select neutral, handbrake on and release footbrake. Setting off: Apply footbrake, select drive, and handbrake off?

[jg96]

It probably is the correct procedure but I think you will find most people will keep their foot on the brake pedal until they are ready for setting off.

[Disco Fever]

Use park instead of neutral then there is no need to use the hand brake....

[deggers316]

never new you could stick an auto box in "park" with the engine running

[chas2008]

can be a bit risky depending on gear box, sometimes they go from neutral to drive and from park to reverse...the danger is putting it in park, thinking its in neutral when ready to go..drop it back one to drive but end up putting it into reverse , flooring it (as you do) and reversing into the car behind !! believe me it happens

[Brooksy]

Depends on how long you stop for. The DSA (who run the Driving Test) recommend that in an auto you apply the h/b when you stop. In real life, if you have a "temporary" stop, just up to 30 secs or so, then hold it on the f/b unless on an exceptionally steep incline. For "extended" stops, say lights with a regular time pattern or pedestrian phases, then use h/b (if needed) & "N" to save heating up the torque converter neeedlessly & saving a small amount of fuel.