Automatic help - urgent

V

vanilla

Active member
Hi,
I've got a hire car from work and it's the first time I've driven an auto...it seems when I brake in traffic the car lurches forward rather than stopping. I'm only stopping for a couple of seconds in traffic, and have to keep putting it in neutral to avoid braking into someone?!

Also very weird to not be in a low Z and using gears.

Thanks!
 
Urgent as I have to be off in a few mins for an 100 mile odd drive and the hire office is obv closed now.
 
Automatics are deliberately designed to 'creep' forward without any pressure being applied to the accelerator pedal. Because of this, when stationary with the engine ticking over, you must engage the brake pedal or the handbrake. I found it was easier to push my foot down on the foot pedal when in traffic, you can still leave the auto in Drive though when staitionary.
 
ah, so thats the reason i get blinded by tossers in audi's/merc's at traffic lights. lazy sods.
 
Until you get used to it pin your left leg and foot up against the seat out of the way and only use your right foot accelerator and brake. Follow Swiftly's tips above......... good luck :thumbsup:
 
I just stick mine in neutral at lights, I know it takes at least a minute to change so may as well save the brakes and the engine..
 
Toe-side said:
Until you get used to it pin your left leg and foot up against the seat out of the way and only use your right foot accelerator and brake. Follow Swiftly's tips above......... good luck :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Good point I for got that one :oops:
 
But I am putting my foot on the brake in drive and it still goes forward. Unless I should floor the brakes and keep my foot on it. Then it will still lurch forward when I ease of.
 
Slowing down an stopping is easier in an automatic than a manual car. However, you must remember that an automatic gear box does not respond as quickly as manual to easing off the gas, so the ability of the engine brake to slow the car is severely reduced.

To slow down, transfer your right foot from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal. Because of the reduced engine braking, you must brake sooner and more progressively than in a manual car. The transmission will automatically work its way down the gears as you slow down, so you are always in the correct gear.

When the car comes to a stop, to avoid creep, you must keep your foot on the brake, and remember, the car will not stall, even if you stop suddenly.
 
Sounds like the auto might be having problems! To much auto fluid can cause this (overfilled).
It should not be straining to go forward on idle with brake applied. The foot brake should comfortably hold the car with minimal pressure applied.
 
You would think with the car being from a hire company it would be new with low mileage so shouldn't have been overfilled, strange one :(
 
Thanks so much for all your advice. I'll try to keep everything in mind as I'm about to set off soon. When i turn it on it does say press on brake pedel first. Another thing I noticed was that on an uneven road it was rolling back which even my z didn't do.

It's a 62 plate with 14708 miles on it which is the highest I've had on a hire car.
 
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