darth sidious
New Member
OrganDoctor said:
Am I right in thinking you mean MPG here, not MPH?
Modern automatics
- Thread starter DaveHerns
- Start date
Am I right in thinking you mean MPG here, not MPH?
I don't have stop start on the engine,it is not an automatic as expected, it is a double shift gearbox, so always has a gear to move in to. The footbrake has a slow release/hillstart setting, so when released the brakes slowly let off, unless the throttle is immediately pressed. Unfortunately the hand brake does not have this feature being mechanical, therefore the dragging rear if you have the car in gear, handbrake on, footbrake off.
OrganDoctor
New Member
darth sidious said:
Quite right.....Old age seems to have made me lazy in editing !!
redrover
Well-Known Member
John said:
I don't know anybody who uses the handbrake with the engine still running. They just seem to sit there with their foot on the brake and clutch down for 10 minutes, steadily knackering the release bearing. So everywhere I look, I see high-level brake lights!
You're potentially liable in the event of a rear end shunt if the person who hits you shunts you into collision with the car in front. In a bad smash, it doesn't matter because no handbrake would stop you moving forwards, but if it's found that you were just sitting on the brake pedal, you're liable for the damage to the car you hit....
Michael
I had an automatic Volvo V70 for 3 years and 90000 miles. It was brilliant and I miss it very much but the co2 was high and the tax man bills me a lot less for the manual V70 I have now.
If it is a personal car I would say buy one because they are great but as a few have said before me be warned on the mpg as the auto will do at least 10 mpg less than the manual.
Paul
If it is a personal car I would say buy one because they are great but as a few have said before me be warned on the mpg as the auto will do at least 10 mpg less than the manual.
Paul
darth sidious
New Member
redrover said:
Unless I'm misinterpreting here, how come? The footbrake operates/engages the brakes on all 4 wheels, the handbrake just the rear wheels; surely in the event of a rear end shunt, the handbrake would have even less "success" on holding the car back than the footbrake?
It could be said that with your foot on the foot brake you're alerting other drivers to the fact you've stopped by your brake lights being on.
I never hold the clutch down for long as I think it's bad practice .Remember the days of carbon release bearings ?
I'm going right off the idea of an electronic auto box and electric handbrake - I'll probably stick with a manual but my knees are playing up
I never hold the clutch down for long as I think it's bad practice .Remember the days of carbon release bearings ?
I'm going right off the idea of an electronic auto box and electric handbrake - I'll probably stick with a manual but my knees are playing up
darth sidious
New Member
harveyp6 said:
Ah, that's a good point. The jerk of the shunt would very likely throw your foot off the pedal violently, no matter how hard you try to keep it on.
As has been said, it's well worth your while trying some cars with real autos, and seeing what you think of them. I like good manuals, like the gearbox in the MX-5, but the vast majority of the time, I'd far rather have an automatic car for regular use. It's just a very pleasant, and smooth mode of travel. Some cars don't suit automatic gearboxes very well though, it must be said.
Dave3066
Well-Known Member
DaveHerns said:
If I'm joining the back of a queue at roadwork traffic lights for example I'll apply the handbrake when stationary and leave my foot on the footbrake until another car has stopped safely behind me, then foot off the brake. Always leave a good gap to the car in front, tyres and tarmac is the recommeded distance. If the car in front starts to creep even better because I stay where I am until the lights change.
redrover said:
Yes you do :wink:
I always apply the handbrake when stationary at traffic lights or a stop sign. If it's a give way or roundabout you generally are not stationary long enough for handbrake use, not always though. I'm never in so much of a hurry on the road that I have to get away from the lights as soon as the amber comes on. The P6 makes for such a relaxing drive you can't help but stay chilled
Dave
redrover
Well-Known Member
Haha. Fair enough, Dave. But the list is still very small! :wink:Dave3066 said:
Dave3066 said:
I do the same thing. Three years as a paralegal makes you very aware of the potential for accidents everywhere, and so I tend to watch the rear view mirror when cars behind are stopping. I can see the hi-level brake light reflected in the back window so I know it's definitely on. Doesn't always safeguard me, mind. But the thought is there....!
michael
Demetris
Well-Known Member
The topic is drifting a little (don't they always do? ) but this is not necessary a bad thing.
The sad truth is that quite a lot of the people that hold a valid driving licence are not capable of driving. The problem is only made worse with modern cars that decide what to do more and more instead of the driver itself. I mean for example it's not terrible to be able to hill start a manual car using just the pedals. Either by hill - toeing or by being rapid enough with your feet. But now we reached the point that cars decide to hold or to release the handbrake or the brakes or release the throttle or do the steering. I understand the point of view of old fashioned automatics, but the only real results of the modern stuff in cars is that more and more really bad drivers are allowed to drive. And of course more cars are being sold.
) but this is not necessary a bad thing. The sad truth is that quite a lot of the people that hold a valid driving licence are not capable of driving. The problem is only made worse with modern cars that decide what to do more and more instead of the driver itself. I mean for example it's not terrible to be able to hill start a manual car using just the pedals. Either by hill - toeing or by being rapid enough with your feet. But now we reached the point that cars decide to hold or to release the handbrake or the brakes or release the throttle or do the steering. I understand the point of view of old fashioned automatics, but the only real results of the modern stuff in cars is that more and more really bad drivers are allowed to drive. And of course more cars are being sold.