Take a look around the cabin and familiarize yourself with the car’s layout. This gives you a chance to locate the different indicator lights, headlights, windshield wipers, and other features while the car is stationary. If you can’t find something you feel like you’ll need, don’t be afraid to look in the car’s manual (it’s usually in the glove box—if not, you can probably find a digital copy online). [2] X Research source
Take your hand all the way off the shifter—especially while driving. If you’re used to driving a stick, you probably rest your hand on the shifter a lot. You don’t need to shift gears at all while you’re driving!
In some cars, especially trucks and SUVs, the parking brake is a pedal on the floor. You’ll typically push the pedal to release it, unless there’s a separate brake release lever next to it. Put your car in gear before you release the parking brake. This reduces unnecessary wear and tear on your transmission because you aren’t relying on it to hold your car in place. It’s especially important if you happen to be parked on a hill.
An automatic car steers exactly the same way a manual car does. In fact, everything about driving an automatic car is the same as driving a manual—you just don’t have to shift gears. If this is your first time driving any kind of car, go slow, turning the steering wheel in the same direction you want the car to go. You’ve got this!
It’s true that Formula 1 drivers brake with their left feet. They’re also highly skilled drivers operating cars that are specifically designed for this technique. Just brake and accelerate with your right foot and leave your left foot off to the side. [9] X Research source Be extra careful if you’re driving a car that has a pedal on the floor for the parking brake. [10] X Research source It’ll usually be way off to the left side so you couldn’t mistake it for a clutch, but you still want to be aware of it. If you find your left foot tends to drift toward the pedals as you drive, tuck it behind your right foot and out of the way—problem solved!
Your car is likely to start creeping as soon as you take your foot off the brake. When going in reverse, you can use this to your advantage—often, you won’t need to more than lightly tap the accelerator. Remember that when you’re steering your car in reverse, the rear wheels are going to go the opposite of the direction you turn the steering wheel. Turn left to back to the right and right to back to the left.
Towing: for short distances, gives you a lot more power if you’re towing something Wintry weather conditions: helps your tires grip the road; keeps your wheels from spinning out of control Really steep hills: relieve stress on your engine going uphill; less wear and tear on your brakes going downhill
Some people will tell you that shifting your car to neutral when you’re stopped at traffic lights will help save gas. But the truth is that any gas savings is negligible at best. All you’re really doing is putting additional (and unnecessary) wear and tear on your transmission. [14] X Research source
If your parking brake is a pedal on the floor, push it all the way down once to engage the parking brake. If you’re not confident you’ve engaged the parking brake, just slowly lift your foot from the brake. If the car starts rolling, it’s not engaged. It’s better on your transmission to engage the parking brake before you change gears.
If you’ve pulled into a sloping driveway, turn your wheels so that your car won’t roll out into the road.
