In terms of complexity, automatic cars seem to be less complicated to drive than a manual transmission car.

2. Mirror and steering wheel

When you sit in the car, the first thing to do is adjusting the seat to suit you and then the rearview mirror to give you the best view.

3. Brake and gas pedals

There are only two pedals in an automatic car: the gas or accelerator pedal and the brake one. The left side is the brake with the pedal wider than the right foot. The gas pedal is on the right, and the wider one on the left is the brake. Press on them a bit with your right foot to feel the response of the pedal.

There are only two pedals in an automatic car: the gas or accelerator pedal and the brake one

4. Steering column and Controls

The best placement of your hands on the steering wheel is at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock for a better rotation of the steering wheel. Furthermore, it takes you a few seconds to find out the turn signal and windshield wiper switches in the steering column for a safe control of your car.

5. Gear shifter

The gear shifter can be found between the front seats or on the steering column in an automatic transmission. The top first letter is “P” for Park, followed by “R” for Reverse, “N” for Neutral and “D” for Drive. Depending on each car, there may be a few additional numbers such as 1, 2, maybe 3.

P, D, and R are applied for nearly all of your driving. You must switch to P when parking an automatic car.

The gear shifter can be found between the front seats or on the steering column in an automatic transmission​

How to drive an automatic transmission

1. Starting the car

Two things are needed to start the car for the first time: the car must be in a park and your right foot must be on the brake pedal. You will then turn the key or smart knob. It is recommended that you should use your one foot for both pedals because there will be potential risks by using two feet. 

The car must be in a park and your right foot must be on the brake pedal

2. Driving Forward

Your right foot must be held on the brake pedal and move the shifter to D for drive. There is a button on the shifter in some cars that you must press to move the gear shifter out of the park. Once the car is in driving mode, slowly release the brake pedal. You then will feel the car start slowly move even when you do not have your foot on the gas. This is because the car is in gear and is ready to go.

Moving forward and pressing down slowly on the gas pedal will make your car automatically shift through the gears and accelerate.

3. Slowing down

You just need to press down on the brake pedal to slow down. Although the car is in gear, you will have no difficulty slowing it down. You need to apply enough pressure to slow down the car in time to stop and avoid slamming on the brake pedal unless you need to stop suddenly in a serious situation.

4. Reversing the car

You need to shift the car into R for reverse with your foot on the brake. Then lift your foot off the brake and lightly place it on the gas to drive the car backward. However, to master the reversing skill requires a long time of practice.

To master the reversing skill requires a long time of practice

5. Parking the car

To park your car, you need to press your foot down on the brake to bring the car to a full stop, shift into P for park, then remove the key or turn off the car by button.