How to Drive an Automatic (Fortuner)

**Bradp** · October 19th, 2008 02:55 PM

I am a MT driver for 8 years and have never driven an AT. My Fort will be arriving middle of November and I do not know anybody driving an AT vehicle and so, I cannot test drive. Please share your expertise on how to drive an automatic vehicle and do include tips.

Thank you for all those who will be kind enough to respond.

**CVT** · October 19th, 2008 03:07 PM

Just put in on 'D' and use the gas and the brake pedals as you see appropriate. The brake is used to moderate your speed (vs. lowering your gear in an M/T, or stepping on the clutch pedal)...

When you park,- put the tranny on 'P'. Else, if you leave it on 'D', depending on the make and model of your A/T, you may not be able to remove your key or restart your car...

Always step on the brake pedal when you shift from P to D/R =or= D to R =or= R to D =or= R to P et al . It will be advisable to just remove your foot from the brake pedal and observe how the car is moving, before stepping on the gas....

6808:frenchyf1:

**a9828** · October 19th, 2008 05:26 PM

in addition...

you can shift to N (from D) if you're stalled for a while (waiting for the stoplight, traffic, etc). remember that being in D will give your car the tendency to move.

P in A/T means you're to turn off the engine. when actually parking, still use D and/or R. most A/T vehicles today won't allow you to pull the key out if not in P when the engine's shut down (and bad din daw for the engine).

use only your right foot for both gas and brake pedals. you can have your left leg cut and still drive an A/T (and find easy parking at the same time hahaha).

when taking long trips, being along heavy metal cds as it gets boring driving automatics on straight and open highways.

**userfriendly** · October 19th, 2008 06:24 PM

Add ko lang. When you park on an incline, set hand brake before you shift to P. If you put the car into P before seting the handbrake, there is a chance that the weight of the car will set on the transmission and it will be hard to get it into D.

This is not a problem with small cars. But since you have a SUV, keep it in mind.

**tamb0k** · October 30th, 2008 01:14 PM

you can actually switch from D to 3 for engine braking instead of hitting on the brakes. the gate type transmission is easier. D means drive uses gears 1-2-3-4 but when you shift to 3 it will only use gears 1-2-3.

when on P (park) press on the brakes since when you switch to D (drive) the vehicle will immediately move forward slowly

**xcntrick** · February 15th, 2009 03:32 AM

Is there an economical way to drive an automatic to save fuel? e.g. will it damage the tranny if you put it to Neutral from D while coasting?

**v6dreamer** · February 15th, 2009 04:10 AM

Originally Posted by xcntrick

Is there an economical way to drive an automatic to save fuel? e.g. will it damage the tranny if you put it to Neutral from D while coasting?

Thats a no no! You want an stick shift not an automatic. Good maintenance, do not step on the gas pedal more than you need is the best way to save gas.

**oj88** · February 15th, 2009 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by xcntrick

Is there an economical way to drive an automatic to save fuel? e.g. will it damage the tranny if you put it to Neutral from D while coasting?

Always coast in gear. If your ECM/PCM is smart enough, it will cut power to the injectors to reduce fuel consumption. Shifting to N is both dangerous and not fuel efficient. It will require the engine to keep the injectors running to keep it in idle RPM (less fuel economy).

**xcntrick** · February 15th, 2009 05:58 PM

So our FC is really at the mercy of how good is our ECM and how light footed we are.
Thanks for the replies!

**s_quilicot** · February 15th, 2009 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by xcntrick

So our FC is really at the mercy of how good is our ECM and how light footed we are.
Thanks for the replies!

and proper timing on shifter gears would add to a better FC.

kambisaduhin mo ang car mo and malalaman mo kung paano i-dictate ang gers shifting nyan.