QuestionI'm in the UK and have only ever driven a manual car.
I am going to drive an automatic when in the US.
First, some automatics have a Drive 1 and Drive 2. Why are there different Drive settings, can't you just have one? and I notice other automatics have Drive and then a 1st and 2nd gear?
Also, do you have to put an automatic into neutral when you have the handbrake on ie) when sitting at a junction/lights can you leave the car in Drive with the handbrake applied?
Thanks for your time :)
AnswerYea, us Yanks have gotten away from the manual transmission cars. Enthusiasts like me have to really work to get a car with a fun manual tranny!
Usually Drive 1 and Drive 2 has to do with overdrive. There are all sorts of methods and ways of denoting what they are, but usually D1 is top gear.
If the layout is: P R N D1 D2 L (typical Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive 1 Drive 2 and Low) then you want Drive 1.
Sometimes it is: P R N OD 3, 2, 1 where OD has the O around the D for overdrive.
And then there are the CV transmissions where they may only have P, R, N, D.
About stop lights, don't apply the hand or foot emergency brake while at lights, and don't go to neutral. Just leave the car in Drive and keep your foot on the brake. Most people brake and accellerate with only the right foot, leaving the left foot to do nothing since they took the high beam indicator off the floor (still the best place for it in my opinion!).
Enjoy your visit to the states. I hope to get to the UK and Europe sometime soon. Want to drive the "ring".
Don
