questions for auto drivers - Page 2

macafee2 · 29th June 2019, 16:16

for those that keep their foot on the brake, why?

Lancpudn, what does keeping brake lights on achieve for you?

I'm with jim lee, always depress the button.

I will say electric hand brake with auto off is quite neat

macafee2

clf · 29th June 2019, 16:17

stopping at lights that have just changed to red. Footbrake, and stays on if there is traffic approaching behind, until the car behind stops, handbrake also applied. Normally will nudge up to N once stopped. If I notice lights from opposite direction changing to red, I will nudge back into drive with handbrake on (also gives me indication on how handbrake is working).

Approaching lights that have been red for a while, ie build of cars at them, I hold brake pedal until car behind has stopped, handbrake on, and judgement call on whether to select drive or neutral, based on where I am - lights on my commute are pretty consistent.

I never use park whilst on the road, for fear of being rear ended. I dont know what or if any damage would occur, but a bumper or damaged back plates are easier to repair than a gearbox.

I try to avoid dropping into D without a brake on, as it can sometimes clunk when pressing the accelerator once drive is taken up.

macafee2 · 29th June 2019, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikey

Neutral with handbrake on... the reasons as follows.

Leave in drive and the auto fluid gets very hot!

Don’t use handbrake on an auto, come mot time it will be virtually useless!

why would handbrake be useless? Not having an auto I don't understand

macafee2

SCP440 · 29th June 2019, 16:18

For those that leave it in D and use a brake I suggest you do this on your driveway and measure the temp of the gearbox oil with an infa red thermometer. A 1 degree increase every couple of seconds is quite common, 80c is the ideal operating temp but a few mins in traffic with your foot on the brake and this could get close to 115c and at this temp your are shortening your gearbox life by as much as half.

clf · 29th June 2019, 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by macafee2

for those that keep their foot on the brake, why?

macafee2

peace of mind, should the car behind drive into me, that I have done everything I can to stop being punted into the car in front or crossing traffic. (once the car behind has stopped though I will release it)

m2n · 29th June 2019, 16:27

Leave it in Drive? with foot on brake? What about the fact someone shunting you from behind, foot slips off brake and you shoot forward.
For me, car in neutral with the handbrake on........
Also just think of the brake lights burning brightly and reducing life of the bulbs too.....

Avulon · 29th June 2019, 16:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by clf

peace of mind, should the car behind drive into me, that I have done everything I can to stop being punted into the car in front or crossing traffic. (once the car behind has stopped though I will release it)

See below...

Quote:

Originally Posted by m2n

Leave it in Drive? with foot on brake? What about the fact someone shunting you from behind, foot slips off brake and you shoot forward.
For me, car in neutral with the handbrake on........
Also just think of the brake lights burning brightly and reducing life of the bulbs too.....

Using your footbrake to hold the car in case of a rear end shut won't work: your foot will not stay there when you get bumped. I fully agree with using it to show the brake light to a vehicle approaching from behind though. The hand brake is (should) be much more reliable to hold the car from being pushed forward in the event of being hit from behind.

I'll also add that I'd think it advisable to put the box in Neutral as well, a shunt from behind causing you to release the footbrake will not only result in being punted forward - the car will then drive off on it's own (probably to further damage and/or danger) if left in drive: All this while you try and gather your wits (assuming the driver remains concious).

macafee2 · 29th June 2019, 16:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by clf

peace of mind, should the car behind drive into me, that I have done everything I can to stop being punted into the car in front or crossing traffic. (once the car behind has stopped though I will release it)

thank you for the explanation

macafee2

clf · 29th June 2019, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avulon

See below...

Using your footbrake to hold the car in case of a rear end shut won't work: your foot will not stay there when you get bumped. I fully agree with using it to show the brake light to a vehicle approaching from behind though. The hand brake is (should) be much more reliable to hold the car from being pushed forward in the event of being hit from behind.

I'll also add that I'd think it advisable to put the box in Neutral as well, a shunt from behind causing you to release the footbrake will not only result in being punted forward - the car will then drive off on it's own (probably to further damage and/or danger) if left in drive: All this while you try and gather your wits (assuming the driver remains concious).

normally, N is selected, see post 12. And normally handbrake is on with the footbrake, to show brake lights. I say normally, as I cannot with 100% certainty, I do it every single time, but at the same time, I cannot recall after a journey recall selecting R when reversing outside my house to drive off.

Lancpudn · 29th June 2019, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by macafee2

for those that keep their foot on the brake, why?

Lancpudn, what does keeping brake lights on achieve for you?

I'm with jim lee, always depress the button.

I will say electric hand brake with auto off is quite neat

macafee2

Dip $&*t drivers see no brake lights that means go to them.

View Poll Results: What do you do in stop start traffic
keep in drive with foot on brake	24	34.29%
keep in drive with hand brake on	5	7.14%
put in neutral with foot on brake	14	20.00%
put in neutral with handbrake or no brake	27	38.57%
put in park	3	4.29%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 70. You may not vote on this poll

29th June 2019, 16:17	#12
clf This is my second home MG ZT CDTi Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: carrick Posts: 7,859 Thanks: 3,494 Thanked 2,657 Times in 1,973 Posts	stopping at lights that have just changed to red. Footbrake, and stays on if there is traffic approaching behind, until the car behind stops, handbrake also applied. Normally will nudge up to N once stopped. If I notice lights from opposite direction changing to red, I will nudge back into drive with handbrake on (also gives me indication on how handbrake is working). Approaching lights that have been red for a while, ie build of cars at them, I hold brake pedal until car behind has stopped, handbrake on, and judgement call on whether to select drive or neutral, based on where I am - lights on my commute are pretty consistent. I never use park whilst on the road, for fear of being rear ended. I dont know what or if any damage would occur, but a bumper or damaged back plates are easier to repair than a gearbox. I try to avoid dropping into D without a brake on, as it can sometimes clunk when pressing the accelerator once drive is taken up. __________________ It is not gloss primer .............. it is duct tape silver!

29th June 2019, 16:27	#16
m2n Gets stuck in Rover 75 2004 Contemporary SE 2.5 Auto Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Preston Posts: 513 Thanks: 67 Thanked 56 Times in 46 Posts	Bad Idea.... Leave it in Drive? with foot on brake? What about the fact someone shunting you from behind, foot slips off brake and you shoot forward. For me, car in neutral with the handbrake on........ Also just think of the brake lights burning brightly and reducing life of the bulbs too..... __________________ To have and not need, than need and not have. Eve was born on: Tuesday 14th September 2004 @ 07.54.23 Date of first Registration: Friday 24th September 2004 She was the: 103,715th 75 to run off production line, out of 112,381 She was the: 382nd 75 2.5 V6 Contemporary SE to be made out of 686 She was the: 1,415th 75 in Firefrost Red (code CEV) to be made out of 2,089 Firefrost Red 75's

29th June 2019, 16:16	#11
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,912 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	for those that keep their foot on the brake, why? Lancpudn, what does keeping brake lights on achieve for you? I'm with jim lee, always depress the button. I will say electric hand brake with auto off is quite neat macafee2

29th June 2019, 16:18	#14
SCP440 I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T 260 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Witney Posts: 2,504 Thanks: 6 Thanked 910 Times in 571 Posts	For those that leave it in D and use a brake I suggest you do this on your driveway and measure the temp of the gearbox oil with an infa red thermometer. A 1 degree increase every couple of seconds is quite common, 80c is the ideal operating temp but a few mins in traffic with your foot on the brake and this could get close to 115c and at this temp your are shortening your gearbox life by as much as half.