Sorry, Scarlet, but I've never driven an automatic.

I like to have a stick in my hand and control.

Normally it's not a problem Blizzie - I can only drive an automatic

I love automatics just dont do as I did ..bang your feet on the accelerator when it was meant to be on the breaks and go through your garage door,I have not driven for 10 years now I should have gone straight back in the car wish I would have as it would give me back my indepedence good luck with your car I prefer automatics

I did that once when I had just passed my test - only I did it coming out of a side road into a line of traffic.

Luckily they were all better drivers than me and stopped in time.

Luckily they were all better drivers than me and stopped in time
........................................................................................................

I don't drive an automatic, but I found this on the BBC site:

Driving an automatic

The AA has the following advice for drivers of automatic vehicles:

"If you have an automatic, then under normal driving conditions (motorways, etc) it's best to select 'Drive' and let the gearbox do the work throughout the full gear range.

In slippery, snowy conditions you can make driving much safer by selecting '2', which limits the gear changes and also makes you less reliant on the brakes.

Many modern autos have a 'Winter' mode which locks out first gear to reduce the risk of wheel spin. Check the handbook if you're not sure."

Do you know what El Loro - I just googled that so we must have been there at the same time
But THANK YOU because you have copied and pasted it on here which is not only helpful to me, but to any other person who has an auto.

My car does have a winter mode and the advice about second gear is just what I needed so all is well and thanks again.

Spooky (Twilight Zone theme music plays )

the only thing I drive is people round the bend 

Issy I drive an automatic and yes it is a nightmare to drive in snow and ice.

I was about to advise you on the lower gears but I see El Loro has already done it
My car also has a D1 gear selection aswell as D2 - they definately make a huge difference.

Thanks Miss S - I am hoping that thinks will be a little easier now..

Someone I know not used to an automatic decided to do a three point turn in a neighbours runway.

They were on holiday with their second car in the drive.

Guess what pedal they hit.

Welcome home  

Oh dear god... did they fess up to it?

£900.

And insurance write off cos of its low value.

Victim won both ends up  

Blimey - result

I still laugh Scarlett.

dunno.. i got a rear wheel drive which is a tw*t in icy weather

Is it a BMW? 
My brother in law has a BMW with that problem..

So do my parents Issy... I asked my friend who has a Beemer and never seems to be affected (speed wise) by bad weather what his secret is. Apparently you need to keep the tank full of petrol to get some weight over the back wheels

Thanks Saz

Well thats that then cos my brother in law is as tight as old botty holes and there is no way he would keep a car with a whole tank of gas

I think just anything to weigh it down... sandbags in the boot would probably work too, worth a go I suppose

I drive an auto, my fella told me the best way to get about in this weather is to put it into drive and dont use the accelerator to pull away, let the car do its own thing and once your on the open roads be careful not to apply too much pressure on the accelerator. I too have a winter setting which allows me to pull away in 2nd instead of 1st which does help. If i didnt have traction control i'd be fooked cos thats kept me going in the right direction several times.

Thats interesting Hazy - thanks.I will try that as well.

What is traction control? 

I dont know what it is, all i know is that when my wheels lose grip a big orange triangle comes up on my dash, and my wheels kinda lock up and regain grip.

Don't slow down and try and crawl up hills at 2 mph...you need a good run at them.

That may be why I got stuck on a hill last year during all the weather..

Thanks Croc .

yes scarlett, its a BMW....

I have always driven automatics and wouldn't drive anything else, just drop a gear manually if you need more traction and use commonsense in relation to speed in bad weather