its the stopping at starting, thats worrying me, someone told me to put left leg as far back as poss,as it always trys to press brake thinking its a clutch.
its the stopping at starting, thats worrying me, someone told me to put left leg as far back as poss,as it always trys to press brake thinking its a clutch.
Automatics are much easier. Push on your brake, put it in drive, and then just use your right foot as you normally would. Your clutch foot may seem left out, but that's ok...It may even try to "work" when you put the vehicle in reverse, etc....but there won't be anything for it to do! You'll catch on real quick as there is actually less to do with an automatic.
I have stomped on the brake in my automatic car, thinking it was the clutch. You only have to do that once, and you will be sooooo concious of it the rest of the day that it won't happen again. After that it is smooth sailing in the automatic.
I believe the OP is confused between "automatic" and "manual" transmission cars. Automatic means the transmission shifts automatically without the driver doing anything, no clutch, no shift. If the OP means that the car they are renting is a manual (which would probably NOT be the case), well, if you don't know how to drive a manual (stick shift) car, unless you are on the Amazing Race, now is probably not the time to learn.
No, I think the OP probably never drove an automatic. Most cars in the world are manual. I grew up in Indonesia and the first time I drove an automatic was when I came to the US.
Manual cars are much much cheaper than automatic in many countries.
its the stopping at starting, thats worrying me, someone told me to put left leg as far back as poss,as it always trys to press brake thinking its a clutch.
You're right about the lrft foot thing. That clutch foot always wants something to do but with an automatic you MUST use only your right foot. When you want to stop or slow down remove your foot from the gas and move it slightly to the left and apply pressure to the brake. If you use both feet [right on gas and left on brake] you run the risk of your left foot missing the brake pedal or slipping off of it and you could find yourself accelerating when you don't want to.
Just thought of something. Is there any chance of renting a car with automatic in the UK for a few days before your trip so you can practice on familiar roads? Have you asked the rental agency in Florida if they have standard transmission vehicles available for hire? [I do love that "for hire" much more then our "to rent"]. Good Luck.