Handbrake Neutral? | Automatic Gearbox 

That is way to much work for an automatic. If i faint, well good luck everyone else.

Oh Ashley. Brake Light Dazzle is now a huge issue, because of LED lights and their configuration patterns (light shape is also an issue). It's really poorly understood. It might not affect you, but we are all different, we all have different bodies and our eyes work differently regarding light sensitivity. To some people your brake lights will dazzle someone making subsequent lack of vision unsafe. Maybe 90%, 95% of the time it's not an issue, but the one time you do get a light sensitive driver behind you, it increases risk. Handbrake neural (or Park) every time you stop. Sure, we can all white line drive when behind you, but that is tiring and reduces time you are looking around. Personally I drop back behind an overly powerfully lighted vehicle at night, not everyone will.

“Do brake lights really dazzle that much?” asks Ashley. Yes, sometimes they do. At night, especially in rain, LED brake lights are very bright indeed. At traffic lights you can have three vehicles’ lights glaring at you for quite some time - one ahead, one to the right, one to the left. Meanwhile, you peer into the night, trying to observe the traffic lights, so you can’t simply “not look”. Brake lights are a signal. If you are stationary and the vehicle behind is stopped, why are you signalling? Who benefits? Sitting with your foot on the brake in standing traffic, lighting up the vehicle sitting behind you like a rotisserie chicken, is thoughtless, discourteous and poor driving. Highway Code Rule 114: “In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again.”

I find brake lights very dazzling. Yes street lights are brighter, but the beam pattern is down and not directly in your eyeline. Headlamps are brighter again, but will be in dipped beam meaning that the beam pattern is pointed down at the road and not directly in your eyeline. Brake lights are directly in the eyeline. That's for good reason. You want people to notice the lights, and whilst you're in motion it's not a problem as they aren't in the same position all the time. When stationary it's a very different. They do dazzle.

As a Disabled driver (Auto box and hand control's) I do tend to just sit on my brake in Drive. Unless I know I have a long wait... But driving with hand control's is a whole new video for you in itself (but yes every type of Auto box requires a different style of driving..)

6:00: they can be really bright when it’s at night and you’re sat in traffic, especially when your eyes are sensitive and they’re LED brakelights

Yaassss! Been waiting for this! I drive automatic and love your videos. This has given me another kick up the arse not to get complacent!

When I worked in Canada, my colleagues questioned my repeated use of the "emergency brake"! I stopped using "park" at temporary stops because I reckoned that following drivers found it disturbing. Some of my Canadian colleagues had worked in Britain so I asked them how they had done their hill starts without using the "HAND BRAKE" in a "stick shift" car. They just thought I was a bad driver because I couldn't move my foot quickly enough from foot brake to accelerator!

Something interested I've noticed on my own Volvo and other luxury brands with the auto hold brake feature is that this leaves the brake lights illuminated, the owners manual goes so far as to say that they are left on for safety to decrease the chance of a rear end.

Thank you Ashley. I have been wanting to know how to be able to take my foot off the breaks when required as I’m going automatic soon. Your content is awesome 👌👌

Excellent video I have a Prius and have been told different things by different instructors this has cleared it up for me thanks Ashley.😀

Having my practical training and your video tips are very useful

As you discussed, each transmission type has to be used slightly differently. The Hyundai Ioniq EV has the electronic parking brake but also has auto hold, which when turned on acts like a parking brake and holds the vehicle without the need to keep the foot brake engaged, until the accelerator is pressed.

wow!!! What an eye opener!

Another excellent video

Never go in parked mode on stoplights when you got hit from behind then that fooking pin locking your transmission will break.

Hi Ashley 🙂 I’n not sure what to think about this. My S3 S-Tronic works differently to both of yours in this video. Handbrake? I dunno. That’s a lot of handbrake on and off during town driving that I personally feel is unnecessary. I do understand about the moving forwards and all of the ‘what if’ scenario’s, however, they are exactly that, just what ifs, so I cannot see me changing my driving to keep using the handbrake. If I’m in a long queue or long wait then I do select neutral and use the handbrake. Stuck in a traffic jam? Then like you I will switch off as long as I am not the last vehicle in the queue because I am watching for the person who has not seen us all stop and rams in to the back of me. My Audi also has a ‘hill hold assist’ so upon moving my foot off the brake, it will not move for either 5 secs or I press the gas pedal. I’ll be honest here, I have more worries about my Audi pulling away quick enough when I need it to, than worrying about the handbrake scenarios. The delay you sometimes get on the S-Tronic before moving can be scary when you’re not used to it nor expecting it. This video has made me think, so that’s a good thing. I’ll do some ‘testing’ whilst I’m out tomorrow 🙂👍🏻

I rented a Yarris hybrid just like that for a week. It was a fun little car and easy to fit on some of those narrow roads. I think I put on like 500 miles (mostly motorway driving), and only had to fill up once, Not sure what the tank size is, but I'm sure it's smaller than my US car's tank. Took me a while to discover that the radio had a built in sat nav, but once I started using the sat nav It made not getting lost so much easier. It takes a little more foot to get up to 70 than I'm used to, but It would make a nice commuter car. The US toyota "Yarris" models all look like sedans and I'm not seeing any hybrid options for those. Might as well be a completely different model.

In 2020, I had cataracts and so, had a lens replacement. This now makes me very light sensitive and it is annoying, whilst waiting in a queue for the vehicles in front to have their brake lights on. I personally select neutral, slip the handbrake on and watch for the other traffic lights to begin to change. When this happens, I put the car into gear and I am ready for the off, (following the release of the handbrake of course.)

Just switched from a manual to auto and this makes sense. I feel alot of youtubers teaching automatic cars never drove a manual. Most advise is to just step on the breaks on stop lights.

I like the idea of pulling the handbrake and put in Park when waiting at the signals, especially when there is pedestrian crossing. My question is, waiting at signals (hopefully there is no pedestrian cross-here), won't this be fatal if a lorry just crash deep into your car from behind?

Hello Ashley from Buenos Aires! I´ve read that the auto kill engine function is good for fuel economy but actually has a long term ware off effect in the engine and starter solenoids. But I wanted to ask you, let's pretend you turn off the engine cut option. If you make a stop on a stoplight or kings cross , your engine keeps running and you have your selector set on D. Does this wear the transmission, doesn´t it? In that case wold be better to drop the selector into N or P, right? I think the answer may be different basing in which kind of automatic transmission the car is equipped with. (DSG, traditional 4 speed auto, CVT, tiptronic, manual with servo clutch). Very nice video btw!

My Kia Niro is the first automatic I have owned and has an "Auto Hold" function that can be selected and when selected it stops the car from creeping forward, so you simply pull up and take you foot off the accelerator and then starts again when you touch the accelerator again, a great idea IMHO.

As usual, I agree with most of your opinions, but the one thing I have to disagree with is “are they really that dazzling?”. Yes, to some people they are; different people have different sensitivity, and just because you dont perceive it, some of us do (so thanks for at least in general suggesting taking the foot off the brake). Its definitely better on older cars with dodgy filament bulbs, but there is an increasing trend for brighter LEDs - great on the motorway, but unnecessarily bright in stationary traffic. Also, the trend towards SUV’s puts their lights right in my eye line. Yes, I am looking beyond at other traffic, ATS’s (way off my line of sight as they are pointing back down the road) etc. I often use the sun visor to eliminate the glare and look around the side to see down the road. I can tell when they are off the brake and about to move off as the whole dash is washed in bright red, and that dims considerably. One final point - we checked my wifes new car with a brake hold feature (stop, press the brake pedal hard again, and it holds allowing you to take your foot off and relax), that leaves the lights on! Yes, no foot on the pedal, brake lights dazzling behind. Even this is a simple “flick the electronic handbrake on” so the lints dont dazzle, and that automatically disengages when she drives off. As you say, its important to learn how each car we drive works, but sadly most muppets just pass their test, then jump in and drive (I doubt any of them would be bothering to watch your stuff and comment though).

Kia E-Niro has auto hold, with this selected you pull up at the lights, release foot brake and it automatically holds the car. As it is stopped in auto hold the brake lights stay on after you release the foot brake. I don’t know how it does this but it is very helpful. To drive off just press the accelerator. It also has auto release handbrake: you engage handbrake manually (pull up little button), but to drive off you just press on the accelerator. Finally with adaptive cruise control the car automatically stops behind the vehicle in front and holds, then when the vehicle in front moves off the car bleeps and prompts you to either tap the accelerator or toggle up the cruise control button, then it will move off again automatically still in cruise control. Any thoughts?!

I've noticed you have different watches, what's your watch collection? They all look beautiful, I think I've noticed a Breitling Superocean, i'm not quite sure what's in this video but it looks to be inspired by a Tag. Also, this is a somewhat useful video to me. I plan to move to a C250 next which has an automatic transmission. I haven't tested one yet but they have a third pedal which i'm assuming is a holding pedal as the handbrake is a pull action. God knows how that works.

Driving in a country where nearly all cars are automatics I very rarely see the reversing light come on, this would indicate that very few drivers put there vehicle in park, and from my experience of being in vehicles with other drivers not many actually move from drive to neutral, or apply the parking brake.

Hey, im a bit confused. Pls help! Should the driver put the car on neutral or park and engage the handbrake if he needs to step out of the car to get something for example in the house? Assuming the car is on. Or should the driver completely needs turn of the car? Thank u

Interesting video. I'm curious though, what is braking like in a modern automatic? My only experience of automatic transmission has been in a 2007 Nissan Note and a similar aged Mazda 3. Both were torque converters and both felt like they were fighting against the brakes when slowing down, they certainly needed a firmer push on the brake than any manual car I've driven. Is that still the case?

11:18 - my BMW also restarts the engine if I shift to neutral, but keeps it stopped if I simply shift to park, even if I take my foot off the brake pedal, and restart is simply shift to drive.

Modern brake lights are *insane*!

I have an SLK350 Merc. I have been advised when parking to put in N, not P, prior to applying the electrical handbrake., when parking. Is this the correct procedure?

I drive a VW Golf with DSG and it had an electric handbrake and auto hold. If you press the footbrake to stop the car, the handbrake light illuminates green, a holding brake takes over and the brake lights stay on. I can then remove my foot off the footbrake. As soon as you touch the throttle, the holding brake disengages. If I am stationary for a long time or once a car pulls up behind me, I can flick the handbrake switch, and you can hear the electric brake go on, but the brake lights also go off. As soon as you touch the throttle, the handbrake disengages and the car pulls away.

All very true, any tips on how to deal with fainting when the car is at 70mph? :D

IVe just passed my test on Tuesday and I only hold a automatic Licence but I’ve been looking at a semi automatic? Does anyone know if you have to use neural and handbrake ? I’ve never done it leaning in the full automatic

I love my E-Golf and it's auto handbrake. Whenever I am fully stopped, at home, on a parking lot, at a junction, anywhere, it puts the car in park mode until I press the gas. And the B is much more useful than just for downhills. Its very useful to help you manage the speed, as all I have to do is let go of the gas, and the car slows down. I won't have issues coasting too fast. For city driving. with a lot of start/stop, its invaluable. Actually it will slow my car until it stops, even if it is a down hill. SO I can't use it that way. I would have to put the car in drive, and activate a level 1, 2 or 3 recoup.

Consider bikers when it's raining. We don't have wipers. Coming up to a dual lane queue with everyone sitting on their brakes makes it look like a horror film.

The B on the Yaris auto, I used all the time for braking , not just for extra control down hill , while your out and about, note how many vehicles have a brake light fail , I feel it's down to sitting stopped with the footbrake on !

My wife id learning to drive (with a driving school) in that model of Yaris. We bought a new Yaris a little while ago and it doesn't have a "proper" handbrake. It has a button you lift up and down, because of this I had a dual control brake fitted .

I drive an Hyundai i40 DCT. Acts much like a traditional torque converter, slips in 2nd when at low speed, very intelligent gearbox, however not without its faults and foibles. When sat on a hill on the foot brake, if the engine cuts then you have to gently release the brake to allow enough time for the gearbox to re-engage as it will “freewheel” backwards. Oddest thing when it first happens. I still generally leave it in drive and use the electronic parking brake as it will also release automatically when pressing the accelerator. I would also be interested to know how having an auto releasing parking brake impacts on learning a proper hill start as there are many cars still produced with traditional handbrakes, this is still a required skill to learn.

The biggest issue with the dazzle is when sat somewhere like a rail crossing when the lights are engaged for several minutes. I suffer with an astigmatism which makes this worse. If you're not the last car in the queue, handbrake on feet of the pedals.

When you put it in park, do you really need to use the handbrake as well?

I own a nice automatic car but regularly drive manual work vehicles. In my auto I have found myself putting it into neutral and handbrake at traffic lights. I've definitely felt more alert and responsible when I do that.

When I was learning in the early 1970's I was taught Handbrake and neutral at lights, Level crossings or anywhere you're likely to be stationary for more than a few seconds. On another point, when driving automatics, what's your thoughts on using the left foot for braking (two feet, two pedals?)

Hi Ashley, interesting video, here in the state of Wisconsin, no MOT required so, any handbrake wether foot or hand on automatic cars never get used so they consequently the system seizes up, coming from the uk, I found this very different as l do like to use my handbrake or emergency brake as there called here, when l took my driving test here in the states, uphill start wasn’t a requirement either.

With some modern automatics you have to press the brake to go from neutral to drive. Then there is the need to press the brake to start the engine as well if you have switched it off. So you go from no brake lights to brake lights to no brake lights to move off. How does this help inform the driver behind of your intentions? If your brake lights are on then the driver behind does not have to get right up to your car, light intensity decreases with the square of the distance from the source (inverse square law). At 4m it is a quarter that at 2m. Don't moan about the lights, just stop further back.

Hi Ashley. Great video as always. I’ve recently put a deposit down on a new BMW. When I took the 24 hour test drive, I noticed how different a rear wheel drive car handles, especially in the wet. Could you do a video/reply with some tips on handling RWD cars in the cold and wet, Along with driving in snow? Thanks!

Hi Ashley, another great video. My auto box works totally different to the M3, even though it’s a BMW. The gearbox is 8 speed auto with a torque converter. I have never used the hand brake as it’s pretty pointless. It’s a plug in electric hybrid so if the engines running or not, it make no difference to what happens when you’re stationary. As soon as you turn the ignition off it goes in to park electro-mechanically, which I’ve only used in long queues or when I park. I’m not prone to fainting and have never heard of that being used as a reason to apply the handbrake. If I’m waiting at the lights I use the foot brake only. Do you think I might be doing things wrong? For people that don’t know, park locks the transmission solid.

Interesting video. Like the BMW M series, my car a Ford Focus Titanium X 2 litre powershift auto has the DCT gearbox, Also like the BMW if I stop the start/stop works as it should and cuts the engine. If I apply the handbrake and release the footbrake my car wants to move forward. I have also been told by many mechanics not to put an auto into neutral sitting at traffic lights as it takes a second or so to engage the gear and the gearbox to prepare for the first gearchange which will be very quick and by putting it into neutral it can damage the gearbox. As for the brake lights again like the BMW my car has LED brake lights which are good bit brighter than halogen lights so yes they can dazzle

In my car, the 'start-stop' works when the foot brake is held, but as soon as you release it the engine starts back up, even if the hand brake is on, it does it both in Drive and Neutral. What I do at the moment is put the handbrake on but leave it in D (mine does not creep forward), but it does mean that the car is running even if stopped for a few minutes. I tried turning the engine off manually once, but unfortunately, it then resets the radio and sat nav to default (and it's all touch screen operated so no way I would set it again while driving). I'm curious if people would suggest I keep the foot on the break, while also having the hand brake on for safety, to get the best of both worlds? Or should I continue as I am, behaving as though there is no 'start-stop', since 90% of the time it doesn't even engage?

Interesting that the M3 doesn't creep when you let off the brake. The 8 speed ZF boxes do. I wouldn't want to be turning the car off in traffic. One because turning the car off is different compared to a stop start system, there's less wear on the engine when using stop start. A full cycle of the car will increase engine wear. Two because the Aircon would turn off, the doors unlock and the DRLs turn off replaced with parking lights, or at night your low beams would turn off replaced with parking lights. On your M3 or 1 series I'm sure they both have leds with angel eye style DRLs that also function as parking lights. But on a BMW with halogens, the parking bulbs are separate and more dim than the DRLs. Could be the case for other car brands too.

So the battery runs down as the alternator doesn't charge the battery while in neutral. Is this the same for manual cars? At red lights, I often put my manual car into neutral (not in gear) to let go of the clutch pedal. So, am I draining the battery every time I do this?

What about automatic Mercedes’s? They have a hold feature if you push the brake to the floor at a stop

The car i drive is different again. In an all electric I Pace there are no gears and it doesn't move forward at all until you press the accelerator pedal. Although it does have an option in the menus to emulate that vehicle creep which will make it behave in a more traditional way. Personally I have gotten used to the way it behaves and have it disabled.

everytime u go to drive from neutral itll wear out gears/bands a lot more, theres the option to just keep it in drive n step on the brakes during a stop light

Oddly I learned to drive in the USA, and on automatics here many people just stop by holding down the foot brake , remaining in drive, and not using the hand brake. In the USA we don't have brake light dazzle rules either.

I like what you said about turning the car off. It's rather nice as a pedestrian to walk past a bunch of cars at traffic lights that are all silent (and not spitting out fumes) either because they're electric or they have stop start. My car doesn't have it so I stay running in traffic, but I still adopted the approach of turning off when parked or pulling in somewhere even if only there for a short period. Aside from the fact it wastes fuel, idling isn't the best for an engine anyway.

Hello,great video XXX what about an 'all shift' automatic gearbox ? :-)

Brake lights can be very dazzling. Daytime is fine, but at night it can be a problem. “Look beyond them” you say? Doesn’t work when there are more cars with dazzling LED brake lights in the queue ahead of me. I have to drive right up to their backside to hide the lower brake lights and put my sun visor down to stop the glare from the top brake lights before i can see normally. I’m happy it’s not an issue for you. It is for others.

one question that i have is can i leave the car in D and apply the handbrake and take my foot off the foot brake?

if you are stopped in an automatic you should select neutral anyway if you are going to be stopped for a minute or more as leaving it in d with the dandbrake and footbrake either or puts unnecessary stress on the drivetrain

Good explanation. Trying to find a few vids to look at moving my mom into an auto/cvt. Probably some refresher type lessons too. Shame youre miles away.

CVT transmissions may creep if it is paired with a torque converter rather than a wet clutch pack and have no gears as there is 2 pulleys which are pushed buy a steel belt that makes the pulleys contract and expand depending on what gear ratio the TCU is trying to make i.e 4:1 or something. A CVT is the best kind of gearbox for economy as it can keep the engine in its efficient range for most the time. Conventional Automatics have an x amount of planetary gear sets which with multiple clutch or brake bands in the transmission will give an x amount of gears that can be selected by the transmission or with modern applications the driver. Conventional automatics are paired with a torque converter meaning it will creep and also acts as a clutch but is used also for torque multiplication for the current selected gear. Most torque converter as well now have a lock up clutch in them so that it locks to the speed of the input shaft stopping the RPM from varying effectively making it a direct drive scenario and decreasing fuel consumption. SCT transmission are Automated Single Clutch Manual Transmissions that work of the same principle of a DTC only have one wet clutch pack rather than 2 and because there is no torque converter there will be no creep. Gears are selected buy the TCU or whats is know sometimes as the mechatronics unit but if the driver wasn't they can take control of the gear selection with out the hassle of a a clutch pedal. DCT transmissions are yet again Automated Manual transmissions but instead of one clutch pack there is two and one clutch is used for odd numbered gears and the other even numbered gears. Most DCT's will not creep however the DSG variant of DCT in some VAG group stuff might as they are paired with a locking converter that allows the car to creep and then lock to to reinstate the normal function of an automated manual. Gear selection is yet again controlled by the TCU or mechatronics unit and gear selection can be taken over by the driver again without the hassle of a clutch pedal. DCT's have a faster shift time than any Automated or manual gearbox due to having 2 clutches for odd and even gears. They will also return better fuel economy than a manual transmission, Conventional automatic, SCT's and in some cases CVT's. There maybe some continuity errors in this but this is a basic understanding of the Automated Gearboxes available on the market and how you can use Ashleys How To to remain safe and to know how to operated them as well.

On the brake light dazzle issue, nice newish cars like driving instructors have, it tends not to be so much of an issue, Now introduce 8 or 10 years of micro-scratches from the action of wipers and grit in the atmosphere, and it's a completely different story. Ideally people would change windscreens or get them professionally polished, in the real world though the only time they'll get sorted is if they fail an MOT or get broken, windscreens will still pass an MOT in a condition which can be frankly appalling at night in wet conditions. Anyway.. what you see as whining may very well be genuine for drivers of older and high mileage cars, particularly in wet conditions where light scatters. You can't just assume everyone's windscreen is as nice as in your posh new car and dismiss a very real effect just because it doesn't happen in *your* car! In short, have some consideration & pull the handbrake on instead of sitting with your foot on the brake (neutral is a separate issue), so far *none* of the excuses I've heard from anyone driving manual or automatic for dazzling those behind them hold water!

I've seen a white van man roll of the brake and into the back of someone (works van guy usually drove a manual) by the santander on Prescott road in old swan if you know it

I ran a little experiment a while back; was driving brother's Kia C'eed (with the really old fluid torque converter automatic) and the trip computer set to fuel economy. D+footbrake and N were about the same. D+handbrake doubled fuel consumption. Well. 0.1g/hr to 0.2g/hr. Similar thing in my Mondeo (with the dual-clutch automatic), tripled fuel consumption; 0.1g/hr to 0.3g/hr. So all other things being equal, avoid D+handbrake. Unless it's a Toyota Hybrid with a low High Voltage battery. Even the small risk of the HV battery going flat and being unable to restart the engine is one that's probably not worth taking.

Ha. literally bought the Yaris hybrid yesterday to finish learning in, and start driving. Would love more videos on it, for example I'm not 100% sure i understand how engine braking would work in this case.

If I expect to sit at a light for a while (roadworks come to mind) , I just put it in park and apply handbrake.

What watch are you wearing?

Both me and my dad drive automatic cars I drive a VW polo with a handbrake but my dad cars doesnt and he has a Mercedes e class and a dodge ram (left hand drive) but they have a parking brake and footbrake I've driven the dodge around to see what it feel like driving a left hand drive I would say car but it not it a truck ( in my eye it a beast) 😂 but it not easy cause you have to make sure you pull the lever under the steering wheel to release the brake but when it came to parking if we can find a bigger enough space to park it 😂 you have to make sure brake is on by hearing 3 clicks also it doesnt have a stick it have a lever behind the steering for me I'm happy with my little polo it less complicated than American cars (I do apologies if doesnt make any sense my English isnt great)

Why not just apply the hand/parking brake whilst still in ‘Drive’?

Our Jazz has a brake hold, engine can charge battery, it does not mess about and can leave most cars for dead.

5:46 ....especially the people who seem to be under the impression it’s permanently FOGGY.

What if you have an automatic that doesn't start moving when you release the brake AND you have an electric handbrake that is not easy to reach? In particular I am talking about the 2013 Grand C4 Picasso. When I had a manual I used to put the handbrake when stopping at lights but nowadays I can't be bothered.

I have a question we had a manual Mercedes van and to put the handbrake on you had to use a foot pedal next to the clutch so you had to put it in neutral first so you could use your left foot to put the hand brake on

What would your opinion be driving an auto with an electronic handbrake. They don't like being engaged and disengaged constantly? Surely foot brake neutral would be a better choice.

The Yaris Hybrid is a little different to an "old fashioned" automatic: it has CVT. (Continuously Variable Transmission), i.e. infinitley many gear ratios. But you're right that it's a fantastic piece of engineering. No other manufacturers have been brave enough to offer a hybrid supermini.

Is there an option in an automatic gearbox car to turn on/off the rolling forward when you release the brake pedal?

I'm watching these videos so much I'm starting to get confused driving on the right-hand side of the road in my country!

Handbrake and neutral every time, whatever the car. To hear some people talk, anyone would think it was hard work.

Does your M3 have a P option? I put my prius into P and put the handbrake on.

I don't trust start/stop being good for my 118i do you use it a lot in that inline 6 3L M3 engine of yours, first thing I do is turn it off every time I get in the car?

Brought an auto suv wish I had ages ago. So much easier. I concentrate better. Useful now I am getting my new car. Its a mokka x. My old one is a corsa manual.

It is worth noting that some automatic cars do not creep forward when you take your foot off the brake pedal. Some McLaren models for example do not start to move until you press the accelerator pedal.

why can't BMW use the same gearbox lever mechanism in all their cars?

I will try and get a test in an auto. Time to move with the times.

I have a question that many people have given me an 'almost certainly' answer, but l would like the definite answer. I've never driven an automatic, but would like my next car to be one. We have a steep drive and at the moment l park my manual car in gear - the safety advice to help if your handbrake fails. Is there a method of doing the same in an auto? The problem l see is it doesn't know which gear you want ie reverse or 1st. Many thanks!

Never drove an automatic, cheers Ash, very well explained...

I'm not keen on the idea of the electric motor in a hybrid pushing against the handbrake for long periods. If I'm in a queue I know will be short, I simply hold my foot on the brake without use of the handbrake. If it's indeterminate (queuing traffic), I use park once I've been stationary for more than 10 seconds or so and can see no movement up ahead - just because it's more comfortable and courteous really. That said, cars with pre-collision detection change the 'what if I pass out' situation a fair bit. It's not something I really consider.

Thank you for making a vid about this! I feel there's not a lot of definitive instructor discussion on the Internet about autos stopping at traffic lights. Weird anecdote: I tried putting my car in Neutral after the first discussion, (newer Yaris hybrid actually!) and the engine made such a lot of noise when switching back and driving off that I'm sticking to just drive + handbrake at the lights. I wonder if newer automatics are moving away from everyday use of the neutral?

My autopilot does it all for me most of the time

Can you do a mock test in an automatic.....

✅ I have the current model Honda Jazz (also known as the Honda Fit), 1.3 petrol auto-with idle stop. So when I stop and are still in Drive, the engine cuts out....as long as- My foot is on the foot brake I leave the shift lever in D The shift lever isn’t in S (sport) I don’t move the steering wheel Climate control isn’t set to LO. The cabin dew sensor hasn’t been triggered The engine is still cold [blue light on] Battery low sensor hasn’t been triggered. The idle-stop disable button hasn’t been pressed, So on this car you sit there with your foot on the brake pedal while in D. If I move the lever, the engine kicks on. The car will start to move in D or R without using the gas pedal too. It has a mechanical parking brake which can be applied, will prevent creeping, and doesn’t affect idle-stop. It works very very smoothly btw & totally automatic and seamless. I drove a manual Honda Civic 2018 recently with idle stop and that’s no where near as good for several reasons... You must follow a specific procedure for idle stop to work. The 1.0 turbo petrol engine is nowhere near as smooth as the 1.3 I-VETEC in my Honda...I’m guessing because the civics turbo is always coming and going in busy places. That engine is around 10mpg less economical on the average reading over the same 30mile route....the automatic jazz is significantly more economical! I blame the sheer bulk of the 2018 civic coupled with a tiny turbo assisted engine. As soon as you get turbo the economy is trashed. ....the 6spd manual transmission in the civic is nice tho...you can move up in traffic on just the clutch. 2nd gear pull always aren’t difficult either (useful for snow driving).

How do you put the BMW m/// dct gearbox in park?

Its actually good mechanical practice to select neutral when stationary otherwise the gearbox can overheat

What about car that have no handbrake. I have driven cars with a foot pedal. Another with a stupid switch under the steering wheel that are supposed to do the same job but just confuse people.

So the B is what I'd know as "hill descent control" huh? (That's what it's called on the freelander I had). Also I'd probably just use the hand brake and put the auto in neutral simply out of habit of driving a manual.

highway code states you cant dazzle with brake lights

You shouldn't put older autos in N or P at lights all the time. It' puts more strain on the torque converter than just leaving it in gear. And to be honest if you might get hit from behind it would be better to have just your foot on the brake ready to escape if you can.

If you turn the ignition off and it's after dusk or indeed at night, your lights will also go out.