AUTOMATIC VEHICLE SYSTEMS: E.G.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, TRACTION & CRUISE CONTROL

You may have taken delivery of a new vehicle or be improving your driving skills and preparing for the Advanced test using a vehicle
equipped with automatic transmission or other automatic features. If this is the case you will need to take advice concerning how you
use the features on your vehicle to best advantage. As a basic first step you should read the vehicle handbook to ensure you are fully
conversant with the details and method of operation of the features fitted to your vehicle. Because of the variety and complexity of
the systems available only very general advice can be given here (although the principles should be valid throughout). You may
therefore need to make some adjustments to suit your particular circumstances.

Automatic transmissions.
There are of course an increasing variety of automatic transmissions available with varying degrees of sophistication.
For this reason it is important to be familiar with the particular system fitted to your car and have a full working knowledge
of the manufacturers handbook. Although the vehicle could probably be operated simply in Drive mode, for the
purpose of the Advanced Test and better driving any candidate must be able to demonstrate not only a full working
knowledge of the vehicle but be able to operate it to maximum advantage. This knowledge should extend to the driver
knowing under what circumstances to intervene with the normal automatic process of the system.
It is likely that will be occasions where it is appropriate for the driver to manually select an intermediate gear, for instance
in built up areas, where congestion dictates many changes to vehicle speed. Left in Drive the vehicle may frequently
change gear, unnecessarily leading to coarseness in control; choosing an alternative selector position can lead to better
control and a smoother drive. Similarly on a winding section of road, for instance, choosing an alternative lower selector
position will also give finer control. Changing back to Drive should be done on the move, when appropriate and whilst
under power.
The majority of gear selector positions are marked in a similar way to those set out below (although the number of gears
available may vary): P Park. Locks the transmission and prevents the car moving. Never to be engaged whilst the vehicle is in motion.
R - Reverse
N - Neutral
DRIVE Automatic use of First, Second, Third and Fourth gears.
3 Automatic use of First, Second and Third gears.
2 Automatic use of First and Second gears only.
1 - First gear HOLD.
For normal driving the selector may be placed in DRIVE; the transmission will automatically change up or down
according to road speed and accelerator position. If it is necessary to manually change down to a lower gear, this may
be done so by moving the gear lever to the required position but only if the vehicle is travelling at a speed which is within
the range of the gear chosen.
When maximum acceleration is required the accelerator can be pushed to the full throttle position, overcoming the
built-in resistance. This brings into operation the kick-down, which causes an immediate downshift into the correct gear
for maximum acceleration, provided that the road speed is within the speed range of the lower gear. When the
accelerator pedal is released the gearbox will automatically change up again. Some gearboxes have a kick-down
system which also works at part throttle. Use of the kick-down facility however can be coarse and a more polished
method of choosing a lower gear in these circumstances will be achieved by manually selecting the appropriate ratio.
This will also prevent the vehicle inappropriately engaging a higher ratio when the accelerator is released.
There has been much debate concerning when an automatic vehicle is stationary and what action should be taken with
regard to selecting neutral or not. Basically if the stop is very short term or momentary then leave the transmission in
Drive or whatever gear has been selected and apply the handbrake, if appropriate. Bear in mind that prolonged
application of the footbrake, when stationary could cause dazzle. If the stop is more prolonged then neutral should be
selected with the footbrake still in operation, then the handbrake applied before releasing the footbrake.
Inevitably guidance cannot cover all eventualities you may come across on a drive, each one has to be considered at
the time. Remember that any gear change made by the driver should always be made at the "GEAR" phase in
the System of Car Control.

Below are recommendations for good practice in a variety of circumstances:

At Traffic Lights. When Green, leave in current selector position. When Red, leave in current selector position. Stop
and apply the handbrake. If the lights are likely to take an exceptionally long time to change (possible at some temporary
lights) then it may be appropriate to consider selecting neutral.
At Roundabouts. Leave in current selector position unless very large or in exceptional circumstances.
On Bends. Normally leave in D. (If the car is likely to change gear itself when driver does not want it to, or bends are
severe/affected by gradients, or other hazards are present, then a manual selection of a gear should be made).
Overtaking. Normally use kick-down if a quick overtake is needed but see paragraphs above. (If progressing along a
line of vehicles where quick acceleration is needed, followed by deceleration to fit into a gap, the manual selection of a
lower gear may be beneficial.)
Steep Hills. Going downhill when retardation is required the manual selection of a lower gear may be beneficial. When
ascending steep hills if the gearbox is or is likely to be continually changing between two gears, the manual selection of
the lower of these two gears may be beneficial.
General. In unusual circumstances when the gearbox is continually changing up and down between two gears, the
manual selection of the lower of these two gears may give a better controlled, smoother drive also preventing undue
wear of the gearbox components. It is not necessary to either kick-down or change down manually to engage a lower
gear for a hazard simply because one would change down if driving with a manual gearbox. Be aware that on certain
gearboxes the manual engagement of '2' eliminates the kick-down facility. Therefore, the gearbox may be prevented
from getting the car out of a potentially dangerous low speed situation by rapid acceleration.
Tiptronic or similar systems are hybrid gearboxes which offer the driver the use of both automatic or manual
transmissions. When in automatic mode it should be used in accordance with the outlines set out above; in manual
mode it should be operated as a normal manual transmission. If preparing for the Advanced Test the Associate needs
to be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the system to the Examiner and where appropriate should use
both modes to effective advantage.
Sequential Transmissions. Again for purpose of the Advanced Test the Associate must be able to demonstrate a full
working knowledge of his/her particular system, enabling it to be operated to maximum advantage. Remember that any
gear change made by the driver should always be made at the "GEAR" phase in the System of Car Control.
Traction Control (and similar devices affecting suspension/braking/acceleration).
These systems come in a variety of guises with varying levels of sophistication. They are a safety feature and should
be left engaged although the driver should be familiar with the vehicle handbook, and any system allowing variable
adjustments should be maintained at a setting suitable for the conditions. Generally traction control systems will not
activate in normal conditions and indeed the vehicle should never be driven in such a manner that it does activate.
Cruise Control.
These systems can also vary in complexity; the driver should be familiar with the particular system fitted to his/her car
and should have full knowledge of the manufacturers handbook for the vehicle in question. Although cruise control can
significantly improve fuel consumption use of it should only be made when there are low traffic volumes and on open
roads with few hazards (such as suitable sections of motorway or dual carriageway).
Cruise control when activated will prevent the use of acceleration sense and will require the driver to ensure he is using
the utmost observation and forward planning to ensure the system is deactivated when necessary. Although these
systems are normally automatically deactivated if the footbrake or clutch is depressed (or the automatic shift selector is
moved) this method is unlikely to be as smooth as using the control button or lever to manually cancel the system.
Generally cruise control should never be used when driving up or down steep gradients, driving on slippery or winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Six Speed Manual Transmissions
Sixth gear could be viewed as equivalent to an overdrive to fifth gear. The advice for both fifth and sixth gears are that
their use should be limited to locations where you are travelling at or near the speed limit on the open road. Effectively
fifth and sixth gear should only be used where there is a long open road with few hazards, a lower gear e.g. fourth should
be taken when the situation changes and more hazards are in view. Sixth gear is unlikely to be suitable anywhere except
on motorways or large dual carriageways.
This document is an aid and not intended as a replacement for a thorough working knowledge of the Highway Code etc. It does not seek to instruct
a course of action in any particular circumstance but rather seeks to assist you to assess the best course of action for yourself. This document is
available from the Groups web site; your attention is drawn to the disclaimer and other conditions of use therein (see web site for details).
DGAM 2004