I teach people to drive in a manual car, and have always said it’s better to learn in a manual car, because then you have the choice in the future as to whether you drive a car with manual or automatic transmission. But as hybrid and electric cars become more popular that choice will decrease, because the majority of hybrids are automatic. We all want to spend less on fuel so why are we still clinging to fuel guzzling manual transmission vehicles?
I have thought in the past about changing to teaching in an automatic car, but have always been apprehensive about doing so because of the lack of demand. I have taught 2 people to drive in automatic vehicles and really enjoyed it. But what has to change and how do we convince new drivers that Automatics are the way forward?
I’ve been reading up about hybrid and electric cars this week. Like many motorist I didn’t know that much about them, and I was inspired to find out more after some interaction on Facebook with a driving instructor who teaches in a Toyota Prius (a hybrid car).
Most common thoughts about electric cars are that they lack performance and what if you run out of charge? Both of these concerns were dispelled by watching Robert Llewellyn’s You Tube channel Fully Charged. Electric cars are not slow, and why would you allow your car to run out of charge? Do you allow your car to run out of fuel now? Obviously it’s far easier to fill up at a petrol station when running low, that it currently is to charge an electric car, so for that reason I would not currently consider an electric vehicle. You can’t be doing driving lessons, and find you’re low on charge before you have finished your days work.
A hybrid car on the other hand seems to me to be a lovely idea.
- It uses less fuel
- you don’t have to charge it
- you pay very little or no road tax
- many are exempt from London Congestion Charge
Reading up about the technology on manufacturers websites such as Toyota and Honda, and also the reviews by Robert Llewellyn on Fully Charged , it’s easy to see they are the future, and the way forward. Basically a hybrid has an electric motor and a fuel engine to drive the car. The battery charges itself using the energy the car creates. The less power you require, the less fuel you use. If you are driving around slowly in towns and cities, the vehicle will run on electric only, but as you demand more and more power, the vehicle will begin to use fuel to maintain the performance you expect. Other facts I have picked up are they require less maintenance and can happily do 300,000 miles. But sadly they are very expensive to buy.
Like all new things lets hope the prices come down over the coming years as they become more popular. But as a start it would be great to get more motorists into automatic vehicles. I’ve started talking to my pupils about their choice to learn to drive a manual. Most like the idea of an automatic, some don’t understand how an automatic works and once I have explained it, they too like the idea. Why have all the extra work of choosing and engaging the correct gear when the car could be doing it for you? But all of my students so far agree that it’s best to pass in a manual so they have that option. They think that, because that it what we tell them. Automatic is a genuine option, the best option for future cars and not a lazy way out.
Why not check out Robert Llewellyn’s show Fully Charged. He has lots of reviews on there of the latest Hybrid and Electric cars.
http://www.youtube.com/user/fullychargedshow
May 11, 2011 at 10:18 am |
Hi Wendy
I am impressed by your blog and you have some very valid arguments for changing over to automatic driving. My step daughter, Becky, is currently learning to drive in an automatic but this decision was down to her co-ordination ability rather than any other reason.
I’m looking forward to reading your next blog,
Kate
May 11, 2011 at 1:43 pm |
Hi Kate
Glad you enjoyed reading. It makes perfect sense for Becky to make life easier for herself and learn in an automatic. I hope she is enjoying it, autos are so lovely do drive, I don’t know why we are not all doing it!
May 11, 2011 at 3:50 pm |
Wendy,
Great blog. I have been a convert to Auto cars for a while. As an ADI I teach manual transmission, but for my other job I use a diesel automatic car. I drive mostly on motorways, so with modern traffic levels a clutch pedal is a bit of a hindrance. My car has a manual override so if I want to have fun on the non motorway twisty bits I can if I feel like it.
It’s great to have the choice, however it is 2011 and there really is no need to change gears manually these days.
Even though my auto car is diesel it is considerably less economical than the manual equivalent, and when driving around town struggles to maintain 31-32 mpg. I have been to Surrey and back today and next week I am driving up to Glasgow, so even though I’d love to try and all electric vehicle, at the moment they’re not practical for me.
I would love to teach Auto’s though, and that is something I will look into carefully.
Best Wishes
Nick
May 11, 2011 at 4:41 pm |
Hi Nick,
Thanks for you comments, it’s interesting to know that the auto diesel is not as economical as the manual, I would of expected it to be fairly similar or better, but then as a professional driver you would be getting the most from a manual anyway by driving in an environmentally friendly manner. The EV’s are an exciting prospect, but as you say not completely practical yet. I am however very excited about Hybrids and was surprised by just how long they have been in production. The new Toyota Auris is a nice looking model and it is advertised at doing 74.3mpg and zero road tax! Other than the on the road price of around £20,000 I’d jump at the chance of having one!