Leave the car in D while you’re driving. This is perhaps the best part about driving an automatic! Once you get going, you don’t have to mess with the gear shifter at all. Just keep it in D, regardless of your speed. Your car will automatically select and switch to the right gear based on how fast you’re going.

• An automatic car steers exactly the same way a manual car does. In fact, everything about driving an automatic car is the same as driving a manual—you just don’t have to shift gears.
• If this is your first time driving any kind of car, go slow, turning the steering wheel in the same direction you want the car to go. You’ve got this!

2. Use your right foot for both the accelerator and the brake. If you’ve driven a car with a manual transmission, you’re already familiar with this method—you used your right foot for the accelerator and the brake, and your left foot for the clutch. Drive an automatic the same way, just without the clutch pedal. Most automatic cars have a footrest on the left (also known as a “dead pedal”) where you can rest your left foot.

• It’s true that Formula 1 drivers brake with their left feet. They’re also highly skilled drivers operating cars that are specifically designed for this technique. Just brake and accelerate with your right foot and leave your left foot off to the side.
• Be extra careful if you’re driving a car that has a pedal on the floor for the parking brake.^ÂIt’ll usually be way off to the left side so you couldn’t mistake it for a clutch, but you still want to be aware of it.
• If you find your left foot tends to drift toward the pedals as you drive, tuck it behind your right foot and out of the way—problem solved!

3. Shift the car into R if you need to reverse. Make sure you come to a complete stop and keep your foot on the brake. Then, press the button on the shifter and move it next to the R. When you take your foot off the brake, you’ll be going in reverse.

• Your car is likely to start creeping as soon as you take your foot off the brake. When going in reverse, you can use this to your advantage—often, you won’t need to more than lightly tap the accelerator.
• Remember that when you’re steering your car in reverse, the rear wheels are going to go the opposite of the direction you turn the steering wheel. Turn left to back to the right and right to back to the left.

4. Use lower gears when you need less speed and more power. Your car might have an L below the D on the gearbox, or it might have a “1” and a “2” (for first and second gear). Shifting your car from D to L keeps your car in a lower gear. This is a feature you’ll only use rarely, if ever—but it really comes in handy when you need it. Take advantage of the lower gear setting in the following circumstances:

• Towing: for short distances, gives you a lot more power if you’re towing something
• Wintry weather conditions: helps your tires grip the road; keeps your wheels from spinning out of control
• Really steep hills: relieve stress on your engine going uphill; less wear and tear on your brakes going downhill

5. Stay out of N unless your car is being towed. In a manual car, you’re in neutral a lot—basically every time your car is stopped. But not in an automatic! Automatic cars do have a neutral gear (“N” on your gearbox), but you’re only going to use it very rarely.

• Some people will tell you that shifting your car to neutral when you’re stopped at traffic lights will help save gas. But the truth is that any gas savings is negligible at best. All you’re really doing is putting additional (and unnecessary) wear and tear on your transmission.