Left foot braking again! Does HJ read the questions? His reply “automatics are not really suitable for people who lose full use of their legs” misses the point that in those circumstances, safe use of a clutch becomes almost impossible. He gave the same advice to someone who had a stroke and lost use of their left leg, so would have been unable to left foot brake too. Changing any life-long learned experience (like driving) later in life is more likely to cause problems than solve them, and some people with the use of only one leg have no choice but to use that for both pedals!

Left foot braking with autos is essential when parking or reversing. In a manual, you use the clutch to control the car's speed when doing these. In an auto, too many people just use the accelerator with the right foot which is dangerous as HJ points out because people will mistakenly jab on it making the car shoot forward.

I guess HJ cannot come out and say the relevant reader should just give up driving and instead pointed out the pitfalls.

Who is saying that the hydrogen should be burnt? Fuel cells act as a catalyst to combine the hydrogen with oxygen, generating electricity in the process to power electric motors.

I don't think any of it applies to you, gg - it's HJ's standard advice to any elderly drivers who are prone to muddling up their pedals.

My mum crashed through the garage doors in an automatic as my dad was opening them!

@gentle giant

You've stolen my alter ego!!

Edited by Captain-Cretin on 25/08/2019 at 11:50

Just handed back a Skoda Octavia petrol "automatic" car after two weeks. Presumably this was the 1.5 TSi with a DSG gearbox. No evidence of any kangarooing. Very nice car, I must say with long distance economy approaching 60 mpg brim to brim.

edit: well, I am somewhat shocked. From a car park receipt I checked the car with the DVLA and it turns out it was a 1.0 rather than a 1.5 engine.

Edited by Brit_in_Germany on 26/08/2019 at 19:52