New to automatics 761

Mike G

My handbrake would hold it in that scenario, when in drive - most definitely. The forward drive of the gearbox, needs little restraining with the handbrake when on an incline like that.

When facing downhill on a such a decline when leaving, sometimes the handbrake would hold it, but other times the foot-brake - without drive, though, the handbrake would hold it.

I still don't get why using the foot-brake in that scenario should be universally easier. If you need gas - ie on an incline - to move, I'm not gettting why it's easier to use the foot-brake when it's time to move off, as opposed to the handbrake. And when on a decline, you don't need gas.

Really?

You've got drive pushing it uphill a bit anyway, and the handbrake wouldn't hold it?

On such steep inclines like that, drive doesn't tend to make my car creep, but usually is sufficient to keep it stationary - not that I'd leave it doing that (ie drive maintaining position on an incline). Given that - ie effectively stationary, or very nearly - perhaps on a very steep incline, then my handbrake certainly copes.

On steep declines when in drive, it may be a little different - but then not only have you got gravity to contend with, but the auto creep pushing you downhill. I'd tend to be on the footbrake, anyway, and you don't need any gas to move off in that scenario.

Because I fail to see why it would be easier for me to use the foot-brake over the handbrake in that situation?

And keeping my foot usage and handbrake usage common between driving autos and manuals, means that there's some degree of consistency and commonality for switching between the two.

Are you sure?

I'm rather sure there's more pressure exherted on the foot-brake, than when pulling up the handbrake.

Well I don't find it so - I put my hand across, slightly - there's no reaching required. And it's the same approach when I drive a manual car.

I would agree that some cars that have the parking brake style setup, with foot release, and handle in the lower part of the dash, may not be convenient to use.

However, I find my handbrake perfectly ergonomic to use - as I do in a manual car - and easier practice to have established.

And I'm not trying to convince anybody that they shouldn't do what they find ergonmomic.

If you they find it more ergonomic and easier to use the foot-brake in that scenario, then every strength to you. What I am slightly skeptical of, is that it's universally easier and more ergonomic to use the footbrake in that scenario.

I drive my manual car and my auto, the same in that respect when it comes to being stopped on steep inclines or declines. The only difference being the clutch usage required when driving a manual.

I'm not knocking it - if you're happy, I'm not trying to persuade you otherwise.

Rather, I'm contending that it's universally inferior to use the handbrake in that scenario, or that I should change my practice, because it's bound to be easier or more ergonomic for me.

That's the bit I'm not getting - I don't have any issues using my handbrake in that scenario, and can apply the same practice when driving either manual or auto - which is why I was struggling to get you telling me it would be easier for me to use the foot-brake.

I wouldn't find it easier, I'd find it different from what I'm currently doing - and struggle to see the motivation to change, if it's not going to be hugely advantageous to me, and is something I'd have to specifically do differently in an auto. And in fairness, I tend to drive interchangeably between my auto and manual cars.