I bought a car about a month ago that has an automatic transmission

[Tobin S.]

after 13 years of owning vehicles that had manual transmissions. I also drive a truck for a living that has a manual transmission.

I've caught myself several times searching for the clutch in my new car with my left foot. Until today it hasn't been a big deal, though.

Today, as I was coming to a stop to make a left turn, I lifted up my left leg to push in the non-existent clutch and caught the brake pedal instead. It would have thrown me into the steering wheel had I not had my seat belt on. Fortunately, there was no one behind me.

[HopeHoops]

1. Um,

:rofl:

I have a similar problem with the emergency brake pedal. In the Mercury, you mash it to set it and either pull a release lever or shift into drive to release it. In the Pontiac, you mash it to set it and mash it again to release it. The shift lever won't release it. SOOOoooo....

Every time I get in the Mercury, I mash on it to release it and nothing happens. Every time I get in the Pontiac, I shift into drive to release it (and then back into reverse to get out of the driveway), and nothing happens. I've had both cars for years now. You would THINK that would have subsided by now!!!

[Tobin S.]

2. You know what they say about old habits.

[fizzgig]

3. i've done that

i've driven a manual almost exclusively since i got my license and i sometimes forget that i only need one foot to drive an automatic. it scared the hell out of me the first time i did it.

[TrogL]

4. I drive left-foot brake, right-foot gas

I grew up on a standard and learned to hit the clutch before you hit the brake (otherwise you stall).

I'm also a pipe organist so I know how not to touch a pedal you're not using.

[jobycom]

5. I've done that, switching back and forth between manual and auto.

It's especially easy when the brake pedal is a double wide, because you can hit the same pedal with both feet thinking you are hitting the clutch and brake simultaneously. :)

[sinkingfeeling]

6. I have never owned an automatic car in the 47 years I've been driving. Long ago,

I was driving an automatic from a dealership and actually threw the thing into reverse, thinking I was down-shifting into second, to turn into our driveway. It's a wonder I didn't drop the transmission out on the road!

[ipfilter]

7. guilty

I was test driving a car with an automatic and just about threw my passenger through the windshield. I was going 35 and hit the break with the full force of my foot as if I were pressing the clutch.