I have to renew my driving licence this year and this has focussed my mind to wonder what people’s experiences are of automatic cars. I’ve driven manual cars since I was 17 but my hands are now quite badly affected by RA and I was wondering how much easier it would be to go for an automatic?
Any views very welcome.
This is exactly what my husband is in the process of looking for an automatic for me as I haven’t been able to drive since May 2024 due to my hands and knees. X
Hi, I swapped to an automatic in 2018 due to pain changing gear and using the clutch. I was scared of change so struggled on for years until my husband traded my car in without asking me. I was upset at first because I felt like my ra had won but soon realised it was the right thing to do. The automatic is so easy to use and the transition from a manual was easy. It's like driving a go cart lol. My only regret was not doing it sooner. My husband also swapped to an automatic soon after as he loved driving mine so much. I'd never swap back.
Edited to add that I got a Clio with a reversing camera. This also helps as it stops me straining my neck when parking.
hi I changed my car to an automatic last summer having driven a manual for nearly 40 years. I was struggling in traffic constantly pressing the clutch and brake peddles and also using the handbrake, so I made sure the new car had a button handbrake too. It didn’t take me long to get used to it and very occasionally I still drive my husband’s manual and I don’t find swapping too much of an issue, however my husband still prefers to stick to his car as he finds swapping over more difficult. It’s been absolutely brilliant for me and I doubt I’ll ever buy a manual again.
I swapped to auto about 30 years ago or a good few models. I’d never go back and the new Jazz has auto lights, all round cameras, button handbrake, auto windscreen washers, lane warnings, SOS calling, etc and all the gadgets. All I do is steer but last week he got in and it would not start. I think it thought it was being stolen. We swapped over and it started properly. I love my car, it is easy to park and I’d never go back to manual. Mind you it takes a bit of getting used to a handbrake button rather than pull up. The thing to do is try out a few models I’d recommend Honda Jazz from my experience as reasonable cost, extremely reliable and nice level of trim plus it’s pretty in red. lol x
Thank you all for your help. Very much appreciated!
Just to add to everyone’s comments … I drive an automatic with a heated steering wheel, which is a boon for my arthritic fingers. I would never want to be without that particular feature. Heated seats are nice, too!
I changed to an automatic 6yrs ago due to struggling with knee, hip and foot pain and also shoulder pain and I can honestly say after driving a manual for over 30yrs it’s the best thing I have ever done. It takes all the strain off painful joints and my car also has loads of other helpful things like heated steering wheel for hands and heated seats for painful back and joints etc. I personally would never go back to a manual an automatic has been a God send x
Don,t hesitate ….an Automatic is definitely the way to go….it’s just much less effort…..& so much more comfortable…you will be able to drive on days you wouldn,t be able to with a manual gear shift!
Off you go to the Automatics Shop!
Thank you - and everyone else. Was talking to a friend today whose mum got an automatic a few years back and says she wishes she’d done it years before.
Get one with a button for opening the boot and electric adjustable seats that you can set. I've mine set for getting in and out and then for driving. It means I can press a button and the seat moves to where I need it. Mine also unlocks and looks when you are beside it with the key. It saves trying to find the key when you are carrying shopping etc
Another vote for automatic - with all the bits, especially heated seats and steering wheel 😉
I’ve drove automatic in the past, really easy to drive, would definitely recommend
I drive a small manual van but might go for an auto in the future.
Just changing from a van with a higher seating position to my current one which is much lower took some getting used to. Now I have to raise my arms higher to steer and open the door which isn't as comfortable.
Also find parking more awkward than when I was higher up with bigger wing mirrors. Got silly sticky out things on the Ford van I have now and no rear sensors but it has a camera.
it got to the point I could no longer drive as we had a manual. It was too hard for my hands and my legs. I was in crippling pain doing the clutch due to tendinitis, I didn’t have the strength to hold the bite in traffic. I was in agony with my hands due to tensonyvitis. Getting the automatic changed my life and gave me more freedom. But I still struggle when my hands are bad .. but there’s not half as much to do with my hands now. No gear changing - bliss. No clutch - bliss. I can suffer doing long drives cause of gripping the steering wheel and struggle in the winter. But overall it’s so much better and I would highly recommend taking some of the effort and pain out of driving.
Hi I switched to automatic 6 years ago, while suffering severe flare in left hand and and wrist, after more than 30 years of manual. It is brilliant and I’d never go back to manual.
I also went for comforts; heated seats and steering wheel and good lumbar support. I drive long distances a couple of times a year so it was important to me.
I brought a ford grand c max auto as I'm still a grandads taxi now and again ,heated front and rear windows ,no more scraping frost for me ,push button start ,keyless opening of doors ,cruise control, auto lights ,rear sensors ,and sync your phone for on screen sat nave via USB.never looked back ,go for it .
I have driven an automatic since 2008 and it was the best move I ever made. My left leg and hip issues reduced considerably. My husband switched 2 years ago and now understand why I love my automatic.
I've had an automatic car since 1998. They are brilliant. I had to give up my lovely mini, but I was struggling to change gear. I've never looked back. I've now got an automatic 4 wheel drive Yeti and I love it. So yes, go for it, you'll be glad you changed over!
I switched 2 years ago. It's so much easier on my wrists. I'm very glad I swapped. We also got a car with heated seats and steering wheel which also really help with aches and pains, especially on long journeys.
I have always driven automatic cars, wouldn’t dream of driving a manual. It’s easy as pie.
I bought my first automatic car many years ago following a serious back injury. I found it much easier to drive. Now with my RA it’s even more useful. I also have a reversing camera, and many other useful additions. At the moment I am looking for a new car. I need one with a largish boot, hatchback, with the boot floor level with the opening ( if that makes sense) This is so my mobility scooter can be lifted into the boot easier. We also hired a car a few weeks ago with heated seats which were great.
Take a look at the MG range they may suit as the boot floor is height adjustable…and the cars are a lot easier on the wallet too.
Go for it! Drove manuals from age 21. At 62 with painful stiff hips knees hands and RA I hated driving. I got a Seat Arona auto and I love it. Just in the process of changing it and have ordered a Seat Arona Experience Lux, heated seats and rear parking camera so no more trying to look backwards. Id never go back to manual.
I would never go back to manual. So much easier on the joints. You won’t regret it
I have driven an automatic since 2002 when I was first awarded DLA (now PIP). Never looked back, autos are easier and modern hybrid and electric cars even more so.
I recently renewed my Motability car to a hybrid and notice its less effort pressing the accelerator.
My driving licence is currently with DVLA. I have always been compliant in writing to them reporting when I've had joint replacements. They are checking with GP and Rheumatology that I am fit to drive, following an elbow replacement.
One question on the 7-8 page form asks can you only drive automatics, in which case they put this on your licence. I've said yes to that one as I can no longer drive manuals but hopefully will get my licence returned in the next couple of weeks.
You will have no regrets. You are still in control of which direction to go , of braking , of accelerating. You will never roll backwards on a hill start . Just keep your left foot flat on the floor and control the break or acelerator with your right foot. All gear changes are done for you. There are no disadvantages.
loads easier.I couldn’t manage to change the gears on previous cars as was so painful but now had a automatic for 5 years and it’s great
I wouldn’t be driving now, if I didn’t have my automatic. It was the best decision I ever made.
I've been advised by my doctor to have an automatic car. I don't drive at the moment but had a driving lesson in an automac car to try it out and although it felt strange it was so much easier particularly hills. I live near the Peak District and want a holiday in North Wales.If you aren't sure go for a lesson as I did, I'm having some more on hiils, hard work on knees and hands in a manual, easy with the automatics.😀
Thank you- lessons on an automatic sounds like a good idea too.
I changed to a car with an automatic gearbox five years ago and it is the best thing I have ever done. My knees, ankles and shoulders hated changing gear and always played up badly for days after I drove. RA is limiting enough and anything that opens the world up, even just a little, is well worth embracing. By the way, my car came with heated seats - something I had no interest in but they are wonderful and my aches and pains love them.
Looking forward, I am interested in the development of cars that do at least some of the driving for you.
Good luck and I hope you love your new car.
Wish I’d done it years ago sadly I’m no longer driving due to brain Cancer but Wife loves it,I’m currently looking for a wee mobility scooter to get me about
Thank you for your reply. So sorry to hear about your brain cancer.
I switched back to an automatic last year due to knee pain and as others say it does help. Having previously switched back to manual from an automatic 12 years ago I do prefer a manual but hey ho needs must. My requirements when choosing a car were had to be a higher seating position, the front door opening needed to be not too sloped for my husbands arthritic neck, it had to have a flat boot as I can't lift anything heavy over the lop of a boot and it must have heated seats, they are fantastic in the cold. It is an easy enough transition to make and it is definitely easier on the joints. You'll probably benefits from many of the extras that are available such as all round parking sensors and front and rear cameras. I needed a big car and hate the one I bought but that's life. Lots of smaller cars now come in raised versions such as the Renault captur, Toyota aygo but automatic is def the way to go to keep driving.
we have a EV. Changes it because my hand are very bad. We have no handbrake or any form of gear change. We just have a small switch on steering wheel that we put into drive mode. It has made a huge difference : we had an automatic before but still hand a handbrake and a gear shift which I couldn’t use when my left hand was bad.
I was reading this post with interest and surprised that your response was the first one for EV as I expect this is the most RA friendly option.
I always drove manual cars, but was finding it harder to use the clutch. So many gear changes even on shorter journeys.So had no choice but to change to automatic. I felt it wasn't such an enjoyable driving experience but so much easier. Effortless driving in comparison.
I hadn't realised just how difficult I had been finding driving.
Automatics are all pretty good I had a Toyota rav 4 brilliant car easy to get in and out of comfortable and economical.
Now I'm trying an ev it's okay as long as you don't use public chargers. In general I only do shorter journeys, so it's no problem.
The range in winter is 100 miles less than claimed but that's to be expected. I know they aren't environmentally friendly but it is fun and easy to drive.
is there something about the public chargers that is hard to use with RA, I was thinking about the driving not so much the public charging.
At the moment I’m still sticking with my trusty manual Yaris! It does have a reversing camera which is brilliant. I only drive short distances so it works for me though I would hope in my next car to have a button handbrake as that is the biggest issue for me.
I occasionally drive my husbands automatic car but don’t really like it. Though I think that is partly because it too big for me to feel confident driving!
Automatics are wonderful, so much easier
I switched to an automatic in 2006 because I was struggling with back problems and had trouble coping with lifting my left leg to depress the clutch pedal. I still have my lovely Saab 9-3 turbo automatic and it’s effortless to drive. Heated seats are divine too. Hoping to keep it going for a while yet as it’s only done 148,000 miles!
I was driving automatics for years due to spinal issues, far easier to drive. Can’t drive now unfortunately my brain couldn’t deal with the multi tasking unfortunately.
Wendy xx
I drive an automatic, love it! Why do the work if you don't need too, it's fuel efficiency is better. I don't think with a choice I would go back to stick, but who knows
I live in London, used to love manual cars but changed about 5 years ago because of a good price on a car and the spec as well. Heated leather seats... came with an automatic.
So decided to try it and I've not looked back. The gears are a lot more responsive and efficient than automatics of the 80-00s, they have a lot more, smoother transitions and tries to optimise fuel efficiency as well.
It has the start stop which I also like as well, not stopping in the traffic with the engine running. But it does if you have AC or other things that need powering.
The main thing was for the left foot to have something to do. On most automatics nowadays theres a foot rest for the left foot and so your not going to have to rethink your motor skills with the feet. Will take a bit of time getting used to it, but conversely when you go back to a manual car it comes back to me easily.
I hope thats useful info and good luck.
I changed to an automatic and wouldn't go back. I do miss the 'buzz' of dropping down the gears but I've got over that. I did have a convertible BMW automatic which was rather fabulous - but low. I've just changed it to a Kia Sportage which I don't fall into and is funky and fabulous. Automatic again.
I would DEFINITELY recommend an Automatic car , I would hate to go back to a manual now!.. I’d say Go for it, I’m positive you won’t regret it ☺️Xx ( let us know how you get on) xx
Will do - I’ve already put the ‘wheels in motion’ (!) thanks to all the advice and experiences on here. Thanks everyone.
I have been automatic for about 5 years after any years manual I love it would never go back so much easier on the hands and shoulders xx
I switched to an automatic Hyundai i10 five years ago and can still drive twice the distance I did in a manual car back then. It’s not nearly as tiring or painful to drive. If I change my car, I’ll definitely get heated seats etc but I’d never have another manual!
I love my automatic car, I would definitely recommend getting one. I’ve had arthritis for nearly 45 years and had surgeries on my hands (my wrists are also fused).
I was like you finding it difficult at times to get car into gear because of my hands . Always had a manual since 17 also , I changed to an auto last Sept . I absolutely love driving now , it’s wonderful , never go back to a manual .The only problem with getting a newer car is all the electronics in it . You have to literally sit with your book that comes with car on a nice sunny day in the car and study it bit by bit . But to be honest I don’t use half off it , I would say just go for it , don’t wait another minute , it’s made me fall in love with driving all over again . Good luck.
Hi there, I changed 10 years ago after having a manual for about 20 years! Best thing I ever did. Wish I had changed sooner. Thoroughly recommend , no down sides at all. Less hand and shoulder pain! All cars will be automatic eventually with the change to electric . Some dealers are stopping producing manual this year too ( mini. Cars) best of luck x
I would go full-blown Amish and do horse and buggy before I would drive a stick shift. Hubby tried many times over past 30 years to teach me how and it is beyond me.
Do it. Going automatic makes the driving experience so much easier. I changed in 2019 and haven't regretted it at all. I bought a Ford Kuga as I found it increasingly difficult to get in and out of a car. The Kuga is wonderful for me. I can literally step in and step out. My knees are so grateful!
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