All police vehicles moving to automatics
Discussion
Had a notice come through from transport dept that all pandas/divisional cars are moving to autos as they're swapped out through the usual cycle. Having been driving for almost 30 years, I now need to do an NCALT (glorified powerpoint, basically) to "prepare me" to drive the new vehicles (despite driving autos/flappy paddles as part of my role already). Mandatory for all force drivers apparently.
No explanation yet given for the move to autos - which I thought were traditionally more expensive. Not sure I like the dumbing down of the driving skill, but I guess it's paving the way to electric and no manual gears anyway...
No explanation yet given for the move to autos - which I thought were traditionally more expensive. Not sure I like the dumbing down of the driving skill, but I guess it's paving the way to electric and no manual gears anyway...
Not the same, but when I was doing supermarket delivery driving in the lockdown all of their vans are auto because it's one less thing for the drivers to be thinking about. I believe the logic was that if you're navigating down a tight street or looking out of the window for a house number it's a lot easier in an auto just having to have your foot on the brake rolling forward etc.
I would imagine the same would apply both in normal driving and in pursuits - Surely an auto, (a good one) will be in an optimum gear, will prevent mis shifts, prevent stalling, etc.
I would imagine the same would apply both in normal driving and in pursuits - Surely an auto, (a good one) will be in an optimum gear, will prevent mis shifts, prevent stalling, etc.
HJG said:
I remember seeing an episode of Traffic Cops (or similar) where the police car's clutch burnt out and had to abandon the pursuit.
So I guess there's one weak point removed.
Was that the one with the Evo where the person they were chasing pulled over right as they were abandoning the pursuit? So I guess there's one weak point removed.
Most of the fear of autos came from the s
t they were making 20 years ago.
Auto boxes these days make cars a) more efficient than a manual b) quicker than a manual and also, allows both hands on the wheel or frees up a hand for other duties. (not eating sausage rolls or drinking tea on the morning commute... deffo not that last one.
t they were making 20 years ago.Auto boxes these days make cars a) more efficient than a manual b) quicker than a manual and also, allows both hands on the wheel or frees up a hand for other duties. (not eating sausage rolls or drinking tea on the morning commute... deffo not that last one.
I suppose from a fleet management perspective getting rid of the manual clutch which is liable to wear out at some point which is quite variable depending on drivers and duty cycle. There must be enough data available to buyers demonstrating that autos can be run with no intervention.
HustleRussell said:
otolith said:
If you believe that the parts of the system which are a workaround for having three pedals and two feet are important, moving to a car which has two pedals is a clear advantage.
Now they can have two pedals for one foot...HustleRussell said:
I suppose from a fleet management perspective getting rid of the manual clutch which is liable to wear out at some point which is quite variable depending on drivers and duty cycle. There must be enough data available to buyers demonstrating that autos can be run with no intervention.
Ironically I did just defected the ford ranger from my local nick for a duff clutch a week before xmas (and it's still in the workshop being repaired...!).I've no issues with autos whatsoever - my own car is one along with some of the work fleet I drive. Just found it interesting that the cost must have come down to the point where it's viable for the fleet managers to say the increased purchase price is offset by lower ongoing maintenance costs (possibly?).
Who knows the logic (hence I'm just pondering here on PH!)
bristolracer said:
I can never understand the 'fear' of autos
For 99% of ordinary driving they are better in almost everyway.
Sure in performance car you want manual control, but even that nowadays is a switch activating an automated gearbox.
Do the police really need manual in a panda car?
My Son In Law has a MB AMG A35For 99% of ordinary driving they are better in almost everyway.
Sure in performance car you want manual control, but even that nowadays is a switch activating an automated gearbox.
Do the police really need manual in a panda car?
The auto box on that seems so much faster than any Human could change gear.
The Paddles seem a bit pointless.
As a passenger, its quite a scary sensation!
It feels 100 times faster than my Audi 7 speed S-Tronic system?
My driving licence says I can drive an automatic without the need for a patronising Powerpoint lesson. Clearly the Police think their drivers are a bit 'slow' so need it spelt out...
Wonder what would happen, legally, if a copper on traffic (with all the correct licence ticks) said no.
Wonder what would happen, legally, if a copper on traffic (with all the correct licence ticks) said no.
Oilchange said:
My driving licence says I can drive an automatic without the need for a patronising Powerpoint lesson. Clearly the Police think their drivers are a bit 'slow' so need it spelt out...
Wonder what would happen, legally, if a copper on traffic (with all the correct licence ticks) said no.
I'm not going to be the one to test this idea Wonder what would happen, legally, if a copper on traffic (with all the correct licence ticks) said no.
A (young) colleague recently did ask me to move a vehicle after a minor RTC as when he got in it, realised it was an auto and he'd never driven one before so didn't know how to even get it into drive etc. So I think it's probably something to do with those youngsters who've never experienced an auto before!
I did explain about day, night and race mode on the selector obviously
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff