fun things to do whilst driving AT... if any

[needanewcar]

i have to buy an AT but will get paddle shifters. i dont really know how to drive an AT (always previously driven MT) so are there any fun things that can be done? trying to make myself look fwd to getting an AT car here, since heel-toe, double clutch, etc are now out of the question. thanks & serious responses only. no flames.

[TagMan]

Originally Posted by needanewcar

i have to buy an AT but will get paddle shifters. i dont really know how to drive an AT (always previously driven MT) so are there any fun things that can be done? trying to make myself look fwd to getting an AT car here, since heel-toe, double clutch, etc are now out of the question. thanks & serious responses only. no flames.

Fill the cupholder with a beverage, put on some good music, use your cell phone to text some messages while you're driving (j/k), get a good-looking blonde chic to fondle.... hell, you'll figure it out.

[sluday]

No matter what you do, YOUR RIGHT HAND AND LEFT FOOT WILL HATE YOU FOREVER!!!

[TagMan]

Originally Posted by sluday

No matter what you do, YOUR RIGHT HAND AND LEFT FOOT WILL HATE YOU FOREVER!!!

+1
Yeah... none of this....

But the blonde or redhead sitting next to him will love him forever!

[morscode]

Ya not many fun things to do with an AT. More time feeling the steering wheel i guess.

[ecap18]

Originally Posted by TagMan

get a good-looking blonde chic to fondle.... hell, you'll figure it out.

ive never owned an AUTOMATIC, sry cant help ya, i like his idea though.

[imported_Rez_dog]

yea the girl in the passenger seat has always been entertaining for me even better if you have dark tint if you know what i mean

[blackbubblebum]

Fun things to do..... hmmmm.... concentrate on driving and saving your life.. I guess thats really fun.

[sluday]

Originally Posted by jzhang1013

Fun things to do..... hmmmm.... concentrate on driving and saving your life.. I guess thats really fun.

Ahh, yea, ummm like aaaaaa WHAT?:iono:

[morscode]

More concentration looking for bored, fat, ugly, inhumane motorcycle pig cops.

[mistermojorizin]

learn to shift with the paddles i guess?

[plien69]

Let's see (in no particular order, and with some amount of tongue-in-cheek):

1. Flip back and forth between D and DS to check out the different shift points
2. Debate with yourself whether the paddles should operate pull=upshift, push=downshift or whether it should be pull-right=upshift, pull-left=downshift
2a. Debate with yourself whether BMW has it right and the shift lever should operate pull=upshift, push=downshift or the other way around
3. Shift between M1 and M2 at stoplights to see if you can replicate the "Surging Steptronic" problem
4. Launch in 2nd gear and try to convince yourself it's faster than launching in 1st
5. Downshift while braking for a turn and enjoy the automatic throttle blips and rev matching
6. Happily enjoy your venti half-caf vanilla soy no-foam latte without worrying about putting it down to shift
7. Wonder if DCT will be smoother than Step, and if it'll ever appear in non-M cars

[Arnie712]

You're getting lots of MT answers so, as a long-time MT driver & enthusiast, I want to tell you I think the Steptronic 6spd AT in the 135i is the best auto I've driven. The speed of shifts, its eagerness to downshift, and the instant gear availablity all come together better in this AT better than I've seen in other AT's.
It helps perpetuate the 2 personalities of this car: (1) everyday mild, enjoyable coupe and (2) incredible performer.
It also makes the car usable and attractive to my wife who drives manual well but prefers autos.

[TagMan]

Originally Posted by Arnie712

You're getting lots of MT answers so, as a long-time MT driver & enthusiast, I want to tell you I think the Steptronic 6spd AT in the 135i is the best auto I've driven. The speed of shifts, its eagerness to downshift, and the instant gear availablity all come together better in this AT better than I've seen in other AT's.
It helps perpetuate the 2 personalities of this car: (1) everyday mild, enjoyable coupe and (2) incredible performer.
It also makes the car usable and attractive to my wife who drives manual well but prefers autos.

That's fine, Arnie. It's OK to like the Steptronic, but you haven't answered the OP's question at all... what is fun to do while the tranny is doing the shifting for you? What do YOU do, for example?

I suggested that he fondle a chic sitting next to him. Have you got some suggestions for the OP?

[gio]

Steer with your knees and do the macarena!

[SLrocket]

stomp on the gas and go....and don't confuse the gas with the brake at a stop behind another car! LOL

[morscode]

See how long you can go without using hands.

[Robert]

It always look out of place when someone put their right hand on an autoshifter.

[morscode]

Originally Posted by robert

It always look out of place when someone put their right hand on an autoshifter.

withdrawal symptoms straight from the automatic drivers anonymous meetings

[raisemyrent]

Originally Posted by sluday

No matter what you do, YOUR RIGHT HAND AND LEFT FOOT WILL HATE YOU FOREVER!!!

I drive with two feet when I drive automatics, left is for braking. I can't stand having a foot entirely idle, footrest/dead pedal or not. I have driven like that ALL my life, and I learned in an automatic... for SOME reason my dad taught me that and it just got hard-wired onto my brain. Car manuals and certain people say it's a no no, but nobody seems to know why (apparently you can get mixed up but I am pretty ambidextrous when it comes to legs/feet, like most people) exactly. Some FORMULA 1 drivers drive like that, some don't. Anyhow... rant.

Originally Posted by gio

Steer with your knees and do the macarena!

lmao, I have done that... in a manual.

Originally Posted by SLrocket

stomp on the gas and go....and don't confuse the gas with the brake at a stop behind another car! LOL

haha look at rant #1, I swear it's never happened in my life.

Originally Posted by mzaiderman

See how long you can go without using hands.

that is always LOTS of fun.

Originally Posted by robert

It always look out of place when someone put their right hand on an autoshifter.

mmm ok I was going to be very dirty but I didn't even get myself to type it out.

[needanewcar]

my question was to see if there are any techniques you can do using paddles to make the drive more engaging, since im totally unfamiliar with them.

thanks, children, for your insightful responses. you, esp, tagman. sorry, im not gay. and i'm willing to bet i drive mt better than 99% of the filthy old men experiencing midlife crises on here.

Originally Posted by TagMan

Fill the cupholder with a beverage, put on some good music, use your cell phone to text some messages while you're driving (j/k), get a good-looking blonde chic to fondle.... hell, you'll figure it out.

[TagMan]

Originally Posted by needanewcar

my question was to see if there are any techniques you can do using paddles to make the drive more engaging, since im totally unfamiliar with them.

thanks, children, for your insightful responses. you, esp, tagman. sorry, im not gay. and i'm willing to bet i drive mt better than 99% of the filthy old men experiencing midlife crises on here.

All in fun! Looks like quite a few members were willing to contribute a couple of laughs for you.

BTW, if you drive a manual tranny THAT well, why the paddles?

Oh, yeah... since you brought it up... I do think you are gay.