Need help or support with changing my car from manual to automatic car. I have..

timmo3011
timmo3011 Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
edited April 2 in Transport and travel

I have osteoarthritis hip and groin and need to any help or support with changing my car from manual to automatic car.The osteoarthritis is in my left leg and driving a manual is no good for my osteoarthritis..Can anyone help or point me in the right direction.

Comments

  • timmo3011
    timmo3011 Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    Going to say hello to community

  • timmo3011
    timmo3011 Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
  • SwiftFox
    SwiftFox Online Community Member Posts: 827 Championing

    I changed to automatic, I bought an automatic or push gears petrol smart car because of my left knee, just didn't have the strength to keep the clutch engaged. I would never go back to a clutch car now.

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 4,833 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @timmo3011 and a warm welcome to the community. I hope you don't mind but I've changed the title of your post to help make it stand out.

  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 14,404 Online Community Programme Lead

    Hello @timmo3011. What help do you need with changing your car from manual to an automatic? Is your current car privately owned or through a scheme?

  • timmo3011
    timmo3011 Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    My car is privately owned by me and the help is change to automatic...Thanks

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 8,600 Championing

    Try this grants search

    https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/

    Also Arthritis UK might be able to help with signposting.

    https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/support-and-resources/arthritis-uk-helpline/

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 3,377 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1114807#Comment_1114807

    Do you mean converting your car to automatic ?

    If so - then whilst this is not impossible - it would cost you way too much to be practical

    If you mean - buying a new car - then yes, we can advise you on what to look for and how to go about it…..

  • timmo3011
    timmo3011 Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    Its changing cars from a manual to a new automatic car,leasing is best option for me as im disabled with osteoarthritis

  • Santosha12
    Santosha12 Online Community Member Posts: 3,805 Championing

    Hello @timmo3011, I've only ever driven an automatic (since passing my test in c early 2002) in my late '30s. I wasn't unwell then at all but auto suited me/passed my test for that very quickly!! I recall thinking it's like a go-kart lol. Still drive auto but other health reasons why I'll likely give up soon. Imo, leasing was very expensive ... I've done it (via PCP) but my car I've now had for c 10 yrs / paid off c 6 yrs ago and therefore a lot cheaper.

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 5,817 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1115034#Comment_1115034

    Do you get PIP Mobility?

    Leasing through the Motability scheme is usually cheapest and best value for money compared to private leasing. However you need a qualifying benefit to access the scheme. PIP Mobility is the main one, but there are a few others.

    If you have access to charge at home, a full electric car might be worth considering. They drive like an automatic (no clutch) but even smoother without any gear changes.

    Other autos drive differently to each other. There's the conventional torque converter type which are fairly smooth but can be slow to change and less fuel efficient. Dual-clutch type (DSG/Powershift) which change quickly and are better on fuel but can be jerky to change and less controllable for slow manoeuvres. Lastly there are CVT gearboxes, these are very smooth but also unintuitive to an ex-manual driver as the engine sometimes revs up high when the vehicle only moves away or accelerates slowly, completely different to how a car with fixed gears operates. If you've never driven auto before, it's definitely worth test driving a few to see which you prefer.

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