Automatic driving

I have driven an automatic car for a number of years, my current one being a VW Golf. While driving in tiptronic should you release the accelerator while changing gears? Your advice on this would be appreciated. Linda Tomkins

The tiptronic gearbox in your Golf, like the majority of automatic gearboxes, is controlled by an ECU. This is set up to allow you to simply accelerate as required and let the gearbox do the rest. Any throttle variation during the actual change will be controlled by the ECU.

Some gearboxes that are classed as automatic are slightly different in design and are, in fact, manual gearboxes controlled by an automatic system. Gearboxes such as the Toyota MMT are semi-automatic and change gear using a standard clutch controlled by the ECU. On this type of gearbox, easing back on the throttle when changing gear is advised.