Driving an automatic - do you use one foot or both?

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Reply # 1870219 21-Sep-2017 12:58

kharris:

Coil:

Batman: Tim you need a autonomous car. That way when there's a traffic jam you whip out the xbox console.

Haha, That would be good. Given the size of the screen in the new Tesla's I am sure something alike will be coming soon.
On that topic of Autonomous driving, I have this scary ability when driving distance to forget I am driving and appear in my location and have no idea how I got there or remember anything from the trip.

It is very disappointing when you end up outside work on a Saturday

I did that once very embarrassing

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Reply # 1870220 21-Sep-2017 13:00

I am soon to get hand controls fitted to my car, not looking forward to that. I guess I am a candidate for an autonomous vehicle.

Mike
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The views stated in my posts are my personal views and not that of any other organisation.

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geekIT

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Reply # 1870222 21-Sep-2017 13:01

I'm the guy who asked the question in the first place (and who drives with both feet ).

And I don't drive with my foot on the brake. Gawd, gimme a break, willya, I've been driving for 61 years. And without ANY accidents or traffic tickets.

Or excess brake shoe consumption, LOL.

Interesting responses to my question, though.

It's great to see that some of you have the adaptability to recognize advantageous methodology and use it to your benefit.

As for all you 'that's the way it's always been done' one-footers out there, nobody has yet said if there any advantages to driving with one foot.

But there is one obvious drawback - your right shoes wear faster than the left

kryptonjohn

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Reply # 1870241 21-Sep-2017 13:19

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Lots of people have pointed out advantages to one foot driving, including: (largely) standardised, simpler, safer and portable between manual and automatic.

mudguard

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Reply # 1870283 21-Sep-2017 14:49

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I am genuinely surprised anyone does this. I realise not everyone grew up driving manuals, my first ten years were all manuals. But what happens when someone goes to drive one? Are they unable to?

It's a pertinent topic as I followed an XKR from out West Auckland (Woodhill) to Kaukaup and it was being driven very spiritedly, yet the brake lights were on the whole time. I was actually beginning to think it was a fault until I could close enough and I could smell the brakes. I hate to think what the fuel mileage was like.

On another note. I'm in rental cars roughly half the month. The brake pedals vary quite a bit in size. Having read this topic earlier today I tried to use my left foot. I simply can't. Because I'm in safety boots! And the pedals are too small. I think I would get very tired hovering my left foot over the brake, it's bad enough for my right when I can't use cruise control.

And the other thing, if you're using two feet on the brake in a crash, there's a good chance you'll damage both legs. At least using your right foot, you can brace against the foot rest, continue to push, and then hopefully before impact relax both and save your ankles. And to be honest, I've never been in a situation (whether at Pukekohe or Hampton Downs, or even a massive emergency stop last month) where I can't generate enough brake force with one leg.

About the biggest risk for me with boots on is getting my foot hooked under the brake coming off the throttle. Hence I'm wary driving a different car until I get used to where the pedals are.

Coil

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Reply # 1870288 21-Sep-2017 14:53

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mudguard:

I am genuinely surprised anyone does this. I realise not everyone grew up driving manuals, my first ten years were all manuals. But what happens when someone goes to drive one? Are they unable to?

It's a pertinent topic as I followed an XKR from out West Auckland (Woodhill) to Kaukaup and it was being driven very spiritedly, yet the brake lights were on the whole time. I was actually beginning to think it was a fault until I could close enough and I could smell the brakes. I hate to think what the fuel mileage was like.

On another note. I'm in rental cars roughly half the month. The brake pedals vary quite a bit in size. Having read this topic earlier today I tried to use my left foot. I simply can't. Because I'm in safety boots! And the pedals are too small. I think I would get very tired hovering my left foot over the brake, it's bad enough for my right when I can't use cruise control.

And the other thing, if you're using two feet on the brake in a crash, there's a good chance you'll damage both legs. At least using your right foot, you can brace against the foot rest, continue to push, and then hopefully before impact relax both and save your ankles. And to be honest, I've never been in a situation (whether at Pukekohe or Hampton Downs, or even a massive emergency stop last month) where I can't generate enough brake force with one leg.

About the biggest risk for me with boots on is getting my foot hooked under the brake coming off the throttle. Hence I'm wary driving a different car until I get used to where the pedals are.

I will take a photo in the beema tonight showing my leg positions, I have to fully twist my hips and my legs go out to the right if I try and left foot brake. Very uncomfortable. Almost makes you think they are designed to make you use one foot.

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geekIT

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Reply # 1870311 21-Sep-2017 15:04

"I will take a photo in the beema tonight showing my leg positions, I have to fully twist my hips and my legs go out to the right if I try and left foot brake. Very uncomfortable. Almost makes you think they are designed to make you use one foot."

That's odd. How did you manage to drive manual cars? The clutch is in much the same position as the brake in an automatic.

kharris

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Reply # 1870314 21-Sep-2017 15:06

geekIT:

"I will take a photo in the beema tonight showing my leg positions, I have to fully twist my hips and my legs go out to the right if I try and left foot brake. Very uncomfortable. Almost makes you think they are designed to make you use one foot."

That's odd. How did you manage to drive manual cars? The clutch is in much the same position as the brake in an automatic.

Not in my car.... it's where the break usually is in a manual. There is a foot rest on the left where the clutch would be.

Kirk

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Reply # 1870324 21-Sep-2017 15:14

jaymz:

The argument of "it is less work to have both feet on both pedals" is a bit weak, especially when it is coupled with "i never ride the brake".

Surely it is the SAME amount of work to move your right foot from the accelerator to the brake as it would be to move your left from the dead pedal (or the floor in some cases) to the brake? If anything it would be MORE work to move your left foot up off the dead pedal (or floor) to the brake? Considering a competent driver would simply rotate their right foot on their heel from the accelerator to the brake?

In my understanding you would have to have your left foot ON the brake pedal for there to be any improvement of speed/comfort, therefore the risk of riding the brake is FAR higher and will most likely happen without you realizing you are pressing the brake pedal down.

Not my argument and I agree there is not a whole lot of difference, but I do find it noticeably more comfortable sometimes to ease my foot up from the accelerator without having to physically shift it to the brake. Sometimes I use the right foot for this, sometimes the left. Changing back and forth is definitely more comfortable. Maybe this causes some people to ride the brake. I don't know. I know I don't.

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Coil

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Reply # 1870329 21-Sep-2017 15:21

I will pay good money to anyone who can keep a straight face while driving my car with 2 feet.

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mudguard

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Reply # 1870330 21-Sep-2017 15:23

Coil:

I will pay good money to anyone who can keep a straight face while driving my car with 2 feet.

Well one of the cars you need one foot, and the other two!

Coil

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Reply # 1870332 21-Sep-2017 15:25

mudguard:

Coil:

I will pay good money to anyone who can keep a straight face while driving my car with 2 feet.

Well one of the cars you need one foot, and the other two!

Mines an auto, The point is that the brake even thou it is a wider pedal is still hard to the right and you can see how the clutch is far to the left. The above comment which suggested the clutch was in the same position as the brake is not correct. As displayed in my photo comment.

Makes ya wonder.

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mudguard

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Reply # 1870336 21-Sep-2017 15:28

Rikkitic:

Not my argument and I agree there is not a whole lot of difference, but I do find it noticeably more comfortable sometimes to ease my foot up from the accelerator without having to physically shift it to the brake. Sometimes I use the right foot for this, sometimes the left. Changing back and forth is definitely more comfortable. Maybe this causes some people to ride the brake. I don't know. I know I don't.

Well the million dollar question is what happens in an emergency? And the other question is where your left foot is when it's not braking? Hovering above it? On the footrest?

As been discussed, I don't think anyone who left foot brakes thinks they're touching the brake unless they're braking. I just read an article about downhill mountainbikers with telemetry onboard measuring how much they're trailing the brakes even when they think they're not.

I don't think vehicle manufacturers intend drivers to use their left foot brake, the pedals seem offset to the right mostly, and usually the clutch is well out of the way too.

Besides, the most important thing is, how do you heel and toe in a manual if you're left foot is on the brake!

evilengineer

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Reply # 1870348 21-Sep-2017 15:39

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I'm surprised this has sparked a debate.

When I learnt to drive (in the UK) we were taught to never to use the left foot on the brake pedal.

Can't think why you'd want to. Unless you're into drifting which probably shouldn't be encouraged on public roads.

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Reply # 1870359 21-Sep-2017 15:52

mudguard:

Well the million dollar question is what happens in an emergency? And the other question is where your left foot is when it's not braking? Hovering above it? On the footrest?

As been discussed, I don't think anyone who left foot brakes thinks they're touching the brake unless they're braking. I just read an article about downhill mountainbikers with telemetry onboard measuring how much they're trailing the brakes even when they think they're not.

I don't think vehicle manufacturers intend drivers to use their left foot brake, the pedals seem offset to the right mostly, and usually the clutch is well out of the way too.

Besides, the most important thing is, how do you heel and toe in a manual if you're left foot is on the brake!

The foot is on the footrest or the floor in front of the brake when not in use. Honestly. I don't understand why people here have such a hard time getting that. Maybe it is difficult for you. It is not for me.

When I was younger I made a point of learning many car control tricks as a matter of pride. I have no trouble switching. I have driven heel and toe in many manuals. At one point in my youth I worked in valet parking and was switching and whipping cars of all kinds around hundreds of times a day. Believe me, it is not hard, except for those who don't know how to do it.

I reject your reality and substitute my own. - Adam Savage

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