Left foot braking with automatics

Anything that doesn't fit elsewhere - doesn't have to be AD related.
sussex2
Posts: 732
Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2015 11:43 am

Re: Left foot braking with automatics

Postby sussex2 » Wed Feb 03, 2016 12:39 pm

Rick448 wrote:
sussex2 wrote:I wonder if some of these accidents are caused by drivers attempting to drive an auto with two feet, rather than the other way around.

Why do you think that would be the case? It's not really difficult is it? It just takes a minute to get used to the reduced pressure needed compared to a clutch.


A confusion in a moment of emergency and reverting to old methods. It's a common thing.

TripleS
Posts: 227
Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2015 5:39 pm
Location: Briggswath

Re: Left foot braking with automatics

Postby TripleS » Wed Feb 03, 2016 4:28 pm

Silk wrote:
TripleS wrote:
Silk wrote:
Keithrm wrote:Does anybody use left foot braking when doing slow speed maneuvering in an auto.


Some men left-foot brake in an automatic as their overly large penis interferes with the movement of their right leg.

If you are of normal "size", or a girl, it's not necessary. ;-)


After my experiences elsewhere I could see me getting into trouble with this topic. ;)

However, thank you for explaining why I found myself doing so much left foot braking. :lol:


I'm guessing it's much easier after the "operation". :lol:


Hehe, you're looking for trouble you are...but you'll not get it from me on that subject. I'm too busy working on 'interesting' new topics. ;)

TripleS
Posts: 227
Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2015 5:39 pm
Location: Briggswath

Re: Left foot braking with automatics

Postby TripleS » Wed Feb 03, 2016 4:39 pm

waremark wrote:
Silk wrote:
Keithrm wrote:
Silk wrote:
Simple answer: no.


And your reason just interested


It means that your right foot performs the same function whether in a manual or auto, which avoids confusion when swapping between vehicles and, unless you're some weirdo driving geek, it's completely unnecessary.

I find it has advantages. I am of course a weirdo driving geek. If you're not, what are you doing here?


He's here to support me in giving alternative, though still (sometimes) plausible viewpoints. It is not really necessary to be a weirdo driving geek in order to offer other views for consideration. 8-)

Best wishes all,
Dave.

Playtent
Posts: 209
Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2015 3:00 pm

Re: Left foot braking with automatics

Postby Playtent » Wed Feb 03, 2016 8:20 pm

TripleS wrote:
He's here to support me in giving alternative, though still (sometimes) plausible viewpoints. It is not really necessary to be a weirdo driving geek in order to offer other views for consideration. 8-)

Best wishes all,
Dave.


There's only me here though who isn't one!

waremark
Posts: 898
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:23 am

Re: Left foot braking with automatics

Postby waremark » Thu Feb 04, 2016 1:06 am

Rick448 wrote:
sussex2 wrote:I wonder if some of these accidents are caused by drivers attempting to drive an auto with two feet, rather than the other way around.

Why do you think that would be the case? It's not really difficult is it? It just takes a minute to get used to the reduced pressure needed compared to a clutch.

From experience, I suggest that changing from right foot braking to left foot braking and getting to the point where you not only do it smoothly, but also instinctively and needing no more conscious thought than braking the way you used, to takes quite a lot of practice.

And you know you are doing it instinctively when you use your left foot for sudden unanticipated heavy braking.

Astraist
Posts: 239
Joined: Thu Oct 08, 2015 10:41 pm

Re: Left foot braking with automatics

Postby Astraist » Thu Feb 04, 2016 9:57 am

My experience shows the same.

Left foot braking is however a tool used primarly in specialist enviornments where there are racing seats and harnesses, so such heavy braking is made possible without:

Having the driver's weight leaned against the pedal, making it harder to release it.
Having the driver's weight leaned on the steering wheel - making steering while braking nigh impossible.

On a road car, the solution to both problems is to press against the dead pedal (if there is one) or get the clutch down right after you start braking, so left foot braking on the road disables that, even without considering driver who instictivelly push the other foot as well...

User avatar
exportmanuk
Posts: 351
Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2015 6:56 pm
Location: Manchester

Re: Left foot braking with automatics

Postby exportmanuk » Thu Feb 04, 2016 5:53 pm

sussex2 wrote:
A confusion in a moment of emergency and reverting to old methods. It's a common thing.


In that case would you not push both feet down on the pedal? If it was an instinctive reaction you would release the throttle and press the brake with your right foot whilst going for the clutch with your left as the brake in an auto is a double width pedal then both feet would hit it. Probably stopping much quicker than you might ordinarily with just one foot pressure.

If anything the instinctive problem is when reverting back to a manual when if you have been practising left foot braking you may press the clutch with your left foot expecting it to be the brake. Having done this myself in the past its a little unnerving as the impression is the car speed up( because you are anticipating the retardation) but you quickly get back on song. I guess the solution is to ensure you practice both and make sure you don't drift off whilst driving.

FYI SWMBO when first driving autos had to tuck her left foot out of the way or we sometimes stopped a little unexpectedly :D She has got over that now, but still only uses her right foot for both stop and go.
Andrew Melton
Manchester 500

User avatar
exportmanuk
Posts: 351
Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2015 6:56 pm
Location: Manchester

Re: Left foot braking with automatics

Postby exportmanuk » Thu Feb 04, 2016 6:06 pm

Astraist wrote:Having the driver's weight leaned against the pedal, making it harder to release it.
Having the driver's weight leaned on the steering wheel - making steering while braking nigh impossible.



Not sure as I understand where you are coming from with this. In normal driving if I was pressing the brake that hard that my weight was also being forced forward then something has already gone terribly wrong, I must be wanting to stop as quickly as possible, the pressure exerted on the pedal would keep me in place ( it is unlikely that I could experience enough braking force to overcome the resistance of the seat when combined with my body weight and the brake pressure.) If my left foot was against the dead pedal foot rest is would be much the same I would have the same ability to steer in both cases. Forward pressure on my upper body would be the same which ever foot I was using. I guess the seatbelt may come in to play but I hope never to find out for sure.

If the braking forces were greater than this I would suspect I would have to hit something to cause additional retardation . In which case hopefully the seat belt pre tensioner and air bags would come to my assistance too. If it was braking exceptionally hard on a track I don't think I would be driving an auto and probably would have a full harness anyway
Andrew Melton
Manchester 500

Silk
Posts: 386
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2015 9:24 pm
Location: South Glos.

Re: Left foot braking with automatics

Postby Silk » Thu Feb 04, 2016 6:28 pm

Keithrm wrote:OK, I was just looking at ways of avoiding the deaths mentioned in the article


Take it easy and look where you're going.

HTH.

waremark
Posts: 898
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:23 am

Re: Left foot braking with automatics

Postby waremark » Thu Feb 04, 2016 6:41 pm

Keithrm wrote:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/caradvice/honestjohn/6514354/Honest-John-Unintentional-Acceleration-Syndrome.html

This article started my interest

I have only just read the linked article. I was astonished by this:

"An elderly gentleman tragically killed his wife attempting to manoeuvre his automatic one-footed last month. There are about 120 deaths from this every year."

There cannot possibly be 120 deaths while manoeuvering in the UK. I presume therefore his statistic must refer to in the world, in which case I find it hard to believe that anyone knows.


Return to “General Chat”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 26 guests