Why Arent You Left Foot Braking When You Only Have Two Pedals?

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
08/26/2016 at 22:36 • Filed to: Questions

All of you are enthusiasts here and I’m sure many of you have used carts and motorcycles in your day. I want to know, especially those that only drive autos regularly, why aren’t you braking with your left foot?

I’m going to admit that not only do I exclusively initiate all braking with my left foot (and have been for 3 years now) but I also take off my shoes when I drive in order to be more comfortable in the footwell because Im paranoid of my shoe getting caught under the edge of the brake pedal when switching off the throttle. (I don’t really want to wear driving shoes without a manual, that’s kind of weird to me). I even test drive cars to make sure I am comfortable enough to use the technique.

I know I’m weird but I would assume this is rare for the Beigers but pretty common with enthusiasts, right?

DISCUSSION (55)

wafflesnfalafel > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 22:41

Because my left foot thinks it should be clutching and I throw people into their seatbelts... Tried that, not going to happen... (Except on occasional hill start.)

MM54 > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 22:43

(Answering the title without reading the article) - I do.

(Edit - having read the article) - I do left-foot brake exclusively when in an automatic, I don’t at all with manuals though. At some point I’ll probably figure it out but it’s sort of all-or-nothing for me since I don’t daily a stick.

Trunk Impaired 318 > wafflesnfalafel
08/26/2016 at 22:44

THIS

theandysho - drives a SHO > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 22:44

Because on most cars with two pedals made in the last 10 years, the ABS will step in and ruin all your fun.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 22:46

Because it’s not like I’d go faster left foot braking. I imagine that it would be better rallying or tracking when you’re not using a clutch but I have no idea.

Wobbles the Mind > theandysho - drives a SHO
08/26/2016 at 22:46

Sorry, I meant in everyday driving, especially in traffic and parking lots.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 22:47

When I drive my wife’s car I slam my left foot into the floor looking for a clutch that isn’t there at least once per trip. For me owning an auto and manual I think it would be potentially disastrous to try switching styles. My problem with it even when both cars were automatics is the pedal placement. Auto-only cars are still set up with the pedals on the right side (presumably to encourage using only one foot). For me that just makes a weird position after a few miles that in uncomfortable. Would be cool to see the next iteration of some of these hybrid super cars try out a symmetrical pedal setup to encourage two foot driving.

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 22:47

I do

But I also daily a 2.8 ton luxury car that masquerades as a 4 door sports car so nothing I do makes sense

Wobbles the Mind > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
08/26/2016 at 22:48

Sorry the confusion, I’m actually talking about everyday driving. Traffic, parking lots, drive-thrus, etc.

Tekamul > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 22:49

I pivot on my heel from pedal to pedal. To get my left foot comfortably from dead pedal to brake, I would have to pick up my whole foot and put it back down.

My results would be slow and awkward, and would require different behavior as I switch amongst vehicles.

Autos in general are not common with enthusiasts, so the prevalence would be hard to judge.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 22:49

If I’m on a steep incline I’ll sometimes do it so when people get too close to me. But not normally.

lone_liberal > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 22:51

Because when I was learning to drive my dad made it very clear that I shouldn’t do it. It was his theory that the left foot was for the clutch and only for the clutch so in an automatic it shouldn’t be used at all.

Wobbles the Mind > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
08/26/2016 at 22:52

I would love a more symmetrical pedal set up in vehicles with no chances of having manual variants. I only keep the position for heavy stopping situations. If I don’t think I’m going to use the brake then I’m on the dead pedal. Other times I switch as I prepare to brake. It’s the same thing uou do when riding a motorcycle on regular streets.

Zachary Oberle > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 22:54

Driving like you do makes it really easy to accidentally ride the brake. You have to be super-aware of what’s going on with your left foot all the time. I don’t have the attention span for alla that.

Wobbles the Mind > lone_liberal
08/26/2016 at 22:56

I think a lot of people have those thoughts but so many have never even seen a clutch pedal that I’m not understanding the reason for us not to adapt a driving style that matches the vehicles we are actually driving.

Busslayer > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 22:57

I do when off roading in my truck. When crawling over rocks you need to be very delicate, but at times you need lots of throttle. You keep your foot on the brake to keep everything from running away from you when trying to inch along.

I don’t have much need to left foot brake my wife’s minivan. Occasionally, I may hold the brake with my left foot while bringing the rpms up when anticipating a green light to hole shot someone. But rotation and trail braking isn’t something I spend a lot of time thinking about in the minivan.

One other time I use my left foot on the brakes - burnouts in my truck.

Wobbles the Mind > Zachary Oberle
08/26/2016 at 23:00

I hear that a lot! But all manual drivers seem to be just fine. You don’t keep your foot over clutch unless you’re going to use it. This type of braking is the same process, only set when you will use and yes, you have to pay attention to traffic just as much as you do with a manual.

GasolineLollipop191 > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 23:02

My left leg is too powerful from driving stiff clutches. If I used my left foot for the brake in my truck I would send myself and all the occupants through the windshield at every stop.

scoob > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 23:05

I never learned to?

Wobbles the Mind > GasolineLollipop191
08/26/2016 at 23:06

Having strength and delicacy together are what define “control.” The fact that it must be learned is what makes it a skill. All this means you’ll have something to work on while you’re driving a boring old automatic. Might be fun!

tromoly > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 23:07

In a panic situation both feet should be used to push the driver into their seat. If the driver left foot brakes then they end up with both brake and accelerator pressed, which is bad. So to prevent the possibility of doing that, always brake with the right foot.

That, and public roads are not racetracks so doing any fancy footwork that shaves tenths at the track is pointless.

Wobbles the Mind > scoob
08/26/2016 at 23:10

No one teaches it, this is one of those secrets that a small group subtles on, puts in the practice time (like a week of daily driving), then can’t imagine how they got by without it. I wanted to get some insight to how everyone drives here before I start posting the skills no one teaches you when driving on public streets.

shop-teacher > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 23:14

A) It’s uncomfortable and B) It’s completely unnecessary

Wobbles the Mind > tromoly
08/26/2016 at 23:15

This is the post I was hoping to see. I understand your perception and hopefully I can clear it up in a future post.

SteveLehto > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 23:15

So we don’t F*! up when we go back to driving a clutch.

And, so you don’t ever hit them both at the same time.

Wobbles the Mind > shop-teacher
08/26/2016 at 23:20

Anything never done will be uncomfortable and pivoting between two pedals in stop and go traffic, parking lots, and drive-thrus when you have one foot doing nothing that can be prepared for braking is unnecessary in my eyes. You go back to your normal driving position once you’re in motion and you switch when you are preparing to brake. Basically, just like driving manual, it’s about paying attention which is the reason we argue other drivers would be better if they had more to concentrate on.

Urambo Tauro > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 23:22

Because we’re told not to in driver’s ed.

Actually, I have a better answer than that. I think that maybe it’s related to our seat belts not being as tight as racing harnesses.

The brake pedal takes more effort to operate than the other pedals, and forces the driver’s body back into the seat a little bit. Keeping the left foot on a dead pedal (or even just the floor) helps to steady the body for finer right-foot control.

But racing harness already have you tightly tucked into the seat, and your leg muscles can focus their energy forward to the pedals without the side effect of shifting your body in the opposite direction.

Zachary Oberle > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 23:22

Hey, anything that makes you a more attentive driver is a good thing if you ask me!

scoob > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 23:23

Hmm, I just learned to not do anything with my left foot. I don’t know if I want to suddenly try to unlearn it.

Chariotoflove > Wobbles the Mind
08/26/2016 at 23:24

My father left foot brakes. It’s a hold over from his manual days in youth. But, I was taught that you only use your right foot for both pedals so that in an emergency you won’t get confused and reflexively jam both pedals at once. As I type this, I wonder if that’s ever a danger. I’ll never find out anyway. I use hand controls. :D

Wobbles the Mind > SteveLehto
08/26/2016 at 23:31

Haha, yeah the switch is awkward at first but so is using the wiper stalk in tworking different vehicles. You adjust.

I’ll have to figure out that last issue since in an emergency situation you naturally end up with both feet on the brakes as opposed to ending up with both down on both pedals. Simular to the way you won’t disengage the clutch and floor the vehicle when you are making an emergency stop since you never just put both feet down wherever they are. I’ll keep looking into this so that I can explain every facet of this technique later.

Wobbles the Mind > Chariotoflove
08/26/2016 at 23:37

This is my thought to since even in a manual you move your right foot to the brake and your left stomps the clutch. When you left foot brake, your left foot stomps the brake and your right still ends up on the brake meaning you actually have both feet on the brake. Anyways, you’re probably going to hit the object regardless if there is ever a time you’re so freaked out you stomp both pedals.

Wobbles the Mind > scoob
08/26/2016 at 23:42

I wouldn’t change anything. I made the switch simply due to the amount of driving I do on public roads (about 800 miles weekly). But it’s saved me from some near fender benders in parking lots simply due to being that split second quicker on the brakes. There was one instance in which I was on the freeway and had to brake hard and switch to the throttle in order to change lanes and avoid an incident. But that type of stuff is so rare and requires so much attention ahead of time that the technique made it easier to implement the save but didn’t necessarily allow for the save to occur.

FiST of FuRRY > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
08/26/2016 at 23:51

Agreed. My DD is a manual and my back up is an automatic, I would never try doing anything but clutch operation with my left foot.

Bourbon&JellyBeans > Wobbles the Mind
08/27/2016 at 00:02

The answer is simple. And I see this all the time. Id say that most people who left-foot brake do it wrong. They rest their foot on the brake. We all know that even the slightest pressure on the brake pedal will activate the brake lights. If the brake lights are always lit, it's just as bad has having none at all

My bird IS the word > Wobbles the Mind
08/27/2016 at 00:05

We were taught not to. Something to do with dragging the brakes methinks.

cluelessk > Wobbles the Mind
08/27/2016 at 01:32

Having your foot on the dead pedal instead of your brake could help brace yourself in an emergency.

Keeping your foot on the pedals is tough if you aren’t secured.

Chuckles > Wobbles the Mind
08/27/2016 at 01:41

I never use my left foot to brake in my automatic Civic for these reasons:

1. When I learned how to drive, I was taught that the only people who used their left foot to brake in an automatic car were old people with poor flexibility.

2. At least once a week, I’ll see someone accelerate away from a traffic light and their brake light is illuminated the entire time *facepalm*

3. I drive stick about 50% of the time. My left foot is trained for quick operation of a clutch pedal. Switching between using my left foot for braking and my left foot on the clutch would be a bad idea.

4. When I’m driving in my automatic Civic, my left foot is on the dead pedal. Why would I ever want to move it when my right foot is already doing work?

5. I use my left foot to brace myself while driving. If both of my feet are on pedals and I’m slowing down, I’m more likely to slide forward in the seat.

6. If the only way you can avoid accidents is by gaining that 0.0001 second advantage by already having your foot on the brake, maybe it’s time to slow down a bit and stop tailgating the car in front of you.

7. Everything everybody else has said. I can’t think of one good reason to use your left foot for braking during daily driving activities.

Wobbles the Mind > Chuckles
08/27/2016 at 07:53

This was very helpful and gives me a great launching point. I’ll see if I can cover all these concerns as well as create a better picture of how to do the technique and the level of road awareness involved (which is the same level as driving a manual or riding a bike, not the zero awareness of regular auto driving you’re thinking of).

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > Wobbles the Mind
08/27/2016 at 08:15

Like you I left foot brake. It’s awesome. The majority of people here just sound like grumpy old fucks who would yell at kids to get off their lawn. Just because something is different and you haven’t tried it doesn’t mean it’s wrong. More than once left foot braking has helped (perhaps saved) me stop in such situations such as a dumb squirrel running onto the road.

jariten1781 > Wobbles the Mind
08/27/2016 at 08:52

Takes just as long to go from dead pedal to brake as it does to go from throttle to brake.

If you’re in a situation where you’re needing to cover the brake you shouldn’t be accelerating.

New cars act weird when you have both throttle and brake inputs (closes the butterfly).

It’s just plain unneeded. I do occasionally left foot brake but it’s always subconscious....99999 out of 100000 brake applications (not counting track) are as good or better with the right foot.

Cé hé sin > Wobbles the Mind
08/27/2016 at 08:54

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I have and I am.

shop-teacher > Wobbles the Mind
08/27/2016 at 09:13

Nah, it’s physically uncomfortable, not mentally “I’m not used to this” uncomfortable.

The Snowman > Wobbles the Mind
08/27/2016 at 09:20

Size 16 shoes, not enough room.

random001 > Wobbles the Mind
08/27/2016 at 10:35

The question is why? On the track, sure, but in an auto there’s no reason to be ready to press the gas and brake at the same time unless you’re trying to launch or maybe trail braking a bit. It just serves no purpose, unless you can clear that up. I mean, you let off the brake, the car nudges itself forward in D, so the stop and go traffic argument is bust. It takes ms to switch pedals, so you’re not saving time. what’s the point?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Wobbles the Mind
08/27/2016 at 11:48

Because my left foot has poorer fine motor control and will result in some very jerky stops.

Also, why would I need to LFB when just puttering around?

SteveLehto > Wobbles the Mind
08/27/2016 at 14:09

I remember a Driver’s Ed instructor screaming at a kid who insisted on using two feet.

And that is the problem: What do you do in a “panic” (or near-panic) situation? It is important for your instinct to be correct. So, my left foot is clutch-only. In my Explorer, it goes largely unused and ignored.

Dusty Ventures > SteveLehto
08/27/2016 at 19:22

I drive an automatic for work and a manual to/from work. I left foot brake the auto (usually, sometimes I switch it up) and right foot the manual. Usually have to do two or three panic stops per day (thanks, Massachusetts!), never an issue with wrong foot or wrong pedal.

Dusty Ventures > shop-teacher
08/27/2016 at 19:25

In some cars I agree. Some autos have the pedals way too far right. Which annoys me to no end

Dusty Ventures > Wobbles the Mind
08/27/2016 at 19:34

I initially taught myself how to drive. When I did I used my left foot for the brake because it seemed only logical. After the better part of a year my mom discovered what I was doing and insisted I learn “the proper way.” The end result is that I’m comfortable with either foot and despite switching back and forth regularly (sometimes on a single drive), I’ve never had a case of “wrong pedal” in 14 years of driving.

Dusty Ventures > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
08/27/2016 at 19:40

Because Massholes

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Dusty Ventures
08/27/2016 at 21:20

You're also basically a race car driver, so...

Dusty Ventures > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/27/2016 at 21:35

Then the answer is obvious: everyone should be a race car driver

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Dusty Ventures
08/27/2016 at 21:53

I can't argue with this.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Dusty Ventures
08/28/2016 at 09:52

My current gripe is with DCholes