automatics...... braking

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Fri 12 Nov 2010 15:13
automatics...... braking - barney100

I am unconvinced by the left foot braking technique on autos. i have been driving autos for many years and have tried the left foot but i feel it is far less controlable than the right foot. A bit of research on the net has found that many people don't feel comfortable with it. In fact three American states will ban or otherwise punish anyone found doing it. any auto drivers got views on this?

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Fri 12 Nov 2010 15:29
automatics...... braking - ForumNeedsModerating

I'm similarly unconvinced. My fundamental objection to the 'technique' is that braking modulation (and to some extent accelerator modulation too) requires a fixed non-moving body/leg/foot for proper control - the two 'floating' feet (as when having a the left foot poised on or over the brake) doesn't allow this.

The effect, in my view, of not having a fixed or braced lower body is less control, or even danger in some circumstances.

The pro-LFBers always seem to come back with the jibe that to gainsay LFB shows lack or inability in technique - I would say 'mastering' a poor (conceptual) technique such as LFB is like trumpeting the ability to do mirror writing & accusing others who demure on the grounds of practicability or utility.

Good automatic driving, again in my view, more subtlety & finesse - for example, reversing only on idle-speed power & feathering the throttle in anticipation in tight urban environments so the right foot is more easily move to brake etc.

To replicate the body-bracing effect in LFB requires two distinct movements - move foot from accelerator to bulkhead/footrest & brake with left foot - much more difficult & prone to inaccuracy/error.

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Fri 12 Nov 2010 17:12
automatics...... braking - Collos25

If everybody had to change to left foot braking the number of accidents that would happen would be enormous.Banned in certain states in America and rightly so, I mentioned it to a police driving instructor here in Germany when it was first muted in the DT and he just laughed and said only the British could come up with something so dangerous.

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Fri 12 Nov 2010 17:35
automatics...... braking - injection doc
left foot braking is dangerous, it also confuses the engine ECU on modern autos and if you hold the brake with the left foot and hit the throttle with the right you would normally loose power as the engine ECu shuts down because it still thinks your braking.
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Fri 12 Nov 2010 19:34
automatics...... braking - barney100

I had a try with my left foot when stationery to se how it felt. On Swmbo's Volvo the accelerator and brake pedal are so placed as to make the right foot's sole flat against the pedal. the left foot is at an angle and only the side of the sole touches the pedal. also the left leg is at an angle. I won't be trying left foot braking on the move.

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Fri 12 Nov 2010 20:19
automatics...... braking - Dave^^

What's wrong with this:

For normal driving, use right foot only for both brake & accelerator, just like a manual.

For slow speed manoeuvres like parking, have the left foot covering/using the brake, right foot on the gas.

This way, it replicates driving in a manual:

i.e. for slow speeds, the left foot pressing down means slow/stop, same as pressing on a clutch with the left foot, with right foot on the gas only.

Normal driving is also the same as manual, except the left foot doesn't have to operate the clutch.

That's what I use when I reverse into the garage or any other slow speed manoeuvre: with the left foot covering the brake pedal there's instant response available if something happens.

What I don't feel comfortable with however is left foot braking when driving normally at speed, I'd probably send myself through the windscreen!

So I'm guessing that those who object to left-foot braking are referring to using it when driving it at speed when it would be unnatural, especially if you're used to a manual.

That shouldn't prevent its use at slow speeds like parking, which is where many of these accidents happen.

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Fri 12 Nov 2010 22:24
automatics...... braking - fredthefifth

I tried it once when it was quiet. I found that I braked far too hard.

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Fri 12 Nov 2010 22:43
automatics...... braking - ex-Triumph man

Very well put. I am sure HJ himself could not have spelt it out better.

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Sun 14 Nov 2010 11:28
automatics...... braking - Sofa Spud

If you learn to drive on an automatic car, so that you're only licenced to drive autos and only ever intend to drive autos, then left-foot braking would be OK. In the USA and Canada, at one time, 80% of cars were automatic and most drivers never drove manuals.

But if you EVER intend to drive manual cars, then Always use right foot braking in an auto!!!

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Fri 12 Nov 2010 22:39
automatics...... braking - Avant

This will always be a personal choice: there isn't a right or wrong way. Butb heaven preserve us from any legislation on the subject!

HJ advocates LFB - one reason being that people are less likely to tread on the accelerator instead of the brake, as has happened with some drivers of automatics.

I personally don't think LFB is a good idea if you also regularly drive a manual. But if you only drive automatics it needn't be dangerous provided you are used to it.

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Sat 13 Nov 2010 09:12
automatics...... braking - Kiwi Gary

In the past I have comfortably braked left-footed, but that was in a Mini auto, and a Datsun 260C, both of which had the brake pedal moved to the left and I was able to brake without having to reach across, so to speak. In the modern autos, I find that I have to get partly sideways to get my leg square-on to the brake pedal, so have given it away for comfort and accuracy reasons. When I did do it, I found it very useful in slow-moving traffic when lane-indiscipline was rife.

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Sun 14 Nov 2010 11:37
automatics...... braking - Sofa Spud

A lot of people had to make the change from left-foot braking to right-foot about 50 years ago.

London's electric trolleybuses, having a single-speed transmission and no clutch, just had an accelerator and brake, with one pedal each side of the steering column. So the drivers used right foot on accelerator, left foot on brakes.

The Routemaster bus was designed to replace London's trolleybuses, and so came with a fully automatic gearbox to make driver transition easier - but both pedals to the right of the steering column, making left-foot braking difficult.

Note: Some later Routemasters were semi-automatic - basically the auto gearbox minus the automated gear changes!

Edited by Sofa Spud on 14/11/2010 at 11:43

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Mon 15 Nov 2010 11:34
automatics...... braking - Shaz {p}

I'am with HJ on this one. We used to have an auto (main family car), and I also had a manual, and honestly did not have any issues with LFB on the auto, or changing back to manual in my own car. It felt more natural to LFB in the auto car for me anyway, and I was in total control.

I have seen as a car go through a shop window whist the driver was trying to park opposite. Drive had got confused and hit the accelerator instead of the brake - using his right foot.

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Mon 15 Nov 2010 22:23
automatics...... braking - Dutchie

I have to disagree with you regarding left foot braking in a automatic car HJ.I tried in the honda jazz we had and in my case the tendency is to brake to hard.In a car with gear change you use the right foot for braking same as in a auto.I visited various forums british and continental and nowhere is advocated left foot braking in a automatic car.I think there is a right way driving a automatic car and braking use your right foot.The advice giving using left foot for braking for the majority of drivers in a automatic car is in my opinion not safe.

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