How to drive an auto?

[NP46]

Comparing driving an F1 car to driving a road car

Ok what's the benefits in every day driving of left foot braking?

And why in my car is the brake pedal positioned closer to the right foot?

Bottom line, it takes more skill and a better driver to left foot brake.
Schumi used left foot braking, Barrichello used his right foot.

 

[NP46]

Do you drive covering the brake pedal, mine usually sits on the provided foot plate.

But if your left foot is already on the break pedal you can apply it that much quicker in an emergency.

 

[whitenemesis]

Having witnessed many cars with flickering brake lights it would seem many do drive using the brake pedal as a footrest ...

 

[DavidUK]

What's all this 2 pedal nonsense? Sat in the big comfy seat of my W221 with both feet planted squarely on the floor.

I use the cruise control to build up to requisite speed, firm flick up increases speed by 5mph, then flick down decreases by 5mph. Anticipate traffic ahead and flick cruise off so i gradually decelerate, no need for brakes!!!

When stationary tap the brake pedal to activate the stop/start and hold. Gently tap the accelerator to get moving after engine restarted.

I use cruise a lot, and do like the 1st position push up/down for 1mph and the 2nd position push up/down for 5mph, but whereas my wife's Audi A3 manual has a space to the left of the clutch and a space to the right of the accelerator so that both feet can go on the floor, my E Class only has a space for the left foot, despite only having two pedals! This is a common oversight by many manufacturers who fit cruise. However, I have noticed that the pressure of my right foot resting on the gas pedal is not sufficient to depress it far enough to accelerate, and it takes a fair bit of pressure to do this. So I can rest my right foot on the pedal, although tentatively at the moment, until I get used to leaving it there and not hovering it above.

 

[exjagman]

Having witnessed many cars with flickering brake lights it would seem many do drive using the brake pedal as a footrest ...

I would imagine this increases the potential of extra wear on the car and the left knee

 

[L John]

I'm guessing the reason this thread is so long is most of us drive automatics.

When will we have the final answer, and will it be 42?

 

[Wirral_guy]

C'mon guys...nearly 400 comments and I'm still waiting to find out how to drive one

Simple answers -
However you want to.
Don't put in park at lights
Brake with a foot


Dave

 

[Rotorhead500]

On a brighter note, I have found out through this thread about the double-tap of the brake pedal - tried it yesterday and lo & behold, it worked. No creeping at traffic lights, no dazzling car behind with brake lights.

 

[television]

My brake lamps stay on when using hold

 

[Chee]

My brake lamps stay on when using hold

Same here, but I am pretty sure some members said that their brake light would not stay illuminated once HOLD is activated.

Btw. Double Tap is not really required, just brake as normal until stand still, then press the brake firmly further down and voila ^^

 

[Uncle]

Its also a question of "Primacy" - the first thing you learn about any practical skill (ie: Driving) will be the first thing remembered subconsciously and therefore probably the way you will react in a real emergency.

We are taught to drive using the left foot for clutch control and the right foot for accelerator and brake. There is no good reason to use the brake or clutch pedals as footrests in manuals or automatics. Under normal circumstances there is nothing to be gained from using left foot braking even saving the 0.7 seconds it takes to move your right foot to the brake pedal is better than braking while accelerating. The moment you lift your right foot you will benefit from engine braking anyway.

For normal everyday driving then folk will adapt their own driving styles to suit and kid themselves that their way is best and can not be proved right or wrong. But in an actual emergency where you react instinctively I wouldn't mind betting you revert to Clutch to the floor left foot and braking with the right foot.... if this is the way you were taught originally.

just my thoughts on this

 

[phoenix550]

Comparing driving an F1 car to driving a road car

Ok what's the benefits in every day driving of left foot braking?

And why in my car is the brake pedal positioned closer to the right foot?

Well for starters you can stop the car a lot quicker if you left foot brake both incase of emergency and general driving.
And with left foot braking you're quicker on both the throttle and the brakes which is a more efficient way to drive a car.
Two feet, two pedals. The only logical conclusion is one foot per pedal.

I didn't design your car so I can't say. I didn't notice the distance in my car but
I believe it's equidistant. I will check this to confirm

 

[phoenix550]

Do you drive covering the brake pedal, mine usually sits on the provided foot plate.

I'm not sure, but I think I do. I'll report back after driving today.

 

[L John]

Well for starters you can stop the car a lot quicker if you left foot brake both incase of emergency and general driving.

With general driving you shouldn't need to stop quicker, unless you like your passengers to look like the Churchill dog, nodding, "Oh yes".

I can't even remember the last time I needed to do an emergency stop! Driving with anticipation of what other road users might do (vehicles and pedestrians), reading the road, driving at an appropriate speed for the conditions, not necessarily within the speed limit but safe for the road.
When going past a junction with right of way, my foot is usually off the accelerator and over the brake pedal, in anticipation of the many idiots on the road.

 

[NP46]

If you do drive covering the brake that's poor driving in my opinion, bit like riding a clutch, no benefit to the cars mechanics at all.

I'm not sure, but I think I do. I'll report back after driving today.

Straight answer please.
If left foot braking is so beneficial to road driving why is it never taught?

I can only speak for myself but when driving an auto my right foot simply pivots on the heel between accelerator and brake, hence the reason I guess the brake pedal is closer to the right foot. As for braking quicker you could only achieve that if you were covering the brake. I can't see a foot on the foot plate hitting the brake pedal any quicker the right foot.

When driving a manual do you switch between left foot and right foot braking or do you keep stalling because you've no feet left for the clutch pedal when you come to a stop lol.

Well for starters you can stop the car a lot quicker if you left foot brake both incase of emergency and general driving.
And with left foot braking you're quicker on both the throttle and the brakes which is a more efficient way to drive a car.
Two feet, two pedals. The only logical conclusion is one foot per pedal.

I didn't design your car so I can't say. I didn't notice the distance in my car but
I believe it's equidistant. I will check this to confirm

 

[EmilysDad]

...... When driving a manual do you switch between left foot and right foot braking or do you keep stalling because you've no feet left for the clutch pedal when you come to a stop lol.

No. I can drive a 3 pedal car just easily as an auto

 

[NP46]

Me too although sometimes I do forget to change down at junctions :Oops:

No. I can drive a 3 pedal car just easily as an auto

 

[phoenix550]

If you do drive covering the brake that's poor driving in my opinion, bit like riding a clutch, no benefit to the cars mechanics at all.




Straight answer please.
If left foot braking is so beneficial to road driving why is it never taught?

I can only speak for myself but when driving an auto my right foot simply pivots on the heel between accelerator and brake, hence the reason I guess the brake pedal is closer to the right foot. As for braking quicker you could only achieve that if you were covering the brake. I can't see a foot on the foot plate hitting the brake pedal any quicker the right foot.

When driving a manual do you switch between left foot and right foot braking or do you keep stalling because you've no feet left for the clutch pedal when you come to a stop lol.

Since when are driving instructors the arbiters of proper road driving? Just because they teach something doesn't make it right.
I was taught to shuffle the wheel and never cross my hands. Can you honestly say that that is an efficient and safe way to steer a vehicle?
It's slow, cumbersome, and makes you look like the word that rhymes with banker yet they still teach it.

Very rarely do I drive a manual, but when I do I am forced to right foot brake, which is partly why I prefer an auto

 

[NP46]

:lol:

Since when are driving instructors the arbiters of proper road driving? Just because they teach something doesn't make it right.
I was taught to shuffle the wheel and never cross my hands. Can you honestly say that that is an efficient and safe way to steer a vehicle?
It's slow, cumbersome, and makes you look like the word that rhymes with banker yet they still teach it.

Very rarely do I drive a manual, but when I do I am forced to right foot brake, which is partly why I prefer an auto

 

[phoenix550]

Ok, went for a quick drive. I keep the left foot hovering above the brake pedal. I like it this way, I can brake or accelerate instantaneously