Left foot braking

[puter]

I have a C180 Coupe Auto and wish to disable the engine manage system from shutting down the engine during left foot braking. I believe the signal originates from the stop light power. Can anyone help please.

 

[jberks]

I didn't know it did, though it doesn't surprise me.

To be honest, this sounds like a major reprogramming job so well beyond a forum.
The brake light switch is used for ABS,ESP,BAS, engine management and probably the gearbox management system etc so fully integrated into the car and therefore not easily excluded from one component without excluding others. I can only guess as to the purpose of such a function, but I'd imagine its there as part of many of the stability features so to disable it could cause these features to malfunction dangerously, if not light up your dashboard like a christmas tree.
Also, I suspect that such a mod would make the your insurance void, given that you are tampering with the cars safety and stability kit, let alone the MOT implications.

I'd leave well alone.

 

[Blobcat]

I left foot brake regularly and not noticed the engine shutting down

 

[carabind]

em - are you saying you want to use your right foot to rev up the engine whilst you're braking ? Sounds like a daring move and you will notice extra wear and fade on your brakes and gearbox? ?

 

[television]

I have never heard of a car shuting down with left foot braking, I use any foot ,depends where I am, and what I am doing ,also the car I am driving.

malcolm

 

[carabind]

I have heard of the ECU cutting off fuel to the engine when coasting in the aim of greater fuel economy

 

[Rory]

I have never heard of a car shuting down with left foot braking, I use any foot ,depends where I am, and what I am doing ,also the car I am driving.

malcolm

I've certainly read that all VAG cars do it.

It must be a more complicated system than simply the stop light, otherwise you wouldn't be able to do a hill start while holding the car on the brake pedal.

 

[television]

I've certainly read that all VAG cars do it.

It must be a more complicated system than simply the stop light, otherwise you wouldn't be able to do a hill start while holding the car on the brake pedal.

It does not sound good to me, in a difficult situation where you do things in a quick succession. I will do a search, an interesting subject.

malcolm

 

[bibamus]

Is there a small video camera under the dash that links to the ECU that shuts down the engine when it sees your left foot on the brake pedal....... or am i missing something here?

Allan

 

[television]

Is there a small video camera under the dash that links to the ECU that shuts down the engine when it sees your left foot on the brake pedal....... or am i missing something here?

Allan

I think that's something for the future, we could have one that recognised your face, as a anti thieft device.

malcolm

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

I've certainly read that all VAG cars do it.

It must be a more complicated system than simply the stop light, otherwise you wouldn't be able to do a hill start while holding the car on the brake pedal.

My wifes W reg golf tdi manual did it. I used to use the brake lights for a bit of extra illumination when reversing up our drive but the golf wouldn't let me do it and dropped the engine to idle when the footbrake was touched.

I presumed it was to stop people driving along the motorway with the brakes slightly on and cooking the pads/discs. I see this fairly often!

 

[mlc]

I can confirm that both our cars (2003 slk and 2001 S) do this and it drives me mad!

I have used left foot braking for 20 years and it is really useful, especially when you are moving at low speed reversing up a slope, our drive is a perfect example, now as soon as you touch the brake the revs go! Of course if MB fitted a handbrake on the S I could use that instead on the drive - but thats another story.

Interestingly the system doesnt trigger if you are stationery, so you can hold the car with the brake and build up revs to make a quick getaway - perfect for joining rushhour traffic in the morning.

Our earlier 1997 SLK didnt have this feature, I iniitially thought it was a fault when we bought the later SLK.

Mark.

 

[television]

Well in this case I think that I may have it on the SL, when it stops raining I will try, that would explain no go when I was holding the brake with the left foot and I had no power, its nice to know what you have got~~~~and so the learning cycle goes on.

malcolm

 

[sankey]

so if you get the passenger to lean over and brake with their right foot it should be ok,lets be sensible,how can a car know what foot is on the brake.

cross your legs and confuse it,,lol

 

[puter]

Thank you all for your comments. For those interested in left foot braking, type left foot braking into Google and you will be given a choice if information for ordinary road use all the way through to competition use.
Most modern cars will not allow the foot brake and accelerator to be applied together whilst the car is moving, although there is built into the CPU provision for hill starts using the left foot to brake holding the car stationary and applying power with the right foot.
Malcolm. My SL500 129 is OK but my wifes 180 which is subject to EU current regs is not! and she hates it. She also mutters about Mercs lack of a BM type proper handbrake.

 

[television]

Thank you all for your comments. For those interested in left foot braking, type left foot braking into Google and you will be given a choice if information for ordinary road use all the way through to competition use.
Most modern cars will not allow the foot brake and accelerator to be applied together whilst the car is moving, although there is built into the CPU provision for hill starts using the left foot to brake holding the car stationary and applying power with the right foot.
Malcolm. My SL500 129 is OK but my wifes 180 which is subject to EU current regs is not! and she hates it. She also mutters about Mercs lack of a BM type proper handbrake.

Yes my 129 did not do it, I only noticed this week on the 230 that in a stop and go situation where I used both feet that it cut, my first though was ,Oh its dying. I feel happy now though, thanks.

Malcolm

 

[Hawks]

I have been driving autos for a number of years now and must admit I had never heard of this 'problem'. I have to say I would be disappointed if I drove an auto that wouldn't let me left-foot brake. I know there are those who are dead against if but for me it just seems second nature now. Two pedals, two feet, - simple.

 

[television]

I have been driving autos for a number of years now and must admit I had never heard of this 'problem'. I have to say I would be disappointed if I drove an auto that wouldn't let me left-foot brake. I know there are those who are dead against if but for me it just seems second nature now. Two pedals, two feet, - simple.

You can still use two feet (or more:-o ), but you have to be quick to release the brake before the throtle.

malcolm

 

[Chazchuzzlewitt]

I say go with whatever feels natural and safest. You shouldn't have to think about it...

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

I've done a bit of go-karting in the past and they are set up with right foot throttle and left foot braking. At first I thought 'weird' but after a lap or two it becomes second nature. Having said that I only use my right foot in the van which is an automated box with only 2 pedals.