[Trialskings]

So, my usual day consists of departing Bristol early doors & either heading North up the M5 or East along the M4.
Today however, was a little more interesting, I was scheduled to be in Brecon first thing so decided I'd take the 'shortest' route & avoid the major carriageways.

I've been experimenting with left foot braking whilst in Manual gear change mode and finally feel as though I've not only got the technique dialled but also found a really nice way of keeping the balance of the car in & out of the corners.

Left foot braking is one of those things that while completely natural in a Go-Kart usually results in butting ones head against the window when in a car. Thankfully, having played around with it under more normal driving conditions a deftness of touch has been acquired.

Today, I thought I'd incorporate this with (a la F1 drivers...before fuel saving was such an issue) getting back on the gas whilst still braking. I have to say, it is a truly amazing technique. Not only does it neutralise that awkward weight transfer issue that arises from brake to gas but it also gets the turbos spooling up ready for exit.

The Beemer is great for this vs the Aldi as that car would kill the power if both pedals were pressed simultaneously.

Certainly a technique that on the fabulous twisty B roads of Wales makes for considerable progress.

Anyone tried similar/any other driving style tips for making the most of their car?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Trialskings

So, my usual day consists of departing Bristol early doors & either heading North up the M5 or East along the M4.
Today however, was a little more interesting, I was scheduled to be in Brecon first thing so decided I'd take the 'shortest' route & avoid the major carriageways.

I've been experimenting with left foot braking whilst in Manual gear change mode and finally feel as though I've not only got the technique dialled but also found a really nice way of keeping the balance of the car in & out of the corners.

Left foot braking is one of those things that while completely natural in a Go-Kart usually results in butting ones head against the window when in a car. Thankfully, having played around with it under more normal driving conditions a deftness of touch has been acquired.

Today, I thought I'd incorporate this with (a la F1 drivers...before fuel saving was such an issue) getting back on the gas whilst still braking. I have to say, it is a truly amazing technique. Not only does it neutralise that awkward weight transfer issue that arises from brake to gas but it also gets the turbos spooling up ready for exit.

The Beemer is great for this vs the Aldi as that car would kill the power if both pedals were pressed simultaneously.

Certainly a technique that on the fabulous twisty B roads of Wales makes for considerable progress.

Anyone tried similar/any other driving style tips for making the most of their car?

Interesting... I've not tried with my left foot, but have tried to blip the throttle whilst braking to try and ensure the turbos still spooling when on a long brake in to a slow bend... so trying to achieve a similar outcome to you at that phase of the corner.

I might give it a go though.

[....,,,,..,,..]

I had my wife drive the BMW, however had her not wear her glasses.

Makes for entertaining driving, when she only sees the bend 15 feet from it and doing 70...

Just as well it's an xdrive...

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Brigand

I had my wife drive the BMW, however had her not wear her glasses.

Makes for entertaining driving, when she only sees the bend 15 feet from it and doing 70...

Just as well it's an xdrive...

How does xdrive help in that situation? Surely it would be a hindrance if anything, due to the extra weight and therefore longer braking distances!

[Trialskings]

It's surreal, you will leave the old you for dead and feel safe & smooth. Get to grips with the left foot braking before trying in earnest.

I actually find I brake harder than what I would with my right foot which considering I'll be pressing on when utilising the technique suits me just fine.

If anything, it's just nice to engage the brain a little & challenge it to learning something new.

[Sladester100]

Originally Posted by Brigand

I had my wife drive the BMW, however had her not wear her glasses.

Makes for entertaining driving, when she only sees the bend 15 feet from it and doing 70...

Just as well it's an xdrive...

Originally Posted by teaston

How does xdrive help in that situation? Surely it would be a hindrance if anything, due to the extra weight and therefore longer braking distances!

Oh no! Not the xdrive is better at everything debate again??

---

Anyway; this is where MT is all good for constant velocity gear change and double de clutch before bends and powering through

[Dave_3]

Be careful.

I've inadvertently pushed down on the brake pedal while pushing on the accelerator, and the braking was much more instant and forceful than I would have expected.

I'm guessing the safety monitoring system that can detect how quickly you move off the accelerator and onto the brake (short time in emergency braking) could also trigger this effect.

Although from the BMW video it would suggest it is triggered mainly by how quickly you release the accelerator. But worth keeping in mind.

D.

[gangzoom]

Been doing left foot braking on all auto cars for years now. It's second nature to me now, and if anything using my right foot to brake feels more dangerous/slow.

But when I went to test drive an auto car at a dealer recently, he wouldn't let me take the car out of 'park' till I used my right foot to brake rather than left

[matt_320d]

I have tried gently dabbing the brakes with my left foot a couple of times. Bloody hell. I nearly went through the windscreen. :s

Also, the pedals aren't really in the right place for it.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by matt_320d

I have tried gently dabbing the brakes with my left foot a couple of times. Bloody hell. I nearly went through the windscreen. :s

Also, the pedals aren't really in the right place for it.

I think that it takes a while for you to readjust to the fact that it's the brake and not a clutch pedal!

If you ever try to depress a clutch with your right foot then you have the opposite problem.

[335dJa]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Just as well it's an xdrive...

Nice baiting, see you got a few catches already

[....,,,,..,,..]

It does take a while to learn, sort of over coming muscle memory.

Your right foot is the gentle force and you only use your foot.

With your left foot, it's the force foot including your leg / knee.

Initially when doing left foot braking you use same action as with clutch.

If anyone is going to try this, make sure it's a quiet road, you have no one else in the car, you are not going above 30.

You will learn how a fly feels as it hits your windscreen

It's not (as far as I am aware) 'illegal' as in if you did it on your test in an automatic car, there is no place to put 'used left foot to brake'.

[Sladester100]

Originally Posted by Brigand

It does take a while to learn, sort of over coming muscle memory.

Your right foot is the gentle force and you only use your foot.

With your left foot, it's the force foot including your leg / knee.

Initially when doing left foot braking you use same action as with clutch.

If anyone is going to try this, make sure it's a quiet road, you have no one else in the car, you are not going above 30.

You will learn how a fly feels as it hits your windscreen

It's not (as far as I am aware) 'illegal' as in if you did it on your test in an automatic car, there is no place to put 'used left foot to brake'.

Exactly right, once you tell your leg how to do it gently you'll be fine. Drive Autos at work and yeah the first time I did it - even though I was really trying - managed to almost break my nose on the screen!

As for your final point - on a public road you could argue that if you're 'trying something out' then you're not really in proper control of the vehicle but it Would have to be proven. As for the example of a driving test is expect you'd get an examiners concern comment or similar about not using correct technique or something - but then if you learned like that from scratch you'd be fine at it obviously!

[HiBee]

Left foot braking was my only warning on test driving the auto i tried today

Couldn't rag the 235i M Sport, as i had a female BMW employee with me. Didn't think it would be right.
Looking forward to a lone drive test

Need to visit the auto or manual posts to compare thoughts.

[jusdorange]

see last time I mentioned this , I got massacred lol

but people seem to be warming to the idea

I have only driven exclusively automatics , and I prefer the simple up down motion

not pivot

I had a go in a friends manual car and I had the opposite problem

I'm used to "the gentle touch" so I didn't push down the clutch hard enough

driving is a learnt skill and so if you've only ever driven autos like me, it's not that difficult

I can imagine if you've used the left foot for years, especially on older cars to push down on a heavy clutch it can be a learning curve

[dopper99]

Do I assume this technique will wear your brakes out quicker?

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Do I assume this technique will wear your brakes out quicker?

It's a yes and no answer.

Yes if you can't cooridinate your feet, accelerating with brake pressed = more wear.

Also if you press more firmly with left foot.


However, you can just be on and off faster, so less wear..


I personally use RIGHT foot braking more than left, it's call reading the road, it's crazy how many people brake, when just lifting works as well......

[jusdorange]

Originally Posted by Brigand

It's a yes and no answer.

Yes if you can't cooridinate your feet, accelerating with brake pressed = more wear.

Also if you press more firmly with left foot.


However, you can just be on and off faster, so less wear..


I personally use RIGHT foot braking more than left, it's call reading the road, it's crazy how many people brake, when just lifting works as well......

I often tap the brakes just so the light comes on

so tailgaters get the idea

[F30Andy]

Originally Posted by jusdorange

I often tap the brakes just so the light comes on

so tailgaters get the idea

Don't generally have the problem of people driving up your arse in the 3d, however I hear you on the tapping to let them know thing. Comes in handy when having a "spirited drive" with another vehicle on public roads.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by F30Andy

Don't generally have the problem of people driving up your arse in the 3d, however I hear you on the tapping to let them know thing. Comes in handy when having a "spirited drive" with another vehicle on public roads.

True, usually not many people get to sit behind.

Although I did have to let two BMW F31's past yesterday.

I thought it rather prudent, as they had blues flashing

[F30Andy]

Originally Posted by Brigand

True, usually not many people get to sit behind.

Although I did have to let two BMW F31's past yesterday.

I thought it rather prudent, as they had blues flashing

I would have sat in the middle and said

"I thought you were showing love to the F30 and giving me an escort officer."

[snipnoob86]

i have a friend who drives with his left foot as he lost his right. alien to me, he said it took him a few weeks to fully adjust and now feels completely natural

so i guess if you pretend you right foot can only do the accelerator then your brain will surely adjust too