[wrose100]

Hey guys,

So I was talking to my friend today while we were driving home, and he was touting left foot braking. I know its used in racing scenarios, but what are your guys' thoughts on its day to day use. Do any of you guys use your left foot to brake?

[Parth317]

I use my right foot.

[BAMxi]

Right foot only for braking. My wife used her left foot when I first met her, and it was the jerkiest car ride ever riding with her! Also caused major setbacks when trying to teach her to drive a manual transmission.

[edirtaynine]

i dont race to work.

[R.G.]

Play gran tourismo enough and breaking with your right foot will feel awkward

[Catalina Wine Mixer]

I once tried to break with my left foot I literally slammed on the brakes because I wasn't used to using my left foot and applied to much pressure when trying to come to a stop sign.

[wrose100]

Originally Posted by Catalina Wine Mixer

I once tried to break with my left foot I literally slammed on the brakes because I wasn't used to using my left foot and applied to much pressure when trying to come to a stop sign.

This was basically the same reaction I had when I tried it, but apparently it works for some people...

[Catalina Wine Mixer]

Originally Posted by wrose100

This was basically the same reaction I had when I tried it, but apparently it works for some people...

yeah idk how lol I tried crossing my feet and pushing in the clutch with my right and gas with my left lmao lets just say it went terrible

[Escay]

I do it, I don't know when it started but its become a habit. At first it was jerky cause you aren't used to smooth motions there's no muscle memory. After a while you get used to it.

[fazi13]

well.. left foot braking only works on an automatic so I don't ever use it in my car, though it was quite easy to learn. but, if you do there's always the issue where you apply the brakes and for maybe 1/5 of a second your foot could still be on the gas. that'll wear down your brakes a bit. also.. I find it a bit less comfortable because now you need to move your right AND left foot.

and even if you were racing, the time that it'll shave off of an average driver, will likely be negligible.

[sohlman]

Starts with go karting as the brakes only operate on the left.

Used in racing and allows power to be maintained and brakes applied to pull down into Tarmac. Your other option would be to lift, but this makes car slightly less stable as weight is transferred.

I have not tried it on a track, but it is a very advanced technique.

I have tried with an auto and can do smoothly, but it requires more concentration.

[dmatre]

Originally Posted by fazi13

well.. left foot braking only works on an automatic so I don't ever use it in my car, though it was quite easy to learn. but, if you do there's always the issue where you apply the brakes and for maybe 1/5 of a second your foot could still be on the gas. that'll wear down your brakes a bit. also.. I find it a bit less comfortable because now you need to move your right AND left foot.

and even if you were racing, the time that it'll shave off of an average driver, will likely be negligible.

Not correct. Left foot braking works with auto or manual.

Left foot braking does not work as well with cars that cut fuel when the brakes are applied - as you can't be as fine with the modulation as with older cars (which didn't cut fuel). However, it absolutely DOES work with a manual as well as an auto.

That said, it's of absolutely no advantage in your daily commute. However, when autocrossing, it reduces the time to go from gas-to-brake and brake-to-gas. In road racing, it allows finer control over balance mid-corner - especially with turbocharged cars (where lifting off the throttle results in a loss of boost, and a short time delay until boost rebuilds after throttle application).

[GChase]

Well I'm left-footed and it's even impossible me. As some have said, it's just way too jerky to work well.

[dmatre]

Originally Posted by GChase

Well I'm left-footed and it's even impossible me. As some have said, it's just way too jerky to work well.

... and I guess that because you're not adept at brain surgery, that can't work well either....

[GChase]

Originally Posted by dmatre

... and I guess that because you're not adept at brain surgery, that can't work well either....

?? I'm sure others can but for an average driver it doesn't work well. Just like brain surgery..

[Thrakos]

http://www.formula1blog.com/2010/12/...-foot-braking/

..as someone PM'd me for Part 2 of the above article, I've added it here for ease of access:

http://www.formula1blog.com/2010/12/...oot-braking-2/

[wrose100]

Originally Posted by The Archer

http://www.formula1blog.com/2010/12/...-foot-braking/

Very interesting read! Thanks!

[johmei]

Originally Posted by The Archer

http://www.formula1blog.com/2010/12/...-foot-braking/

Good read!

On the track I have tried some left foot braking in the BMW but it feels weird and not too effective for me. You need to be very good in all other areas before you will benefit much from the left foot braking. In earlier FWD car I could use it more to get the power down post apex and driving on gravel for example.

[trk06]

I use left foot. I tried right foot but it was horrible. don't know why.

[Aventador97]

Never, I think it's a bad habit because in an emergency if you panic and have a foot near the gas and the other on the brake and hit the wrong one then a bunch of bad things can happen. That's just the way I was taught though.

[MidwestGolfBum]

Learning to heel-toe is better in my mind.

[accel]

Originally Posted by wrose100

Hey guys,

So I was talking to my friend today while we were driving home, and he was touting left foot braking. I know its used in racing scenarios, but what are your guys' thoughts on its day to day use. Do any of you guys use your left foot to brake?

I used to do this at my FWD car. But not sure it brings benefits for RWD.