You left foot braker?

[Occasionally6]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I think if you drive with a foot hovering above the brake pedal, you are just going to slam on the brakes in the same way as when you are wielding a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

If you do it (left foot brake) as a matter of course, it's no different i.e. no better or worse, than using just one foot, at least in that respect.

[bestclimb]

Originally Posted by Occasionally6

Take every possible advantage you can.

Except the fraction of a second that you may loose by not hovering your foot over the brake all the time is not how people crash cars. They crash by not seeing the situation, by not leaving them selves enough room, by over driving the conditions or by misapplying controls like hitting the gas and brake at the same time.

If you did not see something in time to use the brake with your right foot and stop in 5 seconds what makes you think you will have seen it in time to stop in 4.95 seconds with your left foot?

Drive the way you want, if you feel you need every possible advantage to stay safe by all means do so. For me if a fraction of a second made the difference I would reevaluate my driving and task management habits.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by Occasionally6

If you do it (left foot brake) as a matter of course, it's no different i.e. no better or worse, than using just one foot, at least in that respect.

I disagree; the left foot braking habit leads to far too many instances of braking while going. I see it all the time. As a practical matter you cannot do that with right foot braking, because that foot is busy on the gas pedal.

I find it funny to have this discussion on an econo board where people are pulling their mirrors and antennae off to save .000001 of a horsepower while going down the road... all to have it completely negated and then some by dragging the brakes.

Sure... you don't do it. I think it is like pedalling a bicycle- proper pedalling technique is darn hard work, I practically have to remind myself with every revolution to lift up on that damned upward pedal or else I'm working against myself by lifting the dead weight of my upstroke leg with my power leg or worse yet, unconsciously pushing down on both. It's not an accusation against anyone or their skills personally; I just think such a habit is ripe for abuse.

[Occasionally6]

If you feel you are incapable of knowing whether or not your left foot is on the brake pedal then don't use it. Don't assume that everybody else is likewise incapable.

[P-hack]

Everyone else is incapable, took old mech a computer to tell him he was hitting the brake when he thought he wasn't. The brake pedal is high up and you naturally rest your foot on whatever pedal it is covering...

If you are going to do this, at a minimum I would install an in-dash brake light (led + resistor in parallel w/brake lights) so you know what is going on with your foot and can actually train it.

[Fat Charlie]

Constantly being on any sort of trigger isn't safe.

If you're that ready to slam on the brakes, you probably shouldn't be on the gas.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by Occasionally6

If you feel you are incapable of knowing whether or not your left foot is on the brake pedal then don't use it. Don't assume that everybody else is likewise incapable.

Zing! Wow, did everything I said just fly past you.

[Occasionally6]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

Constantly being on any sort of trigger isn't safe.

If you're that ready to slam on the brakes, you probably shouldn't be on the gas.

What makes you think that it is necessary to be "constantly on the trigger"? Using the left to brake with doesn't require holding it above the brake pedal all the time.

There is a distinct asymmetry in information here. If you never use your left foot to brake with, how can you be qualified to comment on it? As I opened with, I use either foot on the brake pedal as is appropriate to the situation. I do know what it is like to drive using either method.

Obviously some people don't like having their received wisdom questioned.

[user removed]

Originally Posted by P-hack

Everyone else is incapable, took old mech a computer to tell him he was hitting the brake when he thought he wasn't. The brake pedal is high up and you naturally rest your foot on whatever pedal it is covering...

If you are going to do this, at a minimum I would install an in-dash brake light (led + resistor in parallel w/brake lights) so you know what is going on with your foot and can actually train it.

I love how many on this thread like to make statements based on nothing more than THEIR opinion. The only convincing thing I have read here is when you see someone accelerating with the brake lights on, then you can ASSUME thay are left foot braking. It's possible to do that with only the right foot, not the left.

My "COMPUTER" in my car caused jerky first gear clutch engagement when I did not lift my left foot off the brake completely before stepping on the accelerator, PERIOD.

For the first time in decades yesterday I actually paid attention to my left foot braking technique. My left foot was seldom "HOVERING" over the pedal as SOME here seem to think they can ASS UME from my post. In fact in a 40 mile drive my foot "hovered over the pedal" only in the minuscule percentage of time when I felt there was a high level of danger from intersection traffic and then only for the short period of time when there was actual danger.

Maybe the real problem is for some it is just not in their comprehensional capabilities to even consider using one foot for acceleration and the other for braking, without issues related to those actions. In other words, critics, maybe you are just not mentally capable of the act. Since you seem to like tossing aspersions at me without a shred of evidence, there is one back at ya.

My driving puts people to sleep, including people who have never slept in a car in 50 years while someone else was driving.

Loading the left foot braking option is just another advantage in MY tool box of techniques. I recommend it to no one, but I will use it myself until I can drive no more.

I understand Franks frustration with other drivers who he sees with brake lights no while accelerating. I see similar stupidity and a daily basis. The only time someone behind me sees my brake lights when I am not braking intentionally is when the jackass is taligating me. Anyone who has experience driving in the Tidewater Va environment knows there is a plethora of stupidity here to match any metropolitan area in the country.

Bottom line, left foot braking has saved me from serious injury-death on several occasions. NOT BECASUE I DON'T PASS YOUR ASS UMPTIONS OF WHAT CONSTITUTES A GOOD DRIVER.

Coasting in neutral is illegal in VA, even with the engine running. Fairly sure it's illegal everywhere in the US. Does that make anyone here who coasts in neutral an irresposible law breaking idiot? The same coaster could be charged with obstructing the flow of traffic. You don't see me calling all the engine off coasters here idiots, and I expect the same respect, or you can KMA. Should I call Frank a Moron for driving a gas hog F150 and rant on about my Ranger that gets twice the mileage?

I started several replies to this thread when it got personal and deleted tham all, but since it just seems to keep going into personal attacks, guess I might as well pile on. Getting tired of this people, if you can't state your experiences and qualify you OPINIONS and ASS UMPTIONS, then maybe it's time for me to go elsewhere.

You might understand if you ever ride in a car with me. I challenge ANY member of this forum who is ever mear my location. I ride with you driving and you ride with me driving. Each person writes down their critique of the others driving. BET YOU MINE OF YOUR DRIVING IS LONGER THAN YOUR OF MY DRIVING, and more valid.

regards
Mech

[P-hack]

Lol, left foot brake dragger