Left-foot braking
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Zep
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The biggest issue I have found with left foot braking is that your muscle memory will mean that you press the brake like a clutch and smack your head on the windscreen, until you get used to it.
We can work on the assumption that you aren’t planning to use both at the same time. You’ll probably find the car would get grumpy with that and give you some lights.
The question begs why you would want to though, common opinion is that left foot braking is good for rallying and touring racing for controlling a car on the limit.
We can work on the assumption that you aren’t planning to use both at the same time. You’ll probably find the car would get grumpy with that and give you some lights.
The question begs why you would want to though, common opinion is that left foot braking is good for rallying and touring racing for controlling a car on the limit.
AKCH01
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Only times I use left foot on the brake is either when setting off on an incline when clutch is at the right point. Other time is to rev match/ blip throttle to not upset balance in corners. Quite a long accelerator pedal so heel/toe isn't a solid option.
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Pros and cons to both, I suppose. I interchange. It’s good to keep both feet occupied.
MarkMas
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I miss having a main beam switch for my left foot.
Scaf
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My old 32 Hotrod had the steering column in between the brake and accelerator so I had to do left foot braking.
I was amazed at how quickly it became second nature, a bit like swapping left to right hand drive.
Can’t really see any benefit in a mainstream car unless you are trying to do burnouts
I was amazed at how quickly it became second nature, a bit like swapping left to right hand drive.
Can’t really see any benefit in a mainstream car unless you are trying to do burnouts
lifes2short
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try it and you'll see how dangerous it can be if you haven't done it before and/or trained for it, its a rallying technique that is hard to master
lifes2short
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the master
3leftovercrest
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I would most definitely say not to do it in a road car. There is absolutely no point or advantage in doing it.
Left foot braking, once you have mastered it in the right setting, is an amazing and almost balletic feeling.
Also, the use of left foot braking is very different between two and four wheel drive cars. ou really need to set up the car properly also to get any benefit from left foot breaking.
For me, I used to spend a lot of time working on the rear brake bias especially with a two wheel drive car. There is no better feeling than hammering along Hafren or Myherin with your right foot constantly planted to the floor and using your left foot to dab the brake to unsettle the rear and steer the car. The first time I attempted it at 90 mile an hour plus on 5 or 6-type bends, totally crapped myself as it felt so wrong but then sooo right when you get used to it..
Those were the days…
Left foot braking, once you have mastered it in the right setting, is an amazing and almost balletic feeling.
Also, the use of left foot braking is very different between two and four wheel drive cars. ou really need to set up the car properly also to get any benefit from left foot breaking.
For me, I used to spend a lot of time working on the rear brake bias especially with a two wheel drive car. There is no better feeling than hammering along Hafren or Myherin with your right foot constantly planted to the floor and using your left foot to dab the brake to unsettle the rear and steer the car. The first time I attempted it at 90 mile an hour plus on 5 or 6-type bends, totally crapped myself as it felt so wrong but then sooo right when you get used to it..
Those were the days…
tokyomb
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I don't, but was quite surprised that 'Reg Local' (a former police advanced driving instructor) has come round to it having its place on the road:
He also has a chapter on it in his book, Advanced and Performance Driving.
He also has a chapter on it in his book, Advanced and Performance Driving.
mjheathcote
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You just need to get used to it.
Over the years had case to use left foot braking when driving a Range Rover when launching boats to ensure no stall when in water, and my Stag with a fast road cam and holley could stall when coming to a stop, so would normally use my right, but left when coming to a stop.
Over the years had case to use left foot braking when driving a Range Rover when launching boats to ensure no stall when in water, and my Stag with a fast road cam and holley could stall when coming to a stop, so would normally use my right, but left when coming to a stop.
alfatwo
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Learned how to left foot brake years ago but really only on race cars
The idea is to already have full throttle when exiting a corner, just like at your local kart track!
Modern cars don't like it if you brake and apply the throttle at the same time,
the old 3200 engine ECU used to throw a fit if you tried
Dave
The idea is to already have full throttle when exiting a corner, just like at your local kart track!
Modern cars don't like it if you brake and apply the throttle at the same time,
the old 3200 engine ECU used to throw a fit if you tried
Dave
azapa
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It's quite easy to get used to, like in a week or so. Once mastered is just as easy and subtle as just using the one foot. In my case I have only ever tried it in a two peddle car though. I'm pretty sure I can lap quicker with it. (but to be honest, have never really measured..)
alfatwo
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In the old days with turbo cars like say Group A Sierra Cosworth's, at was an art to keep the big turbo spooling up out of corners and keeping the speed down the next straight
I was sort of ok, but likes of Andy Rouse and Franco Brancatelli were on another planet!
Dave
I was sort of ok, but likes of Andy Rouse and Franco Brancatelli were on another planet!
Dave
Oneball
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It’s really scary to think that’s 35 years ago!
BL330
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Great topic
I've been left foot braking for at least 15 years and my daughter a physiotherapist, says my left calf is bigger than my right.
I took to left foot braking after reading Frank Gardiner's ( Le Mans / F1 / Porsche 968 ) book " Drive to Survive" where he espouses having the left foot ready to hit the brake as you sense danger situations. Like "will this idiot in the left lane suddenly pull into my lane" etc. It trains you to constantly assess situations and predict possibilities. By having the left foot ready ( hovering but not touching the pedal ) you slash reaction times and save the day.
When I've raised this with motoring enthusiasts I get blank stares, like I'm from mars.
The common response is "won't you get all muddled when you drive a manual," but I've found that isn't the case.
I've been left foot braking for at least 15 years and my daughter a physiotherapist, says my left calf is bigger than my right.
I took to left foot braking after reading Frank Gardiner's ( Le Mans / F1 / Porsche 968 ) book " Drive to Survive" where he espouses having the left foot ready to hit the brake as you sense danger situations. Like "will this idiot in the left lane suddenly pull into my lane" etc. It trains you to constantly assess situations and predict possibilities. By having the left foot ready ( hovering but not touching the pedal ) you slash reaction times and save the day.
When I've raised this with motoring enthusiasts I get blank stares, like I'm from mars.
The common response is "won't you get all muddled when you drive a manual," but I've found that isn't the case.
Evo Cymru
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Just to add to this I have been doing this for many years and others say it has become quite natural - I mostly drive 2 pedal cars anyway now. Not really necessary on roads though….
Interestingly, I got chatting to the Maserati drivers at Goodwood Festival of Speed when they were taking people up the hill in the last Granturismo (must have been 2017?) and when I mentioned left foot braking they were adamant that I shouldn’t with the Maserati.
They did love the GS though and said it was the best modern Maserati to drive - yeah!
Interestingly, I got chatting to the Maserati drivers at Goodwood Festival of Speed when they were taking people up the hill in the last Granturismo (must have been 2017?) and when I mentioned left foot braking they were adamant that I shouldn’t with the Maserati.
They did love the GS though and said it was the best modern Maserati to drive - yeah!
happydaze
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Something I've been doing for many years. The brake can be applied much more rapidly if required.
My everyday 'ute' is a VW Amarok (8 speed ZF auto), and when I mentioned a 'hesitation' problem to the dealer at the 1st service, he asked "Are you a left-foot-braker?" It turns out there's a fuel cut-out when the throttle is lifted off, and a slight delay occurs before the fuel supply returns. "You're beating the system" he said.
My everyday 'ute' is a VW Amarok (8 speed ZF auto), and when I mentioned a 'hesitation' problem to the dealer at the 1st service, he asked "Are you a left-foot-braker?" It turns out there's a fuel cut-out when the throttle is lifted off, and a slight delay occurs before the fuel supply returns. "You're beating the system" he said.