Left foot braking?
#1
Left foot braking?
Love my XK8...yet when I drive it it seems like I have to sit a few degrees off center if I want to brake with the right foot...it requires placing the left thigh pretty much over the seat thigh support. I am a fairly trim 5' 8", 165 Lb man.....don't know how this would work for you larger fellows. Lately I've been using the right foot for accelerator and left foot for braking.
Is this an issue for others? and I know all of the above probably sounds strange to the RH drivers across the pond.
Is this an issue for others? and I know all of the above probably sounds strange to the RH drivers across the pond.
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Left foot braking withan Automatic is a BIG no no & should be frowned upon ( who the heck taught you to drive like that ???? I used to drive Double decker buses ( 42' long 8ft wide 9 litre twin turbo diesel with a 7 speed electro/auto box , 90 passengers ,with standees ) When I passed my UK PCV Licence , my Instructor always said " If I ever catch anybody braking with their left foot , I'll cut your effing ! leg off , Your brain isnt clever enough for left leg braking !!!"
#6
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MFoncerrada8 (12-25-2013)
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#8
The alleged instructor is wrong.
Some people use left foot braking quite effectively. And, yes there are also some people who cannot manage two feet properly.
There have been studies showing an advantage in reaction time. A foot hovering over the brake can get on the brake much faster than moving the right foot over. That is a physical truth. Whether some people can manage two feet is a different matter.
Right foot braker here despite the above. But, I am very prone to moving my foot into position over the brake if something up the road doesn't look right.
Some people use left foot braking quite effectively. And, yes there are also some people who cannot manage two feet properly.
There have been studies showing an advantage in reaction time. A foot hovering over the brake can get on the brake much faster than moving the right foot over. That is a physical truth. Whether some people can manage two feet is a different matter.
Right foot braker here despite the above. But, I am very prone to moving my foot into position over the brake if something up the road doesn't look right.
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scm (12-30-2013)
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I suspect that a lot of people do as I do. If I am in traffic, or driving around in town with a lot of intersections and cars moving around, I keep my left foot at the ready in case I have to stop quickly, because there is no doubt that you can put the brakes on a little quicker that way, which might prevent an accident. If I am on the interstate or some country road or similar, I tend to use right foot braking and relax my left leg.
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MFoncerrada8 (12-25-2013)
#15
If you are riding a motorcycle and want to change gear you need to coordinate both hands and one foot, if you are braking at the same time you may need to add a second function to the right hand and bring the other foot into play.
Makes coordinating left foot braking childs play.
Makes coordinating left foot braking childs play.
Graham
#16
Well this was a surprise. I learned to drive on manual transmission and have never used left foot for anything other than the clutch (except with motorcycles which I drove for years - good point Norri). So I am rather surprised that so many of you use this on a daily basis.
I googled left foot braking and it is much more common than I thought, even recommended as a technique in racing circles. Enjoyed this short article:
Left foot braking
It doesn't feel natural to me....but I will endeavor to persevere...;=) as that is the only way I feel comfortable in the XK8 seat...
I would have thought the larger the person the more uncomfortable they would find the seat (if trying to use right foot for both functions)...does anyone besides me and Marshall have a problem with the XK8 seat?
I googled left foot braking and it is much more common than I thought, even recommended as a technique in racing circles. Enjoyed this short article:
Left foot braking
It doesn't feel natural to me....but I will endeavor to persevere...;=) as that is the only way I feel comfortable in the XK8 seat...
I would have thought the larger the person the more uncomfortable they would find the seat (if trying to use right foot for both functions)...does anyone besides me and Marshall have a problem with the XK8 seat?
#18
I have tried left foot braking but don't like it, I guess it is a case of practice, I find I am too heavy and end up braking too hard (normally the heavy foot has more to do with the right ) I was always taught never to do it so I never did.
The only time is to make a fast getaway, brake, build up the revs, and go, not something I would recommend putting unnecessary strain on the engine and torque converter but sometimes needs must......
The only time is to make a fast getaway, brake, build up the revs, and go, not something I would recommend putting unnecessary strain on the engine and torque converter but sometimes needs must......
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weisberg (12-27-2013)
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Well this was a surprise. I learned to drive on manual transmission and have never used left foot for anything other than the clutch (except with motorcycles which I drove for years - good point Norri). So I am rather surprised that so many of you use this on a daily basis.
I googled left foot braking and it is much more common than I thought, even recommended as a technique in racing circles. Enjoyed this short article:
Left foot braking
It doesn't feel natural to me....but I will endeavor to persevere...;=) as that is the only way I feel comfortable in the XK8 seat...
I would have thought the larger the person the more uncomfortable they would find the seat (if trying to use right foot for both functions)...does anyone besides me and Marshall have a problem with the XK8 seat?
I googled left foot braking and it is much more common than I thought, even recommended as a technique in racing circles. Enjoyed this short article:
Left foot braking
It doesn't feel natural to me....but I will endeavor to persevere...;=) as that is the only way I feel comfortable in the XK8 seat...
I would have thought the larger the person the more uncomfortable they would find the seat (if trying to use right foot for both functions)...does anyone besides me and Marshall have a problem with the XK8 seat?
Doug