IAM test in an automatic with left foot braking?

[thatdude]

Just to comment on the validity of LFB:

I drive an auto, and have lower back trouble. When this flairs up, it can be very uncomfortable / painful to keep moving my right foot from throttle to brake. In these instances, I will left foot brake. It is a good skill to have.

[TwinKam]

Forgetting the high speed 'balancing' bit for a moment, I consider having delicate control of the left foot more of a practical proposition in the slowest of situations, such as parking, general manouvering in tight spaces, even driving down a residential street... it not only gives you an advantage in reaction times to unexpected hazards (eg cats, children), but also smoothes the lurch when wanting to move only a few inches when eg parallel parking, as some 'auto' boxes... typically the ones without a torque converter eg automated manuals and CVTs... do not naturally creep and have to be coaxed into action with the gas, covering the brake with the left foot should be mandatory in these instances IMHO.

[hedges88]

TwinKam said:

Forgetting the high speed 'balancing' bit for a moment, I consider having delicate control of the left foot more of a practical proposition in the slowest of situations, such as parking, general manouvering in tight spaces, even driving down a residential street... it not only gives you an advantage in reaction times to unexpected hazards (eg cats, children), but also smoothes the lurch when wanting to move only a few inches when eg parallel parking, as some 'auto' boxes... typically the ones without a torque converter eg automated manuals and CVTs... do not naturally creep and have to be coaxed into action with the gas, covering the brake with the left foot should be mandatory in these instances IMHO.

The owners manuals of many cars, including my own, tell you to never use your left foot and to use your right foot for braking and accelerating only. Now I can left foot brake smoothly and well but never do. If I was given to operating my vehicle in a way the owners manual has prohibited then surely in the event of an accident or whatever that would look bad on me for operating my vehicle in a way the manufacturer specifically told me not to do regardless of any local laws?

I'm not weighing in on the issue, I'm just thinking about what the manual says and wondering if I was to do what some people say they do on a regular basis (use left foot braking) would I not look very negligent in the event of an accident because I don't even care to follow the operating procedure for the vehicle I am driving.

Now on the side of weighing in, my opinion is no one should be LFB on the road no matter manual or auto. It's an advanced driving technique for off road, race and rally use. I don't disagree with what's been said about reaction times etc but that's always been my opinion. Just because it's my opinion I accept others have other views and are entitled as I am to have their own thoughts.

[PhilAsia]

hedges88 said:

TwinKam said:

Forgetting the high speed 'balancing' bit for a moment, I consider having delicate control of the left foot more of a practical proposition in the slowest of situations, such as parking, general manouvering in tight spaces, even driving down a residential street... it not only gives you an advantage in reaction times to unexpected hazards (eg cats, children), but also smoothes the lurch when wanting to move only a few inches when eg parallel parking, as some 'auto' boxes... typically the ones without a torque converter eg automated manuals and CVTs... do not naturally creep and have to be coaxed into action with the gas, covering the brake with the left foot should be mandatory in these instances IMHO.

The owners manuals of many cars, including my own, tell you to never use your left foot and to use your right foot for braking and accelerating only. Now I can left foot brake smoothly and well but never do. If I was given to operating my vehicle in a way the owners manual has prohibited then surely in the event of an accident or whatever that would look bad on me for operating my vehicle in a way the manufacturer specifically told me not to do regardless of any local laws?

I'm not weighing in on the issue, I'm just thinking about what the manual says and wondering if I was to do what some people say they do on a regular basis (use left foot braking) would I not look very negligent in the event of an accident because I don't even care to follow the operating procedure for the vehicle I am driving.

Now on the side of weighing in, my opinion is no one should be LFB on the road no matter manual or auto. It's an advanced driving technique for off road, race and rally use. I don't disagree with what's been said about reaction times etc but that's always been my opinion. Just because it's my opinion I accept others have other views and are entitled as I am to have their own thoughts.

I would always advise to use the safest option in your toolbox.

As previously explained, LFB ensures that one foot is operating the brake and the other, the gas. Some of the advantages are:

1) No SUA when selecting R to D, or D to R, as the right foot is used solely for the gas.

2) More control when slow speed manouvering in car parks, etc, as any "sudden surge" can be contained..., especially when overcoming bumps etc.

3) Quicker reaction times - where I would counter that taking further few cm/metres to stop by RFB is being "negligent".

4) When being followed closely, brake lights can be shown without having to slow the vehicle.

5) Blending of gas and brakes gives a more stable platform.

6) .......etc

Manufacturers give all sorts of "advice" in owner's manuals, as law suits are thereby sidestepped.

If you are uncoordinated, cannot invest the time, fiercely oppose, or LFB is just not for you......just use your right foot and be happy.

Nobody knows what foot you are using anyway - NB (funny story): In my driving test, using a manual vehicle, my driving examiner here in the Philippines didn't even know I was using my right foot for the clutch and my left for the brake and gas - I passed!!!