How do you position your right foot on the pedals?

[Mellow Matt]

My knee has been playing up recently, and I wondered if it was due to the way my foot's angled when driving, which has led me to question whether I position my right foot in a strange way when driving...

I place the heel of my foot pretty much in line with the brake pedal, and then pivot my foot about my heel to get my toes on the brake when necessary, comme ca:



Please excuse dirty shoes/dirty floor/crappy photo!

So, am I a weirdo (in this respect...)?! Should I be putting my heel below the throttle and pivoting from there? Does it matter, aside from possibly screwing my knee up?

[Caulkhead]

Mellow Matt said:

So, am I a weirdo

Not entirely sure, but I bet you looked like one while you were taking that picture. . . . . .

[Caruso]

How long have you been driving like that, and how long has your knee been playing up? If you've been driving for years and the knee problem has only occurred in the last few months then something else is likely to be the cause. Although having your leg in that position might make you notice it more.

[kambites]

I think I have my foot at about that angle, partly because I can't fit my legs entirely under the wheel so I have to have my knees turned outwards slightly, and partly because I habitually heal and toe from when the synchromeshes on my MGB were screwed. I've not had any knee problems yet.

[80sboy]

I cross my legs. I clutch with my right foot and accelerate with my left. I use both to brake. Is that weird?

[ZOLLAR]

I'm the opposite I think, My right foot is pointing towards my left foot whilst it's on the "go" pedal or brake pedal.

[danyeates]

I've certainly had a bad knee from driving certain cars. Doesn't bother me with the Z4M though, floor mounted fly by wire throttle. Seems to be really well positioned. However, it may just be that the position your leg/knee is in is agrivating the knee, but isn't the cause. Maybe see a specialist who may be able to rectify the problem. I've never had serious knee problems, but osteopaths have sorted my back and neck and it's been fine since.

[badlands1]

Are your shoes on the right feet.

[Decky_Q]

I drive exactly the same as that and Ive had pains in my right knee too from I assume twisting it slightly on long drives, I found that it was much worse when the seat was lower, no idea why but adjust the seat height and see if it improves any. I also put my heel very far right and turned my toes back towards the acc. adn this gave some short releif on long drives.

[attym3]

Wait a minute...you brake with your right foot? This is pistonheads, you are only aloud to do left foot braking while sniffing coke off hookers thighs.

Man up, FFS



(seriously though why not try some left foot braking, see if the problem goes away)

[DanielC4GP]

I drive exactly the same as you too OP. I find putting the seat back an extra notch helps if your knee's playing up. Also I wear thick sole boots for work and it helps if I put the seat back an extra notch when wearing these compared to trainers.

Also it depends a lot on the car I've found. My old car was terrible and I was constantly adjusting the seat and it was one of the reasons why I got rid of it. My current car is a lot better though and so far in the 5 months I've had I've not had to adjust the seat once.

[Monty Python]

Apparently, according to the "experts", you should be able to pivot your right foot from the accelerator to the brake without lifting your heel from the floor.

[Mellow Matt]

Caulkhead said:

Mellow Matt said:

So, am I a weirdo

Not entirely sure, but I bet you looked like one while you were taking that picture. . . . . .

You're probably right!

Caruso said:

How long have you been driving like that, and how long has your knee been playing up? If you've been driving for years and the knee problem has only occurred in the last few months then something else is likely to be the cause. Although having your leg in that position might make you notice it more.

I assume I've been driving like that for 8 years, but I don't know! My knee's only been playing up in the last week.

Monty Python said:

Apparently, according to the "experts", you should be able to pivot your right foot from the accelerator to the brake without lifting your heel from the floor.

I can do that fine, although it was pointed out to me that to heel and toe (conventionally) I have to reverse the way my foot is leaning, which probably isn't the fastest way to do it.

I might try adjusting the seat/left foot braking then, and see if the problem goes away, ta chaps

[TommyBuoy]

My heel sits directly infront of the throttle and I pivot to the brake pedal, then lift my foot to heal and toe. Never had any issues, even though I have had fairly bad knee trouble before.

I remember left foot braking when I had only passed my test for a short while - it was basically an emergency stop then stall.

Editted for Jummy spelling.

[The Black Flash]

Mellow Matt said:

I can do that fine, although it was pointed out to me that to heel and toe (conventionally) I have to reverse the way my foot is leaning, which probably isn't the fastest way to do it.

Only if actually using your heel and toe, which I don't think many folks do these days. Side of the foot to blip the throttle is more usual, I use similar foot positioning to you and it's perfect for that.

[Mellow Matt]

The Black Flash said:

Only if actually using your heel and toe, which I don't think many folks do these days. Side of the foot to blip the throttle is more usual, I use similar foot positioning to you and it's perfect for that.

I do tend to heel and toe by actually using my heel and toe, but I very rarely bother doing it on the road. I have tried doing it the way you describe before, but didn't get on with it, but I haven't tried it with my current mx-5, so might give it a go.

[R300will]

attym3 said:

Wait a minute...you brake with your right foot? This is pistonheads, you are only aloud to do left foot braking while sniffing coke off hookers thighs.

Man up, FFS



(seriously though why not try some left foot braking, see if the problem goes away)

Always wondered about this, left foot braking is all well and good when you have two pedals to choose from, however when you are braking for a corner say with your left foot and it comes time to change down you can't then heel and toe without letting off the brakes and moving your feet down a pedal, which at brisk speeds isn't ideal as you would then have to brake earlier to account for this and hence lose precious time. And if you did all your gear changing before left foot braking you would blow the engine if the coner you were approaching was a sharp one and you had to go down to first or something for it. I find it much quicker to have my foot in similar position to the OP and just pivot from one pedal to the other and it makes heel and toe easier as i am already there.

[slipstream 1985]

R300will said:

attym3 said:

Wait a minute...you brake with your right foot? This is pistonheads, you are only aloud to do left foot braking while sniffing coke off hookers thighs.

Man up, FFS



(seriously though why not try some left foot braking, see if the problem goes away)

Always wondered about this, left foot braking is all well and good when you have two pedals to choose from, however when you are braking for a corner say with your left foot and it comes time to change down you can't then heel and toe without letting off the brakes and moving your feet down a pedal, which at brisk speeds isn't ideal as you would then have to brake earlier to account for this and hence lose precious time. And if you did all your gear changing before left foot braking you would blow the engine if the coner you were approaching was a sharp one and you had to go down to first or something for it. I find it much quicker to have my foot in similar position to the OP and just pivot from one pedal to the other and it makes heel and toe easier as i am already there.

i only left foot brake for corners i know im not going to change gear for, maybe long S bends are a series of country roads that i know. usually only worth it in 3rd gear.

[R300will]

slipstream 1985 said:

R300will said:

attym3 said:

Wait a minute...you brake with your right foot? This is pistonheads, you are only aloud to do left foot braking while sniffing coke off hookers thighs.

Man up, FFS



(seriously though why not try some left foot braking, see if the problem goes away)

Always wondered about this, left foot braking is all well and good when you have two pedals to choose from, however when you are braking for a corner say with your left foot and it comes time to change down you can't then heel and toe without letting off the brakes and moving your feet down a pedal, which at brisk speeds isn't ideal as you would then have to brake earlier to account for this and hence lose precious time. And if you did all your gear changing before left foot braking you would blow the engine if the coner you were approaching was a sharp one and you had to go down to first or something for it. I find it much quicker to have my foot in similar position to the OP and just pivot from one pedal to the other and it makes heel and toe easier as i am already there.

i only left foot brake for corners i know im not going to change gear for, maybe long S bends are a series of country roads that i know. usually only worth it in 3rd gear.

fair enough

[Classic Grad 98]

OP- i'd say the positioning of your foot is fine. My reasoning is that the brake pedal usually requires greater effort and greater control than the accelerator, and when your foot is pivoted to reach the brake, your heel is in perfect alignment with that pedal.
I am no doctor but I suspect ensuring that you move your leg regularly during journeys might help?
I don't think left foot braking is the answer here. As others have said- in normal driving you seldom use the brake without needing to use the clutch shortly afterwards!