Should left-foot braking become the norm?
Discussion
...and should cars therefore have their pedals laid out for it?
In a car with a traditional three-pedal manual transmission, to set the car in motion you must use both accelerator and clutch together, and to bring it to a halt you must combine the brake and clutch. To allow these combinations of pedal inputs, the driver's left leg is dedicated to the clutch, with their right switching between accelerator and brake.
Cars with automatic transmissions have typically kept the brake in a convenient position for the right leg, avoiding the driver having to learn to brake with their left, and maximising commonality for the manufacturer. Depending on the car and on the driver's proportions, it may or may not also be convenient to apply the left foot to the brake.
However, this arrangement for two-pedal cars is clearly compromised in order to remain in line with three-pedal practice. If you were coming up with an arrangement from scratch for a vehicle with only two pedals, you'd allocate one foot to each, separating the pedals accordingly.
The main benefit of left-foot braking is that the driver can apply the brake immediately when faced with an unexpected hazard, without first having to lift their foot off the accelerator and move it sideways. The more minor benefits are a reduced chance of pressing the wrong pedal by mistake, and for keen drivers the ability to apply throttle immediately they release the brake (or even slightly before in some cases).
The only real downside is that it takes a bit of time to train one's left leg to modulate brake pressure appropriately, but it's eminently learnable and a small thing in the overall task of learning to drive. Otherwise I can't think of a single way in which trying to operate both pedals with just the right foot is superior. Most single-seat racing cars now have one pedal per foot, for just this reason.
As the three-pedal layout dwindles into a niche product with the advance of DSGs, hybrids and EVs, surely we're pretty much at the point where it would make sense to lay out two-pedal cars to make the obvious approach of left-foot braking easy? Perhaps with an extra-wide brake pedal for the interim, to allow drivers to use either foot during a transition period.
In a car with a traditional three-pedal manual transmission, to set the car in motion you must use both accelerator and clutch together, and to bring it to a halt you must combine the brake and clutch. To allow these combinations of pedal inputs, the driver's left leg is dedicated to the clutch, with their right switching between accelerator and brake.
Cars with automatic transmissions have typically kept the brake in a convenient position for the right leg, avoiding the driver having to learn to brake with their left, and maximising commonality for the manufacturer. Depending on the car and on the driver's proportions, it may or may not also be convenient to apply the left foot to the brake.
However, this arrangement for two-pedal cars is clearly compromised in order to remain in line with three-pedal practice. If you were coming up with an arrangement from scratch for a vehicle with only two pedals, you'd allocate one foot to each, separating the pedals accordingly.
The main benefit of left-foot braking is that the driver can apply the brake immediately when faced with an unexpected hazard, without first having to lift their foot off the accelerator and move it sideways. The more minor benefits are a reduced chance of pressing the wrong pedal by mistake, and for keen drivers the ability to apply throttle immediately they release the brake (or even slightly before in some cases).
The only real downside is that it takes a bit of time to train one's left leg to modulate brake pressure appropriately, but it's eminently learnable and a small thing in the overall task of learning to drive. Otherwise I can't think of a single way in which trying to operate both pedals with just the right foot is superior. Most single-seat racing cars now have one pedal per foot, for just this reason.
As the three-pedal layout dwindles into a niche product with the advance of DSGs, hybrids and EVs, surely we're pretty much at the point where it would make sense to lay out two-pedal cars to make the obvious approach of left-foot braking easy? Perhaps with an extra-wide brake pedal for the interim, to allow drivers to use either foot during a transition period.
Just move the braking function to the touch screen. Sensible driving doesn't need the pedal that often. 
Until that leap forward I suspect people will just have to cope with the endless struggle of pressing a pedal that's in the centre of the foot well with whichever foot is most convenient at that moment in time.
Until that leap forward I suspect people will just have to cope with the endless struggle of pressing a pedal that's in the centre of the foot well with whichever foot is most convenient at that moment in time.
samoht said:
...and should cars therefore have their pedals laid out for it?
In a car with a traditional three-pedal manual transmission, to set the car in motion you must use both accelerator and clutch together, and to bring it to a halt you must combine the brake and clutch. To allow these combinations of pedal inputs, the driver's left leg is dedicated to the clutch, with their right switching between accelerator and brake.
Cars with automatic transmissions have typically kept the brake in a convenient position for the right leg, avoiding the driver having to learn to brake with their left, and maximising commonality for the manufacturer. Depending on the car and on the driver's proportions, it may or may not also be convenient to apply the left foot to the brake.
However, this arrangement for two-pedal cars is clearly compromised in order to remain in line with three-pedal practice. If you were coming up with an arrangement from scratch for a vehicle with only two pedals, you'd allocate one foot to each, separating the pedals accordingly.
The main benefit of left-foot braking is that the driver can apply the brake immediately when faced with an unexpected hazard, without first having to lift their foot off the accelerator and move it sideways. The more minor benefits are a reduced chance of pressing the wrong pedal by mistake, and for keen drivers the ability to apply throttle immediately they release the brake (or even slightly before in some cases).
The only real downside is that it takes a bit of time to train one's left leg to modulate brake pressure appropriately, but it's eminently learnable and a small thing in the overall task of learning to drive. Otherwise I can't think of a single way in which trying to operate both pedals with just the right foot is superior. Most single-seat racing cars now have one pedal per foot, for just this reason.
As the three-pedal layout dwindles into a niche product with the advance of DSGs, hybrids and EVs, surely we're pretty much at the point where it would make sense to lay out two-pedal cars to make the obvious approach of left-foot braking easy? Perhaps with an extra-wide brake pedal for the interim, to allow drivers to use either foot during a transition period.
In a car with a traditional three-pedal manual transmission, to set the car in motion you must use both accelerator and clutch together, and to bring it to a halt you must combine the brake and clutch. To allow these combinations of pedal inputs, the driver's left leg is dedicated to the clutch, with their right switching between accelerator and brake.
Cars with automatic transmissions have typically kept the brake in a convenient position for the right leg, avoiding the driver having to learn to brake with their left, and maximising commonality for the manufacturer. Depending on the car and on the driver's proportions, it may or may not also be convenient to apply the left foot to the brake.
However, this arrangement for two-pedal cars is clearly compromised in order to remain in line with three-pedal practice. If you were coming up with an arrangement from scratch for a vehicle with only two pedals, you'd allocate one foot to each, separating the pedals accordingly.
The main benefit of left-foot braking is that the driver can apply the brake immediately when faced with an unexpected hazard, without first having to lift their foot off the accelerator and move it sideways. The more minor benefits are a reduced chance of pressing the wrong pedal by mistake, and for keen drivers the ability to apply throttle immediately they release the brake (or even slightly before in some cases).
The only real downside is that it takes a bit of time to train one's left leg to modulate brake pressure appropriately, but it's eminently learnable and a small thing in the overall task of learning to drive. Otherwise I can't think of a single way in which trying to operate both pedals with just the right foot is superior. Most single-seat racing cars now have one pedal per foot, for just this reason.
As the three-pedal layout dwindles into a niche product with the advance of DSGs, hybrids and EVs, surely we're pretty much at the point where it would make sense to lay out two-pedal cars to make the obvious approach of left-foot braking easy? Perhaps with an extra-wide brake pedal for the interim, to allow drivers to use either foot during a transition period.
samoht said:
Perhaps with an extra-wide brake pedal for the interim, to allow drivers to use either foot during a transition period.
Hey! Great idea, although that's the way it is in every automatic car I've owned.In my C-Class auto, it's impossible for me to left-foot brake because to get my left foot on the brake pedal, my left knee has to be in a position occupied by the steering column. So in that case the pedal layout (at least for me) dictates right foot braking, it doesn't allow for the option of either.
My other two cars, both also two-pedal, I can left-foot brake, although less conveniently than if the brake pedal was directly under where one's left foot naturally falls.
Hence my proposal is to migrate towards putting the brake pedal under the left foot, and maybe widening it a bit to allow for the right if needed, rather than vice-versa as today to various degrees.
samoht said:
The main benefit of left-foot braking is that the driver can apply the brake immediately when faced with an unexpected hazard, without first having to lift their foot off the accelerator and move it sideways. The more minor benefits are a reduced chance of pressing the wrong pedal by mistake, and for keen drivers the ability to apply throttle immediately they release the brake (or even slightly before in some cases).
I don't buy your main benefit. The only way this is true is if you permanently hover your left foot over the brake, but no one's going to do this. In the real world it would be no quicker to bring your left foot onto the brake than it would be to pivot your right foot off the accelerator and onto the brake.In fact I'd say that right foot braking has an advantage in an emergency in that you will definitely take your foot off the accelerator, so you add engine braking into the mix. With dedicate left foot braking, there's a chance that in a panicked emergency situation you might keep your right foot where it is, or worse, inadvertently slam both feet on to their respective pedals.
samoht said:
In my C-Class auto, it's impossible for me to left-foot brake because to get my left foot on the brake pedal, my left knee has to be in a position occupied by the steering column. So in that case the pedal layout (at least for me) dictates right foot braking, it doesn't allow for the option of either.
My other two cars, both also two-pedal, I can left-foot brake, although less conveniently than if the brake pedal was directly under where one's left foot naturally falls.
Hence my proposal is to migrate towards putting the brake pedal under the left foot, and maybe widening it a bit to allow for the right if needed, rather than vice-versa as today to various degrees.
Autos are designed for easy use of either foot for braking, it would seem unusual to not be able to do so. The wider pedal and the free space for the left foot being a rather long standing design. My other two cars, both also two-pedal, I can left-foot brake, although less conveniently than if the brake pedal was directly under where one's left foot naturally falls.
Hence my proposal is to migrate towards putting the brake pedal under the left foot, and maybe widening it a bit to allow for the right if needed, rather than vice-versa as today to various degrees.
I remember an article years ago about an ex rally driver who taught driving techniques, one of which was left foot braking. He drove with his left foot poised over the brake pedal in case of emergency.
I tend to left foot brake in autos, but not manuals. My 996 4S cuts the power if you try and brake and accelerate at the same time (which I do to dry the brakes after washing)
I tend to left foot brake in autos, but not manuals. My 996 4S cuts the power if you try and brake and accelerate at the same time (which I do to dry the brakes after washing)
It definitely could work. I doubt it would make much difference in real terms though. People will still crash into stuff because they're not paying attention, or are not driving according to the road and traffic conditions. A tenth of a second here or there won't change a lot of that.
Personally, I would struggle to adjust to that setup.
Personally, I would struggle to adjust to that setup.
Still not getting the point here as the brake pedal in an auto is already set up for braking with either foot. Why would you then move that pedal over to the left and take away the space for your left foot? Is it being advocated that you leave your left foot and leg in the centre where the brake pedal once was, which would be mental beyond words?
Are people unable to pivot either foot that is either side of the brake pedal or is it an inability to decide on which door to use that is the issue? Or are people doing crazy stuff like lifting their entire foot to then apply to the brake pedal?
Two pedal cars have always been set up to allow braking by either foot just as easily and for the less used leg, the left to be left aligned with o e's spine.
Are there people out there who are struggling with this?
Are people unable to pivot either foot that is either side of the brake pedal or is it an inability to decide on which door to use that is the issue? Or are people doing crazy stuff like lifting their entire foot to then apply to the brake pedal?
Two pedal cars have always been set up to allow braking by either foot just as easily and for the less used leg, the left to be left aligned with o e's spine.
Are there people out there who are struggling with this?
Many automatic cars (especially older 60s / 70s ones) had an exceptionally wide brake pedal. I presumed it was to not only make it obvious that you are in an automatic but to allow braking with the left foot.
I can see what the OP is suggesting but I agree that it's unnecessary. There will still be a hell of a lot of manual cars out there for many years, and as somebody who has pressed the brake as hard as a clutch in a stressful situation myself
(switching between auto and manual cars, I have both), I think leaving it in the centre is best.
I can see what the OP is suggesting but I agree that it's unnecessary. There will still be a hell of a lot of manual cars out there for many years, and as somebody who has pressed the brake as hard as a clutch in a stressful situation myself
(switching between auto and manual cars, I have both), I think leaving it in the centre is best. sixor8 said:
Many automatic cars (especially older 60s / 70s ones) had an exceptionally wide brake pedal. I presumed it was to not only make it obvious that you are in an automatic but to allow braking with the left foot.
I can see what the OP is suggesting but I agree that it's unnecessary. There will still be a hell of a lot of manual cars out there for many years, and as somebody who has pressed the brake as hard as a clutch in a stressful situation myself (switching between auto and manual cars, I have both), I think leaving it in the centre is best.
They still do, this is the aforementioned C Class:I can see what the OP is suggesting but I agree that it's unnecessary. There will still be a hell of a lot of manual cars out there for many years, and as somebody who has pressed the brake as hard as a clutch in a stressful situation myself
(switching between auto and manual cars, I have both), I think leaving it in the centre is best. [Img] https://www.dhresource.com/0x0/f2/albu/g6/M00/FA/1...
Nice fat auto pedal to allow easy braking via either foot or indeed both, if desired. And set so as to allow logical room for the least used left leg to rest where evolution decided it is best for it to rest.
Most autos will even have a foot rear set at the same angle as the pedals so as to facilitate even easier left foot usage.
I'm still confused by the OP saying they can't use the brake pedal on a C Class because their knee hits the steering column shroud? Why is the knee of the left leg going anywhere near the steering column?
I’ve been doing it for years, started when I had a E46 SMG M3, and it helped to settle the car when driving (too) fast on the road (I was young!) Now on the single track lanes around where I live it’s really helpful to hover the left foot over the brake in my auto to reduce reaction times and avoid tractors (I’m old )
)My own experience, and that of others I've spoken to, suggests the left foot braking is fine when you want to brake very hard (or you're driving a car with unassisted brakes,) but modulation at low loads is very tricky.
Now that could be because the left is attuned to hefty sweeps on the clutch pedal and by extension a new driver wouldn't have this ingrained issue. However, it could be the opposite - ie. we start out with two lead feet and the right, long normalised to minor throttle adjustments, is "trained" to modulate carefully.
Now that could be because the left is attuned to hefty sweeps on the clutch pedal and by extension a new driver wouldn't have this ingrained issue. However, it could be the opposite - ie. we start out with two lead feet and the right, long normalised to minor throttle adjustments, is "trained" to modulate carefully.
AmyRichardson said:
My own experience, and that of others I've spoken to, suggests the left foot braking is fine when you want to brake very hard (or you're driving a car with unassisted brakes,) but modulation at low loads is very tricky.
Now that could be because the left is attuned to hefty sweeps on the clutch pedal and by extension a new driver wouldn't have this ingrained issue. However, it could be the opposite - ie. we start out with two lead feet and the right, long normalised to minor throttle adjustments, is "trained" to modulate carefully.
When you see film of the footwell of a racing driver in action left foot braking, double de-clutching and all sorts, I think I’d have as much chance learning to do that as play the piano. Now that could be because the left is attuned to hefty sweeps on the clutch pedal and by extension a new driver wouldn't have this ingrained issue. However, it could be the opposite - ie. we start out with two lead feet and the right, long normalised to minor throttle adjustments, is "trained" to modulate carefully.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff