left foot braking
Discussion
can people clear a few points for me.
should it be brake and slow down then change gear.
or change gear while breaking, as i currently do.
This is at speeds may i point out. Basically the question is whats the safest/fastest way etc.
this leads me on to my second question.
I find traffic boring so ive been practicing left foot braking for week or so. Leave myself plenty of room from the car in front/behind incase i f
k up etc. Starting to get the hang of it after a few days of trying. Never tried left foot breaking at great speed however but is this the fastest way to drive a car, i.e change gears accelerate?
should it be brake and slow down then change gear.
or change gear while breaking, as i currently do.
This is at speeds may i point out. Basically the question is whats the safest/fastest way etc.
this leads me on to my second question.
I find traffic boring so ive been practicing left foot braking for week or so. Leave myself plenty of room from the car in front/behind incase i f
k up etc. Starting to get the hang of it after a few days of trying. Never tried left foot breaking at great speed however but is this the fastest way to drive a car, i.e change gears accelerate?moanthebairns said:
can people clear a few points for me.
should it be brake and slow down then change gear.
or change gear while breaking, as i currently do.
This is at speeds may i point out. Basically the question is whats the safest/fastest way etc.
Depends on which advanced driving organisation you belong to, but personally the savings in time by using one foot to brake and the other to accelerate probably don't amount to much. For sure you save a tenth or two in reaction time as you haven't got to move your right foot from throttle to brake, but the cardigan wearers (Sorry BoF) might suggest that if you need those couple of tenths you've probably already screwed up...should it be brake and slow down then change gear.
or change gear while breaking, as i currently do.
This is at speeds may i point out. Basically the question is whats the safest/fastest way etc.
moanie said:
I find traffic boring so ive been practicing left foot braking for week or so. Leave myself plenty of room from the car in front/behind incase i fk up etc. Starting to get the hang of it after a few days of trying. Never tried left foot breaking at great speed however but is this the fastest way to drive a car, i.e change gears accelerate?
Generally left foot braking as a technique is for adjusting the handling on FWD cars rather than 'fastest'. Some people get on with it, some don't. I don't, but I have a fairly different view of cornering to many people. There's a lovely video on YouTube of Walter Rohrl doing it to great effect in the Group B rally days.k up etc. Starting to get the hang of it after a few days of trying. Never tried left foot breaking at great speed however but is this the fastest way to drive a car, i.e change gears accelerate?Left foot braking is generally used in rallying and racing in fwd cars rather than on the roads as a method for shifting the cars balance while keeping the revs up (avoiding turbo lag etc).
A dap on the brake peddle with the left foot shifts more weight forward and unsettles the rear end causing it to slide helping the car negotiate the corner at higher speeds.
Alternatively it is also used in cars with dog boxes where you don't need to use the clutch to change gear once you've pulled away, in which case you can drive it more like a go-kart.
I assume it is used for the same reasons in 4wd cars as well, not sure about rwd though.
No point whatsoever in trying it on the public roads especially in traffic you will gain no advantage except a sore neck and a car in your rear bumper!
Find somewhere private and with a big open space and have a go, it is surprisingly effective once you get used to it and can push the car hard enough to notice the difference. But expect to pirouette a few times practicing!
Disclaimer: I may be talking horlicks. But to the best of my knowledge the above is correct, however no doubt someone will be along soon who knows better!
A dap on the brake peddle with the left foot shifts more weight forward and unsettles the rear end causing it to slide helping the car negotiate the corner at higher speeds.
Alternatively it is also used in cars with dog boxes where you don't need to use the clutch to change gear once you've pulled away, in which case you can drive it more like a go-kart.
I assume it is used for the same reasons in 4wd cars as well, not sure about rwd though.
No point whatsoever in trying it on the public roads especially in traffic you will gain no advantage except a sore neck and a car in your rear bumper!
Find somewhere private and with a big open space and have a go, it is surprisingly effective once you get used to it and can push the car hard enough to notice the difference. But expect to pirouette a few times practicing!
Disclaimer: I may be talking horlicks. But to the best of my knowledge the above is correct, however no doubt someone will be along soon who knows better!
StressedDave said:
moanthebairns said:
can people clear a few points for me.
should it be brake and slow down then change gear.
or change gear while breaking, as i currently do.
This is at speeds may i point out. Basically the question is whats the safest/fastest way etc.
Depends on which advanced driving organisation you belong to, but personally the savings in time by using one foot to brake and the other to accelerate probably don't amount to much. For sure you save a tenth or two in reaction time as you haven't got to move your right foot from throttle to brake, but the cardigan wearers (Sorry BoF) might suggest that if you need those couple of tenths you've probably already screwed up...should it be brake and slow down then change gear.
or change gear while breaking, as i currently do.
This is at speeds may i point out. Basically the question is whats the safest/fastest way etc.
moanie said:
I find traffic boring so ive been practicing left foot braking for week or so. Leave myself plenty of room from the car in front/behind incase i fk up etc. Starting to get the hang of it after a few days of trying. Never tried left foot breaking at great speed however but is this the fastest way to drive a car, i.e change gears accelerate?
Generally left foot braking as a technique is for adjusting the handling on FWD cars rather than 'fastest'. Some people get on with it, some don't. I don't, but I have a fairly different view of cornering to many people. There's a lovely video on YouTube of Walter Rohrl doing it to great effect in the Group B rally days.k up etc. Starting to get the hang of it after a few days of trying. Never tried left foot breaking at great speed however but is this the fastest way to drive a car, i.e change gears accelerate?
after watching a few on youtube ive noticed he only uses his left foot to brake but he never changes gear when doing this(its only a dab) and from what i see he still breaks hard and changes gear at same time. unlike what ive been doing, i brake left foot then change gear ill try this see how i get on. its not a time race thing im after, i just fancy trying a new style of driving see if it helps. doesnt feel to unatural after a few atempts but at first left foot brake was like driving a car with rigger boots on!
Nic Jones said:
Left foot braking is generally used in rallying and racing in fwd cars rather than on the roads as a method for shifting the cars balance while keeping the revs up (avoiding turbo lag etc).
A dap on the brake peddle with the left foot shifts more weight forward and unsettles the rear end causing it to slide helping the car negotiate the corner at higher speeds.
Alternatively it is also used in cars with dog boxes where you don't need to use the clutch to change gear once you've pulled away, in which case you can drive it more like a go-kart.
I assume it is used for the same reasons in 4wd cars as well, not sure about rwd though.
No point whatsoever in trying it on the public roads especially in traffic you will gain no advantage except a sore neck and a car in your rear bumper!
Find somewhere private and with a big open space and have a go, it is surprisingly effective once you get used to it and can push the car hard enough to notice the difference. But expect to pirouette a few times practicing!
Disclaimer: I may be talking horlicks. But to the best of my knowledge the above is correct, however no doubt someone will be along soon who knows better!
hey thanks for advice.A dap on the brake peddle with the left foot shifts more weight forward and unsettles the rear end causing it to slide helping the car negotiate the corner at higher speeds.
Alternatively it is also used in cars with dog boxes where you don't need to use the clutch to change gear once you've pulled away, in which case you can drive it more like a go-kart.
I assume it is used for the same reasons in 4wd cars as well, not sure about rwd though.
No point whatsoever in trying it on the public roads especially in traffic you will gain no advantage except a sore neck and a car in your rear bumper!
Find somewhere private and with a big open space and have a go, it is surprisingly effective once you get used to it and can push the car hard enough to notice the difference. But expect to pirouette a few times practicing!
Disclaimer: I may be talking horlicks. But to the best of my knowledge the above is correct, however no doubt someone will be along soon who knows better!
im only trying it at slow speeds at quite times to get used to the general dab feeling think ive got past that now. ill take on board what youve said though in gee it a wee try. whats the worse that happens i crash, and you can get the blame
IMHO
LFB, HUGE red herring.
Complete waste of time unless in quick fwd car on loose surfaces or you only have two pedal race car.
But if you have the time and brakes to waste ... and really want to cause an internal haemorage ... please don't try at speed in Buckinghamshire.
In balance terms, really does nothing a decent lift can't manage, yet you only move one foot (and the other foot should be securing your body in the right place).
Guys in the bar will be impressed.
LFB, HUGE red herring.
Complete waste of time unless in quick fwd car on loose surfaces or you only have two pedal race car.
But if you have the time and brakes to waste ... and really want to cause an internal haemorage ... please don't try at speed in Buckinghamshire.
In balance terms, really does nothing a decent lift can't manage, yet you only move one foot (and the other foot should be securing your body in the right place).
Guys in the bar will be impressed.
ph123 said:
IMHO
LFB, HUGE red herring.
Complete waste of time unless in quick fwd car on loose surfaces or you only have two pedal race car.
But if you have the time and brakes to waste ... and really want to cause an internal haemorage ... please don't try at speed in Buckinghamshire.
In balance terms, really does nothing a decent lift can't manage, yet you only move one foot (and the other foot should be securing your body in the right place).
Guys in the bar will be impressed.
worth at least a rofl.LFB, HUGE red herring.
Complete waste of time unless in quick fwd car on loose surfaces or you only have two pedal race car.
But if you have the time and brakes to waste ... and really want to cause an internal haemorage ... please don't try at speed in Buckinghamshire.
In balance terms, really does nothing a decent lift can't manage, yet you only move one foot (and the other foot should be securing your body in the right place).
Guys in the bar will be impressed.
Dave,
"Depends on which advanced driving organisation you belong to, but personally the savings in time by using one foot to brake and the other to accelerate probably don't amount to much. For sure you save a tenth or two in reaction time as you haven't got to move your right foot from throttle to brake, but the cardigan wearers (Sorry BoF) might suggest that if you need those couple of tenths you've probably already screwed up...
No offence taken, brought a smile to my face...one of the points I have made more than one time is that the IAM level should be regarded as 'O' levels...I am currently encouraging my punter to go for RoSPA after he passes the IAM...maybe get towards 'A' level...then, if he wants to go for a BA or a Masters degree, I will point him towards individual coaching by a professional... he failed his test last time as he went in cold (no Observed drives) but is a sound driver with a lovely Merc SLK!
Needless to say, but I regard the current DVLA test as the 11 Plus exam in schools - five years later, in the absence of further education, they still cannot count, read, articulate - a year or two later their Dad buys them a car - the statiscs tell the rest of the story..sadly...innit?
BOF.
"Depends on which advanced driving organisation you belong to, but personally the savings in time by using one foot to brake and the other to accelerate probably don't amount to much. For sure you save a tenth or two in reaction time as you haven't got to move your right foot from throttle to brake, but the cardigan wearers (Sorry BoF) might suggest that if you need those couple of tenths you've probably already screwed up...
No offence taken, brought a smile to my face...one of the points I have made more than one time is that the IAM level should be regarded as 'O' levels...I am currently encouraging my punter to go for RoSPA after he passes the IAM...maybe get towards 'A' level...then, if he wants to go for a BA or a Masters degree, I will point him towards individual coaching by a professional... he failed his test last time as he went in cold (no Observed drives) but is a sound driver with a lovely Merc SLK!
Needless to say, but I regard the current DVLA test as the 11 Plus exam in schools - five years later, in the absence of further education, they still cannot count, read, articulate - a year or two later their Dad buys them a car - the statiscs tell the rest of the story..sadly...innit?
BOF.
ph123 said:
IMHO
LFB, HUGE red herring.
Complete waste of time unless in quick fwd car on loose surfaces or you only have two pedal race car.
But if you have the time and brakes to waste ... and really want to cause an internal haemorage ... please don't try at speed in Buckinghamshire.
In balance terms, really does nothing a decent lift can't manage, yet you only move one foot (and the other foot should be securing your body in the right place).
Guys in the bar will be impressed.
LFB might offer some advantage in certain types of competition driving, not that I'm experienced in any of that, but I certainly wouldn't bother with it in normal road driving. I have only twice done any LFB and both times were when I was arriving at a roundabout and I'd forgotten I was driving an automatic transmission car! This naturally produced retardation much more powerful than I'd intended, and I was lucky not to get hit in the tail as a result.LFB, HUGE red herring.
Complete waste of time unless in quick fwd car on loose surfaces or you only have two pedal race car.
But if you have the time and brakes to waste ... and really want to cause an internal haemorage ... please don't try at speed in Buckinghamshire.
In balance terms, really does nothing a decent lift can't manage, yet you only move one foot (and the other foot should be securing your body in the right place).
Guys in the bar will be impressed.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
BOF said:
Dave,
"Depends on which advanced driving organisation you belong to, but personally the savings in time by using one foot to brake and the other to accelerate probably don't amount to much. For sure you save a tenth or two in reaction time as you haven't got to move your right foot from throttle to brake, but the cardigan wearers (Sorry BoF) might suggest that if you need those couple of tenths you've probably already screwed up...
No offence taken, brought a smile to my face...one of the points I have made more than one time is that the IAM level should be regarded as 'O' levels...I am currently encouraging my punter to go for RoSPA after he passes the IAM...maybe get towards 'A' level...then, if he wants to go for a BA or a Masters degree, I will point him towards individual coaching by a professional... he failed his test last time as he went in cold (no Observed drives) but is a sound driver with a lovely Merc SLK!
Needless to say, but I regard the current DVLA test as the 11 Plus exam in schools - five years later, in the absence of further education, they still cannot count, read, articulate - a year or two later their Dad buys them a car - the statiscs tell the rest of the story..sadly...innit?
BOF.
Everything you say there makes sense, but 'punter' indeed! Would it not be better to refer to them as Associates, or pupils, or students, or trainees?"Depends on which advanced driving organisation you belong to, but personally the savings in time by using one foot to brake and the other to accelerate probably don't amount to much. For sure you save a tenth or two in reaction time as you haven't got to move your right foot from throttle to brake, but the cardigan wearers (Sorry BoF) might suggest that if you need those couple of tenths you've probably already screwed up...
No offence taken, brought a smile to my face...one of the points I have made more than one time is that the IAM level should be regarded as 'O' levels...I am currently encouraging my punter to go for RoSPA after he passes the IAM...maybe get towards 'A' level...then, if he wants to go for a BA or a Masters degree, I will point him towards individual coaching by a professional... he failed his test last time as he went in cold (no Observed drives) but is a sound driver with a lovely Merc SLK!
Needless to say, but I regard the current DVLA test as the 11 Plus exam in schools - five years later, in the absence of further education, they still cannot count, read, articulate - a year or two later their Dad buys them a car - the statiscs tell the rest of the story..sadly...innit?
BOF.
Referring to them as punters seems to me to be a quite inappropriate term, and actually slightly derogatory in a way. I'm sorry, BOF, but IMHO you let yourself down by continuing to do that.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Dave,
"Everything you say there makes sense, but 'punter' indeed! Would it not be better to refer to them as Associates, or pupils, or students, or trainees?
Referring to them as punters seems to me to be a quite inappropriate term, and actually slightly derogatory in a way. I'm sorry, BOF, but IMHO you let yourself down by continuing to do that.
Best wishes all,
Dave."
I understand you comment...maybe I should refer to them as Customers (Cambridge Dictionary = Punters - Customers).
As I have previously replied to you on this subject, I am not in agreement with some of the principles of the IAM...we are specifically not allowed to call ourselves 'teachers - or instructors' - ergo...'pupils' is a no no.
'Associates' IS what I should call them...absolutely no doubt...but punters is less formal...and maybe more relevant to the youngsters we try to attract?
Anyhow, semantics is not my game really, I prefer what I am doing tomorrow with my current customer to prep him for his test.
BOF :-)
PS - I had better re think 'customer'...that might imply 'payment'..which is also not part of what we do.
"Everything you say there makes sense, but 'punter' indeed! Would it not be better to refer to them as Associates, or pupils, or students, or trainees?
Referring to them as punters seems to me to be a quite inappropriate term, and actually slightly derogatory in a way. I'm sorry, BOF, but IMHO you let yourself down by continuing to do that.
Best wishes all,
Dave."
I understand you comment...maybe I should refer to them as Customers (Cambridge Dictionary = Punters - Customers).
As I have previously replied to you on this subject, I am not in agreement with some of the principles of the IAM...we are specifically not allowed to call ourselves 'teachers - or instructors' - ergo...'pupils' is a no no.
'Associates' IS what I should call them...absolutely no doubt...but punters is less formal...and maybe more relevant to the youngsters we try to attract?
Anyhow, semantics is not my game really, I prefer what I am doing tomorrow with my current customer to prep him for his test.
BOF :-)
PS - I had better re think 'customer'...that might imply 'payment'..which is also not part of what we do.
Edited by BOF on Wednesday 7th May 20:40
BOF said:
Dave,
one of the points I have made more than one time is that the IAM level should be regarded as 'O' levels...I am currently encouraging my punter to go for RoSPA after he passes the IAM...maybe get towards 'A' level...then, if he wants to go for a BA or a Masters degree, I will point him towards individual coaching by a professional...
Now why didn`t I say it like thatone of the points I have made more than one time is that the IAM level should be regarded as 'O' levels...I am currently encouraging my punter to go for RoSPA after he passes the IAM...maybe get towards 'A' level...then, if he wants to go for a BA or a Masters degree, I will point him towards individual coaching by a professional...
ph123 said:
It's not cool IMHO. It's slow, ugly, clumsy and (I would bet) you have much better things to concentrate upon.
IMHO.
Ive been doing it at night and can brake just about as well with my left foot as my right at slow speeds now after a few nights practice. it was ugly to start with but i did take everything else into consideration prior to attempting it. i actually started in a dead car park.IMHO.
though the more and more i think about it the less im thinking of doing it.
I had a client a year or so back who left foot braked (in an auto mind). His ability to seamlessly blend deceleration through into acceleration was a real high point. At the end of the day, it's only muscle memory, so there's no reason why LFB should be any uglier than conventional, although it's probably uglier in manual cars when you need to coordinate clutch as well.
StressedDave said:
I had a client a year or so back who left foot braked (in an auto mind). His ability to seamlessly blend deceleration through into acceleration was a real high point. At the end of the day, it's only muscle memory, so there's no reason why LFB should be any uglier than conventional, although it's probably uglier in manual cars when you need to coordinate clutch as well.
I agree. Done well it can actually provide for an ultra smooth transition on turn in, particularly in very heavy cars - and like StressedDave I have experienced real mastery in this. But I would certainly agree that is hardly a key technique.Indeed, for cars with a manual gearbox, I think it is a potentially unsafe technique for the simple reason that if one is braking with one's left foot and then need to perform an emergency stop, one's feet are in the wrong place. Sure you may be able to brake hard just as well and precisely with your left foot, but when you come to rest the car will stall, reducing your options for getting out of the way (eg, to avoid the person behind now hitting you).
So whilst it can provide for ultra smooth transitions into corners, any benefit is marginal and on the road its use is certainly different from the rally or track use which, as StressedDave said earlier, is all about rotating the car on turn in - that is simply not a relevant factor at road speeds.
Kind regards
Steve
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff