Left foot braking on an Octavia vRS MK1

[phazed]

Having finished my Octy ready for a track evening as a shake down in a couple of weeks time, I took it out yesterday to check peddle positions for heal and toe etc.

While trying a bit of left foot braking, I was surprised to learn that braking automatically cuts the throttle! I assume that is a safety thing and can understand why.

Is there any way that this can be programmed out?

I assume that if I disconnect the brake switch, that function may be disabled but if so, I would defo want brake lights working on track so not what I'm looking for.

Any ideas?

[jamiem555]

I’m pretty sure it needs to be mapped out. It used to infuriate me on my Leon Cupra. I never did get it mapped out. Bought a Focus ST after it and don’t have any problem.

[Steve H]

The only thing I would say is that it is a generally unnecessary technique and 9/10 of the drivers I’ve sat next to that have attempted LFB were driving slower rather than faster as a result .

[LennyM1984]

Undoubtedly a stupid question but if it cuts the accelerator when braking, how can you heel and toe?

[phazed]

I’m pretty certain that’s true

I’d like to practice the technique as I naturally brake left footed with automatics which is the majority of my driving........

I may well drive slower but it is good to experiment.

[upsidedownmark]

LennyM1984 said:

Undoubtedly a stupid question but if it cuts the accelerator when braking, how can you heel and toe?

Seems to be common to all VAG cars. It doesn't immediately cut, it takes a short while of significant overlap. Enough to defeat the use of the brake to trim the cars attitude, but not enough to stop you blipping downshifts.

[PTF]

Just don't bother. It's a trackday. You're not looking to shave a few 1/100ths in a BTCC car.

As for heel/toe, again, not much to be gained unless it's wet and you're in a lightweight RWD car.

You're far better concentrating on your lines, braking points, and being FWD working on your application of throttle.

Having said that, i can see why a trackday might be a good environment to practice such things.

[jamiem555]

I find it safer. If you can do it and do it properly, it’s a comfort thing for me. Match the gear to the bend and balance the car on the throttle and brake. Most twisty B roads, at 60 mph are 3rd and 4th gear while pressing on. If I do get caught out and need to emergency stop amd can’t swap feet in time I’ll knock it out of gear and use my left foot.

[Nickjd]

I thought if you turned the traction control off it stopped this. I fairly confident id did on the Seat Leon, which was effectively the same car.

[phazed]

Nickjd said:

I thought if you turned the traction control off it stopped this. I fairly confident id did on the Seat Leon, which was effectively the same car.

Tried that. It doesn’t work.

As for the comment on left foot breaking while healing and toeing, they are two separate things.

I will say that I thoroughly enjoy heal and toeing. Did this for many years in my rear wheel drive TVR’s. I said, a must in the rain!

[Steve H]

Yep, I would say H&T is a very useful skill and not just in the wet or rwd.

[phazed]

My dear old uncle was an advanced driving instructor and taught me to H & T and DDC, (double de clutch) when I was 17 in a Viva HA.

[upsidedownmark]

Left foot braking - rather unnecessary.
Heel and Toe - particularly on track is a very useful technique: You'll be changing down far earlier than you do in road driving - when you change down near the low end of the rev range, there's much less rev difference to accommodate, and the engine will be closer to the target rpm in the new gear (which may not be that far from idle).. no big deal. When you change down at 4000rpm and the new gear will be spinning 6000rpm (eg), if you don't blip the downchange, then you're using the clutch / drivetrain to pull the engine up a lot. In extremis that can totally upset the car (rwd, wet, clumsy spin) or break something if you're unlucky and violent with the clutch, but at best you're putting extra load on everything and its just ugly.

[phazed]

At this point it looks like I will shelve left foot braking for now.

Heel and toeing is essential imho for smooth changes on track. Also very satisfying.

I have been passenger a few times on track where people don't and it feels so unsympathetic to the mechanicals!

[Nickjd]

phazed said:

Having finished my Octy ready for a track evening as a shake down in a couple of weeks time, I took it out yesterday to check peddle positions for heal and toe etc.

While trying a bit of left foot braking, I was surprised to learn that braking automatically cuts the throttle! I assume that is a safety thing and can understand why.

Is there any way that this can be programmed out?

I assume that if I disconnect the brake switch, that function may be disabled but if so, I would defo want brake lights working on track so not what I'm looking for.

Any ideas?

I would suggest the difference between the heal and toe and LFB is the operation of the clutch which will have a switch, possibly on the pedal. You probably need a cheat on this to tell the ECU the clutch is depressed.

[phazed]

Nickjd said:

I would suggest the difference between the heal and toe and LFB is the operation of the clutch which will have a switch, possibly on the pedal. You probably need a cheat on this to tell the ECU the clutch is depressed.

Interesting. Hadn't thought of a link from the clutch pedal.

Just going out so will try some 3 footed dancing!

[MaestroMayhem1]

I found the only way to make it work is to remove the ABS fuse. (this is for a mark II)
Then you won't have ABS, traction control or stability control so proceed with caution as the stability control is very subtle in operation, it doesn't necessarily flash a light on the dash when it activates.
Interesting to note that it significantly improves the throttle response on my car too.
Downside is that the brake lights seem to be permanently on which I have't yet found a way to avoid. Anybody solved that?