General Discussion

MineralMan

(151,819 posts)

68. Really, they're not. I've driven both, and it doesn't make

Fri Apr 10, 2015, 02:51 PM

Apr 2015

any difference to me in city driving. I don't have to think about the transmission. I just select the appropriate gear automatically. No big deal at all. I suppose if you're not used to driving a manual transmission, it could seem like a hassle, but if you drive one regularly, you don't even notice, really.

More of the cars I've owned have had manual transmissions than automatic, so 50+ years of driving means that it doesn't matter to me one way or another.

My KIA, though, is the first car I've owned that has a hill-holder feature. If you are at a stop, the brake holds for 10 seconds or until you move forward. Then it releases. No more fancy footwork at stop signs on hills. That was a nice surprise, although it's never been much of a problem for me before, anyhow.

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Why More Drivers Should Brake With Their Left Foot! [View all] yortsed snacilbuper Apr 2015 OP

I already do. janlyn Apr 2015 #1

Can't look sereral cars ahead of you if you are driving a sedan question everything Apr 2015 #52

yeah, I have a Camry. janlyn Apr 2015 #92

I agree with this. I have used my left foot to brake since .. misterhighwasted Apr 2015 #2

Not in a car with a clutch, for pete's sake. MineralMan Apr 2015 #3

We have two cars--one standard, one automatic Maeve Apr 2015 #21

I do, too. My Kia Soul has a manual transmission, and the MineralMan Apr 2015 #24

What's "brake riding? Thanks (nt) question everything Apr 2015 #54

Driving with your left foot on the brake pedal. MineralMan Apr 2015 #56

Interesting. Only yesterday a local TV report question everything Apr 2015 #63

Could be. If they're not paying attention, then MineralMan Apr 2015 #65

I disagree with it too. LuvNewcastle Apr 2015 #29

If people brake with their left foot, MineralMan Apr 2015 #32

Having been a 2naSalit Apr 2015 #73

Not mentioned, as I have read so far here, is the fact that in an emergency situation, -none Apr 2015 #83

break the brake freeserve Apr 2015 #57

Same here but then I learned to drive in a car with malaise Apr 2015 #104

Brought to you by... 99Forever Apr 2015 #4

That's what I was thinking, too. WillowTree Apr 2015 #15

More likely just an idiot blogger... Frank Cannon Apr 2015 #115

Thank you a thousand time over 4Q2u2 Apr 2015 #5

The problem is brake riding. Xithras Apr 2015 #6

+1000 Blue_Tires Apr 2015 #10

My Mother-in-law does that: Drives with a foot on the brake and gas, brake lights always on. FSogol Apr 2015 #11

I brake left, do not "ride" Skittles Apr 2015 #12

I'm just wondering? CANDO Apr 2015 #81

sometimes I heel it to the left; sometimes I hover Skittles Apr 2015 #82

My mom does that and ruins every car she's owned eissa Apr 2015 #20

Ruin a car? JustABozoOnThisBus Apr 2015 #96

And if they're not riding, pintobean Apr 2015 #23

Also confuses the driver behind you Sanity Claws Apr 2015 #102

Right on. rickford66 Apr 2015 #110

Right foot braking is a dinosaur left over from the days of manual Cleita Apr 2015 #7

manual transmissions are still manufactured.. frylock Apr 2015 #16

I didn't say they weren't. Most people today don't use them nor Cleita Apr 2015 #19

Good. Less chance for my vehicles to be stolen or borrowed. rickford66 Apr 2015 #106

Many of us prefer manual to automatic transmissions... S_B_Jackson Apr 2015 #17

They are a bitch for stop and go city driving so most urban people Cleita Apr 2015 #22

no kidding... KatyMan Apr 2015 #60

Really, they're not. I've driven both, and it doesn't make MineralMan Apr 2015 #68

".....driving because no cruise control." EX500rider Apr 2015 #72

It's more economical in stop & go Warpy Apr 2015 #103

Any stats back that up? Logical Apr 2015 #107

My manual trans vehicles have cruise control. rickford66 Apr 2015 #112

I used a stick when I was younger... Adrahil Apr 2015 #117

I still have a standard transmission, and they're MineralMan Apr 2015 #18

Well good for you for being the rare person you are. Cleita Apr 2015 #25

I'm not as rare as you think. MineralMan Apr 2015 #27

Some women have to look stylish for their jobs and high heeled shoes Cleita Apr 2015 #34

Some women do that. Not all. MineralMan Apr 2015 #41

So is drinking a can of beer but some people still do it. Cleita Apr 2015 #46

I understand that buying a manual will cost more then yeoman6987 Apr 2015 #44

No, you're incorrect. Choosing a manual transmission saved me $500 MineralMan Apr 2015 #49

Strange because a friend of mine bought a Toyota yeoman6987 Apr 2015 #50

I have no idea what cars were being compared or what MineralMan Apr 2015 #53

Sometimes it depends on the manufacturer Rob H. Apr 2015 #87

Manual's usually cheaper to buy new but you take a big hit on the resale value. Gidney N Cloyd Apr 2015 #61

That depends on the car. MineralMan Apr 2015 #66

Yes, many bad drivers prefer inferior cars. LeftyMom Apr 2015 #28

Huh? Cleita Apr 2015 #38

But that's a good reason not to do it kcr Apr 2015 #85

I can actually agree with both POVs. I use my right foot to brake because Cleita Apr 2015 #90

Always have from the start. L0oniX Apr 2015 #8

I have always braked with my left foot Skittles Apr 2015 #9

Can you switch to right foot breaking in the event of an emergency ass-kicking? Gidney N Cloyd Apr 2015 #64

Done right: Yes. Done wrong: No. Ready4Change Apr 2015 #13

That's what I was thinking. A driver, epecially if it is urgent, will press both pedals question everything Apr 2015 #62

That is completely wrong - braking will slow your car even under full throttle. Make7 Apr 2015 #75

Us standard transmission drivers know that this is poppycock. longship Apr 2015 #14

Can't do it, nope... pipi_k Apr 2015 #26

That's a bug, not a feature seveneyes Apr 2015 #30

I just don't use the brake underpants Apr 2015 #31

Couple of things Kelvin Mace Apr 2015 #33

I use my left foot to brake but don't ride the pedal. Being left-handed... BlueJazz Apr 2015 #35

Most of that 132 feet is related to the time to perceive incident. Hoyt Apr 2015 #36

Naaaa I dont believe it benld74 Apr 2015 #37

then theres heel toe shifting olddots Apr 2015 #39

left foot on clutch olddots Apr 2015 #43

I haven't had to do that since I got rid of my MineralMan Apr 2015 #70

Too many would not be coordinated enough to switch from right to left foot. liberal N proud Apr 2015 #40

Nope, not me rjj621 Apr 2015 #42

I'm from the UK, and this completely baffled me until I remembered most Americans drive automatics. Donald Ian Rankin Apr 2015 #45

Seems dumb to me. LiberalAndProud Apr 2015 #47

Agree. laundry_queen Apr 2015 #99

Why should your left foot get a free ride, yortsed snacilbuper Apr 2015 #48

Oh, HELL, no! The right foot cannot go beyond the brake to the gas pedal; HOWEVER, the left foot can WinkyDink Apr 2015 #51

poor drivers brake with their left foot, also poor drivers have hands at 10 & 2 snooper2 Apr 2015 #55

What does income level have to do with it? Stop being classist! ( n/t ) Make7 Apr 2015 #86

I hate driving behind two footed drivers CanonRay Apr 2015 #58

But, I text with my left foot. pintobean Apr 2015 #59

Not gonna matter too much longer. Cars are gonna be self-driving. Darb Apr 2015 #67

Nice post, Daniel Day-Lewis! KamaAina Apr 2015 #69

Excellent. Orrex Apr 2015 #100

Reminds me of when I went car shopping with my dad back in the 70's... Gidney N Cloyd Apr 2015 #71

Left foot braking is commonly taught in performance driving classes tech3149 Apr 2015 #74

Hell, yeah. Mechanics need the bu$ine$$... Eleanors38 Apr 2015 #76

I have been a two foot driver from the beginning riversedge Apr 2015 #77

I always love to be behind someone who rides their brakes Politicalboi Apr 2015 #78

I have been driving with my left foot for years. RebelOne Apr 2015 #79

I love opinions... sendero Apr 2015 #80

Lots of bullshit going around. MineralMan Apr 2015 #84

No. zappaman Apr 2015 #88

That's stupid. Codeine Apr 2015 #89

I think I'll just stick to what LWolf Apr 2015 #91

I've driven manual vehicles for decades and will continue to IDemo Apr 2015 #93

Nonsense. cwydro Apr 2015 #94

same people who thought up fucking anti-lock brakes Agony Apr 2015 #95

Right foot on brakes, left foot on gas. panader0 Apr 2015 #97

I decided too try left foot braking, my take! yortsed snacilbuper Apr 2015 #98

When I need to stop, I simply drop the anchor out the window. Orrex Apr 2015 #101

And then there are those pipi_k Apr 2015 #105

I hear that. zappaman Apr 2015 #113

Driving like this is dangerous. RealityAdvocate Apr 2015 #108

I'm short so it just doesn't work for me. I have been driving for 23 years and my last car accident liberal_at_heart Apr 2015 #109

So you're a shill for the brake pad industry! TransitJohn Apr 2015 #111

I have my doubts that works on icy roads. Or potentially icy roads. jwirr Apr 2015 #114

Or your right, if you drive with your legs crossed jberryhill Apr 2015 #116

It's probably better to get used to left foot braking if you're driving an AT, BUT!!! MillennialDem Apr 2015 #118

I don't know about that but I do know LostOne4Ever Apr 2015 #119