By Drivers - For Drivers
Left Foot Braking Debate
There are so many questions that I am asked on a regular basis, but, there are three that seem to be brought up more then others; left foot braking, reverse 180, and the J-Turn. In this article we will focus on left foot braking.
There as been – and always will be - a debate on the proper form of braking. There are those that believe that you should only brake with your right foot when driving on the street; others think that you should be able to utilize your left foot.
So, what is the proper way to brake? I think the answer is based on what type of driving you are doing, what the situation calls for, and finally, the type of vehicle you are driving.
The majority of braking should be done with your right foot when driving on the street – under normal driving conditions. Anytime these conditions change based on traffic density, weather, time of day, you should consider changing your braking stance by covering the brake with your left foot.
The average reaction time of most drivers in an unanticipated setting is about 1.5 seconds. This is the time it takes for a driver to recognize a change in their situation and apply some sort of reaction; steering, braking, or accelerating. For example, my unanticipated static reaction time is roughly .8 to 1.0 – when a change in my driving environment changes and I cover the brake with my left foot my reaction time can drop anywhere from .2 to .4 seconds. This is not an expected rate change for the average driver, but through practice and understanding when and why this technique can be applied any driver can drop their reaction time by a significant amount.
To understand the dynamics of left foot braking will help you recognize when this technique should be utilized.
The first part of left foot braking is that you should never ride the brake pedal with your foot! Your foot should be at the ‘ready’ to press the brake pedal – not on the pedal. This is called covering the brake. Having your foot in this position will also cut down on your reaction time should you need braking in an emergency situation. Remember that you should never stab the brake pedal, always squeeze.
Typically, steering is quicker then braking because your hands are already in a reactionary position; they are placed on the steering wheel. Where as if your right foot is on the gas pedal, it takes time to move it over to the brake pedal – time wasted.
Anytime you release pressure from the gas pedal to move your foot over to the brake pedal you have changed the weight distribution of the vehicle; you have moved the weight forward through deceleration. Depending on the amount of deceleration and at what speed you change the dynamics the braking pressure will accelerate the weight transfer even quicker. This will vary with the type of suspension the vehicle has.
Imagine water running downhill; the more severe the angle the quicker the water moves. The more gentle the angle, the slower the water moves.
Weight transfer falls under the same principals; minimize the down angle and the more control you will have. Down angle applies to both the pitch of the vehicle (forward and backwards) along with the roll of the vehicle (side to side). What does this have to do with left foot braking? Simple. Your left foot works the brake pedal and the right foot remains on the gas pedal. Between the two feet they establish a balance between acceleration and deceleration to settle the vehicle.
If you apply braking prior to pulling your foot off the gas pedal it will minimize the down angle through opposing forces. Braking applies down force to the front suspension and produces forward weight transfer; acceleration moves the weight towards the rear of the vehicle and on the rear suspension. If braking is activated while the accelerator is still applied then the weight transfer begins to move downward to the suspension and chassis of the vehicle, versus moving the weight dramatically forward because of the resistance from the accelerator forcing the weight to remain near the rear of the vehicle – opposing forces.
Left-foot braking is primarily used to stabilize the vehicle when cornering. When used correctly and left-foot braking is applied the weight of the vehicle remains low and the suspension is in ‘squat’ mode. Meaning the suspension maintains the load that as already been introduced through static stability – weight on the suspension. Unloading the energy in the suspension is what causes the vehicle to lift in the rear (braking), raise in the front (accelerating), or move the vehicle side to side (steering). Once you pull your foot off or diminish the accelerator after the brake is applied then the weight will transfer lower through the vehicle because the energy in the suspension was never released -
Left-foot braking is an advanced driving technique and it’s important to understand the dynamics you place on the vehicle to do it correctly and safely.
Situations where you want to reduce speed and stabilize the vehicle; trail braking in corners, evasive steering, minimal transitions for precision driving, drifting, and high speed skid control (stunt driving) are just a few of the situations you can use left-foot braking.
If you drive a manual transmission vehicle then your left foot has been trained over the years to apply pressure on the clutch pedal, not the brake. All it wants to do is push as hard as it has to disengage the clutch. If you allow your foot to maintain that pattern and pressure points, then your left foot braking option will become a skid control exercise very quickly.
Practice left-foot braking in a safe environment before ever attempting to use it when lives are at risk. It will seem jerky at first, but, through practice and patience it will become a very natural option to use when suitable.
There as been – and always will be - a debate on the proper form of braking. There are those that believe that you should only brake with your right foot when driving on the street; others think that you should be able to utilize your left foot.
So, what is the proper way to brake? I think the answer is based on what type of driving you are doing, what the situation calls for, and finally, the type of vehicle you are driving.
The majority of braking should be done with your right foot when driving on the street – under normal driving conditions. Anytime these conditions change based on traffic density, weather, time of day, you should consider changing your braking stance by covering the brake with your left foot.
The average reaction time of most drivers in an unanticipated setting is about 1.5 seconds. This is the time it takes for a driver to recognize a change in their situation and apply some sort of reaction; steering, braking, or accelerating. For example, my unanticipated static reaction time is roughly .8 to 1.0 – when a change in my driving environment changes and I cover the brake with my left foot my reaction time can drop anywhere from .2 to .4 seconds. This is not an expected rate change for the average driver, but through practice and understanding when and why this technique can be applied any driver can drop their reaction time by a significant amount.
To understand the dynamics of left foot braking will help you recognize when this technique should be utilized.
The first part of left foot braking is that you should never ride the brake pedal with your foot! Your foot should be at the ‘ready’ to press the brake pedal – not on the pedal. This is called covering the brake. Having your foot in this position will also cut down on your reaction time should you need braking in an emergency situation. Remember that you should never stab the brake pedal, always squeeze.
Typically, steering is quicker then braking because your hands are already in a reactionary position; they are placed on the steering wheel. Where as if your right foot is on the gas pedal, it takes time to move it over to the brake pedal – time wasted.
Anytime you release pressure from the gas pedal to move your foot over to the brake pedal you have changed the weight distribution of the vehicle; you have moved the weight forward through deceleration. Depending on the amount of deceleration and at what speed you change the dynamics the braking pressure will accelerate the weight transfer even quicker. This will vary with the type of suspension the vehicle has.
Imagine water running downhill; the more severe the angle the quicker the water moves. The more gentle the angle, the slower the water moves.
Weight transfer falls under the same principals; minimize the down angle and the more control you will have. Down angle applies to both the pitch of the vehicle (forward and backwards) along with the roll of the vehicle (side to side). What does this have to do with left foot braking? Simple. Your left foot works the brake pedal and the right foot remains on the gas pedal. Between the two feet they establish a balance between acceleration and deceleration to settle the vehicle.
If you apply braking prior to pulling your foot off the gas pedal it will minimize the down angle through opposing forces. Braking applies down force to the front suspension and produces forward weight transfer; acceleration moves the weight towards the rear of the vehicle and on the rear suspension. If braking is activated while the accelerator is still applied then the weight transfer begins to move downward to the suspension and chassis of the vehicle, versus moving the weight dramatically forward because of the resistance from the accelerator forcing the weight to remain near the rear of the vehicle – opposing forces.
Left-foot braking is primarily used to stabilize the vehicle when cornering. When used correctly and left-foot braking is applied the weight of the vehicle remains low and the suspension is in ‘squat’ mode. Meaning the suspension maintains the load that as already been introduced through static stability – weight on the suspension. Unloading the energy in the suspension is what causes the vehicle to lift in the rear (braking), raise in the front (accelerating), or move the vehicle side to side (steering). Once you pull your foot off or diminish the accelerator after the brake is applied then the weight will transfer lower through the vehicle because the energy in the suspension was never released -
Left-foot braking is an advanced driving technique and it’s important to understand the dynamics you place on the vehicle to do it correctly and safely.
Situations where you want to reduce speed and stabilize the vehicle; trail braking in corners, evasive steering, minimal transitions for precision driving, drifting, and high speed skid control (stunt driving) are just a few of the situations you can use left-foot braking.
If you drive a manual transmission vehicle then your left foot has been trained over the years to apply pressure on the clutch pedal, not the brake. All it wants to do is push as hard as it has to disengage the clutch. If you allow your foot to maintain that pattern and pressure points, then your left foot braking option will become a skid control exercise very quickly.
Practice left-foot braking in a safe environment before ever attempting to use it when lives are at risk. It will seem jerky at first, but, through practice and patience it will become a very natural option to use when suitable.
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