tips for driving an automatic?

[transam]

If you were supposed to use your left foot, why wouldn't they put the pedal on the left side of the steering column?

Why don't they put a steering wheel in the middle of a car. Well, one manufacturer does that l can think of.

My ride the brake pedal comes the right of the column then turns left with a double width pedal. And would suggest the pedal is in relation to the master cylinder which is in the same place for any transmission.

[itchybum]

Right foot only as mentioned.

I hate manuals in traffic and cities, so auot here is the way to go.

I recently had to drive a manual for the first time in maybe 15 years, it was like riding a bike, but maybe because I had to as the driver I took over from fell asleep.

Try this sometime, last year I had to have a knee operation, it was in and out the same day and I wanted to drive home after the op. Doctor said no way.

So I practised driving with my left foot only for a couple weeks prior to the Op and then drove home the same day, 3hours mind you. Just try driving left foot only for some time, it sounds easy and feels easy to start with, but wait till you have to brake the first time....

[mogandave]

If you were supposed to use your left foot, why wouldn't they put the pedal on the left side of the steering column?

Why don't they put a steering wheel in the middle of a car. Well, one manufacturer does that l can think of.

My ride the brake pedal comes the right of the column then turns left with a double width pedal. And would suggest the pedal is in relation to the master cylinder which is in the same place for any transmission.

When the steering wheel is on the left side of the car, the brake pedal is still on the right side of the column.

When you're driving a truck with air-brakes, the brake pedal is still on the right side of the column.

Back when the Master Cylinder was mounted on the firewall, the brake pedal is still on the right side of the column.

Back when the Master Cylinder was chasing Felix, Felix quickly turned his Bag of Trix into a Louis Vutton Midget Racer with the steering wheel in the middle, and the brake pedal was STILL on the right side of the column. The only difference is that Felix had to use his right paw, instead of his RIGHT FOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

.

[I knew this would happen]

No they are not. In fact on many auto rides the brake pedal is twice as wide as a manual so one can use either foot for braking, even two feet if you like.

Tried it on my way home today in my Beamer. As i already thought, it is very uncomfortable. Guess i couldn't take that more than 5 minutes. My left foot has to go far more right than usual. Maybe it is different with other cars, but for a BM it is dificult and feels not right to touch the break with left. The slightly bigger pedal doesn't make up for its position.

[Ace of Pop]

leave the 2 Foot Thing to Smart Asses.I f you need 2 Feet the rides underpowered,or you need to stop it stalling ,

[VocalNeal]

Ironically in days before mass auto cars the left leg of men was stronger than the right because of the clutch workout in a car. If anyone drives a manual in Bangkok?...

[bobl]

Try using 2 feet in an automatic if you've driven a manual all your life. It's next to impossible, you will instinctively try to depress the brake pedal all the way to the floor.

Yes, I doubt it would take very long to retrain your brain to get used to it eventually (then, good luck if you ever have to drive a manual again) but why, it's a silly habit to adopt. As other posters have mentioned, right foot for accelerator & brake is standard regardless of manual or auto.

Never adopt the "2 feet" method unless you plan never to drive a manual again, you'd have to completely re-train your feet. It's not like you could simply use the left foot for both clutch and brake,, the chance of stomping on the clutch instead of the brakes is unlikely to end well (plus of course, you frequently need to brake and clutch simultaneously).

Some thought has gone into the positioning of the pedals and the 'standard' methods - you should listen to them...

[transam]

Try using 2 feet in an automatic if you've driven a manual all your life. It's next to impossible, you will instinctively try to depress the brake pedal all the way to the floor.

Yes, I doubt it would take very long to retrain your brain to get used to it eventually (then, good luck if you ever have to drive a manual again) but why, it's a silly habit to adopt. As other posters have mentioned, right foot for accelerator & brake is standard regardless of manual or auto.

Never adopt the "2 feet" method unless you plan never to drive a manual again, you'd have to completely re-train your feet. It's not like you could simply use the left foot for both clutch and brake,, the chance of stomping on the clutch instead of the brakes is unlikely to end well (plus of course, you frequently need to brake and clutch simultaneously).

Some thought has gone into the positioning of the pedals and the 'standard' methods - you should listen to them...

Well 'aint it strange that I drove my auto car to work, using two feet, got out, then climbed up into a big rig with manual trans, hmmmmm, wonder how l dealt with your conundrum.

[harrry]

It is lucky people aren't driving an old car....cannot remember but I think it was the Ford Model T or A that had the accellortator between the brake and the clutch. Long time since I drove one but I think it was that way.

[bobl]

Well 'aint it strange that I drove my auto car to work, using two feet, got out, then climbed up into a big rig with manual trans, hmmmmm, wonder how l dealt with your conundrum.

So you have mastered braking with your left foot in an auto and right foot in a manual. Good for you. Anybody can master a repetitive task with enough practise, doesn't make your method 'right'. Doesn't necessarily make the 'standard' method 'right' either, but it IS the standard most people who drive both, use.

Furthermore, while your method may be fine for day to day driving, you completely ignore 'instinct'. If you've trained both feet to use the brake depending what vehicle you're in, good luck should the situation ever arise when you're relying on instinct rather than a routine which requires a thought process, to control your feet.

[transam]

Well 'aint it strange that I drove my auto car to work, using two feet, got out, then climbed up into a big rig with manual trans, hmmmmm, wonder how l dealt with your conundrum.

So you have mastered braking with your left foot in an auto and right foot in a manual. Good for you. Anybody can master a repetitive task with enough practise, doesn't make your method 'right'. Doesn't necessarily make the 'standard' method 'right' either, but it IS the standard most people who drive both, use.

Furthermore, while your method may be fine for day to day driving, you completely ignore 'instinct'. If you've trained both feet to use the brake depending what vehicle you're in, good luck should the situation ever arise when you're relying on instinct rather than a routine which requires a thought process, to control your feet.

, I forgot, me a Brit, UK is right hand drive my street strip car was a manual auto and was left hand drive, and the 'hand'' brake was operated by my left foot, how on earth did I cope with all this stuff, seems you lot have a problem.

[Kwasaki]

Well 'aint it strange that I drove my auto car to work, using two feet, got out, then climbed up into a big rig with manual trans, hmmmmm, wonder how l dealt with your conundrum.

So you have mastered braking with your left foot in an auto and right foot in a manual. Good for you. Anybody can master a repetitive task with enough practise, doesn't make your method 'right'. Doesn't necessarily make the 'standard' method 'right' either, but it IS the standard most people who drive both, use.

Furthermore, while your method may be fine for day to day driving, you completely ignore 'instinct'. If you've trained both feet to use the brake depending what vehicle you're in, good luck should the situation ever arise when you're relying on instinct rather than a routine which requires a thought process, to control your feet.

, I forgot, me a Brit, UK is right hand drive my street strip car was a manual auto and was left hand drive, and the 'hand'' brake was operated by my left foot, how on earth did I cope with all this stuff, seems you lot have a problem.

Well I'm with you maybe we are just experts whatever I drive whether it's a manual truck or the auto cars, or when I get on my big bike or my auto scoot it's never a problem I just get on with it, don't really think about it much at all, also I use to ride different bikes in the UK, my Blade was set for 2,3,4,5,6, downshift, why because I liked it like that.

[VocalNeal]

That's an interesting point. Some US cars/trucks have a foot operated parking brake which is not super convenient for hill starts so maybe the double sized brake pedal evolved from the need for a more convenient method of hill starts by holding the car with the left foot on the brake. UK/EU drivers are taught to hold the car on the "hand" brake during hill starts so on an auto would not need to use the left foot at all.

Could the foot brake have evolved because of the front bench seat?

OT Had sex here once, can't remember where the parking brake was!

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

honestly, if you have to ask, perhaps you should not be driving.

its bad for the car, bad for you and bad for your passengers.

while driving with one foot it is impossible to ride the brake and gas at the same time resulting in a much smoother, non jerky ride.

even when you drive manual, brake and gas foot are the same.

if you do not have the reaction times or the speed to move your foot from gas to brake or vice versa rapidly, do us ALL a favour and take a cb or let the wife drive

[transam]

That's an interesting point. Some US cars/trucks have a foot operated parking brake which is not super convenient for hill starts so maybe the double sized brake pedal evolved from the need for a more convenient method of hill starts by holding the car with the left foot on the brake. UK/EU drivers are taught to hold the car on the "hand" brake during hill starts so on an auto would not need to use the left foot at all.

Could the foot brake have evolved because of the front bench seat?

OT Had sex here once, can't remember where the parking brake was!

Firebirds, Comaro's second gen had foot hand brake ''on'' but hand release ''off'' on the dash, no bench seat.

[mogandave]

Cars in the US, it seems the the handbrake used to be called an emergency brake (I assume a holdover from mechanical and vacuum brakes) and it has moved around quite a bit. Right side, under-dash-hand-pull, left side under-dash-hand-pull,, left side foot pedal with hand release, left side foot pedal with foot release, right side, straight up through the floor hand pull, and most recently the hand-pull between the seats.

[harrry]

Cars in the US, it seems the the handbrake used to be called an emergency brake (I assume a holdover from mechanical and vacuum brakes) and it has moved around quite a bit. Right side, under-dash-hand-pull, left side under-dash-hand-pull,, left side foot pedal with hand release, left side foot pedal with foot release, right side, straight up through the floor hand pull, and most recently the hand-pull between the seats.

May I suggest a little proof reading of the last bit..

I think English based cars have moved round about the same. They all have one thing in common....They never work.

[itchybum]

Cars in the US, it seems the the handbrake used to be called an emergency brake (I assume a holdover from mechanical and vacuum brakes) and it has moved around quite a bit. Right side, under-dash-hand-pull, left side under-dash-hand-pull,, left side foot pedal with hand release, left side foot pedal with foot release, right side, straight up through the floor hand pull, and most recently the hand-pull between the seats.

Yeah...I had one of them once.

[mogandave]

Cars in the US, it seems the the handbrake used to be called an emergency brake (I assume a holdover from mechanical and vacuum brakes) and it has moved around quite a bit. Right side, under-dash-hand-pull, left side under-dash-hand-pull,, left side foot pedal with hand release, left side foot pedal with foot release, right side, straight up through the floor hand pull, and most recently the hand-pull between the seats.

May I suggest a little proof reading of the last bit..

Sorry, I meant to say sheets...

[transam]

OK, my question for those with a floppy left foot.

Paralyzed folk who still have the use of their hands drive auto rides. Fact.

How do they do it ?

Answers on a postcard to P.O. Box Trans. The first correct answer pulled from the hat will win a free one day course (worth 3000bht) at the

McTrans school of floppy left foot syndrome. ...................

[bobl]

OK, my question for those with a floppy left foot.

Paralyzed folk who still have the use of their hands drive auto rides. Fact.

How do they do it ?

Answers on a postcard to P.O. Box Trans. The first correct answer pulled from the hat will win a free one day course (worth 3000bht) at the

McTrans school of floppy left foot syndrome. ...................

Exactly how you'd expect them to do it. With modified controls.

Oh my God! People FLY too!! Fact! How do they do it? Answers on a postcard to P.O. Box State The Bleedin' Obvious.

Your point? Or it's a slow day so you decided to have a troll down Thai Visa way...

By "those with floppy left foot" I assume you mean people who drive properly, using their right foot for accelerator and brake, the internationally recognised standard by which (almost) everyone drives. Certainly everyone who's passed a driving test (you would fail, if you used your left on the brake).

[Ace of Pop]

I Think the Left Foot Syndrome came about when cars like the Mini and Cortina intruduced them.On Cold mornings they were Pigs,so you kept the revs up till they got warm. Then the Buggers stalled very often.. Totally Pointless with todays refinement.

[transam]

OK, my question for those with a floppy left foot.

Paralyzed folk who still have the use of their hands drive auto rides. Fact.

How do they do it ?

Answers on a postcard to P.O. Box Trans. The first correct answer pulled from the hat will win a free one day course (worth 3000bht) at the

McTrans school of floppy left foot syndrome. ...................

Exactly how you'd expect them to do it. With modified controls.

Oh my God! People FLY too!! Fact! How do they do it? Answers on a postcard to P.O. Box State The Bleedin' Obvious.

Your point? Or it's a slow day so you decided to have a troll down Thai Visa way...

By "those with floppy left foot" I assume you mean people who drive properly, using their right foot for accelerator and brake, the internationally recognised standard by which (almost) everyone drives. Certainly everyone who's passed a driving test (you would fail, if you used your left on the brake).

, sorry, you failed.

[Kwasaki]

OK, my question for those with a floppy left foot.

Paralyzed folk who still have the use of their hands drive auto rides. Fact.

How do they do it ?

Answers on a postcard to P.O. Box Trans. The first correct answer pulled from the hat will win a free one day course (worth 3000bht) at the

McTrans school of floppy left foot syndrome. ...................

Exactly how you'd expect them to do it. With modified controls.

Oh my God! People FLY too!! Fact! How do they do it? Answers on a postcard to P.O. Box State The Bleedin' Obvious.

Your point? Or it's a slow day so you decided to have a troll down Thai Visa way...

By "those with floppy left foot" I assume you mean people who drive properly, using their right foot for accelerator and brake, the internationally recognised standard by which (almost) everyone drives. Certainly everyone who's passed a driving test (you would fail, if you used your left on the brake).

People FLY too!! Fact! How do they do it?

Answers to P.O. Box State The Bleedin' Obvious.

flying car.bmp

[Lancashirelad]

I think a lot of people are concentrating here on only the specific question raised by the OP.

The point is, he hasn't driven for 20 years, what else has he forgotten?

It would be very prudent and sensible to invest in a refresher course.

[transam]

I think a lot of people are concentrating here on only the specific question raised by the OP.

The point is, he hasn't driven for 20 years, what else has he forgotten?

It would be very prudent and sensible to invest in a refresher course.

Of course, and if the guy was near me I would give lessons for FREE, yeh, for FREE. Floppy left foot and all.

[funcat]

I think a lot of people are concentrating here on only the specific question raised by the OP.

The point is, he hasn't driven for 20 years, what else has he forgotten?

It would be very prudent and sensible to invest in a refresher course.

Of course, and if the guy was near me I would give lessons for FREE, yeh, for FREE. Floppy left foot and all.

Mannn...you never give up,do you?(good in some cases)....but,if a person (like a new driver) asks about tips,how to drive an 'automatic'....you don't start from to teach him how to be a race car driver,you start from basics....2 pedals-1 foot...simple!

[transam]

I think a lot of people are concentrating here on only the specific question raised by the OP.

The point is, he hasn't driven for 20 years, what else has he forgotten?

It would be very prudent and sensible to invest in a refresher course.

Of course, and if the guy was near me I would give lessons for FREE, yeh, for FREE. Floppy left foot and all.

Mannn...you never give up,do you?(good in some cases)....but,if a person (like a new driver) asks about tips,how to drive an 'automatic'....you don't start from to teach him how to be a race car driver,you start from basics....2 pedals-1 foot...simple!

I taught my mrs to drive our auto Vigo, two feet, nooooooooo problem at all. She learned the reason for two feet, to cover the brake in dodgy situations. Works great, l feel safe when she drives.

Do you want to sign up for the McTrans course, only 3000bht.................

[harrry]

http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/LBU_DL_B_PDA.pdf

page 50 will fail you transam..

[transam]

http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/LBU_DL_B_PDA.pdf

page 50 will fail you transam..

Yeh I know, but my theory has kept me out of a premature box, what ever the ride was, or what ever country l was in. At the end of the day I don't care how anyone wants to operate their machinery or musical instrument with the limbs they have available. OP asked a question and points were put forward for the OP to tinker with. And a bit of fun banter too.