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06-21-2002, 11:58 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: May 2000
Location: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA
Posts: 2,163
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A driving aide for us left foot brakers
I guess its the race car driver down inside of me, but, eventhough its illegal in my state, i have to brake with my left foot. I can't stand braking with my right. The thing is, in my truck the brake pedel is right on top of the gas pedal. Anybody ever thought of trying to move the pedal more left until about the clutch position? To keep from doing alot of firewall work, you'd have to just cut the pedal off and space it over about 6 inches.
Any other ideas?
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'69 CST Short fleetside Lowered, 400 small block, 700R4, 4 wheel disc brakes, front sway bar & rear camaro sway bar (in progress) '87 V10 4x4 Short Fleetside Quad Suspension and Dual Tanks |
06-21-2002, 12:58 PM | #2 |
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I am a left foot braker too......but then again I have raced go-karts for about 15 years.....LOL!
I don't really mind the closesness of the accelerator/brake pedals...it makes it easier for me to practice my "heel-toe" techniques. Last edited by Shane; 06-21-2002 at 01:02 PM. |
06-21-2002, 02:29 PM | #3 |
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Location: Renton, WA
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hahaha good thread. ive always braked with my left foot. my dad does too. i need to out of necessity though. my choke is broken and i have to have constant gas flow to keep my engine from stalling when its cold.........and i drove a manual shift car for a year before i got my automatic truck and i guess my left foot gets bored just sitting there...... who else uses there left foot?
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06-21-2002, 03:32 PM | #4 |
Strongman Garage
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Salinas, CA
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i HATE being behind left foot brakers, there brake lights are always flickering while they ride the brakes......... annoying
no offenese guys
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06-21-2002, 04:35 PM | #5 |
Out of the carpool lane.
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Clark Co, WA
Posts: 5,672
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...only the inexperienced drivers. I've been left foot braking for years and I DON'T ride the pedal. Left foot braking is MUCH safer if you know how to do it. It gives me a much better reaction time. It's saved me from rear-ending people several times, and no I don't tailgate either. The only problem is the people who follow too close and don't have the quicker reaction time that I do...
:p My Camaro is pg, but my truck is 3spd and for a few hours after I start driving my truck again I try to brake and instead hit the clutch. THIS can be scary! Btw, I'm driving my Camaro for another week, so when you see me in my truck-LOOK OUT!
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1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten... |
06-21-2002, 04:57 PM | #6 |
Half a bubble off!
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Winfield, Ks, USA
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I use ol' lefty for brakin' also, and have all my life. And no, I don't ride the pedal, 'cause I hate that too. I grew up racing go-karts, maybe that's why I do it, never really thought about that connection before, but that could be it.
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06-21-2002, 05:03 PM | #7 | |
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Quote:
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Just sitting here contemplating contemplation. |
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06-21-2002, 05:25 PM | #8 |
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Location: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA
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When you take your drivers test, if the instructor sees you brake with your left foot your imediately failed and have to wait 30 days I think to take it again. I had to learn to brake with my right for my test. On the way home i was back with the left!
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'69 CST Short fleetside Lowered, 400 small block, 700R4, 4 wheel disc brakes, front sway bar & rear camaro sway bar (in progress) '87 V10 4x4 Short Fleetside Quad Suspension and Dual Tanks |
06-21-2002, 05:46 PM | #9 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
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I use my left, but that is only done in my GMC, I have never done it in any other vehicle before.
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06-21-2002, 06:07 PM | #10 |
Gasser
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Thomasville,NC USA
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Yep, racers know how to brake. And we don't blink the tail lights. Racing makes a person conscientious of everything.
Sorry Low69CST, forgot to answer your question. Just leave the pedal where it's at. You'll get used to it. Second nature.
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:thud 70 sstep tubbed, Muncie, double hump, snowflake, Last edited by Stepside; 06-21-2002 at 06:24 PM. |
06-21-2002, 06:07 PM | #11 |
Listening since '86
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,799
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I'm a right footer! No left foot braking here.
I did it once, on my very first driving test, and the instructor gave me $hit!!! It was a brand new rental car though, and it was under a friend's credit card so I was scared of crashing it. Hell, when the instructor asked to honk the horn, I was pushing on the airbag for a while, before I figured it out! I failed! Way too nervous in that car! That was the beginning of 1997 for me! Second road test/driver's test was in a friend's wreck of a car. I floored it through a yellow light, was doing 60 in a 50 zone most of the time, and acting like a jackass.....I passed! (took some heavy negatives for the light and speeding incident though!) Oh yeah...to the point...no left foot braking for me
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2007 Saturn Aura - hey it WAS a GM product Last edited by JoetheMobster; 06-21-2002 at 06:09 PM. |
06-21-2002, 07:16 PM | #12 |
Got big-block?
Join Date: Jul 2000
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I'm a left foot braker also.
Always have been. SC
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06-21-2002, 08:41 PM | #13 |
someday
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: canastota,new york
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I brake with my left foot depending on what i'm in, and its like second nature to go from my 69 using my left to my 90 using my right. I'm kinda Quirky person i'm told.
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06-21-2002, 11:12 PM | #14 |
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Location: Help! I'm in an office park with its own network of freeways!
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I don't use either foot to brake (unless it's absolutely necessary, then I use my right foot). GM blessed my truck with 4.57s & a 4spd.
My truck complained the last time I used my left foot to brake (i.e., the clutch disc threw a couple springs), so I don't do it anymore. That'll teach me to heel-toe a '67 3/4 ton going uphill on ice with tire chains.
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06-22-2002, 12:43 AM | #15 |
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i use both, depends on which foot is less busy. I used to be able to heel n toe with both feet but im a little out of practice right now.
CoryM
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06-22-2002, 01:25 AM | #16 | |
Bloo
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Barren County Kentucky
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depends on the truck, and how i feel
my trucks, right foot, because both ones i can drive are manuals my grandpas truck left because it wont run if you dont keep on gas and brake if im feeling lazy, right in any auto other then grandpas
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ASE Master Certified-GM Trained-Mechanic 1968 Chevy C30 157" WB Wrecker 1969 Chevy CST/10 SWB 1971 Chevy Custom/10 (first truck) 350, NV3500 5 speed 1971 Chevy K20 Custom Camper 4x4 350 TBI, SM465/NP205 1974 Chevy Custom Deluxe/10 1979 Chevy Custom Deluxe K10 farm truck beater 1989 Chevy K2500 Quote:
Last edited by Blue_71; 06-22-2002 at 01:27 AM. |
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06-22-2002, 08:23 AM | #17 |
1969 Custom 30 wrecker
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Pottsville, Pa
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Put me down for lefty too!
I started doing this because of a bad motorcycle accident I had as a kid. The right leg doesn't bend too far anymore and doesn't want the responsiblitly of braking. LOL If I use the right, I end up almost going through the windshield! Funny thing though, if the vehicle is a clutch, im fine. Go figure? I never ride the brake and agree that it seems alot safer to use the left. I can get to the brake alot quicker than you righty's. I recall this topic coming up on other websites and was surprised by how many are lefty's. I really don't see the big deal as long as you get the job done. Some people could use another leg for stopping by the looks of their driving.
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06-22-2002, 12:07 PM | #18 |
faster, faster, faster
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA
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you guys just think you don't ride the brakes. The people behind you know you do. A daily driver is not a race car, and should not be driven like one. Left foot braking is not the right way to drive, thats why we are taught to brake with our right foot, it keeps people from getting confused in dangerous situations and running thru someones livingroom when they confuse the gas for the brake. Ask the people who ride with you what they think of your braking technique, they will tell you that it's hard to brace for a stop, when you don't know when it's coming.
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I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice. |
06-22-2002, 02:17 PM | #19 |
1969 Custom 30 wrecker
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Oh, is that how it is.
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06-23-2002, 04:43 AM | #20 |
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lefty.........sometimes
I picked up the whole left foot brake thing at the dragstrip. I guess most of the time in the '69 (on the street) I use my left foot to brake.
Regardless of what I'm driving, if I'm in a racy mood, I'll use my left foot so I can load the torque converter at stoplights :p
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06-23-2002, 10:26 AM | #21 |
faster, faster, faster
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Sorry bobs409, it's just that when you are on the freeway or in town thats exactly where you are so you should drive like it. And when you are at the strip, then you drive like it. The two do not mix. I know more than a few racers who condemn those who left foot brake on public roads. It isn't as safe as you think.
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I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice. |
06-23-2002, 02:02 PM | #22 |
Out of the carpool lane.
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Clark Co, WA
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my new 72, sorry-it is alot safer for me and others as I described above and I'll continue doing it because I want to be a safe driver. As for leaving ones foot on the pedal-I seem to know exactly when my foot is on the gas pedal, likewise for the brake. I DON'T leave my foot on the brake because I too find it annoying following someone who has their brake lights on all the time. I've always tried to increase my mileage by using my brakes as little as possible, but when I need them in my Camaro, you can be sure I'll use my left since it's safer for me. Statistics prove that average reaction time for an emergency is 1-1/2 seconds for the person to notice the threat and then hit the brake. I've got that beat with left foot braking. Obviously it doesn't work for you and that's okay. Hopefully this isn't turning into a heated argument like some of the other posts lately, but I do feel strongly about this.
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1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten... |
06-23-2002, 02:12 PM | #23 |
faster, faster, faster
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA
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It isn't becoming heated for me. average reaction time is not really the issue though. It's just preferance, if you do not keep your foot above the brake, then the time it takes you to put your left foot on the brake, is roughly the same time it will take you to take you r foot aff the accelarator, and apply the brake, unless you keep you foot over the brake pedal all the time. and as you relax your foot over the course of driving, then it is quite possible that the brake is being ridden. I see your position on the subject as being valid, I just think that mine is a valid one too, but too often in a discussion both sides do not agree to disagree. Do you.
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I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice. |
06-23-2002, 02:19 PM | #24 |
1969 Custom 30 wrecker
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Location: Pottsville, Pa
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Im with you Brad. And I don't ride the brake either. Or use the gas and brake at the same time.
This debate has been going on since cars were invented I guess. Im going to do what I feel more comfortable doing. I can react alot quicker with my left foot so if I can save my front end that way, thats the way it will be.
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Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10 |
06-23-2002, 03:34 PM | #25 |
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Location: Longmont, CO
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Normally I'm a right footed braker, but right now I'm a lefty. Of course, I also run the gas with my left right now since my right is in a cast, and it's hard to bend the fiberglass enough to run the gas! On the strip, or on the circle tracks I used to run on, never had a problem using my left, then hopping in the truck to go home and using my right. I'll teach my boys to use their right, but the important thing is to drive safely.
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