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Fri 5 Jul 2019 18:54
- Hugh Watt
A 77-year-old writes: "I have a VW Polo TDI manual and need an automatic due to left foot problems." And the inevitable advice: switch to left-foot braking. Aaaargh.
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Fri 5 Jul 2019 22:21
Honest John’s Motoring Agony Column 06-07-2019 Part 2 - glidermania
A 77-year-old writes: "I have a VW Polo TDI manual and need an automatic due to left foot problems." And the inevitable advice: switch to left-foot braking. Aaaargh.

That's because it is the best advice! Do you park or reverse your manual car with just your right foot on the accelerater or do you use clutch control using your left foot? Ergo.....

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Fri 5 Jul 2019 22:32
Honest John’s Motoring Agony Column 06-07-2019 Part 2 - groaver

I use my left foot to dip the clutch to prevent stalling and brake with my right foot. Voila.

Edited by groaver on 05/07/2019 at 22:34

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Sat 6 Jul 2019 17:04
Honest John’s Motoring Agony Column 06-07-2019 Part 2 - non-stop
A 77-year-old writes: "I have a VW Polo TDI manual and need an automatic due to left foot problems." And the inevitable advice: switch to left-foot braking. Aaaargh.

That's because it is the best advice! Do you park or reverse your manual car with just your right foot on the accelerater or do you use clutch control using your left foot? Ergo.....

The discussion on left for braking is obviously going to run for years, but there must be exceptions to prove the rule. That might include the case of someone who has problems with their left foot....

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Sun 7 Jul 2019 18:11
Honest John’s Motoring Agony Column 06-07-2019 Part 2 - jchinuk

Is "left foot braking" automatically (excuse the pun) an issue with electric cars?

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Wed 10 Jul 2019 02:18
Honest John’s Motoring Agony Column 06-07-2019 Part 2 - HandCart

I don't understand this.

Yes, with a manual.

With a TC automatic, I would just brake (probably using my right foot) and use creep (no throttle applied).

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Sat 6 Jul 2019 10:46
- CMclean
I’d hate to see the carnage I would potentially cause by trying to left foot brake after near on 50 years of driving almost every type of gearbox under the sun.
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Sat 6 Jul 2019 16:00
WWW.foradvice - go on, learn something new! - IrishNeil

"Left foot braking is an advanced technique, and should only be attempted after lots of practice. When learning to left foot brake, you’ll initially press the pedal far too hard as you’ll be used to the action of pressing a clutch all the way to the floor. It takes time to re-programme the ‘muscle memory’ of your foot and leg, and a bit of empty tarmac is highly recommended."

"Some people find new ideas difficult to accept, the more probable reason is the fear of leaving their comfort zone and treading a new uncertain path. Human being seeks stability and comfort. New ideas are first accepted as unstable. In order to gain from something, we have to forego another which causes discomfort."

While I understand the agitation HJ's advice has on some, not all readers, perhaps walk on by and get on with your lives instead of allowing new safety information infringing on your busy schedules! Just saying!

Keep up the good work HJ, I'm sure someone somwhere will be safer due to your advice.

Edited by IrishNeil on 06/07/2019 at 16:23

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Sat 6 Jul 2019 17:13
WWW.foradvice - go on, learn something new! - groaver

IrishNeil: away you go, you big sook (brown- noser).

Advance techniques, new ideas, etc. Honestly!

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Sat 6 Jul 2019 18:47
WWW.foradvice - go on, learn something new! - IrishNeil

IrishNeil: away you go, you big sook (brown- noser).

Advance techniques, new ideas, etc. Honestly!

well done Groaver,

without prompting, proving by that reply that you find it dififcult to hold a debate like an adult!

Not agreeing with another person does not make them wrong.

Resorting to name calling is a reflection on your social skills.

I meet your type every day at work at our busy NHS emergency department...next!!!

;)

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Sat 6 Jul 2019 22:12
WWW.foradvice - go on, learn something new! - groaver

I'm sorry

You are one of our unsung heroes.

I'll never tease you again and simply agree with you. ;)

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Sun 7 Jul 2019 14:50
WWW.foradvice - go on, learn something new! - IrishNeil

I'm sorry

You are one of our unsung heroes.

I'll never tease you again and simply agree with you. ;)

Aww thanks Groaver, how sweet of you but....

somehow your previous form indicates you simply enjoy pressing buttons and would likely start an argument in an empty room.

You're such a wonderful warrior, the keyboard variety - MWAH ;0

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Sun 7 Jul 2019 16:52
WWW.foradvice - go on, learn something new! - groaver

Your passive aggressive stance is endearing too. :-"

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Sun 7 Jul 2019 17:04
WWW.foradvice - go on, learn something new! - IrishNeil

Your passive aggressive stance is endearing too. :-"

thanks again Groaver, it's how I survive a shift dealing with your type, take care and be good! This thread has wound its way to infinity and beyond!

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Sun 7 Jul 2019 17:24
WWW.foradvice - go on, learn something new! - groaver

Edited by groaver on 07/07/2019 at 20:31

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Sun 7 Jul 2019 17:14
WWW.foradvice - go on, learn something new! - CarolinaStates

Your passive aggressive stance is endearing too. :-"

wind your neck in Groaver, it must be difficult when you get called out for being an argumentative douche.

1 - 0 to the IrishNeil

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Sun 7 Jul 2019 18:15
WWW.foradvice - go on, learn something new! - groaver

You're too kind.

Thanks for all the wise words.

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Sun 7 Jul 2019 11:08
WWW.foradvice - go on, learn something new! - sherwenator

sound advice my father just got a fresh automatic,,,a driver all his life,,,,would be hard to change him to left foot braking,,,,dont think its for everyone,,,but agree with above statement

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Sun 7 Jul 2019 19:01
WWW.foradvice - go on, learn something new! - CarolinaStates

sound advice my father just got a fresh automatic,,,a driver all his life,,,,would be hard to change him to left foot braking,,,,dont think its for everyone,,,but agree with above statement

over here, its a natural way to learn, stick shift is not as popular as over in UK

Edited by CarolinaStates on 07/07/2019 at 19:03

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Sat 6 Jul 2019 18:13
- BrendanP
Touchy subject.

Touch screen displays are not intrinsically unreliable, they are used widely on industrial machines and process equipment, but as with anything else in life, you get what you pay for. Cheap screens used on mobile phones will not be as reliable, and will be subjected to more knocks and bangs that a screen fitted into a car. If Kia won't cover it for a full 7 years they they should start looking for a better quality screen. They must have all the statistics on in-service failures. In the interests of good public relations it would be better to replace the few screens that fail under warranty, than to appear to quibble about an otherwise industry-leading warranty
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Sat 6 Jul 2019 19:47
- masiv
If I had my left leg amputated and needed an automatic, would HJ still tell me I should learn to left foot brake?
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Sun 7 Jul 2019 09:34
- will86
There are a few key issues with left foot braking. First, cars aren't designed for it - it's far more comfortable to operate the accelerator and brake with your right foot and therefore you have more control. Second, we are not taught to drive with left foot braking. Trying to relearn something is possible, but in a panic situation could easily lead to confusion. Frankly, if you can't work out which pedal you should be using, you shouldn't be driving and really that's the crux of the matter. People should be more realistic about their abilities but alas they aren't.
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Sun 7 Jul 2019 15:46
Honest John’s Motoring Agony Column 06-07-2019 Part 2 - galileo
There are a few key issues with left foot braking. First, cars aren't designed for it - it's far more comfortable to operate the accelerator and brake with your right foot and therefore you have more control.



All the automatics I have driven have a wider brake pedal than the manual ones (especially hire cars in the USA, which are invariably autos).

It therefore seems that cars are designed for left foot braking.
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Sun 7 Jul 2019 23:02
Honest John’s Motoring Agony Column 06-07-2019 Part 2 - will86
Well yes and no. Yes autos have bigger brake pedals but they are still offset to the right and are designed to be used with the right foot.
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Sun 7 Jul 2019 14:16
- Jamesetyefirst
If you don't want to / are incapable of left foot braking, for example amputation, then obviously don't do so. HJ is simply offering advice , if you don't agree with it , then ignore it as you are perfectly entitled to do so, I follow his advice on left foot braking , but not "superfuels ", because there was an examination of fuel types on Fifth Gear and they concluded it made no difference at all. What does make a difference is quality oil and quality antifreeze.

Edited by Jamesetyefirst on 07/07/2019 at 14:19

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Sun 7 Jul 2019 19:39
Honest John’s Motoring Agony Column 06-07-2019 Part 2 - masiv
If you don't want to / are incapable of left foot braking, for example amputation, then obviously don't do so. HJ is simply offering advice , if you don't agree with it , then ignore it as you are perfectly entitled to do so, I follow his advice on left foot braking , but not "superfuels ", because there was an examination of fuel types on Fifth Gear and they concluded it made no difference at all. What does make a difference is quality oil and quality antifreeze.

" need an automatic due to left foot problems." And the inevitable advice: switch to left-foot braking. Aaaargh."

Why is he giving this advice to this poor reader then? Fair enough giving his opinion, but to totally ignore the question is daft and more to the point rude.

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Sun 7 Jul 2019 18:13
- jchinuk
Regarding : Dire straits,
With due respect, buying a 13 year old Audi A3 is folly, you don't have to drive very much to realise that most are trashed, in not from new, certainly from the second owner. No surprise the gearbox is ****ed.
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