Brake pedal location
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 60
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From: Central Georgia
Originally Posted by norman311
It's not just you Jub Jub. There's a couple of threads here dealing with this issue. Seems like the brake pedal is more suited for shorter people than for tall guys with big shoes. It took me awhile but I got used to it. Sure wish somebody would come up with a easy way to more the brake pedal about 2 inches closer to the floor board. The adjustable pedals option only move them closer to the seat from the normal stock position.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Near Cincinnati, OH
Originally Posted by Jub Jub
One foot here. It's the way I learned since I drove mostly manuals all my life.
On my 95 F150 it was a simple transition from gas to brake by pivoting on the heel. Now I have to physically lift my foot onto the brake pedal. Like I said, I'm getting used to it!
On my 95 F150 it was a simple transition from gas to brake by pivoting on the heel. Now I have to physically lift my foot onto the brake pedal. Like I said, I'm getting used to it!
I never rest my foot on the brake...it's just ready for the brake. I find it more difficult to quickly react in snow or to hazards in the road with one foot. Again, I don't think it's safe to drive with one foot in an auto. I can hit the brake faster if I don't have to fool with my right foot - lifting it up and over to the brake. I find it's smoother to brake in emergencies with the left foot and not worrying about the right.
Last edited by lariatf150; Jul 20, 2005 at 01:01 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Pasadena, CA
I started "two-footing" it a long time ago, and feel much more comfortable doing it. Maybe it's wrong, but I seriously doubt if a "right-footed" driver can hit the brakes faster than someone using two feet. I don't rest my foot on the pedal.
In LA traffic, hitting the brakes quickly is like breathing. It just happens constantly.
I heard that if you use two feet while taking a driver's test, you automatically fail.
In LA traffic, hitting the brakes quickly is like breathing. It just happens constantly.
I heard that if you use two feet while taking a driver's test, you automatically fail.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Near Cincinnati, OH
2-foot driving is also much better in snow and on hills with stop-n-go traffic. Imagine sitting on a slope covered in snow. Traffic stops completely. If you misjudge it when you take your foot off the brake and step on the gas too hard, you might end up stuck or sliding into someone It's MUCH easier to baby it in delicate situations with 2 feet. I don't know why they ever taught people to drive with 1 foot only. Maybe to avoid confusion. But damn...if a person is THAT uncoordinated, stay home hehe
It's MUCH easier to baby it in delicate situations with 2 feet. I don't know why they ever taught people to drive with 1 foot only. Maybe to avoid confusion. But damn...if a person is THAT uncoordinated, stay home hehe
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From: Iowa
Originally Posted by nitzer280
LOL - Hilarious!
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Kauai, HI
Alright, I suppose I'll chime in:
1) If 'they' wanted you to use your left foot to brake, they'd have put it where the clutch goes in a manual transmission vehicle.
2) Left foot braking puts the body at a very uncomfortable angle (IMO). Bad ergonomics.
3) If you feel that the .05 - .1 seconds (est.) extra response time to hit the brakes in traffic is necessary to avoid slamming into someone, you're driving too fast too close to someone's bumper. You should be far enough back to detect the change in speed early enough that you can deal with transient slowdowns and wackadoos by letting your right foot off the accellerator. If this isn't sufficient, by all means press the brake (with the right foot, since it's already there because you anticipated perhaps needing more slowing power). Feeling that you don't have time to move a foot the short distance to the brake in time to stop means that you're doing something wrong. Speaking of which, if you're not resting your foot on the brake, you have to move it from somewhere else anyway, so you might as well use the right foot.
4) I'll consent that maybe if you're pointed up an extremely steep hill which has been recently used as a luge/bobsled strip that braking left and feathering the accelerator right would be a reasonable tactic. That being said, you could also not use the brake at all (since the uphill part will slow you down) and maintain some power on the engine to keep you from rolling backwards. When it's time to go, just add a little more power to get started. Ahh, the magic of torque converters!
5) Race car drivers are strapped in much better than any of us. They are also sponsored (so it doesn't cost them anything if they tap someone) and in a controlled environment. F1 cars don't have enough room across the beam to fit more than two shoes, so they have to use both feet. It's a matter of necessity.
It boils down to driving smarter, not harder. And no, I'm not a driving instructor.
~Rob
<Flame Suit Donned>
1) If 'they' wanted you to use your left foot to brake, they'd have put it where the clutch goes in a manual transmission vehicle.
2) Left foot braking puts the body at a very uncomfortable angle (IMO). Bad ergonomics.
3) If you feel that the .05 - .1 seconds (est.) extra response time to hit the brakes in traffic is necessary to avoid slamming into someone, you're driving too fast too close to someone's bumper. You should be far enough back to detect the change in speed early enough that you can deal with transient slowdowns and wackadoos by letting your right foot off the accellerator. If this isn't sufficient, by all means press the brake (with the right foot, since it's already there because you anticipated perhaps needing more slowing power). Feeling that you don't have time to move a foot the short distance to the brake in time to stop means that you're doing something wrong. Speaking of which, if you're not resting your foot on the brake, you have to move it from somewhere else anyway, so you might as well use the right foot.
4) I'll consent that maybe if you're pointed up an extremely steep hill which has been recently used as a luge/bobsled strip that braking left and feathering the accelerator right would be a reasonable tactic. That being said, you could also not use the brake at all (since the uphill part will slow you down) and maintain some power on the engine to keep you from rolling backwards. When it's time to go, just add a little more power to get started. Ahh, the magic of torque converters!
5) Race car drivers are strapped in much better than any of us. They are also sponsored (so it doesn't cost them anything if they tap someone) and in a controlled environment. F1 cars don't have enough room across the beam to fit more than two shoes, so they have to use both feet. It's a matter of necessity.
It boils down to driving smarter, not harder. And no, I'm not a driving instructor.
~Rob
<Flame Suit Donned>
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 306
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From: Pasadena, CA
Originally Posted by Sluys
Alright, I suppose I'll chime in:
1) If 'they' wanted you to use your left foot to brake, they'd have put it where the clutch goes in a manual transmission vehicle.
Uh, left pedal, left foot. Right pedal, right foot. Seems simple to me.
2) Left foot braking puts the body at a very uncomfortable angle (IMO). Bad ergonomics.
I drive 115 miles round trip every work day. I'm damn comfortable. Maybe it's the truck?
3) If you feel that the .05 - .1 seconds (est.) extra response time to hit the brakes in traffic is necessary to avoid slamming into someone, you're driving too fast too close to someone's bumper. You should be far enough back to detect the change in speed early enough that you can deal with transient slowdowns and wackadoos by letting your right foot off the accellerator. If this isn't sufficient, by all means press the brake (with the right foot, since it's already there because you anticipated perhaps needing more slowing power). Feeling that you don't have time to move a foot the short distance to the brake in time to stop means that you're doing something wrong. Speaking of which, if you're not resting your foot on the brake, you have to move it from somewhere else anyway, so you might as well use the right foot.
I'm not sure why being able to hit the brake pedal faster is a bad thing? Stuff happens, and I'd much prefer to be able to stop faster than drive like an old man doing 50 mph in the fast lane with the appropriate "cushion" in front of me. Of course, in LA, "cushion" automatically puts a large sign on your vehicle that says "Please cut me off without signaling your intentions".
4) I'll consent that maybe if you're pointed up an extremely steep hill which has been recently used as a luge/bobsled strip that braking left and feathering the accelerator right would be a reasonable tactic. That being said, you could also not use the brake at all (since the uphill part will slow you down) and maintain some power on the engine to keep you from rolling backwards. When it's time to go, just add a little more power to get started. Ahh, the magic of torque converters!
Just use the brake. Brake pads are cheaper than transmissions.
5) Race car drivers are strapped in much better than any of us. They are also sponsored (so it doesn't cost them anything if they tap someone) and in a controlled environment. F1 cars don't have enough room across the beam to fit more than two shoes, so they have to use both feet. It's a matter of necessity.
Lots of NASCAR drivers use two feet, and brake with their left foot going into corners. They seem to get around pretty good.
It boils down to driving smarter, not harder. And no, I'm not a driving instructor.
~Rob
<Flame Suit Donned>
1) If 'they' wanted you to use your left foot to brake, they'd have put it where the clutch goes in a manual transmission vehicle.
Uh, left pedal, left foot. Right pedal, right foot. Seems simple to me.
2) Left foot braking puts the body at a very uncomfortable angle (IMO). Bad ergonomics.
I drive 115 miles round trip every work day. I'm damn comfortable. Maybe it's the truck?
3) If you feel that the .05 - .1 seconds (est.) extra response time to hit the brakes in traffic is necessary to avoid slamming into someone, you're driving too fast too close to someone's bumper. You should be far enough back to detect the change in speed early enough that you can deal with transient slowdowns and wackadoos by letting your right foot off the accellerator. If this isn't sufficient, by all means press the brake (with the right foot, since it's already there because you anticipated perhaps needing more slowing power). Feeling that you don't have time to move a foot the short distance to the brake in time to stop means that you're doing something wrong. Speaking of which, if you're not resting your foot on the brake, you have to move it from somewhere else anyway, so you might as well use the right foot.
I'm not sure why being able to hit the brake pedal faster is a bad thing? Stuff happens, and I'd much prefer to be able to stop faster than drive like an old man doing 50 mph in the fast lane with the appropriate "cushion" in front of me. Of course, in LA, "cushion" automatically puts a large sign on your vehicle that says "Please cut me off without signaling your intentions".
4) I'll consent that maybe if you're pointed up an extremely steep hill which has been recently used as a luge/bobsled strip that braking left and feathering the accelerator right would be a reasonable tactic. That being said, you could also not use the brake at all (since the uphill part will slow you down) and maintain some power on the engine to keep you from rolling backwards. When it's time to go, just add a little more power to get started. Ahh, the magic of torque converters!
Just use the brake. Brake pads are cheaper than transmissions.
5) Race car drivers are strapped in much better than any of us. They are also sponsored (so it doesn't cost them anything if they tap someone) and in a controlled environment. F1 cars don't have enough room across the beam to fit more than two shoes, so they have to use both feet. It's a matter of necessity.
Lots of NASCAR drivers use two feet, and brake with their left foot going into corners. They seem to get around pretty good.
It boils down to driving smarter, not harder. And no, I'm not a driving instructor.
~Rob
<Flame Suit Donned>
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 187
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From: Arcadia, CA
Hey DAThomas,
Funny how we both have to deal with the LA traffic and both are left foot brakers. I have a Ford Freestar I drive for work and it's definitely better suited for left foot braking than the F150. On the Freestar the floor board is much closer to the brake pedal. So I was thinking of building up the floor board on the left side just a little bit, say 2 inches, to make it more comfortable. Got to be careful though.
On another note........installing my AF1 this week. After I asked to check yours out, I ran across a barely used one a F150online member was selling. The UPS guy dropped it off yesterday. Shiney! Got a bugshield, magnaflow and xcal2 ordered also.
Funny how we both have to deal with the LA traffic and both are left foot brakers. I have a Ford Freestar I drive for work and it's definitely better suited for left foot braking than the F150. On the Freestar the floor board is much closer to the brake pedal. So I was thinking of building up the floor board on the left side just a little bit, say 2 inches, to make it more comfortable. Got to be careful though.
On another note........installing my AF1 this week. After I asked to check yours out, I ran across a barely used one a F150online member was selling. The UPS guy dropped it off yesterday. Shiney! Got a bugshield, magnaflow and xcal2 ordered also.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 306
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From: Pasadena, CA
Mine is supposed to ship next week. It's been a long wait. That will make the trifecta for me - Xcal, Magnaflow, and next the intake. I may ask to take a gander at your AirForce one, now that you're "in the club".
I drive back and forth from Thousand Oaks every day. If nothing else, I have learned some patience. I don't usually get as mad now as I used to. Usually...
I drive back and forth from Thousand Oaks every day. If nothing else, I have learned some patience. I don't usually get as mad now as I used to. Usually...
