Who left-foot brakes?

amped · 02-08-2008, 07:38 PM

I do. When I broke my right ankle skiing, I had a cast from my toes to my hip and had to both throttle and brake left-footed with the cast placed into the passenger side footwell. That was in grad school, many years ago, but I never reverted.

The only time I've regretted it is after a long layoff from driving an M/T car, left-foot the "brake" pedal and have it sink to the floor. It takes a moment to realize that it wasn't brake failure, but the clutch pedal.

Anyway, left-footing also helps during SCCA autocross. I've tried both ways and it's usually good for a half-second per minute when a win in my competetive group is usually measured in milliseconds.

**Tideland Prius** · 02-08-2008, 08:14 PM

Only when I twisted my right ankle. Otherwise, it's right foot braking. Too many times have I seen people ride the brakes (the lights are on) while they're travelling at normal speeds.

parrot_lady · 02-08-2008, 10:13 PM

I left foot drive sometimes. Both gas and brake. I only do it because on longer drives my left knee acts up- I had a torn medial meniscus and it needs to not be cramped up over there (I'm almost 6' tall).

Its a bit different, and its also funny to watch Matt try to drive my prius as he's used to stick shift, he's constantly looking for the clutch/gear shift.

timm · 02-08-2008, 10:37 PM

Us rural mail carriers sit on the passenger seat and reach over to steer with our left hand only and control the foot pedals with the left foot. (Wish I had a right hand drive Prius)

At other times and in other vehicles... I left-foot the brake when manuevering in tight spaces, on a steep terrain, or hooking/unhooking a trailer.

Spectra · 02-11-2008, 04:20 PM

if not right-hand drive, then at least, bench seats --- Have you removed the senter console?

But if you did, there go the deluxe cup-holders ...

Spectra · 02-11-2008, 04:21 PM

"center" -- no illiteracy among the Pri-ites

koa · 02-11-2008, 05:23 PM

Christy Brown

colleenandphil · 02-11-2008, 05:38 PM

My husband left-foot brakes.

patsparks · 02-11-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spectra

"center" -- no illiteracy among the Pri-ites

Centre.

patsparks · 02-11-2008, 08:01 PM

I did left foot brake once upon a time. I learned to drive in a manual trans and still drive one from time to time so I stick with right foot now except to back out the driveway. I think I picked up left foot braking manoeuvring around a tight workshop.

I agree with Tideland Prius about people driving with their foot on the brake. In my mechanic days had an old lady customer who complained her car was smoking, she was pressing her right foot to the floor on the accelerator and using the brakes to control speed. She was using her left foot on the brake she said because she was too old and weak to move her right foot quickly enough so a foot on each pedal was the solution. I sat her down and talked about how economical taxis were for her commuting. She only covered a few hundred kilometres per year. She sold the car.

02-08-2008, 07:38 PM	#1
amped Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The Gorge, OR Posts: 3,803 My Car: Other Hybrid Model: N/A Package: N/A Thanks: 295 Thanked 615 Times in 446 Posts Friends: 5	Who left-foot brakes? I do. When I broke my right ankle skiing, I had a cast from my toes to my hip and had to both throttle and brake left-footed with the cast placed into the passenger side footwell. That was in grad school, many years ago, but I never reverted. The only time I've regretted it is after a long layoff from driving an M/T car, left-foot the "brake" pedal and have it sink to the floor. It takes a moment to realize that it wasn't brake failure, but the clutch pedal. Anyway, left-footing also helps during SCCA autocross. I've tried both ways and it's usually good for a half-second per minute when a win in my competetive group is usually measured in milliseconds.

02-08-2008, 08:14 PM	#2
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 26,976 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 1,043 Thanked 1,175 Times in 849 Posts Friends: 31	Re: Who left-foot brakes? Only when I twisted my right ankle. Otherwise, it's right foot braking. Too many times have I seen people ride the brakes (the lights are on) while they're travelling at normal speeds.

02-08-2008, 10:13 PM	#3
parrot_lady Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 350 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Re: Who left-foot brakes? I left foot drive sometimes. Both gas and brake. I only do it because on longer drives my left knee acts up- I had a torn medial meniscus and it needs to not be cramped up over there (I'm almost 6' tall). Its a bit different, and its also funny to watch Matt try to drive my prius as he's used to stick shift, he's constantly looking for the clutch/gear shift.

02-08-2008, 10:37 PM	#4
timm Rural Mail Carrier (Sub.) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Spring Green, WI Posts: 119 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 3	Re: Who left-foot brakes? Us rural mail carriers sit on the passenger seat and reach over to steer with our left hand only and control the foot pedals with the left foot. (Wish I had a right hand drive Prius) At other times and in other vehicles... I left-foot the brake when manuevering in tight spaces, on a steep terrain, or hooking/unhooking a trailer.

02-11-2008, 04:20 PM	#5
Spectra Amphi-Prius Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: S NJ Posts: 3,123 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 34 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts Friends: 8	Re: Who left-foot brakes? if not right-hand drive, then at least, bench seats --- Have you removed the senter console? But if you did, there go the deluxe cup-holders ...

02-11-2008, 04:21 PM	#6
Spectra Amphi-Prius Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: S NJ Posts: 3,123 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 34 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts Friends: 8	Re: Who left-foot brakes? "center" -- no illiteracy among the Pri-ites

02-11-2008, 05:23 PM	#7
koa Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hawaii Posts: 979 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 2 Thanked 39 Times in 34 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Who left-foot brakes? Christy Brown

02-11-2008, 05:38 PM	#8
colleenandphil Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Central California Posts: 4 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Who left-foot brakes? My husband left-foot brakes.

02-11-2008, 08:01 PM	#10
patsparks An Aussie perspective Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 10,558 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 265 Thanked 430 Times in 326 Posts Friends: 36	Re: Who left-foot brakes? I did left foot brake once upon a time. I learned to drive in a manual trans and still drive one from time to time so I stick with right foot now except to back out the driveway. I think I picked up left foot braking manoeuvring around a tight workshop. I agree with Tideland Prius about people driving with their foot on the brake. In my mechanic days had an old lady customer who complained her car was smoking, she was pressing her right foot to the floor on the accelerator and using the brakes to control speed. She was using her left foot on the brake she said because she was too old and weak to move her right foot quickly enough so a foot on each pedal was the solution. I sat her down and talked about how economical taxis were for her commuting. She only covered a few hundred kilometres per year. She sold the car. __________________ All the warranty I need. Still averaging 4.4L/100km across town 2004 silver base model Prius Shark fin, genuine mudflaps, colour matched side mouldings, rear bumper scuff guard, sheepskin seats, BT Plate. I love it!