One foot or two?

[JB400]

If you're driving an automatic equipped vehicle, do you use one foot for driving, or two?


https://www.yahoo.com/autos/why-most-drivers-should-brake-with-their-left-foot-115959573142.html

[A383Wing]

My 2 66 Chargers are 4 spd cars, as is my Dakota, so I use right foot for braking. My Pontiac and Daytona are automatics, but the Pontiac is the only car I use my left foot for braking....not sure why, but I have always done it this way in this car only

[tan top]

   yes defiantly the charger    ,

also slightly different use of two feet   maneuvering in tight spots  / up any sort of incline  , & parking with this current cam set up I have & tight converter  in the charger two feet are a must    using the brake as a sort of clutch



other modern autos ive had as daily drivers no , well sometimes   depends

ive never left foot brake manual trans would get confused    , but autos no problemo

[polywideblock]

 one,  just the right for brakes/accelerator      its just the way we're taught ,you get a rap on the knuckles off the driving instructor  for that over here  

[Sublime/Sixpack]

It just depends. But if I'm ripping through corners, on and off the gas and brakes hard, I tend to drive with both feet, and both eyes wide open.

[oldcarnut]

Seems like most of the ones I see left footing the brake are the ones keeping the brake lights on all the time from resting the foot on the pedal.  I guess when Im not having a clutch pedal to push I used my left foot to brace against the floor in case its needed for impact while using the right to brake

[terrible one]

One, always.

[Beav]

Started out learning on a manual, and have always used two.

And no..... I don't "ride" the brake pedal. 

I'll also use the brakes in conjunction with the accelerator on "aggressive cornering" maneuvers.   

[68X426]

Two feet of course, one for the gas and one to drag on the pavement to stop. 

My hero:

[skip68]

1 foot ONLY AND ALWAYS.   2 feet is a bad habit.   Leads to riding the brakes and in a bad situation leads to both pedals being pressed.   Never ever ever be a 2 footer driver unless it's a go kart.   When braking you should never have your right foot near the gas pedal.  Bad bad habit.  Professional driving on a track may be different but never on the street.   That's basic driving 101.  

[JB400]

1 foot only as well.  I find that driving 2 footed leads to the left foot in an uncomfortable position if left just above the brake pedal.  If you set if off to the side, on to the dead pedal, you'll end up with the same movement as using the right foot.  Might as well have the extra assurance that your foot is completely off the gas, when applying the brake pedal.

[dual fours]

Started using two feet right after I passed my drivers test. Using two feet was a NO, NO.
One foot for the brake (manual) and one for the gas, this was the fastest I could start or stop the 70 Charger.
Sometimes you'd need to be on both pedals to be in control when split seconds and distance is the only thing between hitting or missing something.
Not saying it's the correct way or not, but it's what I do.

[MoParJW]

One.

Especially because I'm used to driving stick cars.
My grandfather once flipped a car over when he forgot he was driving an automatic for a sec, and pressed the ''clutch'' down hard while going down a hill 
He kept his left foot under the seat after that incident

[XH29N0G]

My wife's grandfather used to drive with his left foot sticking out the window - so he was definitely one foot.

[wingcar]

One only as taught in basic drivers training.  I have followed many a car were the driver was "resting" his or her foot on the brake pedal and the brake light is on.....while on the freeway no less.  I guess your local brake shop loves these people as they must wear out brake pads rather quickly.

[myk]

One foot.  Even THIS bad Asian driver knows that...

[Indygenerallee]

Two feet (i dont drag the brake either) I was taught to drive this way it makes it especially tough when you have size 16 shoes on to lift off the gas and go to the brake with the same foot (gets caught on stuff above the pedals)

[Sublime/Sixpack]

I know what is taught in Driver's Training Courses, and the thinking behind it, but just food for thought; if driving an automatic trans. equipped vehicle with both feet is such a bad idea why is the brake pedal in automatic vehicles so much wider than manual trans. vehicles?
People will think what they chose, but in some situations, and if the driver is up to the task, driving an automatic with both feet does/can produce better results.

[Troy]

The brake pedal on a stick shift car isn't wide and people manage to stop just fine.

When I was a teenager and had my first 68 Charger I used two feet to stop because I had 10" drums on a big heavy car and the brakes were iffy at best. Plus I weighed all of 125 pounds and it took everything I had to stop on a hill. After rebuilding the brakes it got better but I still used two feet. Haven't had to since.

I see people on the highway all the time who are obviously "hovering" over the brake. As mentioned above, their mechanics must love them!

Troy

[mopar0166]

mostly one but sometimes two is needed

[skip68]

The brake pedal is wider for safety making it easier to hit and for using both feet on it if needed in emergency situations.  
My father in law drives with 2 feet and has had his dodge truck in the shop God knows how many times saying the transmission is messed up.  Every time they dealership finds nothing wrong.   I drove it and it was fine.  I rode with him driving and told him right away what was wrong.  He's putting enough pressure on the brakes that the transmission thinks it's under a load on and off.  This was causing it to bounce between gears.      

I'm sure there are very coordinated drivers that can do both but in general it's a bad idea.   It's just to easy to accidentally hit the gas in an emergency situation.   I've done it under certain situations like backing a trailer or tight areas but that's it.  NEVER while just running down the road.   I am more than capable and experienced to use one foot.  
Teaching my son was fun.  He was so used to go karts he kept using two feet and then getting confused by not fully letting off the gas.   I threatened to tape his leg back if he didn't stop.  

[skip68]

Another reason is towing.   I have my trailer brake controller set to be very touchy as most do.  You get that bad habit of resting your foot on the brakes and you're going to possibly heat up your trailer brakes and good luck trying to stop. 

[skip68]

I see people on the highway all the time who are obviously "hovering" over the brake. As mentioned above, their mechanics must love them!

Troy

Yep.  It seems like mostly older people and younger drivers doing it.  
I'd told my son that it's a lazy bad habit he's forming or it's lack of confidence and poor reaction time that's making him feel the need to ride the brake pedal.   Either way you're not ever driving my car like that and I don't care who you are.  You'll never convince me that by riding the brake you're more likely to save my car from being totaled.  It's 100,000 more likely that you'll do damage or wear to my brakes and transmission.   And don't even ask to barrow my trailer.  

Lets say that there's 100 two foot drivers here and 100 right foot drivers here and they all went to be tested on a track for reaction time braking.  
I'll guarantee you that there won't be much measurable difference and in fact, I'd guarantee that lots of the right foot drivers beat the two feet drivers.  
My guess is that the slower reaction time drivers will tend to feel the need to ride the brake pedal or may be left handed/footed.  

Now I might be on to something. My son is a lefty and my father in law that rides the brake is also a lefty.      
Any of you two feet drivers left handed?  That I'd bet makes it seem more natural. 

[Sublime/Sixpack]

Speaking of "Basic Driving 101" the driver needs to be intelligent enough to not ride the brake pedal.  

[A383Wing]

Now I might be on to something. My son is a lefty and my father in law that rides the brake is also a lefty.      
Any of you two feet drivers left handed?  That I'd bet makes it seem more natural. 

I used to be a lefty, but as I stated, the only car I drive with 2 feet is the Pontiac....no other car