People who drive automatics tend to do that unless someone teaches them otherwise. I learned to drive in the States, and was told (while learning at least) to tuck my left leg under my right to stop me from doing that.
supercharger
- Thread starter bigcatdazzer
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People who drive automatics tend to do that unless someone teaches them otherwise. I learned to drive in the States, and was told (while learning at least) to tuck my left leg under my right to stop me from doing that.
But like you said , that is a mythical wonderland!You can play around with this and that in terms of type and brands (I am NOT getting on with Greenstuff on my V6 even though they were perfect on my 200. It's probably because of the disks) but ultimately you need to find what works for you and your situation.
That's not 100% true though. Imagine a town that was built for cars. Where the speed limit on the main roads is 70MPH, but every mile or so there's a roundabout to allow cross traffic to flow freely.
In this mythical wonderland, it's possible that to make good progress during busier times, you're going to be going throttle to brake quite frequently, even if you're not going 0-70-0-70-0...etc.
And in that case, you really don't want your brakes to let you down.
, so my advice(in a real world situation) is pretty sound.
Whether it's an auto or manual for me the right foot operates accelerate and brake pedals the left is none exist any and unless in an auto the left leg in a manual is for clutch simples
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But like you said , that is a mythical wonderland!
Classic Poe's Law situation there - I can't tell if you know whether I was being sarcastic or not.
Have a look at my location...
Too true Chris, and if you only occasionally drive an auto it's a recipe for loosing your teeth as your 'manual' left foot instinctively pushes the brake pedal in the same manner as it pushes the clutch pedal.
The left foot braking is used mostly in rallying , I have tried it... For a moment , immediately confused me and never tried again! Ha.
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There's one other reason not to left-foot brake; planning and coordination.
I wouldn't be too surprised to find that instructors stop you from doing it so that you have to think about what's going on in front of you and not leave braking as a last-minute reaction by just stomping your left foot down.
On the other hand, I learned to drive in Florida in an auto and to be honest, I doubt they were thinking much beyond when they'd be able to get their next Mojito.
I wouldn't be too surprised to find that instructors stop you from doing it so that you have to think about what's going on in front of you and not leave braking as a last-minute reaction by just stomping your left foot down.
On the other hand, I learned to drive in Florida in an auto and to be honest, I doubt they were thinking much beyond when they'd be able to get their next Mojito.
Left foot braking is un-natural, which is why it's a skill to be learned. No use at all in everyday driving routines.
Except in North Wales. I bet people in Snowdonia do it all the time on the mountain roads. In fact, that's where I learned to double de-clutch, too.
/MightNotBeKidding
/MightNotBeKidding
There has always seemed to be variability in Cougar brakes. Mine could easily break traction in the dry. There's absolutely no benefit to more braking force than that.
In line with most things nowadays which tend towards limp wristedness, most cars around now are hugely over-assisted on brakes, making them feel lighter to use, or more powerful for a given pedal effort. Along with wider tyres, lighter power steering and dynamic stability controls as well as increased NVH work, it all conspires to breed terrible drivers with no feel for what they're doing.
Pushing hard on a pedal is no bad thing. It reminds the driver they're hammering along in 1500kg of steel.
In line with most things nowadays which tend towards limp wristedness, most cars around now are hugely over-assisted on brakes, making them feel lighter to use, or more powerful for a given pedal effort. Along with wider tyres, lighter power steering and dynamic stability controls as well as increased NVH work, it all conspires to breed terrible drivers with no feel for what they're doing.
Pushing hard on a pedal is no bad thing. It reminds the driver they're hammering along in 1500kg of steel.
Well said Jamie.
You hit on something as at first I thought there was something wrong with the cougars brakes and after I had all the discs and pads replaced was dissapointed at first to find it still felt spongy at the pedal... But what you just said has struck on what I'm now feeling about the feel of cougar brakes , perfect feed back and how a brake should really feel like when pressed!
You hit on something as at first I thought there was something wrong with the cougars brakes and after I had all the discs and pads replaced was dissapointed at first to find it still felt spongy at the pedal... But what you just said has struck on what I'm now feeling about the feel of cougar brakes , perfect feed back and how a brake should really feel like when pressed!
I upgraded mine with Black Diamond Front Discs which are drilled & vented, EBC Green stuff pads and Hel Braided Brake lines and it all seems to work just great with no spongy pedal at all.
Maybe the brake lines helped peter? Or is it my brakes need bleeding as the spongy feel to standard cougar brake set up isn't normal?!
My brakes work fine , but I was getting round to the fact the feel of the brakes was a cougar thing?
Got me worried now Pete mate.
My brakes work fine , but I was getting round to the fact the feel of the brakes was a cougar thing?
Got me worried now Pete mate.
I was thinking that , and like I said , the feel has grew on me , feels more natural than brakes you lightly touch and snap on.
Thanks for settling my concerns.
Thanks for settling my concerns.
That's what I thought until I drove the Zetec fourby - obviously still using the standard Ford servo but with the Cossie calipers the difference was immense. You didn't have to put your foot through the floor, a good firm stamp and you were face to face with the windscreen (no skidding either!). They had loads of feel and very progressive between gentle braking and face ripping. Something I find missing in the standard setup. Horses for courses as they say - everyone has different tastes. A bit like the short shifter - I wouldn't be without one now but some hate them
I'll agree there having been round a track a few times in the cougar they fade very quickly. The car is a big old barge and is no way set up for track action even after you lower it and fit all manner of stiffing beams (front & rear strut braces in my case) because that V6 is too much weight over the front wheels they dig in when you brake hard and try to corner quickly (ok I was running on 16's too)