To think it's fine to drive my automatic car with an injured foot?

[candycoatedwaterdrops]

My driving foot is not the injured one!

I need to take myself to a walk-in clinic because I've injured my fucking foot. I thought it was my usual ligament strain but I'm not convinced it's not broken.

I'll probably phone my insurance to check but I think it should be fine or AIBU? I'm not going until tomorrow morning btw, so if I get replies saying I'm being a twat, I won't drive.

You're not wrong clam!!

MrsBennetsEldest

Justforlaughs, you will ruin your engine, brakes and transmission

This is absolute bollocks. The majority of automatics have a torque converter, so any difference between engine and wheel speed will be absorbed by the fluid. The worst that will happen is the TC and gearbox will generate a bit more heat (dispersed by the gearbox cooler) or brakes will generate more heat/wear slightly quicker.

Some ECUs on modern cars will reduce power if the brake and accelerator are pressed concurrently.

As for using your left foot for braking, if you have practised the level of control required for correct braking then it is no more dangerous than right foot braking.

Left foot braking is an often an essential technique in racing, rallying and car control, as it allows more precise control of the car, shifting the weight of the car and setting it up for manoeuvres without letting the engine revs drop.

Meant to say add, even those cars with manual clutches, DCT/automated manuals can be left foot braked.

Pheww, what a relief!

www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/5121/dsa-ia0034611b.pdf

"The use of the right foot for both break and accelerator pedals has distinct safety advantages. It is therefore recommended practice for normal driving, but is not necessarily applicable to disabled drivers. The use of the left foot on the brake pedal should not however be marked as a fault unless it involves the use of the footbrake against the accelerator."

Well Mittens, I stand corrected.....everyday is a school day.
As for left foot braking technique in racing, rallying etc...should I ever be involved in the aforementioned motor sports I will give it a whirl....for my regular driving I shall stick to one foot only. My brakes cost £600 to replace so I like them to last as long as possible ;)

WMittens

Aren't the pedals in the wrong place to left foot break?

I know you can adapt a car for left foot acceleration and breaking.

Can you provide a reference for this? I'm genuinely curious. It's not what AA/DVLA told my instructor and one would tend to think they know what they're talking about.

I could if I could be bothered to trawl my state's handbook for the next few hours... but I am not sure why it would be relevant to you

I'm American, automatics are the standard for most drivers here and you drive with one foot. Because it is safer and you will fail your driving test if you use two.

MrsBennetsEldest

I just use my right foot when I drive my auto; I've not really practised left foot braking to make it worth my while (and yeah, its use is rarely/never required in normal driving).

sashh

Aren't the pedals in the wrong place to left foot break?

Nope - auto: brake on left, gas on right; manual: clutch on left, brake in centre, gas on right.

Oh mittens, I was hoping you were Ken Block....damn. I really fancy a bit of rally driving now....the gins kicked in and I'm suddenly feeling adventurous.

Just read the explanation you gave mittens to DH and it seems I was rather animated and possibly a little ott, he's brought more gin....it could be a late one...;)

Oh, I so wish I broke my left leg, instead of my right. I could have driven then but not whilst on Tramadol zzzzzzz

Anyone fancy a bit of late night rallying in the Welsh hills, left 300 sharp....more gin...laughing at myself now....oh bloody hell :o

No it's unsafe. Get a taxi.

Going back to the original query... If you think you can perform an emergency stop safely, yes drive. If not, don't.

And at the risk of getting banned forever (according to Pagwatch's thread anyway) GAVEL

Thants....your right of course.....car is safely tucked up in barn for the night...
It's the gin talking....there's more chance of me being queen next year than getting in the car and driving......oh no...I've gone all sobery....more gin is needed..

longdistance, As I was lying there on the stairs in agony, two thoughts entered my mind: 1) that's this year's skiing buggered, and 2) it's the wrong bloody leg!!!

My first thought was 'fuck, that's my driving leg' too

MrsBennetsEldest

Oh mittens, I was hoping you were Ken Block....damn. I really fancy a bit of rally driving now...

Pfft, Ken Block's second rate - he's a very highly skilled driver, no doubt, and a good entertainer but he's nowhere unless he can take several practice runs. Now, Seb Loeb, love or loathe you can't help but respect him for what he's achieved, and the way he destroyed the Pikes Peak record was utterly amazing.

I've had way too much gin mittens to debate ken v seb....I've seen ken and he was rather quicker on the Rome than me so ...respect ....shit I sound so old...which probably has something to do with the fact that I yam.....gin...and more gin

Not Rome for gods sake ...the Orme...the bloody Orme....damn these drinker fingers

I am learning to drive an automatic

My instructor said under no circumstances are you allowed to use both feet I was also told you would fail your test for doing so.

My instructor said under no circumstances are you allowed to use both feet I was also told you would fail your test for doing so.

Well, he's wrong. See my post at 20:15:12 above.

No problem with left foot braking in an auto, many people do it. Plenty of people also left foot brake in a manual it all comes down to what's most comfortable and what you get used to. I heel and toe out of habit these days which allows me operate all three pedals with just two feet. OP I see no reason whatsoever why you shouldn't drive.