Toyota brake question....

[CAP1]

I drive with both feet too. I did learn how to heel toe brake when I first learned to drive, and still use the technique in the Mustang. The pedals are not positioned correctly to do so in my truck. Yes they are both manual transmissions. No I don't ride the brake.

that;s the only thing that pisses me off about my dakota.......the pedals aren't positioned for me to heel/toe. on my fairmont(mustang in disguise) they are perfect.

 i meant that i also use both feet when i'm driving something with an automatic too. i've been a left footed braker in automatics for as long as i can remember, 

[SIK1]

I only use my right foot in slushbox equipped vehicles, but I keep looking for the clutch with my left. 

[Tigger29]

While it is possible to drive with both feet (YES in an automatic) without riding the brake, it really isn't recommended.  Why?  Because when things happen, people tend to panic.  If you have both feet above both pedals and you panic, it's possible to just mash both of them down without even thinking about it.

I'm not picking anyone out specifically, but the body does funny things sometimes while in panic mode regardless of how well you think you've trained it.  The 'best' way to drive IMHO is to use one foot for gas and brake, and anytime you're not accelerating, keep the foot above the brake pedal.

[CAP1]

While it is possible to drive with both feet (YES in an automatic) without riding the brake, it really isn't recommended.  Why?  Because when things happen, people tend to panic.  If you have both feet above both pedals and you panic, it's possible to just mash both of them down without even thinking about it.

I'm not picking anyone out specifically, but the body does funny things sometimes while in panic mode regardless of how well you think you've trained it.  The 'best' way to drive IMHO is to use one foot for gas and brake, and anytime you're not accelerating, keep the foot above the brake pedal.

85 chrysler 5th ave....the rear driver.

coming up to the intersection........left foot on the brake, it's stopping, then suddenly the pedal drops to the floor. no biggie.......pump the pedal, yank the shifter into low gear(auto), left foot off the brake onto the e-brake.

 was pretty easy actually.

i've been driving like this for 31 years.

 if you're accustomed to it, it's much much faster to get your left foot(which is doing nothing normally) onto the brake, rather than release tension on the gas pedal, pick your foot up, then place it on the brake pedal.

would i recommend anyone switch? hell no!! that's how ya get into trouble.

would i train a new driver like that? in a heartbeat.

most of the accidents that come from older people, are generally them pressing on the go pedal, rather than the stop pedal. left footed braking would totally prevent that. 

[john9001]

Why?  Because when things happen, people tend to panic. 

not all of us panic when bad things happen. Some of us know what to do and do it.

[CAP1]

not all of us panic when bad things happen. Some of us know what to do and do it.

i know i don't.

when the lady hit me head on, rather than panicking, i was trying to get outta her path...almost made it too.

 when the kid pitted us, i was still trying to steer the car outta the skid as it hit the curb and went airborne.

 when my brakes failed, i successfully and rather easily brought my car to a safe stop.

 it's not really hard, IF you really drive your car, rather than being a passenger behind the wheel. 

[Tigger29]

I'm not picking anyone out specifically,

How did I know this would turn into a whole "I'm such a good driver that never happens" kind of debate?  Yes there ARE exceptions to the rule, but you have to admit that this could be a big problem with people in general, which is why it isn't taught that way.

I also highly doubt that you drive with your left foot hovering over the brake pedal all of the time...  I'm thinking you rest your left foot next to the brake pedal, which means your response time wouldn't necessarily be any faster.

When I drive customers' cars, I try to hold my feet up off the floor, to minimize any chance of getting any stains.. just a habit I've developed over the years.. and after about 30-60 seconds, it starts to get very uncomfortable.

Regardless, you have to admit that a lot of people who drive with two feet tend to rest their left foot just a little bit on the brake pedal, applying just a little bit of braking force (and yes I've caught several customers riding their brakes after they come back with repeat brake problems).  All I was saying is that if Toyota had programmed their cars to ignore gas pedal input if the brake was applied, they'd have a lot of unhappy customers.

[CAP1]

How did I know this would turn into a whole "I'm such a good driver that never happens" kind of debate?  Yes there ARE exceptions to the rule, but you have to admit that this could be a big problem with people in general, which is why it isn't taught that way.

I also highly doubt that you drive with your left foot hovering over the brake pedal all of the time...  I'm thinking you rest your left foot next to the brake pedal, which means your response time wouldn't necessarily be any faster.

When I drive customers' cars, I try to hold my feet up off the floor, to minimize any chance of getting any stains.. just a habit I've developed over the years.. and after about 30-60 seconds, it starts to get very uncomfortable.

Regardless, you have to admit that a lot of people who drive with two feet tend to rest their left foot just a little bit on the brake pedal, applying just a little bit of braking force (and yes I've caught several customers riding their brakes after they come back with repeat brake problems).  All I was saying is that if Toyota had programmed their cars to ignore gas pedal input if the brake was applied, they'd have a lot of unhappy customers.

my grandpop did. i could be following him down the freeway, and see the brake lights goin on n off at 65mph.

 i keep my left foot on the "dead pedal". when i'm in customers cars, i use floormats.

 i honestly believe that unless we find a way to convince drivers that distractions are bad, it really doesn't matter how they're trained.

 eating, while putting on eyeshadow, drinking a cup of coffee, and reading the paper all at once is pretty bad.
i actually saw a lady plucking her eyebrows at a traffic light one time.

 driving should be like flying a cessna......no distractions other than those necessary to drive the car safely.

 also, as i said....i would not recommend anyone changing to left footed braking, nor would i recommend them trying it. 

[SIK1]

i honestly believe that unless we find a way to convince drivers that distractions are bad, it really doesn't matter how they're trained.
 driving should be like flying a cessna......no distractions other than those necessary to drive the car safely.

Quoted for truth

[SirLoin]

CCN has a video on them unable to recreate the Prius in runaway mode.(they used the car that was involved in the incident)As soon as the brake was applied the engine would shut off.

http://www.cnn.com

[Tigger29]

OK looks like the whole "runaway" prius thing may have been staged:

http://www.forbes.com/2010/03/12/toyota-autos-hoax-media-opinions-contributors-michael-fumento.html

[CAP1]

OK looks like the whole "runaway" prius thing may have been staged:

http://www.forbes.com/2010/03/12/toyota-autos-hoax-media-opinions-contributors-michael-fumento.html

yea....saw something about this last week.....

and thanks to our friends the lawyers, everyone's trying to jump on the bandwagon.

 you oughtta hear the commercials from law firms around here.