Brake/gas pedal help

[Resetti's_Replicas]

I'm learning to drive, and it's going... not too well. I have a bad habit of mixing up the gas and brake pedal. It happens when I need to brake quickly - like pulling in to a parking space - and I press down on the first bit of plastic my foot feels. I haven't caused any damage or injuries because I've been practicing in an empty lot, but I came pretty close to having an accident last time. I dunno if there's techniques or anything that can help but I'll take anything I can get.

 

[Frezzato]

It should come to you naturally, with experience. But I have to ask, are you having trouble actually finding or feeling the pedals? Or are you confused as to which does which?

If you're having trouble remembering, you can use a mimetic device to help you remember. For example, there's a convenience store chain in Ohio called Stop & Go. Stop (left side), Go (right side). Stop (brake), and Go (throttle).

It may also help to realize that, when pulling into a stop, you might want to have your foot already on the brake pedal as you gently coast into a parking space. When others are driving, I notice that people in general tend to pull into parking spaces with too much speed. It doesn't make sense to me. Everyone and their grandmother goes as slow as possible when turning off of the street, and yet they zip into parking spaces as if it's a contest to see who can brake at the last possible second. Take your time and go slow.

*EDIT* Oh right, and what type of car are you practicing with?

 

[teisjm]

Just keep one foot on the gas pedal at all times, then you won't "loose" it, cause it's always under your foot.
2 or 3 pedals? can't tell by your profile where you're from, so i have no idea.

 

[Resetti's_Replicas]

It should come to you naturally, with experience. But I have to ask, are you having trouble actually finding or feeling the pedals? Or are you confused as to which does which?

Yeah I'd say it's mostly a feeling thing; I lose track of the pedals sometimes, and so I'm feeling around for them, and it isn't immediately obvious if I'm hitting the one on the left or right.

Could it have to do with me being left-handed? I feel like I'd be a lot more comfortable using my left foot, impossible as that may be.

I'm in the USA, MA specifically, the car is a 2002 Toyota Corolla - it's my dad's and he's kept it well maintained.

 

[Lilani]

I'm learning to drive, and it's going... not too well. I have a bad habit of mixing up the gas and brake pedal. It happens when I need to brake quickly - like pulling in to a parking space - and I press down on the first bit of plastic my foot feels. I haven't caused any damage or injuries because I've been practicing in an empty lot, but I came pretty close to having an accident last time. I dunno if there's techniques or anything that can help but I'll take anything I can get.

Just keep practicing. After a while, it will come naturally. Also, I wouldn't recommend doing what teisjm says and using both feet. That is a fantastic way to just confuse yourself even more, or to severely damage the inner workings of your car and your tires if you end up pressing the gas and brake at once.

 

[Lilani]

Could it have to do with me being left-handed? I feel like I'd be a lot more comfortable using my left foot, impossible as that may be.

Aha, that probably has a LOT to do with it, actually. But yeah, I'm afraid it's something you're just going to have to get used to. My grandma is left handed and she's been driving since she was 16, and now she's 73. It'll be frustrating, but just remember: at least you're not driving a stick

 

[Frezzato]

Yeah I'd say it's mostly a feeling thing; I lose track of the pedals sometimes, and so I'm feeling around for them, and it isn't immediately obvious if I'm hitting the one on the left or right.

Could it have to do with me being left-handed? I feel like I'd be a lot more comfortable using my left foot, impossible as that may be.

I'm in the USA, MA specifically, the car is a 2002 Toyota Corolla - it's my dad's and he's kept it well maintained.

Yeah, being left-handed has probably got a lot to do with it. I don't think it will necessarily come easily, but if you're purposefully trying to remember every time, muscle memory should eventually kick in.

One thing you can do is plant your left foot on the flat mound at the left side where the clutch would normally be. The area should be exactly in the corner, covered with a textured rubber plate. Plant your left foot there and don't move it unless it gets uncomfortable. Physically feeling your left foot all the way in the corner might give you a better mental picture of the space and where your right foot is in comparison.

Additionally, you may want to reconsider your driving position. If you're comfortable, then there's no adjustments necessary. For myself, I'm six feet tall, and I have to put my seat almost all the way back in addition to raising the steering wheel to its max height. You adjust it with a lever underneath or on the side of the steering column. Flip it, adjust the height, then lock it back into place. Ask your dad though. It operates with a light touch.

I had to do that just for my knees to remain clear of the steering wheel. Certain things like that make me feel claustrophobic.

 

[NoMercy Rider]

There are also a few other things to consider that might help:

- The gas and brake pedals are shaped differently. This might be difficult to differentiate through the sole of a shoe, but the gas pedal is typically long and slender, while the break pedal is short and wide.

- The two pedals are located at different heights above the floor board. The gas pedal is usually fairly close to the floor board, while the brake pedal is raised fairly high up. In my experience, the gas pedal can be pressed while keeping the heel of my foot resting on the floor board, while pressing the brake pedal requires actually lifting my leg/foot.

This is how I drive and it might help (assumed most people drive this way): At all times I have my heel resting in front of the gas pedal, even if I don't need to press on the gas pedal. So at all times my foot is either pressing the gas pedal or hovering directly above it. Only when I am about to brake will I move my foot slightly to the left and press down on the brake pedal. By having your foot over the gas pedal at all times, except just prior to braking and while braking, you will know spatially where your foot is at all times in relation to the two pedals.

 

[Batou667]

As a manual driver I can't even start imagining how you could lose track of two pedals, given that you have two feet! Even if you don't keep your feet lightly resting on the pedals when you're not pressing them, you'll have a "go" foot and a "stop" foot, so there shouldn't be much chance of mix-up.

Anyway, keep practising until it becomes second nature. Most driving problems are usually fixed by more practice and more experience.

 

[NoMercy Rider]

As a manual driver I can't even start imagining how you could lose track of two pedals, given that you have two feet! Even if you don't keep your feet lightly resting on the pedals when you're not pressing them, you'll have a "go" foot and a "stop" foot, so there shouldn't be much chance of mix-up.

As a manual driver, you should know: left foot for clutch, right foot for gas & brake. Same goes for an automatic transmission as well. Using one foot for gas and another foot for brake is a VERY bad idea. If both the brake and gas pedals are depressed at the same time, it will absolutely destroy your brake pads and rotors, and continued use could lead to serious transmission problems.

 

[Resetti's_Replicas]

Yes, I think left-foot braking would be easier to learn, but unfortunately we're not there ywt with technology. Would it help if I wore thin-soled shoes? I was wearing my New Balances that have very thick solid-rubber soles, and I think it was making it hard to feel the pedals.

 

[Lilani]

Yes, I think left-foot braking would be easier to learn, but unfortunately we're not there ywt with technology. Would it help if I wore thin-soled shoes? I was wearing my New Balances that have very thick solid-rubber soles, and I think it was making it hard to feel the pedals.

That might be a good idea while you're still learning. And after a while you should be able to graduate up to thicker soled shoes when it becomes second nature. Everything with driving seems to require effort at first, at least that was my experience. I'm right handed, so I had no problems feeling where the pedals were, but I had problems regulating how tense my foot was. So my leg and ankle would get tired very quickly. But after a while it became less of a big deal, and I knew the limits of the pedals so I became more comfortable and relaxed. Same with the general handling--at first I was acutely aware that I was in a 1 ton shell of metal hurtling down the road at lethal speeds to anything I might hit, but now the car just feels like an extension of my body.

But whatever thinner shoes you choose, just make sure they are NOT flip-flops, or thongs or whatever they're called in your part of the world. The sandals with only the strap between the big toe to hold them on. Those are dangerous while driving because the front can get caught and stuck on one of the pedals. They're not so bad if you know what you're doing, but since your problem is knowing where your pedals are they are not a good idea for you.

 

[Atrocious Joystick]

If you have to "look" for the pedals with your foot you are doing something wrong to begin with. Your (right) foot should always be on one of the pedals. If if it is not on the gas it should be on the brake, even if you are not actually pressing down on it. The exception is the clutch which is quite easy to pick out because it is the only one you use your left foot for. It is safe to take your foot off of that one when not shifting gears. It is all just something you will have to learn and get used to. Only thing you've got to do is keep at it.

 

[Batou667]

As a manual driver, you should know: left foot for clutch, right foot for gas & brake. Same goes for an automatic transmission as well. Using one foot for gas and another foot for brake is a VERY bad idea. If both the brake and gas pedals are depressed at the same time, it will absolutely destroy your brake pads and rotors, and continued use could lead to serious transmission problems.

Ah, I assumed that since an automatic only has two pedals you'd use one foot for each.

Any idea why this isn't the case?

 

[Lilani]

Yes, I think left-foot braking would be easier to learn, but unfortunately we're not there ywt with technology. Would it help if I wore thin-soled shoes? I was wearing my New Balances that have very thick solid-rubber soles, and I think it was making it hard to feel the pedals.

I was out driving just now, and I noticed something that I think might help you. Whenever I drive, I have my right heel on the floor in front of the brake. I think switch between the gas and brake by rotating my foot, keeping the heel in the same place the entire time. Do you pick your foot up when you switch between the two? If so, that might be your problem. Try planting it somewhere that you can comfortably reach both, and just tilt your foot left and right to hit them.

Ah, I assumed that since an automatic only has two pedals you'd use one foot for each.

Any idea why this isn't the case?

As he said, hitting both at the same time will cause some serious damage. Pressing the gas will make the car accelerate forward, and pressing the brake will make it try to stop. The brakes are built to handle a certain amount of friction, but when you make the car fight against itself an intense amount of friction occurs--friction it wasn't built to handle. Plus if you do it hard enough, you might cause your tires to spin and lose control. Of course you can use both feet and try to not hit both, but if you're in a situation where you have to think fast you might end up doing it and making problems worse. It's a lot easier to keep track of one leg than two.

Plus, it's just a lot more comfortable that way. The gas and brake are oriented to the right, so using both requires you to twist your body slightly to the right rather than sitting straight in the seat. The only time I can think using the gas and brake is okay is if you're stopped on a very steep uphill and you need to get going forward without drifting too far back. In that case, you switch your left foot to the brake, position your right over the gas, and as soon as you let of with the left hit the right. I've also heard of using them both at the same time for very brief periods in heavy rain after you go through a thick puddle, apparently to dry off your brake pads. But I've heard both good and bad about this, and the consensus seems to be unless you know EXACTLY what you're doing it's best to leave it alone. When most people try this, they end up doing this too much and destroy their brake pads, and put themselves at a great risk of causing a tire fire from the intense heat and friction.

 

[Resetti's_Replicas]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I started driving school recently and it's going better than expected. The pedals in the instructor car are more responsive than my dad's car, and the brake pedal is bigger. It's still nerve wracking to think about this potentially devastating mistake, but I'll get there someday.