How Many Feet Are Used to Operate an Automatic Transmission Car?
2 Answers
Automatic transmission cars are operated with two feet. Both the brake and accelerator pedals are located below the driver's seat, with the accelerator on the far right and the brake immediately to its left, both controlled by the right foot. When pressing the brake or accelerator, the body needs support to maintain balance. While the right foot operates the pedals, the left foot can stabilize the body by resting on the floor. If both feet are placed on the brake and accelerator separately, there is no stable point of support, which can easily lead to unstable operation of either pedal. In emergency situations, if both feet are positioned on the brake and accelerator, there is a higher risk of making a wrong judgment, such as mistaking the accelerator for the brake. Assigning control of both pedals to one foot significantly reduces this possibility and also decreases the vehicle's lateral skid coefficient when braking while the accelerator is engaged.
I think with automatic transmission cars, only the right foot is needed for operation, while the left foot is basically idle. This is my daily driving experience—the right foot handles accelerating by pressing the gas pedal and decelerating by pressing the brake, with no need for the left foot to assist. The reason is that without a clutch pedal, the car's design simplifies control. On the road, my left foot can rest comfortably or move to the side, especially in traffic jams, preventing fatigue. However, it's worth noting that some people are used to driving automatic cars with both feet, which is actually quite dangerous. In an emergency, accidentally pressing the brake with the left foot could cause the car to lose control. That’s why driving instructors emphasize using only the right foot—it’s safer and more efficient. This operating style makes city driving much easier, and I rarely feel fatigued.
