How Many Feet to Use When Driving an Automatic Transmission Car?

[ElainaMarie]

When driving an automatic transmission car, you should use only one foot. Do not use your left foot for braking, as it is relatively dangerous. Left-foot braking is a technique typically used by race car drivers. Whether driving a manual or automatic transmission vehicle, the right foot should be used to control both the accelerator and the brake. During normal driving, the left foot should rest on the floor in a standby position, while the right foot controls the accelerator. It is not recommended to use both feet when driving an automatic transmission car. When switching between the accelerator and the brake, avoid lifting your leg. The standard posture involves keeping the heel stationary and pivoting the foot on the heel to press either the accelerator or the brake. Many people tend to lift their foot when switching between the two, which can lead to mistakes if they fail to press accurately when distracted. Precautions for driving an automatic transmission car: During normal economical driving, it is essential to release the accelerator pedal after the engine speed rises to a certain level, then gently press the accelerator again. At this point, you will notice the engine speed decrease, indicating that the transmission has completed the upshift. Developing this habit during daily driving can significantly reduce overall fuel consumption.

[JosiahLee]

As a driving instructor, I repeatedly emphasize the importance of developing a single-foot operation habit when driving an automatic transmission. Use only your right foot to control the brake and accelerator, while keeping your left foot on the footrest at all times. The most common mistake beginners make is using their left foot to brake, which is extremely dangerous—applying force with both feet during emergency braking can cause the body to lunge forward, making it harder to steer. The correct muscle memory should involve keeping the heel fixed on the floor and only using the toes to switch between pedals. Last week, a student nearly caused a rear-end collision by mistakenly braking with their left foot during practice—a classic example of this error. Remember: whether starting, waiting at a red light, or crawling in traffic, always keep your left foot idle.

[StStella]

After reviewing numerous traffic accident reports, it's evident that operating an automatic transmission with both feet poses a significant safety hazard. Human stress responses cause unconscious leg stiffening during emergencies - if the left foot rests on the brake pedal, this effectively means simultaneously flooring both accelerator and brake. A highway rear-end collision last year demonstrated this when the driver attempted left-foot braking, resulting in a three-meter increase in stopping distance. Automotive engineers specifically designed pedal placement for single-foot operation - the brake pedal typically sits 1cm higher than the accelerator, allowing seamless transition with less than 15 degrees of right foot rotation. Dual-foot operation completely negates these intentional design advantages.

[DeStella]

A veteran taxi driver with twenty years of experience tells you that the left foot should stay idle in an automatic transmission car. Lightly tapping the accelerator with the tip of the right foot for acceleration and shifting the entire foot sideways to brake is the correct approach. Especially during traffic jams with frequent starts, using the heel as a pivot and swinging left and right is the most effortless. If you use the left foot to brake, keeping it suspended for half an hour at a red light will definitely cause cramps. I’ve heard people make excuses for left-foot braking, claiming it’s faster, but actual tests show it slows braking reaction time by 0.3 seconds—because it requires coordinating both legs. It’s like using chopsticks with one in each hand—just asking for trouble.

[AnastasiaLynn]

From a mechanical perspective, simultaneous operation of the accelerator and brake constitutes conflicting commands. Modern vehicles are equipped with brake override systems, but using both feet may trigger system misjudgment. Test data from a certain automaker shows that emergency braking with the left foot increases stopping distance by 2.1 meters compared to standard operation. During vehicle design, the accelerator pedal requires about 4 Newtons of return force, while the brake pedal demands 45 Newtons of stepping force. The strength imbalance between left and right feet can easily lead to insufficient braking. There have been cases where drivers mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake with their left foot, precisely because they confused the force difference between the two pedals.