Is the left pedal in an automatic car the brake or the accelerator?
2 Answers
In an automatic car, the left pedal is the brake. The starting procedure for an automatic car is: 1. Sit in the driver's seat and press the start button, the ACC light will turn on; 2. Press the start button again for the vehicle to perform a self-check; 3. Press the brake pedal and press the start button to ignite and start the engine; 4. Press the foot brake, shift to D gear, and release the handbrake. An automatic transmission does not require the driver to manually shift gears; the vehicle will automatically select the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. The gears are divided into: 1. P gear is the parking gear and starting gear; 2. R gear is the reverse gear; 3. N gear is the neutral gear; 4. D gear is the drive gear, also known as the forward gear; 5. L gear is the low-speed gear; 6. S gear is the sport mode.
When I first learned to drive, I also got confused sitting in an automatic transmission car—was the left pedal the brake? After actually checking, I found that automatic cars have two pedals under the right foot: the left one is the brake, and the right one is the accelerator. Before driving, I always make a habit of double-checking the pedal positions to avoid stepping on the wrong one when nervous. Beginners often mix them up, especially when switching from manual to automatic. Here’s a handy tip: Before starting in the garage, gently press the left pedal with your right foot to feel the brake resistance—this helps reinforce muscle memory. Safety comes first, as hitting the wrong pedal can be dangerous, so I remind myself to practice repeatedly every time I get in the car. After a few days of persistence, it becomes second nature. Another detail is to keep your foot near the brake pedal when parked, forming a habit to prevent accidents.
