Should the heel be lifted when switching from the accelerator to the brake?
3 Answers
When switching from the accelerator to the brake, the foot should be lifted; otherwise, the operation cannot be performed. When braking is needed, the right foot should naturally leave the accelerator pedal and move to the brake pedal. Additionally, the brake pedal is positioned higher than the accelerator pedal. The correct driving method for wading through water with a car: 1. Slow down or stop to observe: If the water level exceeds two-thirds of the bumper or tire height while driving through water, there is a certain risk. Moreover, driving too fast through water can cause splashes to enter the cabin through the engine compartment or chassis. The water level should be assessed; if it is high, it is advisable to detour rather than force passage. 2. Do not stop or shift gears: When wading through water, drive at a steady speed with low gear and moderate to high throttle, maintaining low speed. Avoid stopping, shifting gears, or releasing the throttle. 3. Do not restart the engine: If the car stalls in water, take measures to tow it to a safe location with less water as soon as possible. Do not attempt to restart the engine to avoid damage. 4. Remove moisture from the brake pads promptly: This prevents the vehicle from losing braking ability after wading, which could lead to danger or accidents.
After driving for so many years, I've long been accustomed to keeping my heel planted on the floor, only moving the ball of my foot to pivot between the accelerator and brake. Lifting my heel actually makes it easier to slip or misstep, especially when the shoe soles are wet on rainy days—it's downright dangerous. Developing the habit of keeping my heel stationary and only rotating my foot allows me to brake a split second faster in emergencies, and my ankles don't get sore even on long drives. I've tried driving while lifting my heel, but it always takes extra time to reposition when switching from brake back to accelerator, and there's even a risk of accidentally stepping on the seam between the two pedals.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I strongly advise against lifting your heel. It's best to keep your right heel anchored along the extension line of the brake pedal, allowing the ball of your foot to pivot naturally between the accelerator and brake like a pendulum. This design ensures that in emergencies, you don't waste time repositioning your foot—simply angling your left foot 30 degrees to the left will immediately engage the brake. Lifting your heel not only delays response time but also tenses the knee, potentially causing leg cramps.
