Which side is the brake and which is the accelerator?
2 Answers
In automatic transmission vehicles, the brake is on the left and the accelerator is on the right. Manual transmission vehicles have three pedals: the far left is the clutch, the middle is the brake, and the right is the accelerator. The positions of the brake and accelerator pedals in manual transmission vehicles are the same as in automatic transmission vehicles, except that manual transmission vehicles have an additional clutch pedal on the left. Below are some mnemonic tips for distinguishing between the brake and accelerator: 1. Left brake, right accelerator: Drivers should always remember that the left pedal is the brake and the right is the accelerator, forming a natural and firm concept in their minds. 2. Heel on the brake: Drivers should develop the habit of placing their heel directly under the brake pedal, allowing them to brake at any time in an emergency. 3. Tilt for the accelerator, straight for the brake: As mentioned, the heel is placed directly under the brake pedal, so the brake is pressed straight down, while the accelerator is to the right of the brake, requiring the toes to tilt to the right to press the accelerator without moving the heel. 4. Foot on the brake when idle: When not accelerating, keep the foot on the brake pedal to be ready for braking. If the foot is placed near the accelerator, it may lead to accidental pressing in a panic, whereas keeping it on the brake allows for better handling of sudden situations.
When I first started learning to drive, I was totally confused about the position of the brake pedal. My instructor told me that in an automatic transmission car, the brake is usually on the left pedal, and the accelerator is on the right. This arrangement is for safety, to prevent you from stomping on the wrong pedal in a panic and causing a disaster. Manual transmission cars have an additional clutch pedal on the far left. Back then, I kept practicing by pressing the pedals repeatedly at the training ground, gradually building muscle memory—keeping my left foot in the rest area when not in use, while my right foot specialized in switching between brake and accelerator. This design is standardized internationally, with the aim of placing the brake closer to the driver's seat for instinctive reactions. After learning for a while, I realized why beginners often mix them up: it's the stress. But as long as you keep practicing, it becomes smooth once you develop the habit. Safety comes first, no question—after all, a mistake while driving is no joke.
