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Does Left Foot Braking Confuse DCT

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#21 ·
Again, back in the dark ages, left foot braking was advocated as a way to get quicker reaction time in an emergency. It was quickly discredited since miuscle cars and imports with manuals were becoming more popular and there was a real danger of left footing the clutch for the brake pedal.
 
#22 ·
Jerky forward progress when the brake is depressed simultaneously with the accelerator, at very low speeds. Clutch engaged, clutch disengaged, clutch engaged, clutch disengaged. This coupled with who knows what kind of throttle inputs (couldn't see her throttle foot) garnered my pissed-off passenger status, even after 3 (count 'em 3!) suggestions to quit it.

Game over.

I fear for her life. Ignorance of consequences seems a pathetic excuse to die for.
 
#23 ·
r1derbike said:
Jerky forward progress when the brake is depressed simultaneously with the accelerator, at very low speeds. Clutch engaged, clutch disengaged, clutch engaged, clutch disengaged. This coupled with who knows what kind of throttle inputs (couldn't see her throttle foot) garnered my pissed-off passenger status, even after 3 (count 'em 3!) suggestions to quit it.

Game over.

I fear for her life. Ignorance of consequences seems a pathetic excuse to die for.
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I recommend installing a passenger brake pedal like in drivers ed cars, and just tell her that seen as she doesn't know how to break, you'll do it for her.
 
#24 ·
r1derbike said:
I banned my wife from driving my car, because of her inability to listen, or act. She does this also. It confuses the hell out of my DCT, and I had a real screaming fit one day about it.

She no longer drives my car. Problem solved. She drives a Cruze, so she'll be replacing brake pads soon.

In a panic stop, I may see both feet head for the firewall; one foot on the brake, one on the gas.
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Don't take this the wrong way, but drivers like your wife scare the shit out of me. Maybe have her take a driving safety course so she can learn what will happen when she kills someone's little kid or your little kid if you have one.

People shouldn't be able to drive if they don't know how.
 
#26 ·
r1derbike said:
Me too, I just said it nicely![hihi]
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My ex-wife was a danger to herself and everyone else around her. I could never get her to do a training course. :\

She'd come home and the car would have a new gouge in it. Does anyone have any advice for how to get a significant other to learn how to drive? I wonder what klick and klack would say?
 
#27 ·
gkirk said:
My ex-wife was a danger to herself and everyone else around her. I could never get her to do a training course. :\

She'd come home and the car would have a new gouge in it. Does anyone have any advice for how to get a significant other to learn how to drive? I wonder what klick and klack would say?
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In Canada, we have a show called Canada's Worst Drivers... if you have America's Worst Drivers in the U.S., send her to that? [poke]

But seriously, that can be a tough one. A lot of people are very defensive if you tell them they are doing something that needs improving when it comes to driving. A start would maybe be refusing to be in the car while she's driving? [nono]
 
#28 ·
Altis said:
In Canada, we have a show called Canada's Worst Drivers... if you have America's Worst Drivers in the U.S., send her to that? [poke]

But seriously, that can be a tough one. A lot of people are very defensive if you tell them they are doing something that needs improving when it comes to driving. A start would maybe be refusing to be in the car while she's driving? [nono]
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There are some really interesting statistics about how people perceive their own driving. Since 50% of the people are below average, you'd think that only 50% of the people think they are above average drivers, but it is more like 80% who say so.

I wish we had that show here. Funny story, yesterday a guy tailgated me for about 5 minutes. Literally 5 feet off my bumper. It was dusk. So i slow down to the speed limit, block him in against the other lane, etc. By the time he goes around me, I flip him off and I look over. He's looking at me. It's a Maryland State Trooper.
 
#29 ·
gkirk said:
...i slow down to the speed limit, block him in against the other lane, etc. By the time he goes around me, I flip him off and I look over. He's looking at me. It's a Maryland State Trooper.
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El.Oh.El.

How'd that work out for ya?
 
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#30 ·
fofo60 said:
So should Ford tell prospective Focus/Fiesta DCT drivers that left foot braking is a problem and that they should look at purchasing an old fashioned automatic if they won't change their braking practice.
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Ford designs and builds cars for normal and accepted driving techniques and methods. If you don't know how to drive a car maybe you should inadvertantly buy one of these so Ford can tell you there is nothing wrong with their car, learn how to drive. I really don't think it is their job to try to deal with every idiot out there, they have to deal with so many already.
 
#31 ·
Nelson12 said:
Oh dang. Sounds terrifying. I am teaching my fiancé how to drive a stick. She is fine now, but there were some moments, like when she almost shifted into second at 65 mph (she didn't let out the clutch because I was bracing for impact) or when she tried to jam it into reverse instead of 4th. Thank you reverse lockout feature!

I care less about the car than I want her to learn to drive correctly. It sounds like your wife has a really bad habit that could become a hazard.
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My God man! I gave up trying to teach anyone how to drive a manual decades ago! Even if I could be convinced to try again... it sure as hell wouldn't be in a car I own!
 
#32 ·
I am a little bit convinced that a lot of the transmission "issues" that are heard about are a result of not really understanding what the transmission does and does not do based on a given input. It seems to me that those drivers who have driven manuals understand better what the issues actually are.

I do think the chatter at high speeds is an actual problem. But weird behavior at low speeds? Without a torque converter, some of that work has to be done by the driver-- and some of the issues sound an awful lot like a bad manual driver.

Anyway, as far as left foot braking-- I'm a girl, so I don't have this issue with wives being bad drivers, but I imagine the cure for it is refusing to drive with a person who does it. It is really dangerous if you don't know what you're doing and why you're doing it. And it is incredibly annoying/concerning to other drivers who are seeing your brake lights come on at random and unexpected times.
 
#34 ·
This is what is happening......it's engaging and causing your problem.

Brake over accelerator
This vehicle is equipped with a brake over accelerator feature. In the
event the accelerator pedal becomes stuck or entrapped, applying steady
and firm pressure to the brake pedal will both slow the vehicle and
reduce engine power. If you experience this condition, apply the brakes
and bring your vehicle to a safe stop. Turn the engine off, shift to P
(Park) and apply the parking brake, and then inspect the accelerator
pedal for any interferences. If none are found and the condition persists,
have your vehicle towed to the nearest dealer.
 
#35 ·
ladytonya said:
I swear from some of the comments on here I think some of you guys are married to/dating some real idiots! Where did some of these women learn to drive? I'm a woman, obviously by my screen name, and I would NEVER even consider driving like that except in motorcross. That's just crazy! Of course, I also do not permit my husband to drive my cars because he drives like a grandma! LOL! Guess maybe car enthusiasts aren't attracted to each other? Wow, I would seriously retrain anyone who only drives two-footed to drive correctly. I have to wonder when they learned to drive like that? No way they passed driver's ed with left foot breaking! Anyway, hope your spouses don't ruin your break pads, or even worse don't get injured or worse because they hit the wrong pedal in an emergency situation. SMH
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RrreoowwWW!!!
 
#36 ·
I'd argue that car enthusiasts are attracted to each other-- my boyfriend is a car enthusiast and I am as well, though he is maybe more die hard than I am. There are many points on the spectrum of enthusiast. I am ok with driving an automatic hatchback with a normal suspension. He would never drive something front wheel drive. We still get along okay.
 
#37 ·
I insist on driving her car, whenever we take it. Insist on driving my car, whenever we take it.

In control of destiny, or at least have a firm grip on it, that way.

It certainly has caused some ill-will, but it's better than reading two...wills...or more.
 
#38 · (Edited)
If you are driving behind someone who drives with both feet their brake lights stay on all the time. I hate that.
If I was a cop there is three things I. Would ticket people the most for.
1. Driving with both feet.
2. People who are too stupid to know how to work a turning signal.
3. People who drive slow in the left lane and won't move over to let somebody pass.
Whenever I see somebody doing these things I wish I could pull them over and give them a ticket but I am not a cop so I can't.
The only other time I want to be a cop so I can pursue someone in a high speed chase. I always wanted to try the pit maneuver on someone lol.
Hello to everybody at ff this is my first post here but I have been lurking and have been a member since last June. Usually I don't have to post or comment on posts as usually someone else will ask the same question or comment before I do. I just figured I will put my $.2 in
 
#39 · (Edited)
In addition you your list if we were cops we would pull over and beat the hell out of people for:

1. People who throw cigarette butts out their window - these [:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]s don't even care if there is a convertible behind them.
2. People who are behind you on an highway entrance ramp then as you merge on the highway they think they should suddenly be in front of you, even if you are driving fast as possible.
3. People that hit their brakes for no reason - nothing in front of them at all.
More later...gtg

society909 said:
I you are driving behind someone who drives with both feet their brake lights stay on all the time. I hate that.
If I was a cop there is three things I. Would ticket people the most for.
1. Driving with both feet.
2. People who are too stupid to know how to work a turning signal.
3. People who drive slow in the left lane and won't move over to let somebody pass.
Whenever I see somebody doing these things I wish I could pull them over and give them a ticket but I am not a cop so I can't.
The only other time I want to be a cop so I can pursue someone in a high speed chase lol.
Hello to everybody at ff this is my first post here but I have been lurking and have been a member since last June. Usually I don't have to post or comment on posts as usually someone else will ask the same question or comment before I do. I just figured I will put my $.2 in
Click to expand...
 
#40 ·
Whether or not left foot braking confuses the DCT I can't answer for sure but I can say with all certainty that it confuses drivers behind you and is a really bad habit to get into. Whether intentional or not, if you're in the habit of braking with your left foot you drive with your left foot resting on the brake pedal a good portion of the time, especially in city driving. When you do that you may as well remove your brake light bulbs because following drivers have no idea when your actually braking or just hoovering over the brake pedal. All of us have probably followed someone who's brake lights constantly flicker on and off. It's a good bet they're left foot brakers and have their left foot lightly resting on the pedal.

Jim
 
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