S or W mode

[BTB 500]

Nope. But we're talking about parking rather than racing - I was surprised at the suggestion that left foot braking was required for that.

 

[Birdman]

Hmm ... have to say that I've never used left foot braking with any auto I've owned!

Your natural reactions have been honed over the years to manoevring autos and you'll be OK right foot braking when you're 80. Mind you, you'd be better off learning to left foot brake when manoeuvring while there's still time!

The nature of the problem changes if you take a typical 70-80 year-old responding to unanticipated events, driving a vehicle with unfamiliar foot controls in a crowded place. He has to unlearn a key part of his 50 - 60 years of driving experience every time he gets behind the wheel and in an emergency will do what comes instinctively and when that doesn't work, he freezes up!

 

[Ian B Walker]

Your natural reactions have been honed over the years to manoevring autos and you'll be OK right foot braking when you're 80. Mind you, you'd be better off learning to left foot brake when manoeuvring while there's still time!

The nature of the problem changes if you take a typical 70-80 year-old responding to unanticipated events, driving a vehicle with unfamiliar foot controls in a crowded place. He has to unlearn a key part of his 50 - 60 years of driving experience every time he gets behind the wheel and in an emergency will do what comes instinctively and when that doesn't work, he freezes up!

What a load of hogwash. Sorry I totally dissagree. If someone of mature years owns an automatic he is not going to freeze up, do you think all aged people are suseptable to blind panic? I have and do know older drivers who have learnt on manual cars only to inherit an automatic later in life. For the first few days things are strange but then it becomes second nature to drive them in total safety. As for left foot braking. Whatever. I only use my right foot and have experienced no problems in manouvering or driving.

 

[Birdman]

What a load of hogwash.

I would not argue about your personal experience. But accident anaysis is another matter altogether. I was not expressing an opinion here. The accident trend described, both cause and effect, is a matter of public concern amongst those who study these things.

 

[andy_k]

that's strange Birdman, because here is a quote directly from an NHS release discussing the prevention of accidental injury to the young and old

"Car occupants – interventions
particularly beneficial for older car
occupants include encouraging the
use of automatic transmission cars (in
advance of cognitive decline); designing
signals and road markings for the more
limited capabilities of older drivers;
replacing junctions with roundabouts
and provision of right turn lanes;
identifying and correcting health
and physical functioning problems
(vision, medication review, joint
stiffness); encouraging eye tests
every two years; advice on tiredness,
alcohol and medicines (Cryer, 2001a)."

Andy

 

[Birdman]

"Car occupants – interventions particularly beneficial for older car occupants include encouraging the use of automatic transmission cars (in advance of cognitive decline);...
Andy

Your quote that I've highlighted acknowledges concerns that cognitive decline in the older driver does indeed raise a question mark over the advisability of switching to automatics.

 

[DieselE]

Your natural reactions have been honed over the years to manoevring autos and you'll be OK right foot braking when you're 80. Mind you, you'd be better off learning to left foot brake when manoeuvring while there's still time!

The nature of the problem changes if you take a typical 70-80 year-old responding to unanticipated events, driving a vehicle with unfamiliar foot controls in a crowded place. He has to unlearn a key part of his 50 - 60 years of driving experience every time he gets behind the wheel and in an emergency will do what comes instinctively and when that doesn't work, he freezes up!

You're obviously a keen advocate for slow speed manoeuvering using both throttle and brake. IMHO you're ignoring a key feature of a torque convertor automatic and that is slow speed creep. Except for on steep hills, all slow speed manoeuvering can be undertaken slipping the brake and ignoring the throttle completely.

The "Typical" 70-80 year old is likely (again, in my opinion) to be more at risk being taught to manoeuver an automatic in a confined space by using brake against throttle. If they're only using the brake then in an emergency when the make one action and freeze, that one action is more likely to stop the car.

I do recognise that this argument does not necessarily hold good with CVT but as I haven't driven one of those, I can't really comment.

 

[Birdman]

Except for on steep hills, all slow speed manoeuvering can be undertaken slipping the brake and ignoring the throttle completely.

I agree. I simply 'cover' the brake with the left foot and allow the car to roll gently forward. It's one of the reported peculiarities of electronic engine management systems suddenly to advance the idle by 2-300 rpm and covering the brake prevents a 'creep' becoming a 'leap'. But on full lock engine creep doesn't always do the trick and a light throttle helps keep up the momentum.

The "Typical" 70-80 year old is likely (again, in my opinion) to be more at risk being taught to manoeuver an automatic in a confined space by using brake against throttle. If they're only using the brake then in an emergency when the make one action and freeze, that one action is more likely to stop the car..

I tend to agree, though I'm wouldn't suggest that a 70 - 80 year-old learn to left-foot brake in an automatic (let alone while manoeuvring near my car).

I do recognise that this argument does not necessarily hold good with CVT but as I haven't driven one of those, I can't really comment.

I have - and I hate the things, so no commment either!

(Btw I hope the S - W thread doesn't feel hi-jacked bythis discussion)

 

[Luke_D]

I to like it in W

 

[television]

I to like it in W

We have had many threads on this subject, and re your answer , I do too for normal driving. even in an SL500