Left Foot Braking

  • Thread starter Guffaluff
  • 49 comments
  • 13,892 views

Do you use left foot braking on non-manual clutch cars?

  • Yes

    Votes: 120 90.2%

  • No

    Votes: 13 9.8%
  • Total voters
    133
Guffaluff

Guffaluff

1,274
Iceland
Iceland
Guffaluff
Hello guys and happy holidays to you all! :)

I recently got a Logitech G29 and after years away from a wheel (had G25 with GT5 and GT6) I'm getting used to using a wheel again.

When driving racing cars that don't use a manual clutch, I've been experimenting with left foot braking. However, I'm having a hard time getting used to it as it feels somehow unnatural for me, probably because in real life day to day driving, you don´t left foot brake :D.

What do you guys recommend? Should I continue to try to get used to it, or is the advantage minimal?

Would love to get your feedback on this :)
 
I have the same wheel - pedal set and got used to it fairly quickly - I'm also driving in real life (only manual for 9+ years) and I was actually surprised that I managed to get used to left foot braking so much faster than I expected - IMO this is the better approach because you don't move your right foot to the brake pedal which will lose some time when it comes to precise throttle response.

Left foot braking in real life is something different, tried it a few times but it really doesn't feel natural - has to spend some time training it, but long story short my advice is to keep practicing - sooner or later you will see the benefits compared to 'traditional' right foot braking.
 
I found the new pedal layout on the latest Logitech wheel means I can only left foot brake. Didn't take me any time to adjust. There is literally zero benefit doing this in real life on the road.
 
I have the G27 pedals connected to T300RS wheel and back in the day I modded the pedals so that the brake is on the left side (and the unused clutch is in the middle). Very natural foot position and for me that is the only way to sim-drive.
 
Before I screwed my pedals down I had to use right foot braking, but it easily costs you bits and pieces of time.
 
Left foot braking everything from real life to Sim racing for 30 years.

I also drive a Mack semi for work and quite often cover the brake with my left foot waiting for one of you guys to cut me off.

Stay away from Semis on the interstates! :)
 
I use left braking also.

Question for you all: Is there a way that you can map the clutch-pedal to function as a brake-pedal?
 
When I had g25 with gear stick I would heel and toe with right foot, and only use left foot for clutch.
I couldn't even imagine trying to use left foot for brake and clutch lol

When I got g29 for ps4 I didn't bother with gear stick, so I brake with left foot and throttle with right foot.

Edit - lol thought you were talking about game. Unless it's a go kart in real life I would never use my left foot to brake.
 
Last edited:
veryferry
I use left braking also.

Question for you all: Is there a way that you can map the clutch-pedal to function as a brake-pedal?
Click to expand...

Not that I'm aware of.
What pedals do you have, why do you want it changed?
 
Yes. I have a Playseat Evolution and it almost forces you to use left foot braking because of the center post. Also, if you plan on driving a go-kart you will use your left foot on the brake pedal.
 
I tend to switch between braking with the left or right foot, but that can be problematic for me. I also got a G29 with the shifter this Christmas. It's my first wheel to have a clutch pedal, so it will take some time for me to get used to techniques like heel toe, combined with left foot braking etc.

The reason I'm used to left foot braking is because I used to do it all the time, even before I started driving cars for real, my racing wheels were just brake pedal and accelerator. I didn't even know you had to brake with your right foot back then. So the challenge for me was actually getting used to braking with the right foot.

However, when I left foot brake with a manual car in GTS, I forget to change the position of my left foot back to the clutch when I need to shift, so I end up slamming the brakes on when I actually needed to shift (fun times), so for now, I'm just focusing on braking with my right foot until I'm comfortable enough to attempt left foot braking again.

My advice would be, get comfortable with using the G29 by braking with the right foot and once you've done this, start experimenting with left foot braking in conjunction with heel toe.

It's all about building muscle memory. With enough practice, you'll be able to instinctively use left foot braking when you need to and brake with the right foot every other time.

But don't give up on left foot braking. It does indeed give you an advantage in that you can control the accelerator and the brakes more quickly with both feet operating those pedals. It all depends on the situation. I use left foot braking through a corner where I don't need to shift. Since the clutch is not needed, I can prioritise the accelerator and brake pedals, even if only for a moment.

practice makes perfect. One day, your feet will be dancing on those pedals! :D
 
I've been using a wheel for a little over 3 years now (left foot for braking) with the paddle shift inputs for changing gears and I drive an automatic in real life so I've never bothered learning to use a manual gear shifter thing or whatever you call it.. :lol:
 
I never really cared for a stick with my G29 and only use the paddles so left foot braking all the way...it's so much quicker.

Although in real life (not accounting for Go-Karts), it's the opposite because it feels a bit strange and the pedal placement makes it hard a bit hard to get use to (I drive an automatic with paddle shifter).
 
veryferry
I havea Logitech G29 and I would like it changed so I can reach it easier. Feels more like a GoKart then :)
Click to expand...

On my t3pa pros you can actually change the pedals around, probably what Jack said would be your best option on g29 pedals.
I don't know of any Sim currently that lets us assign pedals.
 
Some virtuosic driving at 44’00” to 45’00”

Wish I could master the left foot brake AND clutch. And while I’m at it, throw in the right foot for braking too..

 
Yep, left foot brake and use shifter paddles, you have to left foot brake otherwise you'll be very slow. Would definitely not try that in real life. :lol:
 
I left foot brake in the game and in real life. I drive a 6-speed A/M trans with paddles so no need for clutch. Use a G29 without shifter in GTS, manual paddle shift. A lot of times all you need is a light tap of the brake to help you get through a corner. Removing your foot from gas will slow you down slightly and in a game where your fighting for tenths of a second that's huge.
 
When I drive a car I use my right foot to brake (feels normal, any other way would feel odd) when I'm karting you have to left foot brake (feels totally normal) when I'm on the computer I left foot brake as well, did try right foot braking and felt so alien I didn't persist with it.
 
I always left foot brake in games. Though just picked up a Wheel Stand Pro, which further re-enforces that as there's a bar in the way.
 
It only makes sense to left foot brake when you're using paddles. When I switch to a car that uses an H-pattern I still left foot brake, but only in corners that I do not need to down shift. The same goes for my race car in real life as well, if I'm not downshifting into a corner I will use a left foot brake so I can transition the weight of the car entering the corner much smoother and quicker.


Some cars using a Dogbox transmission allow you to downshift and upshift without using the clutch, (Such as a formula ford) so in those cars, all you have to do is pop the car out of gear, rev match while you're transitioning gears, and it'll slide into gear if you've rev matched correctly, all without having to use the clutch... It's some funky stuff but a must if you want to go fast
 
veryferry
I havea Logitech G29 and I would like it changed so I can reach it easier. Feels more like a GoKart then :)
Click to expand...

JacksHerer
You could open the pedal case and extend the two wires and switch wires between the brake and clutch.
Click to expand...
I actually did this to a G27 set of pedals. It was early in my sim racing experience, and I only used paddle shifters, and never a clutch. So I removed the clutch pedal, and soldered wire extensions on the brake pedal. I put the brake pedal in the clutch position and left the center hole open. It made the pedal assembly much more comfortable. Now I use Thrustmaster T3PA pros, and use the clutch, heel toe, left foot and right foot braking, whatever's best for the vehicle I'm currently driving.
 
I left foot brake, whenever my left foot isn't busy operating the clutch. When my left foot is on the clutch, my right foot is available for the throttle & brake.

In real life, I only left foot brake on track. Driving in normal traffic, left foot braking would be stupid.
 

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