Left Foot Braking

[doogz__]

I wasn’t too sure where to put this thread, so if it’s in the wrong place, I apologise in advance.

Was thinking about this a week or so ago, after a spirited drive in the Mini, where I encountered some epic roundabouts, and I meant to post at the time.

Anyone else left foot brake in their Mini? I was coming onto a roundabout, and naturally, the car started to understeer. I dabbed the brakes lightly with my left foot, and the car jerked really badly sideways, big oversteer moment. Does the fly by wire ecu cut the throttle when you touch the brakes? I haven’t tried it again since, the Mini is ill and is going to get fixed today hopefully.

Anyone else noticed this? Anything that can be done about it?

[GCA3N]

There is an unbuilt safety feature which will cause the ecu to cut engine power I truer it once in my r50 and sure enought the car engine died. I think the reason for your car doingwhat it did was because it takes alot of practice left foot braking you left foot is only used to one motion and that is depressing the clutch naturally it will want to the same when you try to touch the brake.

[doogz__]

So there is something built into the ECU that cuts power when you touch the brakes?

Thanks for the concern, but my driving wasn't the issue, and besides, you occasionally get the same problem when you heel and toe down the gears.

[ianking]

Should driving in such a fashion not be best left to the track anyway.

There is a track night this month.

[doogz__]

Having a blast round a roundabout in a Mini, is frowned upon on a Mini forum?

i only came on to ask for a little bit of technical advice on a car, no need to turn it into anything other than that.

I'm not into taking road cars on track. Last time i took my Subaru onto Knockhill for a track night, i destroyed a brand new front left tyre in about 15 laps, and i'd imagine i'd do the same in the Mini. Soon as my garage is cleared, the 106 will be in it and fixed and that'll be the track whore for now.

[japper]

Most modern 'drive by wire' throttle cars cut the gas as soon as the brake is applied. Why would you want to use both at the same time This is not what is meant as 'left foot braking'. Try going in a little slower and get the nose 'nailed' Slow in and fast out

[doogz__]

Em, that is exactly what is meant by the term "left foot braking"

It'll help transfer the load towards the front wheels, helping control understeer/promote a bit of oversteer.

HTH.

Anyway, my question has been answered. Ta.

[countdown]

Most modern 'drive by wire' throttle cars cut the gas as soon as the brake is applied. Why would you want to use both at the same time This is not what is meant as 'left foot braking'. Try going in a little slower and get the nose 'nailed' Slow in and fast out

Pretty sure left foot braking involves using both throttle and brakes at same time....

Also mentioned in the highway code (I think) left foot braking, but thats to dry off the brakes if you've driven through a ford

[japper]

Em, that is exactly what is meant by the term "left foot braking"

It'll help transfer the load towards the front wheels, helping control understeer/promote a bit of oversteer.

HTH.

Anyway, my question has been answered. Ta.

OK I stand corrected, i honestly believed that it was always rapid changing between left and right foot ( brake and gas ) and using the left foot obviously cut down on pedal transfer time. It seems that there is an overlap and also for traction it can be used too.

i've always found lifting off is more than adequate to promote as much oversteer or rather less understeer as i need

I do have more neg front camber and a thicker rear ARB though

[doogz__]

As a technique it can be used for a few things.

The point in left foot braking though, in a FWD car, like we're discussing, is that you don't have to lift off.

When you're lifting off, you're loosing speed, if you stay on the throttle, and use the brake to keep the front end in check, you'll get round quicker.

If you're ever going to try it, find a long, straight, and most importantly empty piece of road, to try braking with your left foot in a straight line, til you get used to the amount of pressure required.