"Left foot braking"

[minke]

Hi Everyone,

I know that you cannot left foot brake in a VAG (well, my 2001 Audi I could) but by default, it is disabled.

I thought I could live without in on the MK6 GTI but I can't!

So, I've googled, there is some information around on how to disable the 'feature' on other VAG cars some of those dramatic - end up disabling the cruise control.

. Anyone have the info on doing it in the Mk6 GTi?

If there information is there, then what term do I need to search for? "left foot braking"doesn't bring much up on this forum

[Martin]

Pressing the brake at the same time as the accelerator causes the ECU to ignore the accelerator input.
However, if you press the accelerator whilst braking, the accelerator input IS processed

Works on MKV

[Transporter]

+1, yes, it does and it's all in the timing, it doesn't take long to get it right.

[Paul_R]

Pressing the brake at the same time as the accelerator causes the ECU to ignore the accelerator input.
However, if you press the accelerator whilst braking, the accelerator input IS processed

Works on MKV

Works on Mk VI too. Not using left foot but heel toe down shifts.

[Guy_H]

We have software we have developed in conjunction with APR that has enabled "Left foot Braking" particularly for DSG motorsport applications, but it's available at no extra cost (on request) with the APR tune at initial installation.

[Alok]

Why would one wish to do this?

[minke]

Why would one wish to do this?

Car control

[minke]

We have software we have developed in conjunction with APR that has enabled "Left foot Braking" particularly for DSG motorsport applications, but it's available at no extra cost (on request) with the APR tune at initial installation.

Thanks - Not looking to void warranty at this stage.

[jamesatfish]

We have software we have developed in conjunction with APR that has enabled "Left foot Braking" particularly for DSG motorsport applications, but it's available at no extra cost (on request) with the APR tune at initial installation.

Is this part of the DSG tune or the ECU tune? Sounds like something worth doing when CVWC install the next lot of APR goodness on my R.

Any downsides / tradeoffs that you're aware of?

[Guy_H]

ECU tune James - it comes standard with all stage 3 software - if you ever have to do a Motorkhana, or some tight hill climbs, its a good advantage (or personally I find it is) - believe it or not, we get the request quite often.

[Martin]

Good explanation here:

Left-foot braking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Why would one wish to do this?

[jamesatfish]

ECU tune James - it comes standard with all stage 3 software - if you ever have to do a Motorkhana, or some tight hill climbs, its a good advantage (or personally I find it is) - believe it or not, we get the request quite often.

Thanks Guy - will have to give it a try once installed (though I need to keep repeating the mantra "this is not a track car"...).

[Andypants]

Left foot breaking makes sense.... In fact I've breaked with my left foot for years regardless of whether I'm driving hard or not, however I can't see why with a DSG you would need to have your foot down on the 'GO' pedal when you break anyway as the box auto-blips on a down-change right?

Simply left foot breaking is gonna get you back on the 'GO' button quicker on corner exit. No need for software changes or feature disables IMO

[Martin]

You didn't read the Wiki link...

Karts, many open wheelers, and some modern road cars (cars that are mounted with automatic transmission or semi-automatic transmission as used in motorsports such as Formula One), have no foot-operated clutch, and so allow the driver to use their left foot to brake.

One common race situation that requires left-foot braking is when a racer is cornering under power. If the driver doesn't want to lift off the throttle, potentially causing trailing-throttle oversteer, left-foot braking can induce a mild oversteer situation, and help the car "tuck", or turn-in better. Mild left-foot braking can also help reduce understeer.

In rallying left-foot braking is very beneficial, especially to front-wheel drive vehicles. It is closely related to the handbrake turn, but involves locking the rear wheels using the foot brake (retarding actually, to reduce traction, rarely fully locking - best considered a misapplication), which is set up to apply a significant pressure bias to the rear brakes. The vehicle is balanced using engine power by use of the accelerator pedal, operated by the right foot. The left foot is thus brought into play to operate the brake. It is not as necessary to use this technique with Rear-wheel drive and All wheel drive rally vehicles because they can be easily turned rapidly by using excess power to the wheels and the use of opposite lock steering, however the technique is still beneficial when the driver needs to decelerate and slide at the same time. In rear wheel drive, left foot braking can be used when the car is at opposite lock and about to spin. Using throttle and brake will lock the front tires but not the rears, thus giving the rears more traction and bringing the front end around.

Finnish rally legend Flying Finn Rauno Aaltonen used left-foot braking as a driving style in rallying when he competed for Saab in the 1950s.

When left foot braking is used to apply the brake and the throttle at the same time it is very hard on the car, causing extra wear on the transmission and brakes in particular.

In restrictor plate NASCAR events, drivers were known to left-foot-brake at times, particularly in heavy traffic situations. Rather than lift off the throttle, which could lose considerable power and speed (due to the restrictor plates), a mild tap of the brakes while the right foot was still planted flat on the accelerator, could help avoid contact and bump drafting.

This technique should not be confused with heel-and-toe, which is another driving technique.

[Lito]

You didn't read the Wiki link...

i have nothing constructive to add to this thread but that did crack me up.