As a new driver or someone that is just getting into a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you may be confused by how the pedals work. What pedal is the brake in the automatic car, and how is it used?
In your automatic vehicle, you will notice you have two pedals. The accelerator pedal is on the right and the brake pedal will always be to the left of it. That’s the case whether you are driving in America or overseas where cars are situated on the other side.
In this guide, I take a look at the brake pedal in a vehicle with automatic transmission. In addition, I discuss driving with two feet and also talk about a third pedal.
What Foot Do You Use to Brake in an Automatic?
Using your right foot is the correct way to operate an automatic car. You’ll use that foot to accelerate, and brake at times as well.
You’re never supposed to be accelerating, and braking at the same time, hence your foot is free to do what it needs to do. Some people don’t roll like that, and try to use both feet.
Can You Use Both Feet in An Automatic Car?
No. You shouldn’t be driving around with both feet in an automatic car. If you go ahead and add use your left foot for braking, and your right foot for accelerating, you would inevitably hit both pedals.
This can cause you to lose control steering your vehicle, and can cause a crash. It is important to remember; in a manual transmission vehicle you use your left foot for the clutch. However, we no longer have a clutch in an automatic transmission vehicle, so we have no need for the left foot.
If you are driving the way you are supposed to you use only your right foot to accelerate and brake at times as well. At the same time, we really don’t want to be using our left foot in an automatic vehicle, because it will teach you bad habits.
If one day you did want to operate a manual transmission vehicle in the future, it would be much more difficult to navigate the two vehicles.
Do Automatic Cars Have 3 Pedals?
If you drive an automatic, you might notice a pedal that looks like a 3rd pedal. Upon inspection, you might see it does nothing.
It is a dead pedal designed to look like it is working, but provide a footrest for your left foot while driving.
If you’re using the dead pedal, your foot may be more comfortable especially if you are driving for longer periods of time.
Do I Need to Push the Brake Pedal to Start an Automatic Car?
If you have a special proximity key or push-button start, you may need to push the brake pedal in order to get the engine started.
Otherwise, you do not have to push the brake to crank the engine, but it would be a good practice regardless for peace of mind.
However, in today’s cars, it is more likely that the car has a shift lock that only allows you to start the vehicle in Neutral or Park. Therefore, it is unlikely the vehicle would roll away unexpectedly.
Is the right or left pedal the brake?
The brake pedal is either on the left or in the middle, depending on the type of car.
If it is a manual car, the brake pedal will be in the middle. If it is an automatic car, it will be on the left. The brake pedal is never the one on your far right- that is always the accelerator!
Also, some cars have a smaller pedal in the footwell near the driver’s door. This pedal is either a hood release or a parking brake release, but don’t worry, you wouldn’t ever press those while operating the vehicle.
Is braking with the left foot illegal?
No. Using the left foot to brake is not illegal, and there is no law anywhere that states otherwise. Drivers are trained to use the right foot for both throttle and brake pedal control so that the left foot can operate the clutch pedal in a manual transmission vehicle.
Even when using an automatic, the left foot should not be used to brake. It may take a little while to learn, but you will likely find you can brake more quickly and smoothly.
Which pedal is the brake in a manual car?
The brake pedal in a manual car is the middle pedal, with the throttle always to the right, and the clutch all the way to the left. In a manual car, you’ll be using your left foot to press the clutch and braking and throttle with your right foot.
Should you hold the clutch while at a stop?
Yes, you must press the clutch pedal all the way down when coming to a stop, which uncouples the transmission (that needs to stop rotating) from the engine (that keeps running).
However, holding the clutch depressed for a longer period of time (like at a traffic light) makes sense is not the best idea.
Not only does it create a lot of force needs on the clutch-release mechanism, it is tough on your left leg as well. Instead, you should shift out of gear and into neutral and then release the clutch.
The throttle is also to the right in a car with automatic transmission. The brake pedal is the larger pedal, just to the left of the throttle.
Some automatic cars have an extra pedal all of the way to the left, next to the door. This is a hood release or parking brake lever that it wouldn’t be pressed during when driving.
In a manual transmission vehicle, however, there is a middle pedal (which is the brake), and additional pedal to the left (which is for the clutch pedal).