Quote: Originally Posted by Cooper76
For all CVT owners, how many of you drive using a left-footed braking technique? As I scoot around the "Internets" (G.W.Bush), I find more and more threads and topics-of-conversation springing up around this topic. It seems like quite a few CVT owners are employing this strategy. Anyone here? What are the main advantages of doing so besides quicker reaction times? This is asked for daily driving, not for track-use.
Which Forums/Threads are you reading where this technique is being discussed?
There is a reaction time advantage perhaps, but the primary use of this technique is to "balance" the car in corners.
Because the computer takes your inputs precisely, a very settled, very stable, very definite, and very direct use of the throttle pedal is desired to create the behavior and transmission of power output you want from the car. You actually use both the throttle (in anticipation of the pedal position required for the power needed) and the brake (to balance weight transfer between front and rear). This is not typically needed for roadway situations, but it is fun to get right at any time!
It's a skill thing, like driving a cart; a "How well can you learn to do it?" challenge.
Quote: Originally Posted by MyWiniCooper
doesnt that just burn through your brake-pads a bit too excessively for normal everyday driving?
The answer should be "No" because for street driving you wouldn't use the brakes more often, or any harder, than if your right-foot moved over from the throttle pedal. I'm not sure anyone is advocating left-foot braking as the norm (except to practice, practice, which is necessary if you want to have the same sensitive use of the pedal that you may now have from your right-foot).
