NewStats: 3,261,466 , 8,174,102 topics. Date: Thursday, 29 May 2025 at 11:14 AM 1l49v

What prompted me to ask this particular question was that I and my friends were hanging out this last weekend and somehow we started talking about cars, to my greatest surprise my friend told me he drives his car (automatic) with both legs. That is, left leg on the brake and right leg on the accelerator and he uses them simultaneously. Sounded strange to me so I started asking around and few other people also said they drive their automatic cars with both legs.


I have always thought that the safest way to drive automatic cars is by using only the right leg since there's no clutch, the left leg has no function unlike in the manual cars where the left leg is strictly for the clutch.

I can't imagine myself using both legs for automatic cars biko.

So guys, how do you drive your automatic cars?

Single leg use is best. Right leg in this case. I once hurt my left leg and could still drive with my right leg because its automatic. Of course manual won't let you do that.

Actually it's meant to be just one leg

For me I switch up when I need to...one leg for regular driving on the road, and two for bumper to bumper mode and quick reaction on the road

sirusX:
Actually it's meant to be just one leg

For me I switch up when I need to...one leg for regular driving on the road, and two for bumper to bumper mode and quick reaction on the road

I agree With you for quick response/reaction within the town, I use two legs. I observed it increases my response time both for taking off and bringing the vehicle to a halt.
However, I advice that one sticks to the form he/she has mastered properly for safe driving.
The reason for using one leg in driving automatic transmission vehicles is because throttle and brake pedals can't be operated at the same time. Hence, it requires extra alertness to use two legs while driving automatic transmission vehicles

GraGra247:
Single leg use is best. Right leg in this case. I once hurt my left leg and could still drive with my right leg because its automatic. Of course manual won't let you do that.

Yea, manual has clutch while automatic doesn't have.

sirusX:
Actually it's meant to be just one leg

For me I switch up when I need to...one leg for regular driving on the road, and two for bumper to bumper mode and quick reaction on the road

Switch up, don't it confuse you that way? Sometimes I feel stepping on the brake and accelerator at the same time destroys the car

sirusX:
Actually it's meant to be just one leg

For me I switch up when I need to...one leg for regular driving on the road, and two for bumper to bumper mode and quick reaction on the road

Switch up, don't it confuse you that way? Sometimes I feel stepping on the brake and accelerator at the same time destroys the car.

Glorymax:


I agree With you for quick response/reaction within the town, I use two legs. I observed it increases my response time both for taking off and bringing the vehicle to a halt.
However, I advice that one sticks to the form he/she has mastered properly for safe driving.
The reason for using one leg in driving automatic transmission vehicles is because throttle and brake pedals can't be operated at the same time. Hence, it requires extra alertness to use two legs while driving automatic transmission vehicles

I couldn't agree more. It requires extra focus to use both legs and one needs to be careful not to apply the accelerator when its the brake that needs to be applied.

both legs works better for me, I have been using same for 6years. After 3 years I tried switching to one leg to no avail because I have so mastered the two legs style, my friends keep making fun of me BC of it but I have always reminded them of how I have had no accident doing same in 6yrs

one leg is recommended but doesn't work for me, one leg is taught in driving.

Everyone should stick to what they have mastered

sometimes I wonder whether to teach my wife my two legs method or send her to driving school to learn the recommended one leg

divinelove:
both legs works better for me, I have been using same for 6years. After 3 years I tried switching to one leg to no avail because I have so mastered the two legs style, my friends keep making fun of me BC of it but I have always reminded them of how I have had no accident doing same in 6yrs

one leg is recommended but doesn't work for me, one leg is taught in driving.

Everyone should stick to what they have mastered

sometimes I wonder whether to teach my wife my two legs method or send her to driving school to learn the recommended one leg

Lol... 6 years and no accident then you are already a pro. I suggest you take your wife to driving school to learn the one leg method cos she might not be as focus as you are to be able to use two legs.

Agadsman:




Lol... 6 years and no accident then you are already a pro. I suggest you take your wife to driving school to learn the one leg method cos she might not be as focus as you are to be able to use two legs.

my thoughts exactly @ wifey, driving school it is then let her learn manual too

Glorymax:
I agree With you for quick response/reaction within the town, I use two legs. I observed it increases my response time both for taking off and bringing the vehicle to a halt.
However, I advice that one sticks to the form he/she has mastered properly for safe driving.
The reason for using one leg in driving automatic transmission vehicles is because throttle and brake pedals can't be operated at the same time. Hence, it requires extra alertness to use two legs while driving automatic transmission vehicles

Yeah.... you're on point

Agadsman:
Switch up, don't it confuse you that way? Sometimes I feel stepping on the brake and accelerator at the same time destroys the car

I'm used to it, so it's never confusing.
Although one just needs to be cautious...& learn how to handle using just one leg

Agadsman:


I couldn't agree more. It requires extra focus to use both legs and one needs to be careful not to apply the accelerator when its the brake that needs to be applied.

Yes indeed, focus and alertness. Though some auto transmission brake pedals are conveniently positioned for easy operation with left leg

I've seen a couple of friends use both feet to control the pedals. To me, that looks awkward but then we just have to use what works best for us.

Agadsman:



Yea, manual has clutch while automatic doesn't have.

how very surprising

You people using two legs to drive automatic should please go to driving school, it's because of una road safety officials are always frustrated and angry

RZArecta2:
how very surprising

Im in awe bro

is auto cars not !meant for ladies? why can't u guys keep to manual

Quality20:
is auto cars not !meant for ladies? why can't u guys keep to manual

manual in 2018, u must be a cave man still using outdated automobile technology. abeg shift. only taxi riders n cave men like u use manual in 2018. manual is stress to drive n automatic is fun to drive

I thought its only d female folks out of fear makes use of dt 2 legs, dy will be accelerating and also be stepping on d break simultaneously. I think its a wrong form of driving

The correct and ideal is to use just one leg. That's why there's always a foot rest pad on the extreme left for your left foot.

But then, this is Nigeria, where people are quick to give you reasons why they just can't do things the correct way.

Most of the people using both legs for auto transmission cars are those who started out with manual cars and are used to engaging both legs while driving.

But for safety and other reasons, only the right leg is meant to be used in auto cars. One reason is that it eliminates the possibility of engaging both the brake and accelerator at the same time, which can cause serious damage to the transmission system.

Using both legs for auto cars is plain wrong. Prove me wrong if you have authentic proof!

webincomeplus:
The correct and ideal is to use just one leg. That's why there's always a foot rest pad on the extreme left for your left foot.

But then, this is Nigeria, where people are quick to give you reasons why they just can't do things the correct way.

Most of the people using both legs for auto transmission cars are those who started out with manual cars and are used to engaging both legs.

But for safety and other reasons, only the right leg is meant to be used in auto cars. One reason is that it eliminates the possibility of engaging both the brake and accelerator at the same time, which can cause serious damage to the transmission system.

No truth in this,I started driving in 95 (manual)and have driven that till 2007 before I switched to auto...I use just 1 leg and have never had an accident !!Seeing 2 legs drive auto is so odd sef!!!

I use both legs


I just find it safer


To avoid pressing accelerate in an emergency instead of break

Benz4pimp:
No truth in this,I started driving in 95 (manual)and have driven that till 2007 before I switched to auto...I use just 1 leg and have never had an accident !!Seeing 2 legs drive auto is so odd sef!!!

I said "most"; I didn't say "all". You'll rarely find someone whose first car is an auto and who was correctly trained using both legs to drive an auto car.

one leg driving

Right leg only. Using both legs is so odd and I wonder where you guys learnt that from. Truth is that you are prone to having accident driving with two legs, than when using just one leg.

webincomeplus:

I said "most"; I didn't say "all". You'll rarely find someone whose first car is an auto and who was correctly trained using both legs to drive an auto car.

most peepz that use 2 legs,learnt how to drive using manual but started full driving or their first car is a auto transmission

Agadsman:
What prompted me to ask this particular question was that I and my friends were hanging out this last weekend and somehow we started talking about cars, to my greatest surprise my friend told me he drives his car (automatic) with both legs. That is, left leg on the brake and right leg on the accelerator and he uses them simultaneously. Sounded strange to me so I started asking around and few other people also said they drive their automatic cars with both legs.


I have always thought that the safest way to drive automatic cars is by using only the right leg since there's no clutch, the left leg has no function unlike in the manual cars where the left leg is strictly for the clutch.

I can't imagine myself using both legs for automatic cars biko.

So guys, how do you drive your automatic cars?

Bro, simply put, any one that uses the 2 legs to drive an automatic has not perfected the art of driving an automatic vehicle!
Actually hearing this for the first time!

divinelove:


manual in 2018, u must be a cave man still using outdated automobile technology. abeg shift. only taxi riders n cave men like u use manual in 2018. manual is stress to drive n automatic is fun to drive

I disagree. For you to dislike manual doesn't mean many out there won't love it. Infact, i don't see a driver that only knows how to drive an automatic car as one that knows how to drive car. What happens when there's an emergency and the only vehicle available is manual, will the fellow abandon it. Manual is more fun to me than auto especially on long distance trip. A manual driver is completely in charge compared to the auto.

Rhozabeth:

Bro, simply put, any one that uses the 2 legs to drive an automatic has not perfected the art of driving an automatic vehicle!
Actually hearing this for the first time!

Not sure you can a driving test in any country if you are noted driving an automatic with two legs.

super