Gotta agree. Left foot braking is the way to go. I’ve driven manuals and automatics and never got confused-ever. In one car with manual and in another with automatic, never made a difference. Never even got confused on the lawn mower.
That reminds me of the time my father bought a riding mower that had no brakes at a yard sale. It wouldn’t have been so bad if we weren’t living on the side of a large hill.
Gee, you guys got a step or two on me! I had a deuce of a time learning to steer an airplane because of contamination of knowledge. As a background, you steer a plane with your feet on the ground–left foot turns left, right turns right. I kept reverting back to my days steering the Flexible Flyer sled with my feet–right foot to go left; left to go right! (Don’t know why winter sledding from 15 years ago was operative, but it was. Took about three lessons’ worth of instruction to get comfortable on takeoff/landing rollout.)
When I had the rental car with the backup camera, it was an added tool for backing up, not a replacement for anything. I still used my mirrors to make sure I backed up properly. At first, I thought the camera would be useless. But I changed my mind after several weeks of use.
I have been looking at the after market cameras for my Subie. Best Buy has an Audiovox camera that is triggered by the backup lights for $89, but it is meant to pair with an aftermarket head unit with a video screen. I don’t know if my factory head unit which has a small display has an RCA in for an aftermarket camera.
To get it from the factory, you have to buy the moonroof package for $2800. Just because all the manufacturers are attaching expensive options as a prerequisite to getting this, I think it is justification for making it mandatory. Manufacturers should not attach safety option to such high priced other options.
@Whitey
Backup camera just shows what is right behind the car. It doesn’t show any traffic crossing at a right angle. Nor does it help when the driver is staring at the screen as the front is swing toward something. I believe that backup camera would cause many people to loose track of their peripheral. Mirrors require people to swivel their head constantly.
BTW, my backup radar doesn’t stop my car for me, it just beeps in different frequencies when I approach an obstacle.
I don’t see what the problem is of turning ones head to look out the rear window is. With mandatory rear looking cameras, now when someone backs over something/one, they can file suit against the manufacture…another tool for people not to be responsible for their own actions.
Never was a left foot braker until I was encourage to use it both as an ambulance driver in the military and during police training by the state police. There were no hard and fast requirements to use left foot braking but it was highly recomended. Everything from obstacle course training to backing up trailers to driving at speed through congested areas to high speed chases are all easier and safer, much safer. So, my thought has always been, it must be safer for normal driving. Being able to work the throttle against the brake on my manual tractor gives you much more precise control. If you work around things that break easily, that’s good to have. Growing up, my dad told me it was a poor man’s traction aid, starting of with slight brake pressure while pushing the throttle in snow while stuck to help keep from spinning too much. He taught me how to do it with a manual. Big feet help.
But, repeat what I said before…for others, it doesn’t matter. You can be safe in normal driving doing either. I just liked it for me. Can’t get my wife to do it, but she has never had an accident…,why bother.
Agree Dag,come up behind some fourties or something classic car yesterday,it ran great and was in great shape,but man o man,did that thing stink-Kevin
I’ve been left foot braking since 1965, and agree it’s the way to go with automatic.
I use cruise control a lot …nearly all the time on anything not in town. It feels much safer having a foot next to the brake instead of a pedal away .
This Hopkins back up camera was advertised in the local farm store for $99. Its a wired model though but there must be wireless versions around for more dollars.
Not a camera, but Menard’s has a wireless backup sensor ($19.99) that features 5ft detection with LED and sound distance indicators.
If anybody is interested, there are back-up camera/rearview mirror combinations that are very easy to install/did it for a friend last weekend. The camera is wireless, just needs to be hooked to the reverse. The mirror could be charged with the lighter, or hardwired if desired so. It also has bluetooth phone function. My friend bought his on-line ~ $100.
I will have to install something in our Mazda CX-9 so my wife could be driving it safely. But I am a bit of dinosaur myself. In a few test drives, could not use the camera effectively and would loose my orientation. I just watch the mirrors and then turn back and go slowly. I still drive a stick and have never used my left foot for braking when driving an automatic.
with so many people training their side mirrors to their blind spot, they need a back up camera
…still, they seem like a handy tool.
keith I hope the $2800 moon roof package included much more than a moon roof. I remember when you could start with a base model and check the options you actually wanted. In 2002 I purchased a new Mitsubishi Eclipse. MSRP was $18,000 for a RS base model. The first thing to go was the totally BS $2,000 “additional dealer mark-up”! I also told them I would consider any color except black or white (which are not technically colors). I also did not want the giant hatch handle (wing). Of course the first car they showed me was black! It looked great. I love looking at other peoples black cars. I don’t want to own a vehicle that when I finish washing the rear the front needs washing again. They then brought out a silver car which was acceptable. In a parking lot I was unlocking my door with my key. Someone commented " I had the same thing happen when my fob battery died". I did not have remote entry. I could have got it by purchasing the GT package for only $6,000 more! Of course I would have received a V-6 engine, a moon roof, heated leather seats, 17 inch wheels, and the useless wing.
Hate those wings-Kevin