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submitted 1 week ago by tetris11@feddit.uk to c/casualuk@feddit.uk

Learning to drive late in life. I'm good with awareness, changing gears, interactions, roundabouts, spatial awareness, yadda yadda - a lifetime of cyclist awareness.

I just can't brake softly to save my life. It feels like I put the pedal half down, and nothing happens to the speed and then I do an inch more and suddenly the whole car locks up.

Is this normal? I just have to get used to finding a gentle breaking point somehow?

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[-] blackn1ght@feddit.uk 19 points 1 week ago

You just get used to the feel of the brake pedal, it'll come with practice. It's just the same as finding the bite point on the clutch, you eventually do it without even thinking about it.

[-] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 10 points 1 week ago

Does this happen in every car or just one? If it’s just one car there might be an issue in the braking system. Every car I’ve driven has different brake feel but never anything like what you’re describing.

[-] tetris11@feddit.uk 3 points 1 week ago

I'm pretty I'm the issue, since others use the car no problem

[-] Diddlydee@feddit.uk 7 points 1 week ago

Your foot and leg need to learn muscle memory which only comes with time, unfortunately. Alternatively, the brakes on the car you're using are goosed.

[-] kitnaht@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

Usually as you start slowing down, you release the brake pedal slowly. You don't just chomp down on the brake and leave it there, you press it down, and then slowly lift up little by little as you approach a stop.

[-] tetris11@feddit.uk 1 points 1 week ago

Ah. I'm supposed to back away from the brake once it starts to slow the car down. Good tip, thanks

[-] RedstoneValley@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 week ago

Not really necessary. With a little bit of practice you learn to apply the right amount of braking power to come to a stop where you want to without adjusting mid-braking.

[-] cAUzapNEAGLb@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

There's a joke I heard young from sponge Bob about driving, but it stuck with me and helped. Dont press the pedals with your whole foot - press them with just your big toe.

https://youtu.be/0daeYpKG8c4

Also check out a video on "the chauffer/limousine stop" for addition soft braking technique

https://youtube.com/shorts/dKuD1szdmjI

[-] tetris11@feddit.uk 3 points 1 week ago

That's actually pretty helpful, thanks for this I'll keep it in mind, and who knows maybe one day I can do a limousine stop

[-] RedstoneValley@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 week ago

I found out about the "chauffeur stop" by accident and then I tried it with passengers on board and asked them if they like it. They all found the feeling weird and unnatural and seemed to feel more secure with a noticeable stop.

[-] MeatPilot@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Pretend you are pressing your foot on a water balloon and you don't want it to burst.

[-] tetris11@feddit.uk 3 points 1 week ago

Will keep in mind, thanks

[-] Scary_le_Poo@beehaw.org 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Plant your heel on the floor board. Use your ankle to regulate brake pressure.

[-] kamenlady@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

Just like you kill someone softly, with a song

[-] tetris11@feddit.uk 3 points 1 week ago

One time, one time?

[-] Berstrrs@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

You need to note where is the spot when brakes start catching.

So later what you do js quickly press pedal to this point, then gently a bit more to actually engage the brake slowly.

Every vehicle is different, so I found that driving as many as you can will teach you much faster.

Also you can learn limo driver stop, which is gently releasing brakes a bit, just before vehicle stops.

[-] Psythik@lemm.ee 3 points 1 week ago

Start by getting into the habit of braking earlier. The rest will come naturally

[-] HumanPenguin@feddit.uk 2 points 1 week ago

Aim at a large crowd.

Less sarcastically as others have said. With lots of practice you get a feel for the breaking g system. Its more muscle memory then mathematical theory.

Many decades ago. When I learned to drive. It was common for the instructor to find an empty carpark and let you drive around slowly getting a feel for the car. As you avoided the resident dinosaurs.

[-] ALiteralCabbage@feddit.uk 3 points 1 week ago

My Dad took me to an empty car park at his work of a weekend. Many a happy afternoon slamming the brakes on in a pre-power steering MK2 ford fiesta

[-] fakeman_pretendname@feddit.uk 2 points 1 week ago

Are you wearing big boots (or steel toecaps) by any chance? A lighter shoe with a thinner sole might help to feel the pedals a bit better.

P.s. I don't drive yet either, so my opinion may be useless, but I did a few lessons and this made quite a difference to pedal control.

[-] tetris11@feddit.uk 3 points 1 week ago

So I wore flatter shoes today and did see a mild improvement, gotta say

[-] Turturtley@aussie.zone 2 points 1 week ago

Hmm… the way i’ve taught it is biomechanical in nature.

I assume you are pressing the brakes using your toes. You’ll want to switch to using the middle of your foot. Specifically, plant your ankle up as close as possible to the brake pedal, and keep it planted there. To brake, you pivot on the ankle. This should give you more control to apply gradual pressure on the pedal.

this post was submitted on 20 Mar 2025
17 points (94.7% liked)

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