sitting at lights with foot on the brakes - why

happyc84

1886 wrote: »

A simple answer to the OP's question is that it's because people are lazy.

Regardless of whether a vehicle is a manual or an auto you can still put the handbrake on and not wait with your feet on the brake pedal.
I sometimes keep my foot on the brake pedal (so other traffic can see my brake lights) and have my handbrake on so if I get hit I won't roll into the vehicle in front.



OP, I'm surprised that you need to ask this TBH as you are a driver yourself

- so as a driver you never ask questions????

Been driving since 1984, average 20k miles per year; was interested in finding out why other drivers sit with their foot on the brake; and if it was to save money;save time, or if it was because they thought the risk was less.

Richard53

bigjl wrote: »

You will get small bits of brake pad being left on the disc which can sometimes lead to brake judder.

Don't remember where I read it, it was many years ago. Now more of an issue than it used to be since they removed asbestos from brake pad material apparently.

There is the small risk of bits of the brake pad adhering to the disc, but the bigger risk is if you sit with the brake on after hard or prolonged braking, when the brake discs are very hot. If the pads are clamped hard on the disc, the disc cools unevenly and can eventually warp. Probably more of a problem for rally cars than Joe Commuter, but it's worth remembering.

adouglasmhor wrote: »

I use my parking brake - even though I get the odd bell end who beeps when they see my reversing lights go on as the gearstick passes through R on its way from P to D.

One of Viz's Top Tips, as I remember ...

"Car drivers - convince your neighbours you have an expensive automatic car by briefly putting the car into reverse before engaging first gear when you set off in a morning."

zagubov

Richard53 wrote: »

There is the small risk of bits of the brake pad adhering to the disc, but the bigger risk is if you sit with the brake on after hard or prolonged braking, when the brake discs are very hot. If the pads are clamped hard on the disc, the disc cools unevenly and can eventually warp. Probably more of a problem for rally cars than Joe Commuter, but it's worth remembering.



One of Viz's Top Tips, as I remember ...

"Car drivers - convince your neighbours you have an expensive automatic car by briefly putting the car into reverse before engaging first gear when you set off in a morning."

That's about as useful as their parking tip.
To easily find your car in a large parking lot, let all the air out of your tyres. When you return simply look for the lowest car.

prowla

Foot on brake is not as safe, as if you get a bump from behind then your foot will come off and you may spring forward (more than the bump).

I've driven an auto, and foot on brake is best.

In my manual I will put handbrake on and drop out of gear if I think it'll be a while, but will just use foot brake if the lights are going to change soon.

I figure handbrake and neutral saves my clutch.

TrickyWicky

prowla wrote: »

Foot on brake is not as safe, as if you get a bump from behind then your foot will come off and you may spring forward (more than the bump).

I've driven an auto, and foot on brake is best.

So which is it? One second you're saying foot brake isn't safe and then you're saying it's best?

TrickyWicky

goonarmy wrote: »

Haha you lot are amusing. Not alot of fact. Lights that get brighter the harder you brake???? !!!!!!? Auto that wont go from D to N easily. Er wot? I leave me lights on and if they dazzle you, you know them bright lights the dazzling ones, then theres summit up with your eyes....omg. id say you need checking if they aint bright n dazzling.
And a lot more....anyway; anyone remember driving lessons? Youre suposed to put the handbrake on cos it dont dazzle other users and it means you have full control of your vehicle even if you get out and shout at the geezer in front or whatever. And your out of gear ready to move the appropiate gear for setting off when the lights change. Im thinking it may be a minor fault on the test but cant remember for sure and maybe in the highway code but i cant be bovvered to check. Laziness is probbably the main reason why peps do it

Your post has zero credibility with the chav-speak.

Henzo

If you as a driver believe that . Even in stationary position in traffic or at red light , That's it's required for you to keep your brake pedal pressed continuously , then why not just engage your handbrake . I do appreciate that in some circumstances it might be the opposite thing to do . Okay . But,i do see the lather more often done . When honestly it's not necessary at all in most time.

nearlyrich

nearlyrich wrote: »

My car is auto but it also has stop/start so it just switches off at lights anyway...

TrickyWicky wrote: »

You won't be proud of that when it's 10 years old and struggling to start with a failing headgasket lol

If you were replying to me it won't be my problem in 10 years or even 10 days as I get a new car next week;)

chrisw wrote: »

That's why I keep my foot on the clutch and brake to prevent the stop/start kicking in if it looks as though the wait might not be that long.

No clutch on mine, I wasn't sure how I would cope with stop start but I haven't had any issues with it

pineapple

I thought everyone held it on the clutch like me :rotfl:

prowla

TrickyWicky wrote: »

So which is it? One second you're saying foot brake isn't safe and then you're saying it's best?

Fair point.

The auto is designed to disengage the clutch when you press the brake and stop, and some even make it difficult to apply the parking brake.