[Runninground]

My driving instructor told me to rest my foot on the floor when I am not actually using the clutch. He hasn't really told me to do this any more.

I find it easier just to leave my foot hovering over the clutch whilst driving. I think because I have long legs, to move my foot over the clutch is a bit difficult (having to move my knee to not bang the steering wheel, then to actually get it on the clutch Oh, and I do adjust the seat, I have it all the way back)

The only time i've found this a bit of a problem is doing the controlled stop, I might put my foot on the clutch before the brake.

This isn't going to get me marked down in the test, right? (For having my foot hovering over the clutch)

[postman pat]

(Original post by Runninground)
My driving instructor told me to rest my foot on the floor when I am not actually using the clutch. He hasn't really told me to do this any more.

I find it easier just to leave my foot hovering over the clutch whilst driving. I think because I have long legs, to move my foot over the clutch is a bit difficult (having to move my knee to not bang the steering wheel, then to actually get it on the clutch Oh, and I do adjust the seat, I have it all the way back)

The only time i've found this a bit of a problem is doing the controlled stop, I might put my foot on the clutch before the brake.

This isn't going to get me marked down in the test, right? (For having my foot hovering over the clutch)

I used to have the exact same problem because I have long legs as well. I always used to hover my foot around the clutch until my instructor insisted I put it on the floor. And now I realise it really isn't much effort to move it from floor to clutch I never notice a problem any more.

I suggest you give leaving your foot on the floor ago.

[ROG.]

At 6'3" I can do either quite happily but more comfy with foot on floor

I cover the brake more often

[Left Hand Drive]

Looks like Im the smallest guy in this thread!

[zedeneye1]

you'll just get tired on longer drives....thats the only drawback...

[Advisor]

(Original post by zedeneye1)
you'll just get tired on longer drives....thats the only drawback...

This.

As for the question of whether you will get marked down for it, this depends whether this causes you to coast excessively, or if there is some loss of control, for example if your foot is partially depressing the clutch pedal without you realising causing the engine to rev, the clutch to slip and the car to lose speed uphill.

[zedeneye1]

(Original post by Advisor)
This.

As for the question of whether you will get marked down for it, this depends whether this causes you to coast excessively, or if there is some loss of control, for example if your foot is partially depressing the clutch pedal without you realising causing the engine to rev, the clutch to slip and the car to lose speed uphill.

an advantage of hovering the foot is that it improves your response time. Especially if ur wearing slippers...I've had bad experience with slippers+driving...so if ur driving, wear proper shoes that are not loose , cuz if they are, they can possibly get stuck somewhere in the pedals and cause you problems...

[hvh]

Hovering OVER the clutch, but not resting on the clutch isn't really an issue other than getting a bit tired.

However, if your foot is resting on the clutch, which mine usually is.. it could cause wear to the clutch and mean you need to replace it sooner. Same as resting your hand on the gearstick, it can wear the clips ect. Unfortunately, I do both of these.

[elldeegee]

(Original post by hvh)
Hovering OVER the clutch, but not resting on the clutch isn't really an issue other than getting a bit tired.

However, if your foot is resting on the clutch, which mine usually is.. it could cause wear to the clutch and mean you need to replace it sooner. Same as resting your hand on the gearstick, it can wear the clips ect. Unfortunately, I do both of these.

I understand why there would be a problem with having your foot on the clutch constantly, but i didn't realise there was anything wrong with having your hand on the gearstick the whole time. It's strange that it would csuse such a problem, because4 you're not pressing down on it, sxo i wouldn't've thought that it would've made much of a difference.
meh

[hvh]

(Original post by elldeegee)
I understand why there would be a problem with having your foot on the clutch constantly, but i didn't realise there was anything wrong with having your hand on the gearstick the whole time. It's strange that it would csuse such a problem, because4 you're not pressing down on it, sxo i wouldn't've thought that it would've made much of a difference.
meh

Well, I assume its because it's because the weight causes extra pressue on the clips or something.

Honestly, this advice comes from my Dad who has been in engineering since 16, worked specifically in the car industry for the whole of his career, has designed fuel tanks for certain cars, holds an MSc in Engineering, an MBA and currently project manages the design and build of Aston Martins - and thats a brief summary of his working histroy. I tend not to argue with him on this subject!

[elldeegee]

(Original post by hvh)
Well, I assume its because it's because the weight causes extra pressue on the clips or something.

Honestly, this advice comes from my Dad who has been in engineering since 16, worked specifically in the car industry for the whole of his career, has designed fuel tanks for certain cars, holds an MSc in Engineering, an MBA and currently project manages the design and build of Aston Martins - and thats a brief summary of his working histroy. I tend not to argue with him on this subject!

Oh please don't get me wrong, i wasn't arguing/disagreeing with you. It's just merely that i have never heard that said to me before. Luckily it's not a habit of mine and so i don't need to get out of it, i just need to ensure i don't get into the habit of it

[hvh]

(Original post by elldeegee)
Oh please don't get me wrong, i wasn't arguing/disagreeing with you. It's just merely that i have never heard that said to me before. Luckily it's not a habit of mine and so i don't need to get out of it, i just need to ensure i don't get into the habit of it

I never thought you were, but I thought I would provide my source of this information.

I'm currently trying to get out of the habit of both, keeping my hand of the gear stick is much easier than trying to stop resting my foot on the clutch. My legs are little so I have to sit quite close to the steering wheel.. but it makes it uncomfotable to rest of the floor and if I move further away I feel like I am less in control.

I really thought I would have got the skill of driving down by now, i've been driving 4 years!

[*Interrobang*]

I did it when I was learning, and was told not to. Probably just in case I was pressing down on it without realising. Does the car that you're learning in have the ability to move the steering wheel up? I found it a bit uncomfortable, but now I've got my own car I don't have the problem, as I've moved the steering wheel up

[ROG.]

(Original post by elldeegee)
i didn't realise there was anything wrong with having your hand on the gearstick the whole time.

Why only have one hand on thw wheel when you could have two for better safety?

[elldeegee]

(Original post by ROG.)
Why only have one hand on thw wheel when you could have two for better safety?

Which is exactly why i don't keep my hand permanently on the gearstick.
I know people who do though, and they are really good drivers.

[Dirac Delta Function]

Don't rest your foot over the clutch pedal, since that would increase the rate at which the clutch gets worn. Hovering over it (i.e., not touching) is ok, but most of the time you shouldn't need to. I just use the foot resty thing on the left.

[ROG.]

(Original post by elldeegee)
Which is exactly why i don't keep my hand permanently on the gearstick.
I know people who do though, and they are really good drivers.

But are they as safe as they could be?

there is safe and there is being safer

[elldeegee]

(Original post by ROG.)
But are they as safe as they could be?

there is safe and there is being safer

I don't disagree with you, and it is because that i personally wouldn't feel safe havingone hand off of the wheel permantely that i wouldn't do it.

[M4LLY]

I'd have it over the brake personally

[oHellno]

I'm pretty sure my foot always hovers over the clutch, it's never really caused any problems