Having a Very Difficult Time Learning to Heel-Toe (2014, manual transmission, brake)

[Exitus Acta Probat]

I've watched all there is to watch on Youtube regarding this subject, and it's still not working for me. Almost every time I do it, I change the brake pressure -- not good if I happen to be running on an autocross and every little error can potentially upset the balance of the car. Can any of you pros out there offer some advice? I've practiced heel-toe while sitting at home, and although I feel comfortable with it sitting on the living room couch, when I'm actually behind the wheel it's a totally different matter.

I've considered taking off my shoes in the car -- is that a common thing to do until I get more comfortable with heel-toe?

[rbohm]

this is a feel type thing. you have to learn to use the edge of the brake pedal as a pivot point. it just takes real life practice. and dont feel bad, even the pros have issues with heel and toe operations on occasion.

[wankel7]

For me and my 1991 RX-7, Ford Focus, and VW Jetta I never could do the "heel and toe".

It was more like the left side of my right foot on the brake and the right side of my right foot (nearer the bottom but not the heel) on the gas. My method does work and I can brake and rev match perfectly smooth downshifts. Even on the street it makes driving more fun

I have size 10 shoes so maybe that is why that works for me?

Maybe the shoes off thing is a good idea? Give you some feedback on exactly where your feet are....then put the shoes back on

What are your driving / racing?

[sunsprit]

not knowing what car you're driving makes a meaningful response difficult.

in some cars, the ergonomics aren't set up for heel-toe driving, while some cars are designed for this activity.

if yours is one of the cars with difficult pedal angles/access for you, then it may be difficult at best to heel-toe.

some folk do drive barefoot, but I don't recommend it.

[Exitus Acta Probat]

Thanks for the replies. The car is a 2014 Fiat 500 Abarth. This particular car has larger than usual pedals and does lend itself to the ball-ball method of bridging the gap as wankel7 described in his post and on another forum somebody stated that the ball-ball method is easier than with most cars because of the pedal size. Even so, I'm just not getting it. I've tried heel-toe, ball-ball, and even blending the two, but it's not working for me.

When the car is in neutral and the engine is warming, I can blip the throttle while applying even brake pressure. However, as soon as the car is moving, I'm all fumble-feet, and it's very frustrating.

[rbohm]

Originally Posted by Exitus Acta Probat

Thanks for the replies. The car is a 2014 Fiat 500 Abarth. This particular car has larger than usual pedals and does lend itself to the ball-ball method of bridging the gap as wankel7 described in his post and on another forum somebody stated that the ball-ball method is easier than with most cars because of the pedal size. Even so, I'm just not getting it. I've tried heel-toe, ball-ball, and even blending the two, but it's not working for me.

When the car is in neutral and the engine is warming, I can blip the throttle while applying even brake pressure. However, as soon as the car is moving, I'm all fumble-feet, and it's very frustrating.

i know exactly how you feel. keep at it, at some point you will have an epiphany, and things will fall right into place. i had that many years ago when someone was trying to teach me how to shift a manual transmission without using the clutch. it was frustrating constantly winging and grinding the gears, until one day, everything just clicked all at once, well in two stages actually. up shifting became ridiculously easy, down shifting was still a work in progress, but even that worked itself out quickly.

[harpoonalt]

Do you wear real "driving " shoes? Sometimes the littlest things......

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by harpoonalt

Do you wear real "driving " shoes? Sometimes the littlest things......

That's what i was thinking. Big feet, the wrong shoes, a car with pedals that aren't conducive to it - it could be a combination of things.

[Exitus Acta Probat]

Originally Posted by rbohm

i know exactly how you feel. keep at it, at some point you will have an epiphany, and things will fall right into place. i had that many years ago when someone was trying to teach me how to shift a manual transmission without using the clutch. it was frustrating constantly winging and grinding the gears, until one day, everything just clicked all at once, well in two stages actually. up shifting became ridiculously easy, down shifting was still a work in progress, but even that worked itself out quickly.

Thanks. I'll keep at it and hope for the best, and in the meantime simply continue throwing into neutral for the turns until it clicks for me.

[Exitus Acta Probat]

Originally Posted by harpoonalt

Do you wear real "driving " shoes? Sometimes the littlest things......

I wear New Balance sneakers, size 10.5.

At next opportunity I'll try driving with my shoes off and see if that helps until I'm more comfortable.