Left-Foot Braking And BLD (Brake Lock Differential)

[okiesnake]

I have a Jeep friend that is new to off-roading, that didn’t know about Left Foot-Braking technique or BLD.
I don’t mean to offend experienced off-roaders who already know all this and of course there are people that know it but don’t practice it, (kind of like asking a BMW owner if they know what a turn-signal is).

What is Left Foot Braking?

Left foot braking (aka 2 foot off-road driving), is an off-road driving technique (used at very slow speeds -typically at 1,000 to 1,200 RPMs) on traction-challenged conditions.

It is a “Pedal Dance” where you simultaneously modulate the accelerator with your right foot and the brake pedal with your left foot)

Besides just improving traction in these conditions, it

• Allows very precise maneuvering.
• Pre-loads the drive-line for less drive-live strain and damage.
• Eliminates the brief moment of time if you were to transition your right foot from accelerator pedal to brake pedal.
• Eliminates roll-back when ascending an incline if your forward motion suddenly stops.
• Eliminates vehicle suspension from slamming when cresting an obstacle and

What is BLD (Brake Lock Differential)

On later models of Jeeps (I believe with the introduction of the JK), Jeep has a special traction control application that is called BLD. I believe that it works in both 4-Hi as well as 4-Lo.

It works to prevent wheel slippage on open wheel differentials. In certain conditions, it is not as capable as “locker Differentials”.

There is a slight delay before it kicks it and sometimes people “gun” the gas before BLD can do it’s magic. Being patient and using Left Foot Braking, will allow you to keep things in control.

Note, it has been my experience that Left Foot Braking seems to make BLD kick in sooner.

Also, from what I have researched, BLD does not work at higher RPM’s. Possibly too high of engine speed overpowers the systems brake engagement.


Below are some YouTube videos that I found on left-foot braking and BLD

You don’t need lockers to go off road. Jeep Brake Lock Differential Explained


Barlow Jeep School demonstrates the how-to's and advantages of using left-foot braking while driving your Jeep on 4wd trails.


How to Left Foot Break


Left Foot Braking: A Beginner's Guide to Improved Control


Left Foot Braking for Better Vehicle Control Offroad


Brake Traction Control model (aka BLD) – good visual – how/why it works


LEFT FOOTED BRAKING

Guy in older Toyota FJ Cruser show how/why to Left Foot Braking technique

BLD in action

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[Rockabillyroy]

I used to have to do this sometimes with my old JKU sport before installing the rear locker. It's definitely a good tool to have when needed.

BTW, I see you're in Lawton. I trained at Ft Sill back in the 90s. You have my sympathies.

 

[GeneralMaximus]

For MT owners, can you do a tutorial on how to Three Pedal Dance?

 

[okiesnake]

I used to have to do this sometimes with my old JKU sport before installing the rear locker. It's definitely a good tool to have when needed.

BTW, I see you're in Lawton. I trained at Ft Sill back in the 90s. You have my sympathies.

Some how, basic training doesn't always make the biggest fans! I like it here.

 

[okiesnake]

For MT owners, can you do a tutorial on how to Three Pedal Dance?

I know how to left foot brake my manual BMW on a track for speed but that's not the same thing. I don't think left foot braking would be very easy on a MT Jeep.

 

[SoK66]

You can see pretty clearly in the last video with the ‘07 JK XUR how BLD worked on the first gen JKs. It does work, sorta. Later gen JKs BLD is more aggressive. I remember early on with my ‘09 JKUR remarking how rarely I was using the lockers, took me awhile to understand the BLD was engaging momentarily in many of these situations. Cool feature

 

[okiesnake]

I remember early on with my ‘09 JKUR remarking how rarely I was using the lockers, took me awhile to understand the BLD was engaging momentarily in many of these situations. Cool feature

Good observation on the videos of the older models. I too am very impressed how great the current BLD works.

 

[RubiDukkie]

Here are a few more vids to add to your library.

 

[okiesnake]

Here are a few more vids to add to your library.

Cool

 

[TexasProud]

Doesn't the Trac-Loc system in my 2024 Nighthawk with it's heavy duty wide axles do the same thing with a computer sensing system to automatically do what an older brake lock differential axle had to manually do?

 

[Badunit]

I don't know why people are taught to brake with their right foot with an automatic. I use two feet, on-road and off. Always have. While no need to modulate it on pavement (maybe when starting on a really steep hill), if I think someone might pull out in front of me or brake suddenly I'll position my foot over the brake to save that split second a one-footed driver would require to go from gas to brake. 25mph = 37 ft/sec so half a second better response means you're braking 17.5 feet earlier.

 

[TexasProud]

I don't know why people are taught to brake with their right foot with an automatic. I use two feet, on-road and off. Always have. While no need to modulate it on pavement (maybe when starting on a really steep hill), if I think someone might pull out in front of me or brake suddenly I'll position my foot over the brake to save that split second a one-footed driver would require to go from gas to brake. 25mph = 37 ft/sec so half a second better response means you're braking 17.5 feet earlier.

Primary reason, is in an emergency, both feet end up pushed to the floor, both the accelerator, and the brake making the vehicle uncontrollable, how would you measure that? We were taught this before people learned to drive in the Grand Theft Auto school of driving.

 

[Badunit]

Primary reason, is in an emergency, both feet end up pushed to the floor, both the accelerator, and the brake.

It is concerning that there are drivers out there that might do that. I hope this is just a theoretical and not an actual problem that has been reported.

There are many stories of people stomping the accelerator thinking it is the brake. If they used right foot for gas and left for brake they might not make that mistake because they'd be stomping on their own right foot.

 

[TexasProud]

It is concewrning that there are drivers out there that might do that. I hope this is just a theoretical and not an actual problem.

There are many stories of people stomping the accelerator thinking it is the brake. If they used right foot for gas and left for brake they might not make that mistake because they'd be stomping on their own right foot.

No, it is fact that this is why people are taught the proper way is to use the right foot for the accelerator and the right foot for the brake. Just because it is your opinion, does not make it fact.

 

[TexasProud]

It is concerning that there are drivers out there that might do that. I hope this is just a theoretical and not an actual problem that has been reported.

There are many stories of people stomping the accelerator thinking it is the brake. If they used right foot for gas and left for brake they might not make that mistake because they'd be stomping on their own right foot.

A 10 second search on google, reveals
In automatic cars, drivers primarily use their right foot for both the accelerator and brake pedals as a safety precaution. This practice, while not mandated by law, is widely taught in driver's education to minimize the risk of accidentally pressing both pedals simultaneously, which could cause unintended acceleration or brake failure.

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