Question: I’m currently studying for my driving theory test, and I’m super excited and nervous to get started on my journey to becoming a driver. I’m trying to learn all the different parts of a vehicle, and I wondered how to tell the difference between the gas pedal and the brake?
Answer: When you first sit behind the wheel of a car, you’ll likely see two or three pedals positioned below the steering wheel. From right to left, they’re the gas, brake and clutch pedals. The majority of cars in the United States are automatic, which don’t have a clutch pedal.
Understanding the function of these pedals is essential for safe and effective driving. Let’s break down their purposes and how they work.
Which is gas and which is brake?
Which is the gas pedal?
In most American cars, you’ll find the gas pedal on the right and the brake pedal to the left of the gas pedal. The gas pedal is also the skinnier of the two and is responsible for controlling the speed of your vehicle. You control it with your right foot.
When you press down on the gas pedal, also known as the accelerator or throttle, you are effectively giving fuel to the engine, which in turn increases the car’s speed. The more you press down, the faster the car will go.
Which is the brake?
The brake pedal, which is wider and usually located to the left of the gas pedal, is used to slow down or stop the car. It is also controlled by your right foot — driving with both feet is not standard practice.
Pressing the brake pedal engages the car’s braking system, which uses friction to reduce the wheels’ rotation, thereby slowing the vehicle. Pressing it harder will increase the braking force, allowing you to come to a complete stop if necessary.
Why does my car have a third pedal?
Third pedal: clutch
In vehicles with a manual transmission, you might notice a third pedal on the far left. This third pedal is known as the clutch. Unlike automatic cars, manual cars require the driver to manually shift gears, and the clutch pedal plays a critical role in this process. When you press the clutch pedal, it disengages the engine from the transmission, allowing you to change gears smoothly. This pedal is controlled by your left foot.
Mini pedal on the left
Some cars like the Toyota Camry from the mid-2010s have a little pedal to the left of the brake pedal. In the Camry, it says “PUSH/ON/OFF.” This is the parking brake pedal, which gives your vehicle extra stopping power if you are parking on a hill or steep driveway.
Here are the instructions for operating it:
- To set the parking brake, press on it with your left foot while stepping on the brake pedal with your right foot.
- To release the parking brake, depress it again. It will release back to the upright position.
- If you leave your parking brake on and start to drive, you will hear a warning tone to remind you to release it.
If your car has this pedal, it’s distinguishable by its small size relative to the other pedals and generally is much closer to the driver than all other pedals.
Xuyun Zeng is a content strategist with a wide-ranging content background including tech, journalism, cars and health care. After graduating with highest honors in journalism, Xuyun led a newspaper to win eight awards, helped start an award-winning film industry podcast and has written over a hundred articles about cars repair, state laws and insurance. Prior to joining Jerry, Xuyun worked as a freelance SEO consultant with a mission to create the best content that will help readers and grow organic traffic.
Ashley Eneriz is an editor and finance writer with over 15 years of experience in a wide range of financial topics, including car loans and insurance. In editing for Jerry, Ashley aims to make all car material reader-friendly for both the new driver and car enthusiast alike. Prior to joining Jerry, Ashley was the financial deputy editor for ConsumerAffairs. Her work is featured on Forbes, Yahoo, MSN, The Hartford and more.
