Small ( foot slipping off) gas pedal

[SafetyGuy]

(I reposted this to its own thread from the "is the gas pedal adjustable thread").

I have been reviewing several of the threads here for the problem of smaller statured people having their foot slip off the bottom of the gas pedal due to its position and smallish size.

So, after reading a lot of comments and exploring the inter-web for possible answers, my favourite solution is the one I laughed at the first time I saw it on Amazon.

Please let me explain my thought process. There were many, many intricate bolt on pedal extender solutions with even more points with potential for failure. And with what it's job is (operating the accelerator pedal), failure is not an option.

My solution (K-I-S-S principle)so that my wife (5 ft...er...tall...) can comfortably and safely drive the truck without screwing it up for me as I am the primary driver was what I call an "organ pedal". Same idea as I saw on one of the other threads from an older vehicle.

I now have a plate under my weather tech floor mat, 2 holes drilled through them after siting the organ pedal appropriately, and bolting the organ pedal down with 2 nuts. One of the nuts also has a spring attached to assist with the organ pedals return to neutral position when you take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

It is important to position the "organ pedal" so that it fully engages the trucks accelerator pedal with no chance of sliding off to the left or right. Or, slipping off the bottom if you stomp it hard.

I thoroughly tested it before mounting it to the floor mat and there is no way for it to lose contact with the pedal or jam it I any way...I am kind of persnickity about these things (okay, about pretty much everyrhing), but this in particular, right now.

The only thing I would say to add is a couple drops of locktite on the threads and then tighten/secure the nuts so they won't possibly back off.

I couldn't lock wire them in place but did witness mark them for inspection in the future.



I attached 3 straps of velcro to the bottom of the metal plate (they came with the pkg) and they secured nicely to the carpet under the floor mat. I like this, as it adds another layer of security that the plate will not easily move.

The reason this came to light this week is that it finally warmed up here in Manitoba that my wife didn't have her winter (snow) boots on, and they are quite a bit larger than warm weather footwear.

Okay, I hope this helps anyone else that runs into the same issue. I will now try to add photos to help those that need a photo or two to figure out if this is a solution for them...or not. Cheers!

Andy

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[AMTRV]

Good luck

 

[Zackg]

I just put stair tread tape on the pedals

 

[SafetyGuy]

I just put stair tread tape on the pedals

Thanks Zackg, non-skid is a fine solution if the problem is a slippery pedal.

However, when the problem is a smaller sized person NOT comfortably reaching the gas pedal another answer has to be found.

Now my wife can sit at a safer distance from the airbag in the steering wheel, have the seat adjusted appropriately height-wise and still safely and comfortably reach the new "gas pedal" contact point.

All the while not changing anything for me when I get in and drive.

Have a good one.

Andy

 

[Blue_Max]

Old school:
https://www.amazon.com/Octane-Lighting-BF100-Bare-Pedal/dp/B006IEC8RU

 

[SafetyGuy]

Here is the one I installed, does not require any physical changes to the truck pedal system.

It just rests against the factory gas pedal.

Care must be taken during installation to ensure safe actuation at all times.

Cheers,

Andy

 

[Ozarkbeard]

...Now my wife can sit at a safer distance from the airbag in the steering wheel, have the seat adjusted appropriately height-wise and still safely and comfortably reach the new "gas pedal" contact point...

In case you're unaware of it, the distance between steering wheel (& airbag) and the driver is adjustable.

First, adjust the seat so that the pedals are a safe & comfortable distance. Then, just loosen the "tilt wheel" adjustment lever and push the wheel away from you, or pull it toward you.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

In case you're unaware of it, the distance between steering wheel (& airbag) and the driver is adjustable.

First, adjust the seat so that the pedals are a safe & comfortable distance. Then, just loosen the "tilt wheel" adjustment lever and push the wheel away from you, or pull it toward you.

My brother in law discovered his telescoping steering wheel in his six year driven car while he was detailing it to get ready to sell!

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

My brother in law discovered his telescoping steering wheel in his six year driven car while he was detailing it to get ready to sell!

Not surprised at all.

 

[dbbii]

I kinda like this. On long trips, I tend to drive with the side of my foot laying on the floor and mostly using my big toe (with shoes on) to control the gas pedal. Or, at least that's what I did in my last vehicle (Ford Explorer). I agree the gas pedal is too short. Tried a couple of the "bolt on" extenders but they didn't seem to work. I ended up buying some replacement covers from Amazon. They work, but not exactly the way I want them.

 

[Tbone289]

My brother in law discovered his telescoping steering wheel in his six year driven car while he was detailing it to get ready to sell!

It amazes me how people can make a significant investment in something like a vehicle and not bother to RTFM.

 

[Tbone289]

@SafetyGuy , I like your solution a lot but I would still be concerned about it slipping off the side of the factory pedal with lateral force applied without some "guides" on the back of the organ pedal. It's easy to make assumptions from pictures and not first-hand experience though, so my concern may be unfounded.

 

[SafetyGuy]

In case you're unaware of it, the distance between steering wheel (& airbag) and the driver is adjustable.

First, adjust the seat so that the pedals are a safe & comfortable distance. Then, just loosen the "tilt wheel" adjustment lever and push the wheel away from you, or pull it toward you.

Thank you for your thoughts, but we are well aware of the adjustment of the steering wheel and seat (and yes, I do read owners manuals and instructions with everything I pretty much get...goes with the territory as a retired aircraft technician/Air Vehicle Operator/Unit Safety Representative and Investigator). Yes this also includes when we are assembling IKEA furniture! ;-)

It is just that when someone is 5 ft tall, trunk and arms are also smaller in length/size (thank goodness,).

Now at full compression of the steering wheel, everything fits much better, and safely because this pedal moves the foot contact point a bit closer to the driver.

Cheers,

Andy

 

[SafetyGuy]

@SafetyGuy , I like your solution a lot but I would still be concerned about it slipping off the side of the factory pedal with lateral force applied without some "guides" on the back of the organ pedal. It's easy to make assumptions from pictures and not first-hand experience though, so my concern may be unfounded.

An excellent point to bring up, as I didn't include this portion of my testing after I installed the plate below the floor mat (with hook-side velcro to better adherence to the carpet).

Once I installed it I pushed, pulled and moved the pedal in all directions to see if there is any failure point.

None were found, I am glad to say. Even with direct (and significant) side pressure applied to the pedal (both sides) it remained in proper and safe engagement position on the accelerator pedal.

The combination of the velcro plate, drilling through the weather tech floor mat and securely attaching the pedal in the optimal position keeps everything where it should be.

Thanks,

Andy

 

[jcs]

So this pedal is mounted on a thin metal plate that's attached to the rubber floor mat with only two tiny screws?

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