Accelerator pedals - an observation and a question.

[MitchT]

Has anyone else noticed how there seems to be two different types of accelerator pedal. BMWs and Mercs have long ones that attach to the floor, while Fords and Vauxhalls have little ones that dangle from above. Why are there two different designs like this? I much prefer the BMW/Merc style pedal, and have noticed that the Ferrari F430 has this type, but the 599 has the little dangly type. Why would Ferrari choose to use one type on one car and the other type on another car? The type that goes right down to the floor provides an excellent pivot-point for your heel, making it much easier to move the pedal by small amounts, so I'm surprised that any manufacturer of powerful cars would choose the dangly type which relies on you being able to hold your foot in place as there's nothing on the floor to wedge your heel against. On long drives the inevitable result of this is cramp. Does anyone know why there are two designs when the 'attached to the floor' type is clearly so much better?

[Parrot of Doom]

I've got a long one that touches the floor.

[MitchT]

Parrot of Doom said:

I've got a long one that touches the floor.

Stop boasting and step out of the pothole

[snotrag]

The best one I've ever seen was on a Monaro VXR - as far as I can remember it was huinged from above, but it was on four barparallel linkage - so in effect it just pushed linearly into the floor, almost like a piston. Very long travel, it was awesome.

Its also nice to have a nicely lubed, smooth pedal. I suggest everyone does this, lubing the linkages and cable, it improves the perceived throttle response, and makes it more sensitive.

Edited by snotrag on Wednesday 21st February 17:48

[SamHH]

My car has an accelerator pedal hinged at the top. I don't have a problem with it.

[hutchingsp]

I've noticed this too. Totally random guess but is it a safety thing i.e. you can't get your foot stuck/wedged under it?

[mafioso]

Aren't the long ones in Beemers and Mercs more inclined to be drive by wire!? Hence why there is a plastic box behind the pedal!? However, I have the "dangly" pedal in my car and can actually heel and toe with it! Couldn't in a BMW with the long pedal!!

[jerrold]

Have a feeling the floor hinged are considered to be more german "race" derived, but heel and toe is harder on mine

[identti]

Floor-hinged is different to what is being talked about here. Floor-hinged is like what supercars have - the pedals extend to touch the floor completely, where the hinge is located, whereas on BMWs and Mercedes the hinge is still positioned some distance behind the pedal.

Heres a Koenigsegg's floor-hinged system:


However, I have the 'dangly' type and I'm not a fan, but what can you expect on a KA?

[E38]

I cant stand the 'dangly' kind, gives me sore legs as its travel is curved upwards.

[morningside]

I think the oddest were VW Beetles on some strange curved arrangement.

Edited by morningside on Wednesday 21st February 20:49

[TripleS]

I guess on most cars the clutch and brake pedals are pendant type, pivoted above the footwell, and the throttle pedal can be of similar style, or the organ pedal type which has a long pad pivoted at floor level, and in general I prefer the latter.

One bad feature I sometimes see is where you need to lift your foot coming off the throttle pedal to get onto the brake pedal, rather than just sliding it across. This can make it more difficult to get onto the brakes quickly in case of emergency.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[Calorus]

Floor hinged setups like BMs, MBs and Real Skôdas are exactly the same as those shown from the Königsegg - however the Brake and clutch are hung from the bulkhead.

[E38]

TripleS said:

One bad feature I sometimes see is where you need to lift your foot coming off the throttle pedal to get onto the brake pedal, rather than just sliding it across. This can make it more difficult to get onto the brakes quickly in case of emergency.

Most BMs have this, an accelerator slightly 'further in' than the brake, making heeltoe a bit harder and you reaction times a touch longer.


One thing I do find annoying is how in the few non-tiptronic autos I have driven, (328i and C200) the accelerator is stupidly heavy, thus making it more of an on/off rather than an analogue length of travel. Why is this?

[m3evo2]

E38 said:

TripleS said:

One bad feature I sometimes see is where you need to lift your foot coming off the throttle pedal to get onto the brake pedal, rather than just sliding it across. This can make it more difficult to get onto the brakes quickly in case of emergency.

Most BMs have this, an accelerator slightly 'further in' than the brake, making heeltoe a bit harder and you reaction times a touch longer.


One thing I do find annoying is how in the few non-tiptronic autos I have driven, (328i and C200) the accelerator is stupidly heavy, thus making it more of an on/off rather than an analogue length of travel. Why is this?

I dont know but I agree. I had this "heavy" peddal in my E39, I thought something was wrong and needed adjusting, but no, found to be normal. Did my head in, and made my leg ache + yes spot on, felt like either on/off, hard to find middle ground. Fuel economy suffered as well.

[E38]

m3evo2 said:

E38 said:

TripleS said:

One bad feature I sometimes see is where you need to lift your foot coming off the throttle pedal to get onto the brake pedal, rather than just sliding it across. This can make it more difficult to get onto the brakes quickly in case of emergency.

Most BMs have this, an accelerator slightly 'further in' than the brake, making heeltoe a bit harder and you reaction times a touch longer.


One thing I do find annoying is how in the few non-tiptronic autos I have driven, (328i and C200) the accelerator is stupidly heavy, thus making it more of an on/off rather than an analogue length of travel. Why is this?

I dont know but I agree. I had this "heavy" peddal in my E39, I thought something was wrong and needed adjusting, but no, found to be normal. Did my head in, and made my leg ache + yes spot on, felt like either on/off, hard to find middle ground. Fuel economy suffered as well.

From your profile your E39 had a tiptronic, same as my 740, but mine has a proper pedal.... Different set up for bigger engines perhaps?

[m3evo2]

E38 said:

m3evo2 said:

E38 said:

TripleS said:

One bad feature I sometimes see is where you need to lift your foot coming off the throttle pedal to get onto the brake pedal, rather than just sliding it across. This can make it more difficult to get onto the brakes quickly in case of emergency.

Most BMs have this, an accelerator slightly 'further in' than the brake, making heeltoe a bit harder and you reaction times a touch longer.


One thing I do find annoying is how in the few non-tiptronic autos I have driven, (328i and C200) the accelerator is stupidly heavy, thus making it more of an on/off rather than an analogue length of travel. Why is this?

I dont know but I agree. I had this "heavy" peddal in my E39, I thought something was wrong and needed adjusting, but no, found to be normal. Did my head in, and made my leg ache + yes spot on, felt like either on/off, hard to find middle ground. Fuel economy suffered as well.

From your profile your E39 had a tiptronic, same as my 740, but mine has a proper pedal.... Different set up for bigger engines perhaps?

Maybe, it was surprisingly heavy, thank god for cruise on those long journeys. I also tried a 528i which also seemed heavy, perhape it's me being a wimp

[Matthew-TMM]

TripleS said:

One bad feature I sometimes see is where you need to lift your foot coming off the throttle pedal to get onto the brake pedal, rather than just sliding it across. This can make it more difficult to get onto the brakes quickly in case of emergency.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

That does really irritate me - my car is like that and the difference in height is massive. Really horrible to get used to at first, and I can't try to teach myself heel and toeing because I physically cant get to press both pedals at once.