Pedal Position on Automatic Adria 600

[davidyoung21]

Has anyone had problems with the posistioning of the accelerator and brake pedals on an automatic Adria 600. I find that my large feet catch both at the same time. Thinking about trying to put extension plates on them to give greater effective diestnace between them. Any ideas welcomed.

 

[fred_jb]

Has anyone had problems with the posistioning of the accelerator and brake pedals on an automatic Adria 600. I find that my large feet catch both at the same time. Thinking about trying to put extension plates on them to give greater effective diestnace between them. Any ideas welcomed.

I have exactly the same problem. I found it doesn't slow down as expected if you are also pressing the accelerator!

Looking at the pedals I noticed that the lower part of the accelerator angles in towards the brake pedal and this was the part I was catching occasionally as the lower part of accelerator seemed closer to the brake pedal than the upper part.

What I did was to saw off the lower left corner of the accelerator pedal at such an angle so as to form a more constant gap between brake and accelerator. I now find it much better and very rarely catch it while braking.

 

[LostInSpace]

I told myself that this is a new skill I must learn.

When we learnt to drive (all those decades ago - half a life time or more), we had to concentrate on what we were doing.

After a while, it became ssecond nature.

So back to this new skill - concentrate hard all the time on what is going on and after a while, the new pedals magically become in the correct positions.

 

[fred_jb]

I told myself that this is a new skill I must learn.

When we learnt to drive (all those decades ago - half a life time or more), we had to concentrate on what we were doing.

After a while, it became ssecond nature.

So back to this new skill - concentrate hard all the time on what is going on and after a while, the new pedals magically become in the correct positions.

When I was working for several decades designing stuff I would make sure it was fit for purpose and absolutely as good as I could make it. I would have been ashamed to have designed that accelerator pedal.

So, you can magic all you like, but it does not change the fact that the pedals are badly positioned and do not give a uniform clearance between brake and accelerator. In an emergency that could make all the difference.

 

[donkey]

Have you noticed, that the bigger the car, the bigger the pedals. What's that about?

Geoff

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[fred_jb]

Have you noticed, that the bigger the car, the bigger the pedals. What's that about?

Geoff

Maybe big car and pedals are compensating for something?

 

[yorkiebar]

What size feet do you have ? I'm size 11 and don't have a problem with our 2023 auto Ducato.

 

[Lenny HB]

It's because it's RHD, LHD Fiats are fine. I have the same problem have driven LHD Motorhomes for 10 years & now in a RHD. Nowhere near as nice to drive as LHD, peddles offset to the left which I find uncomfortable & closer together. I'm only size 8½ and I keep catching both peddles, at least the 9 speed auto is not like the Comformatic where if you hit both peddles the engine cut out.

 

[fred_jb]

This is what I have done with mine:

 

[CAB96]

It's because it's RHD, LHD Fiats are fine. I have the same problem have driven LHD Motorhomes for 10 years & now in a RHD. Nowhere near as nice to drivea as LHD, peddles offset to the left which I find uncomfortable & closer together. I'm only size 8½ and I keep catching both peddles, at least the 9 speed auto is not like the Comformatic where if you hit both peddles the engine cut out.

Same with the latest Transporter, the RHD pedals are an afterthought.

The T6.1 removed the footrest, I found it really uncomfortable driving a courtesy van.

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[fred_jb]

Possibly this is only an issue for anyone who, as the quickest way to flip from accelerator to brakes, leaves their heel fairly static and just swivels their foot across from one to the other. This would make it more likely for the outside of the foot to catch the accelerator.

 

[yorkiebar]

Possibly this is only an issue for anyone who, as the quickest way to flip from accelerator to brakes, leaves their heel fairly static and just swivels their foot across from one to the other. This would make it more likely for the outside of the foot to catch the accelerator.

Yes, I don't do that
I'm using cruise control most of the time so the right foot ain't doing much.

 

[fred_jb]

Yes, I don't do that
I'm using cruise control most of the time so the right foot ain't doing much.

The opposite here - hardly ever use cruise, just occasionally on French autoroutes, but on the back roads through the mountains I'm needing to flip from accelerator to brakes every few seconds!

 

[stuartholmes]

I don't have an Adria but from comments deduce you're talking about a Ducato base vehicle, if so it's the same as my pvc., a RHD 2007 Comfortmatic.

I've never had cause to notice the closeness of brake & accelerator except when I want it for heel & toe-ing, or starting the engine with a bit of extra juice to ensure revs.

Maybe the Fiat designer had me & my driving style in mind more than you & yours...

 

[fred_jb]

I don't have an Adria but from comments deduce you're talking about a Ducato base vehicle, if so it's the same as my pvc., a RHD 2007 Comfortmatic.

I've never had cause to notice the closeness of brake & accelerator except when I want it for heel & toe-ing, or starting the engine with a bit of extra juice to ensure revs.

Maybe the Fiat designer had me & my driving style in mind more than you & yours...

Well we are talking about automatics here with a two pedal layout where they could have spaced the pedals better. Not sure about the OP, but mine is a 23 model with 9 speed auto, which is a completely different animal to the Comfortmatic. Even so I'm a bit puzzled as to why you would need to heel and toe with any sort of automatic? Mine autoblips on downshifts so no need for me to get involved!

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[stuartholmes]

Well we are talking about automatics here with a two pedal layout where they could have spaced the pedals better. Not sure about the OP, but mine is a 23 model with 9 speed auto, which is a completely different animal to the Comfortmatic. Even so I'm a bit puzzled as to why you would need to heel and toe with any sort of automatic? Mine autoblips on downshifts so no need for me to get involved!

I'd be interested to know whether there are any vehicles with an auto or manual gearbox option where the manufacturer does anything different with the pedals on auto versions other than make the bit you press on the brake wide enough to suit left-foot brakers.

I use one-foot on brake and accelerator when starting the engine on the rare occasions when it wants more juice. I'm getting it ohecked at next service as I don't think that should be needed.

After that I don't use it between changes as in the olden days but for hill starts, when I find easing off the foot brake easier than reaching down to release the handbrake. (Which I am determined never refer to by its American name.)
Other driving styles are valid.

 

[Jo662]

I have the same problem with the peddles on my Ducato,I just put it down to my size 12’s

 

[appydaze]

I use my left foot for the brake and right foot for throttle. Have done for years and find it so much easier as long as you get used to lifting foot off throttle when braking....

 

[Badknee]

I think all normally LHD designed vehicles have quirks when altered for RHD from pedal positions through to seating/steering positions and even switchgear.

 

[fred_jb]

I use my left foot for the brake and right foot for throttle. Have done for years and find it so much easier as long as you get used to lifting foot off throttle when braking....

I have considered that, but feel using one foot means it is definitely either go or stop and is compatible with muscle memory developed over years in non- auto vehicles.

I feel that using two feet gives more scope for muscle memory confusion or brain fade, leading to pressing accelerator instead of brake, with unfortunate consequences.

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[Mr B]

I use my left foot for the brake and right foot for throttle. Have done for years and find it so much easier as long as you get used to lifting foot off throttle when braking....

Me too, I drive our 8 speed VW Touareg the same way, and I drive as much as I can using cruise control. I’m especially careful not to brake and accelerate at the same time lol, as the ecu on both vehicles doesn’t like it

 

[Lenny HB]

I'd be interested to know whether there are any vehicles with an auto or manual gearbox option where the manufacturer does anything different with the pedals on auto versions other than make the bit you press on the brake wide enough to suit left-foot brakers.

Peddles on the Ducato are the same Auto & Manual just one missing on the manual.

I use my left foot for the brake and right foot for throttle. Have done for years and find it so much easier as long as you get used to lifting foot off throttle when braking....

Very difficult on a Ducato brake peddle is the same as on a manual too far to the right for that.

 

[Guigsy]

Is this an auto specific problem? I wonder if the pedals are in the same position as the manual. Which is why they are crammed up.

 

[Lenny HB]

Is this an auto specific problem? I wonder if the pedals are in the same position as the manual. Which is why they are crammed up.

Same position on both my BIL complains about them on his work van.
Not so much of a problem if you are used to RHD, you really notice it coming from LHD.

 

[L' Hobo]

This is what I have done with mine:

View attachment 951157

My 2007 manual Ducato is far worse than that, there is only about an inch and half between the throttle and brake.
It's terrible on long journeys as one has to drive with ones legs twisted to the left!

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[bigwood]

My father had the same problem with a small automatic car. He had big feet and found the sole of his shoes catching the accelerator pedal. When he came to visit us he had one odd shoe for driving with the edge of the sole cut off.
I remember a Landrover advert possibly the Range Rover saying you could drive it in ballet shoes or size ten wellies.