Looking for guidance regarding high position of acc pedal. Just bought a 1.1 Active as a first car for daughter and after driving for 5/10 mins she’s having to stop due to pain in ankle. Can the pedal be moved further back into footwell or, if not, can you advise a heel rest remedy?

Cheers.

Rules and regulation on the position of the pedals

I jump between a Suzuki Slash, Alto, 2x Panda and a Toyota Yaris. Brake and clutch bite and pressures alter but position and height are near enough the same.

isn't moving the pedal back. The same as moving the chair back.

Funnily enough my girlfriend is also learning to drive, and complained of exactly the same symptom when she first started.

I couldn't understand it, as it's not something I've ever experienced. Does the pedal feel OK to you?

I think it was because she had the seat too close so had to bend her ankle up more than usual.

As koalar says above, moving the seat back should do the trick. And bringing the back of the seat more upright, which is what my girl does (I always have to recline the seat a few notches when I take over driving duties).

It might take a few trials with seat base / seat back positions to get her comfortable.

When I first got my Panda I thought the pedal was high, but have since got used to it.
I think its because the pedal arm is hinged at the top rather than lower down.
I now also drive an old Renault Trafic MK1 facelift that has a high pedal, to the point of not even having my heel on the floor and that's with size 11 boats!

With the Panda, seat adjustment will make it more comfortable, new drivers tend to sit to close to the steering wheel try sliding the seat back and then put the back more upright, feels awkward at first but is actually more comfortable.

Jonah85 said:

Can the pedal be moved further back into footwell or, if not, can you advise a heel rest remedy?

Click to expand...

At full throttle, the pedal hits a stop on the floor. If the pedal is moved nearer the floor, you will lose some of its travel, and therefore never have full throttle available. Whilst the full output is not great, not having it all avialable might put you in a dangerous position.

For many years, Italian cars were criticised for their driving positions, with the steering wheel too close to the pedals. This is blamed on a national stereotype of Italians being generally longer armed and shorter legged. The Panda, not having reach adjustment on the wheel does suffer from this. Those preferring a driving positon with extended arms will have no trouble, but those preferring to sit nearer the wheel may have to work to get used to it.

Moving the seat one notch back, and experimenting with the height adjustment if fitted, may find a better position. Experimenting with a heel rest needs care. You must ensure that the foot cannot easily fall off the rest, especially off the front and jam the pedal down. Disabled vehicle specialists may be able to advise, although they are more often trying to bring the pedal nearer.

My mother used to have the same issue in her Panda.

I ended up sticking a couple of extra carpet mats underneath the original carpet, which then raised her foot in relation to the pedal.

Cinq999 said:

My mother used to have the same issue in her Panda.

I ended up sticking a couple of extra carpet mats underneath the original carpet, which then raised her foot in relation to the pedal.

Click to expand...

I can understand this if you have very small feet. Size 3 seems to be a problem with most cars.

A car mat plus. Chunky soles seems to address this problem.

However the OP states further back not down. But could be worded wrong.

I am 6'2" and have one click left on the adjustment. Unless you are well over 7'
You should fit without a problem.

Jonah85 said:

Can the pedal be moved further back into footwell or, if not, can you advise a heel rest remedy?

Click to expand...

koalar said:

However the OP states further back not down. But could be worded wrong.

Click to expand...

That's made me think.

I assumed that 'back into' meant further away from the driver, as it suggests moving it into the footwell, not out of it into the car.
But of course, it could mean out, towards the driver. That is actually easier.

If the pedal needs bringing towards the driver, and/or downwards towards the floor, my earlier advice to consult a disabled control specialist stands. One of the regular control mods is to fit a pedal extension, and there are various choices. These include blocks to extend the pedal towards the driver, or extensions to put it closer to the floor.

Could break out the 1970s platform shoes, and wear on the right foot only?

portland_bill said:

That's made me think.

I assumed that 'back into' meant further away from the driver, as it suggests moving it into the footwell, not out of it into the car.
But of course, it could mean out, towards the driver. That is actually easier.

If the pedal needs bringing towards the driver, and/or downwards towards the floor, my earlier advice to consult a disabled control specialist stands. One of the regular control mods is to fit a pedal extension, and there are various choices. These include blocks to extend the pedal towards the driver, or extensions to put it closer to the floor.

Could break out the 1970s platform shoes, and wear on the right foot only?

Click to expand...

Sorry if I’ve not been clear. I was asking if the acc pedal could be positioned further back into the pedal box. We’ve tried the seat in numerous positions but she’s getting the same pain. I’m now looking at an after market pedal tread to attach to the OE so the overall length is longer.

My mother had small feet and sat herself rammed right up against the steering wheel. Dangerous TBH. A layer of 20mm thick closed cell foam under the floor mat solved the problem though it took her a while to change her leg lifting habit into ankle movement.