Adjusting Brake Pedal

[mausketeer]

I find that the brake pedal sits up a bit too high for my small foot (I'm only five feet tall). If I try to drive with my heel on the floor as I do with other cars, I'm barely toeing the pedal on the Smart car. So instead I have to keep my foot held up in mid-air which really bothers my hip (I have joint problems). Is it possible to change or adjust the pedal at all so the pedal is closer to the floor?

[bilgladstone]

Surely you don't mean that you drive with your left foot hovering over the brake pedal?

[mausketeer]

Lol. Well that would just be silly....... No, I had to keep moving my right foot from the standard "heel on the floor" when it's on the accelerator to lifting it up quite high in mid-air when I had to use the brake. So after a few minutes it was easier to just leave it up in the air when I pressed the accelerator as well...... After only a short test drive, I could really feel it in my hip!

[bilgladstone]

Hmm... I don't think you can adjust the pedal height. Maybe you can find a pedal cover that can be securely mounted a little lower, over top of the existing foot pad?I know what you mean about hip pain. I really suffered on long trips until I got cruise control! Meantime I have had both hips replaced and that helps a bit too.Bil

[mausketeer]

Thanks for the advice Bil! I'm going to ask my mechanic about it when he looks at the car. Otherwise I'll ask my dad or uncle, they're both big "car guys" (dad built a hot rod, everything custom and hand made)......I'm sure they can come up with something......

[bilgladstone]

There are loads of aftermarket brake pedal covers . Just be sure to get one that fastens securely and has good traction.

B

[Alex]

A small block fastened to the carpet to serve as a heel rest may be easier than modifying the pedal position.

[bilgladstone]

A small block fastened to the carpet to serve as a heel rest may be easier than modifying the pedal position.

Maybe......... but I'd be afraid of it interfering with foot movement from gas to brake and vice-verse. Something on the floor to catch your foot or snag a pant leg etc. Especially in an emergency. Just a thought...

[MikeT]

Don't mess with the brake pedal! You can't lift your foot off the floor for braking?

[bilgladstone]

Mike, OP is 5ft tall with hip problems. How to accommodate these restrictions?

[Alex]

Rounded, tapered sides would be best. You sure don't want something that can snag a pant leg.Carved from stiff styrofoam or other very firm foam, fabric glued on, velcro glued to the bottom for attachment. Or possibly under the carpet? That might be worth playing around with.

[Huronlad]

Other manufactures have height adjustable pedals for tiny people. One of those may be a better match.

[aderoy]

Other manufactures have height adjustable pedals for tiny people. One of those may be a better match.

5ft != tinyI am 'only' 60 inches in height yet not tiny. May be shorter than average (or normal height in land of giants?).Yes it is a challenge for anyone to get into the car who just does not happen to be my height (work vehicle or when bringing into the shop for repair). There are some challenges for the non adjustable pedal. Lucky for me there is not a problem with my hip, just a bad knee to content with. If the seat height could be changed it would make a big difference. Wonder if this would be a better avenue to investigate? By changing the seat height is how I adapt cars to my situation. Edited August 29, 2012 by aderoy