Foot placement on accelerator pedal and pedal sweet spot

[unity]

I have read about this topic in other forums before and was just interested in getting some responses here.

With DBW acceleration is determined by a sensor which guages how much pressure has been put on the pedal. So which part of the pedal is most sensitive to a particular force thereby producing maximum acceleration (ie the pedal sweet spot)

Secondly how do you place your foot on the accelerator? For example do you place your whole foot on the pedal or do you press the pedal just with your toes? Do you place your foot vertically up and down the pedal or come from more of a horizonal position?

Thirdly, do you find a different responsiveness to the throttle depending of how you place your foot on the accelerator pedal?

[integral90]

In the Euro the accelerator is connected to a cable which runs to the far side of the engine bay into the DBW computer which then controls the motor in the throttle body.

The pedal is still hinged like any other car's and rotates around the hinge for throttle %. So there's no actual sensor on the pad of the accelerator pedal, it measures it from the cable movement from the movement of the pedal.

Proper driving style says you press the accelerator with your toes just the same as brake and clutch, this gives you the ability to apply or remove pressure much more precisely and quicker than moving a completely straightened leg.

'Cause the Euro's accelerator pedal hinges from the bottom if you push as low down the pedal (as close to the hinge as possible) you can move the pedal more with less movement from your actual foot. Same as pushing a door from the inside near the hinges vs. the outside.

[unity]

'Cause the Euro's accelerator pedal hinges from the bottom if you push as low down the pedal (as close to the hinge as possible) you can move the pedal more with less movement from your actual foot. Same as pushing a door from the inside near the hinges vs. the outside.

I thought it was the other way around in that the pedal would move more with the same force applied if the force was applied further away from the hinge because of leverage. For example on a door the door knob is always located furthest from the hinges because less force is required to move the door.

[integral90]

I thought it was the other way around in that the pedal would move more with the same force applied if the force was applied further away from the hinge because of leverage. For example on a door the door knob is always located furthest from the hinges because less force is required to move the door.

Yes it takes less force because of leverage, but it takes more physical movement. Think of it like gears in the transmission. Think of the 6th gear as really close to the hinge and 1st as the door handle. You can push the door handle quickly but the door will never swing very fast. But if you push from inside near the hinge the door will swing faster eventually but take alot more energy and time to reach it.

So you're right and wrong... it takes less movement if you're closer to the hinge but more energy... but it's still only an accelerator pedal, the difference is minute.

[unity]

Yes I understand the point you are making. But personally I find the car a lot easier to drive and more responsivethe with my toes pushing up towards the top of the pedal as opposed the base of the pedal

[Type R Positive]

Yes I understand the point you are making. But personally I find the car a lot easier to drive and more responsivethe with my toes pushing up towards the top of the pedal as opposed the base of the pedal
Me too.
I find the CU2 has such a sweet driving position (way better than the CL9), and I can get nice and comfortable, and use most of my foot on the pedal.

[unity]

It also feels different depending on the type of shoes I wear. With hard sole shoes I find it harder to tell whether I have my foot exactly where i want it. Whereas with runners i tend to have a much better feel for the pedal

[Type R Positive]

I so much prefer bare foot.

[INVSBL]

i drive with the tops of my shoes, hinging my foot with my ankle on the carpet, if im driving like a granny my ankle usually wont move.
if im barefoot i literlly drive witih my toes, and if im lazy ill bring my left foot in for braking.

more to the point of the topic, i dont think there is a sweet spot for my accelerator, its just mash it harder to waste more petrol :p

[JasonGilholme]

unity: it doesn't measure pressure on the pedal. It measures the amount of rotation of the accelerator pedal and translates that into rotation of the throttle body.

sweet spot = to the floor.

[Crapdaz]

as jasongilholme mentioned, which sounds about right.

And you are right depending on what shoes you like to drive in depending how well you can control the throttle reponse of the time.

IMO - when i drive with ASICS GEL i find it takes a bit longer cause of cushioning, but with VANS or dunlop volley flat casual shoes i find it the best to drive cause is almost like touching the pedal with your foot.

And another thing i find that the stock plastic pedal is too soft which flexes during heat so it doesnt respond as quick. So an aluminium pedal plate would help that as it would stiffen it up and raise the pedal only slight.

My 2c

[SPQR]

I so much prefer bare foot.

I prefer this too but it's illegal in OZ.

[INVSBL]

I prefer this too but it's illegal in OZ.


if u hav thongs in ur footwell who is gonna know??

[unity]

I prefer this too but it's illegal in OZ.

Why on earth is it illegal? They allow you to turn the steering wheel with your bare hands and that's also am important function of driving.

[Type R Positive]

I prefer this too but it's illegal in OZ.
Illegal? :confused:

[unity]

Illegal? :confused:

If that's the case you had better keep your slippers nearby

[fAelb]

I always thought footwear like thongs were illegal because they could come/slip off your feet while driving, so barefoot driving was the way to go if you were wearing thongs or whatever similar footwear. Isn't this the case? I'm not so sure now lol.

[Crapdaz]

permanently glue slippers onto the gas pedal
:p

[Type R Positive]

If that's the case you had better keep your slippers nearbyyeah, I just kick my thongs off, and slide them back out of the way.

I'm not a complete bogan! :p

[iLlusion10]

yea if im wearing thongs i'll just drive bare foot.. probably safer

[Mr_will]

I prefer this too but it's illegal in OZ.


no it isnt.


show us the legislation that provides for the offense of driving barefoot, or you are wrong.

[Type R Positive]

no it isnt.


show us the legislation that provides for the offense of driving barefoot, or you are wrong.
look for it yourself. :thumbsup:

[SPQR]

OK. I was wrong. When I was taught to drive before the last ice age, it was illegal but now it's not. But you can get done if you have an accident and are considered to not have been in control of your vehicle due to having bare feet.

Someone in another forum went to the effort of searching and found that some other person had written to each juridiction except NSW and Vic. The following were the replies (sorry for taking up so much space):


http://archive.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=1&c=1&t=100178
Ok,found this:

TAS - Tasmania

24 Feb 2003

Dear Dr Maddison,

I refer to your correspondence questioning whether it is illegal to
drive a motor vehicle in Tasmania with bare feet.

I can advise that it is not an offence to drive with bare feet in this
State. However, charges may result if an accident occurs as a direct
result of the foot of a bare-foot driver slipping off the pedal of a
vehicle.

The charge of "Drive without Proper Control" would be considered if
the accident was attributed to the driver's lack of footwear.

Yours Sincerely
(Signed)
David Llewellyn MHA
MINISTER FOR POLICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

==================================================

SA - South Australia

15 Mar 2003

Dear Dr Maddison,

Thank you for your letter of 5 December 2002 to Ron Patrick Conlon MP,
Minister for Police, regarding the legality of driving without shoes
or other footwear. The Minister for Police has referred your
correspondence to me as this matter is within my portfolio as Minister
for Transport.

Neither the Road Traffic Act 1961 nor the Australian Road Rules
contain any provisions requiring drivers to wear footwear while
driving. I am not aware of any other South Australian legislation
containing such requirements.

I trust the above information will assist your research into this
matter .

Yours sincerely
(Signed)
For Michael Wright MP
MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT 15/3/2003

==================================================

WA - Western Australia

20 December 2002

Dear Dr Maddison

Thank you for your letter to the Minister for Police and Emergency
Services, Hon. Michelle Roberts MLA, querying the regulations
governing "barefeet" driving. As the Office of Road Safety provides
information and advice concerning road traffic regulations, the
Minister has asked that I respond to you directly.

The Western Australian Road Traffic Code 2000 does not have a specific
regulation banning the driving of a motor vehicle with no footwear. In
this regard, a driver may drive without shoes or other footwear. There
is, however, responsibility for the driver to have full control of the
vehicle (Regulation 263). The choice of footwear may impact on this
requirement.

I hope this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely
(Signed)
lain Cameron
Executive Director

==================================================

NT - Northern Territory

19 December 2002

Dear Dr Maddison

I refer to your letter dated 5 December 2002 to The Hon Paul
Henderson, Minister for Police Fire and Emergency Services regarding
the driving of motor vehicles with bare feet. Your correspondence was
forwarded to my office for a response.

On behalf of the Minister I advise that there is no legislation
prohibiting this practice in the Northern Territory.

Sincerely
(Signed)
D A Smith
Assistant Commissioner
Operations Command
19 December 2002

==================================================

QLD - Queensland

17 Feb 2003

Dear Dr Maddison

Thank you for your letter of 5 December 2002 seeking information about
whether it is illegal in Queensland to drive a motor vehicle without
footwear.

I have taken up your query with the Assistant Commissioner, Operations
Support Command, Queensland Police Service. The Assistant Commissioner
has advised that there are no provisions in Queensland legislation
that specifically prohibit driving a motor vehicle when not wearing
shoes or another type of footwear.

I trust this information is helpful.

Yours sincerely
(Signed)
TONY McGRADY
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
and Minister Assisting the Premier on the
Carpentaria Minerals Province

==================================================

ACT - Australian Capital Territory

20 December 2002

Dear Dr Maddison

Thank you for your letter of 5 December 2002 regarding barefoot
driving.

There is no specific road transport legislation for the ACT relating
to footwear that mayor may not be worn when operating a motor vehicle.

However the Australian Road Rules (Rule 297) state in part "...A
driver must not drive a vehicle unless the driver has proper control
of the vehicle..." This is an offence provision.

Should a driver not have proper control of his/her vehicle as a result
of not wearing shoes or other footwear, then this may be considered an
offence under the Australian Road Rules. The police have
responsibility for interpretation and enforcement of these rules.

If you wish to publish any text on this subject, you will find ACT
road transport legislation and the Australian Road Rules at
www.legislation.act.gov.au. Relevant acts and subordinate laws can be
found under 'R' , and the Australian Road Rules are a notifiable
instrument under the Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management)
Act 1999.

Should you require further information, please contact Jon Brosolo
(Driver Licence Policy) on 620 77162.

Thank you for your interest in this matter.

Yours sincerely
(Signed)
David Quinlan
Manager (Driver and Vehicle Policy)
Road Transport
10 December 2002