auto car accelerator pedal?

[Annette&Bert]

Hi folks, I devided last July to get an automatic car for the first time in my life. It took me a wee while to get used to it, but several times since, it is as if my right foot can’t find the accellerator pedal, and has frightened me on several occasions. As well as type 2 I have osteoarthritis and during hot weather my feet and legs swell, but it may be nothing but I wonder if it is connected to diabetes, has anyone else had this experience please?

 

[Lucyr]

I haven’t experienced this but it sounds scary. I would stop driving until speaking to a doctor, as this doesn’t sound safe.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hi folks, I devided last July to get an automatic car for the first time in my life. It took me a wee while to get used to it, but several times since, it is as if my right foot can’t find the accellerator pedal, and has frightened me on several occasions. As well as type 2 I have osteoarthritis and during hot weather my feet and legs swell, but it may be nothing but I wonder if it is connected to diabetes, has anyone else had this experience please?

No idea regarding the medical issue, bottom line is you should not be driving as you are a danger to yourself and other road users due to not having control of your car.

 

[Annette&Bert]

I agree, I think I need to do something. It hasn’t happened again but it was scary

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sounds very worrying for you

Do you generally have good sensitivity in your feet @Annette&Bertie? Do your pulses get check annually?

Hope you can speak to your GP soon and chat it through with them.

 

[Annette&Bert]

I have generally no foot problems, and no numbness etc. My chiropodist pricked my toes and I felt every one, but she also laughed because whenever she touches my soles I pull away as I have very tickly feet. My G P since covid is a joke, they will only do telephone consultations!

 

[Deleted member 21371]

Can you find the brake pedal?

 

[Annette&Bert]

Can you find the brake pedal?

oh yes noproblems at all

 

[Deleted member 21371]

oh yes noproblems at all

What's the difference?
An automatic is all right foot?

 

[Annette&Bert]

What's the difference?
An automatic is all right foot?

yes I know I don’t have an explanation the break pedal feels thicker it’s also wider. I have no idea if it is the same in all autos as this is my first!

 

[Deleted member 21371]

yes I know I don’t have an explanation the break pedal feels thicker it’s also wider. I have no idea if it is the same in all autos as this is my first!

I have driven most things.
Yes, all autos are the same.
Accelerator, large brake pedal.
Both the same height, close, and space to the left to put your left foot out of the way with no clutch.
Is you foot going in between the two, as normally there isn't enough space, you end up pressing both.
Are you going off to the right of the accelerator, as again, normally it's impossible to fit your foot in.
On cruise control, I often drive with my foot behind the pedals, but it takes a conscious effort to get under.
How exactly are you missing the accelerator, where does your foot end up?
What do you feel when you press, if you aren't on the accelerator?

 

[Annette&Bert]

it’s hard to describe it is almost as if i don’t feel the pedal but never have a problem feeling the break and of course I’m using the same foot for both. It doesn’t happen in the course of normal driving, only if I have had to stop for some reason say to let cars go by or when changing from reverse to drive.

 

[Annette&Bert]

bed time for me now

 

[Deleted member 21371]

Well, when you are back, what exactly happens?
Do you floor it, do you miss it, do you not press it down, do you not move forwards?
Would I be right if I guess you don't really "feel" the pedal, not "find" it, so don't know how hard you are pressing it until the car responds?

 

[Annette&Bert]

On the occasions it has happened I miss it, but then my foot finds it. Very odd and I put it down to me getting used to auto but I could be wrong. I have to say though I wish I had gone auto years ago. My GP did a home visit yesterday because my legs and ankles have been very swollen, normally I have very slim legs, but she thought I had cellulitis so gave me antibiotics to no avail. My legs and ankles can swell during hot weather but this feels different. As an elimination, I am off to hosp this morning to be tested for DVT. I don’t think that’s what I have but my legs and feet swelling is still there! Wish me luck I hate hospital.

 

[Leadinglights]

As the car is new to you perhaps you should do some practice driving where there is no other traffic to get a better feel of the pedals.
We got a new car same make, same model except petrol instead of diesel and it drives really differently, pressure on the pedals very different so still jerky driving sometimes.

 

[Robin]

I found I had difficulty controlling the pressure on the accelerator when our current car was new because I'd always driven a car where the pedal was attached to a stalk at the top, whereas the new one was pivoted from the bottom, and was a much longer pedal altogether. I kept getting my foot too low down, so I wasn’t exerting pressure far enough up the pedal to pivot it. I’m now so used to it I never give it a thought.

 

[Annette&Bert]

it has only happened, oddly enough at the start of my driving, i.e. reversing out of my driveway when I switch to “drive” is when on a few occasions i can’t find the pedal, the only other time has been when I stop suddenly and switch my foot from the break pedal back to accelorator!

 

[bruno22rf]

You can buy after market bolt on pedals, various colours sizes etc, have a look on ebay and get a larger non slip one fitted.

 

[Annette&Bert]

now that’s a great idea, I thought there had to be something. I sit close to tge steering wheel because I have very short legs that might be part of it.