Accelerator pedal location?

Lv1G6He3V2 · February 24, 2012

My accelerator pedal is back several inches from the brake pedal. It's a constant annoyance. I must either twist my knee and ankle to hit the brake or use the tip of my foot to press the accelerator. Can I move the brake pedal toward the engine and/or the gas pedal towards the seat? If so, how?

'99 Sierra 1500 NBS 5.3L Extended Cab

Note: I'm not asking about throttle/braking response, just where the pedals are physically located.

markw8 · February 24, 2012

I can't see the brake pedal changing. The gas pedal, maybe attach a block of wood. Are you not very tall? I've owned and driven many different models, some pedal arrangments better than others, I've never thought I had to twist my knee or ankle to reach them. Maybe you need to lift your foot from the floor from one to the other.

Mark

Lv1G6He3V2 · February 24, 2012

I'm 5' 10", which is average. If I put the chair forward enough to keep my foot comfortably resting flat on the accelerator, I have to twist my knee and ankle to hit the brake pedal. If I move the chair back far enough to use the brake comfortably, I can only hit the accelerator with the end of my foot. Neither position is comfortable on long trips; my right leg and/or lower back end up stiff and sore. Lifting my foot does not help. The problem is the pedals are different distances from the seat.

Out of all the vehicles I've driven, this is the only one with such a problem. No such problems with: 2 Ford Countours, 1 Geo Metro, 1 Honda Civic, 1 Honda Accord, 1 Lincoln Continental, various other leased/rental cars and wagons.

I bought the truck used (12 years), so it's possible someone put the wrong accelerator or brake pedal in at some point or a previous owner had some weird pet peeve. I can't imagine a good reason for designing the two commonly used pedals to have different distances from the seat. Ergonomically one of them will always be off, unless the seat is adjusted to make them both half as uncomfortable. If there is no adjustment/replacement, maybe there is an aftermarket pedal kit?

TimmyG · February 24, 2012

Pics might help

frupp · February 24, 2012

Do you have the electric pedal height adjustment option? If you do maybe it is working on only one of the pedals. If not, I don't know why the pedals would be at such different heights.

SixDueceCC · February 24, 2012

In my 2011 silverado the pedals are at different positions also. Just drove 10 hours in the truck not a problem. I'm also 5'10" with my seat in it's normal position it's fine. If you move it forward or raise the seat is the only time it's a problem.

TimmyG · February 24, 2012

How much of a diff are we talking?

Lv1G6He3V2 · February 24, 2012

The accelerator pedal is 3" closer to the engine compartment.

The pedal's shaft is bent downward near the rubber pad -- probably made that way though.

Lv1G6He3V2 · February 24, 2012

Do you have the electric pedal height adjustment option?

I don't think so. In some models there are buttons with a "foot" icon and arrows. My truck does not have those controls on door/dash/12v socket area.

Wires · February 25, 2012

Had to take notice today when driving. The power pedals moves both at the same time (so you'll still have the huge separation between the accelerator and brake). I noticed when I sold my '00 and bought my '08 that it seems like a further spread like you mentioned. The differences between the 800's and 900's could be in my head though.

Sorry, you're just going to have to accept it. If you set your seat so you can place your foot flat on the floor under the brake pedal without reaching, it's usually the best compromise (that's the recommendation from pro car drivers).

BlackZ71Silverado · February 25, 2012

Never head of this before and never noticed the pedals being in different positions...

OP, did you try a different seating position? You may just have to drive with both feet if it's that uncomfortable for you, left foot brake, right foot gas.....It's worth a shot if it bothers you that much.

Wires · February 26, 2012

I do know what the OP is talking about. Most vehicles you can lift your foot off the gas, and swing it over the brake. On the GM trucks, you end up swinging your foot into the side of the brake pedal. Usually not a big deal, but is helpful if a situation pops up and you need to cover the brake pedal in case of emergency.

Only an issue for me in rush hour traffic when some dork cuts in front of me. Normally, moot point since on long drips you don't usually touch the brake.

Lv1G6He3V2 · February 26, 2012

Yes, I have tried adjusting the seats several times on different trips. Like I said, no ideal position is possible because the pedals are different distances from the seat. To find the best compromise, I'll try the tip about putting my foot flat on the floor behind the brake pedal.

If there's no easy fix maybe I'll take markw8's suggestion about a block of wood. I've got some old 2x4's, some 3" rubber weatherstripping, black paint, and various screws. Brackets from the hardware store could secure it to the pedal - just have to design the thing so that it can't come loose while driving!

It's such a simple problem, but I plan on keeping the truck for 150,000+ miles, so it should be comfortable. I'm curious; why was it designed this way?

BlackZ71Silverado · February 26, 2012

I also noticed last night leaving work that my Cruze is the same way. The brake is closer than the throttle, never noticed before but I checked out of curiosity because of this thread. With my foot on the gas, sliding it onto the brake there is about a 1/2" difference.

Wires · February 26, 2012

It was probably designed for some odd safety reason (you cannot accidentally hit the brake when on the gas). But like the OP mentioned, most other vehicles don't have this issue.