Pedal spacing

Cash Davidson · **Posted:** Sat Sep 22, 2012 3:26 pm

Since the Mazda6 pedals don't seem to lend themselves to effective heel-and-toe (at least for me) . . .

I thought I'd add some OMP covers to improve my foot's grip on the brake and improve the ergonomics . .

My question is spacing. OMP says the brake and gas should be 50 to 100mm apart - thats 2 to 4 inches. Seems like a lot to me. Above, I have them at 1" apart. I could move the gas over one hole and it still feels OK, but I kind of like it where it is. Are they too close together? Wadayathink?

Thanks.

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Sat Sep 22, 2012 8:18 pm

I would guess that somewhere there is either a government regulation, IIHS recommendation or something like that regarding minimal spacing and I wonder if OMP is going by those guidelines just to cover themselves from a liability perspective. I think the issue is that if you get them too close you increase the risk for accidental unintended acceleration, and/or something getting stuck between them and preventing the brakes from working as intended.

I say adjust them to fit your preference, but also to make sure anyone else who drives the car is aware of the non-stock placement.

Richard

Cash Davidson · **Posted:** Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:31 am

Yeah the instructions say "Compliant with ECE 35.1 regulations if installed as directed". Sounds like the lawyers got involved.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2012 8:34 am

There is no right or wrong way. Most people need to showm the brake pedal upwards to help with the H-T after installing their pedal covers, however the horizontal distance is all about how well it works for *you*.

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2012 9:31 pm

Looks about right to me. My miata gas and brake pedal are closer together than that of a stock miata. Every time I get new shoes I have to adjust my heel-toe due to slightly different sole widths.

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Tue Sep 25, 2012 11:37 am

I was curious regarding the "ECE 35.1" regulation. I did some searching the other day, but never posted the result. It apparently is a UN standard and has it's roots in what is known as the "1958 agreement". It was all about agreeing upon some basic standards for cars (lighting, controls, etc.). Regulation 35 deals with foot controls.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Foru ... egulations
http://www.unece.org/trans/main/welcwp29.html
http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/tran ... 5r1e_1.pdf
http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/tran ... 5r1e_2.pdf

At the top of the page of the second PDF shows the pedal layout and the 50-100mm spacing. This is from 1958 and I think it was more about "uniformity" (i.e. gas on the right, clutch on the left, brake in the middle) and less about safety.

Richard

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Pedal spacing

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