Re: Dead Pedal

[Jan@xxxx]

Walt wrote:
> I have heard that dead pedals are preferred by drivers with
> shorter legs and not needed by driver with longer legs
> (like myself). So I am curious if you are of the long or
> short legged variety and if you feel this influences your
> preference.

I consider myself to be a long legged driver, at 1m85 (about 6') this 
would be logical, since in general the torso is about the same length 
and it's the limbs that are longer or shorter for each person.

On my car I decided to put in the dead pedal to get my feet in about 
the same position when cruising. Without the dead pedal I can reach
the back of the footwell with ease, but I don't like sitting with one 
leg stretched and one leg bent (on the accelerator).
With the pedal installed (I did use it, even when its' position
wasn't quite right yet) I found that my back would be more straight 
(instead of being bent sideways), so after a long drive I felt more 
relaxed than before when getting out of the car and my back didn't 
hurt.

I also feel that I can react a little faster in case of an emergency, 
because I don't have to get my leg up that much AND since my foot is 
next to the pedal instead of behind it there is no risk of getting my 
foot caught under the pedal when I need to get up to the clutch.

> Also, if your DeLorean were an automatic, would you still feel
> that you get any benefit from a dead pedal?

I drive a manual, but I feel that with an automatic I would still
have the same benefit as I have from the pedal now.
On my daily driver car (1987 Ford Escort) the LH wheelwell protrudes 
somewhat into the footwell, so I have a ledge that I can put my foot
on when not using the clutch. Being so, I am used to having a
footrest.

Hope this clarifies my veiwpoint,

Jan van de Wouw
Thinking Different... Using a Mac...
Living the Dream... Driving a DeLorean...

#05141 "Dagger" since Sept. 2000

Check out the DeLorean-Files at:
http://www.deloreanfiles.nl/
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