what should I do?

Secret_Window · 3 Aug 2008 at 22:55

Okay, be gentle on me because I am a learner in progress (well I hope so anyway

).

Anyway, because I've been in desperate need of a car for a while now (to practice for my test) and I jumped at the chance to get myself what seemed like an awesome deal - got myself a 1997 vauxhall corsa 1.4, in great mint condition only done 30,000 miles etc etc. However after getting the car and driving it around more, I've come to realise I'm struggling to drive the damn thing. The pedals are way too close together, and the wheel arch is really close to the accelerator (so when I'm pushing down, part of my foot is hitting the wheel arch and preventing me from getting good control and speed). The brake is also a very dangerous problem at the moment as well, because it is close to the accelerator and I am clipping it with my foot (you can imagine what this is like approaching a junction

).

I've tried various things like, moving my seat backwards and forwards (it doesn't go up or down) and tilting the back rest. I've even tried different shoes, but I have quite wide feet so that totally rules out narrow fittings.

My instructor's car is one of the new vauxhall corsas same engine (1.4) but drives like a dream, and I don't have pedal problems like in mine. But because I'm having difficulty driving my own, and then getting in his for my lessons it is knocking my confidence and actually making me terrified about driving. I'm trying to practice as much as I can in my car, but I've had a few close encounters which hasn't helped much.

What should I do?

Glaucus · 3 Aug 2008 at 22:58

Be more careful with your feet and practice in an empty space till you can control your pedals. try using the side of your feet.

Pretty much all cars have the pedals to close together and the wheel arch is always in the way. SO get use to it, otherwise you will have to carefully select your future cars.

Akira · 3 Aug 2008 at 23:04

Secret_Window said:
What should I do?

Buy a bigger car.

Secret_Window · 3 Aug 2008 at 23:08

I have been practing in empty spaces, taking it slow and easy and then gradually doing bigger things as I get more confident. However, each time I get my confidence back up and I'm doing more, these errors or problems are happening again. It's hard to explain and know exactly why this is happening, but in my friend's car and other family member's cars I've not had these pedal problems. :confused:

Secret_Window · 3 Aug 2008 at 23:12

Akira said:
Buy a bigger car.

Well yeah that would be the obvious thing to do. Depending on what you mean, by a 'bigger car' I can't afford that much bigger car because of the insurance.

ste_bla · 3 Aug 2008 at 23:15

What size feet do you have, as I have size 12/13 and have never had an issue in an corsa (R reg and a 52).

Also 30,000 for 11 years?

Secret_Window · 3 Aug 2008 at 23:17

yeah I think it's either 30,000 or 39,000 - old lady owner hardly used the car at all.

I have size 12 feet.

ste_bla · 3 Aug 2008 at 23:19

Secret_Window said:
yeah I think it's either 30,000 or 39,000 - old lady owner hardly used the car at all.

I have size 12 feet.

Well you've dug a hole but rushing into it so just get used to it tbh, also in the long run the more cars you drive the easier it will be. Also do you realise really low mileage is not always a good thing?

Secret_Window · 3 Aug 2008 at 23:22

Yes, okay I do realise that (about the mileage) but this is not about the mileage. This is about the bloody pedals! lol

Glaucus · 3 Aug 2008 at 23:23

Secret_Window said:
Yes, okay I do realise that (about the mileage) but this is not about the mileage. This is about the bloody pedals! lol

just learn to use them, it's all you can do..

Secret_Window · 3 Aug 2008 at 23:26

Yeah I know. But the problem is when I'm thrown into a horrible situation with my heart in my mouth because of something as stupid as me clipping the accelerator when I'm trying to brake. It's such a small stupid thing compared to all the other things that could go wrong, but it is really frustrating.

Akira · 3 Aug 2008 at 23:26

Like Acidhell2 says, a ton of cars have pedals like the corsa, close together and small. You just adapt your style to whatever car you're driving at the time, as you get more experienced and confident you'll learn to manage.

Secret_Window · 3 Aug 2008 at 23:27

I hope so, maybe I just need to man up a bit and stop being a wuss.

Akira · 3 Aug 2008 at 23:34

Basically, yes. Try using the point of your foot for the brake rather than the flat, which is wider. Just experiment a bit. It's what experienced drivers do in the first mile when they drive an unfamiliar car, don't sweat it. You'll wonder what you were worried about if you look back in a few months.

Cobertizo · 3 Aug 2008 at 23:43

Akira said:
Try using the point of your foot for the brake rather than the flat, which is wider. Just experiment a bit.

Or aim to hit the brake with the right hand side of your right foot. At worst you'll just end up hitting the clutch too, which isn't going to do so much damage. You'll get used to it in the end.