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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Jay w on 05 November 2008, 21:14:04

Title: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: Jay w on 05 November 2008, 21:14:04
this one has bugged me for ages, and no one i know can give a reasonable explanation.....any ideas
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: HolyCount on 05 November 2008, 21:14:58
Makes the driver feel less insecure --- no big gap in the footwell ?????
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: albitz on 05 November 2008, 21:19:23
why are "manual" brake pedals too small ? ;) :)
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: Welung666 on 05 November 2008, 21:20:44
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this one has bugged me for ages, and no one i know can give a reasonable explanation.....any ideas

Natural reaction for any driver trained in a manual during an emergency stop to brake (and clutch down) with both feet. I had one of our guest resident taxi drivers stare me in the eyes as he pulled out on me, 1st thing I did? Yep both feet on the brake pedal! She stopped on the spot, he drove off with a grin till he got to the next traffic lights  ;D He certainly wasn't  ;Ding then!
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: Peter H on 05 November 2008, 21:20:52
It was a hang over I belive from some early american auto's with no servo brakes, cars got larger and heavier about the same time auto's became the norm on american cars (1940's) but the servo brake system was not universal, so the larger pedal was to allow 2 feet to stop the big heavy car in an emergency, on a manual you had the option of engine braking to assist, early auto's do not have a low gear hold that works to slow the car.
People got used to the big pedal, and as with mny things it became the norm for an historic reason.

It is not as some may think to allow 2 footed auto driving, left brake right go.  Scary but true how many do this. :o
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: Jay w on 05 November 2008, 21:23:40
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It was a hang over I belive from some early american auto's with no servo brakes, cars got larger and heavier about the same time auto's became the norm on american cars (1940's) but the servo brake system was not universal, so the larger pedal was to allow 2 feet to stop the big heavy car in an emergency, on a manual you had the option of engine braking to assist, early auto's do not have a low gear hold that works to slow the car.
People got used to the big pedal, and as with mny things it became the norm for an historic reason.

It is not as some may think to allow 2 footed auto driving, left brake right go.  Scary but true how many do this. :o

you mean were are not supposed to do that  :-[

only kidding  ;D
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: HolyCount on 05 November 2008, 21:29:46
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It was a hang over I belive from some early american auto's with no servo brakes, cars got larger and heavier about the same time auto's became the norm on american cars (1940's) but the servo brake system was not universal, so the larger pedal was to allow 2 feet to stop the big heavy car in an emergency, on a manual you had the option of engine braking to assist, early auto's do not have a low gear hold that works to slow the car.
People got used to the big pedal, and as with mny things it became the norm for an historic reason.

It is not as some may think to allow 2 footed auto driving, left brake right go.  Scary but true how many do this. :o

you mean were are not supposed to do that  :-[

only kidding  ;D

I have tried doing that for the hell of it -- bl**dy awkward way to drive -- mind you, I still have to tuck my left leg behind the right to stop trying to declutch ... one too many emergency stops that way  ::) :o
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: Jay w on 05 November 2008, 21:35:46
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It was a hang over I belive from some early american auto's with no servo brakes, cars got larger and heavier about the same time auto's became the norm on american cars (1940's) but the servo brake system was not universal, so the larger pedal was to allow 2 feet to stop the big heavy car in an emergency, on a manual you had the option of engine braking to assist, early auto's do not have a low gear hold that works to slow the car.
People got used to the big pedal, and as with mny things it became the norm for an historic reason.

It is not as some may think to allow 2 footed auto driving, left brake right go.  Scary but true how many do this. :o

you mean were are not supposed to do that  :-[

only kidding  ;D

I have tried doing that for the hell of it -- bl**dy awkward way to drive -- mind you, I still have to tuck my left leg behind the right to stop trying to declutch ... one too many emergency stops that way  ::) :o

with the gold Elite i used to do a bit of left foot braking, the CDX is drive by wire, the first time i tried it i nearly crapped myself, the holding the brake pedal down overrides the throttle  >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: TheBoy on 05 November 2008, 21:49:15
frequently use left foot braking. Also, if in a hurry, frequently hold the car on the brakes whilst getting revs up ::)

Always use left foot for manuovering.
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: albitz on 05 November 2008, 21:51:12
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It was a hang over I belive from some early american auto's with no servo brakes, cars got larger and heavier about the same time auto's became the norm on american cars (1940's) but the servo brake system was not universal, so the larger pedal was to allow 2 feet to stop the big heavy car in an emergency, on a manual you had the option of engine braking to assist, early auto's do not have a low gear hold that works to slow the car.
People got used to the big pedal, and as with mny things it became the norm for an historic reason.

It is not as some may think to allow 2 footed auto driving, left brake right go.  Scary but true how many do this. :o
I drive like that all the time,doesnt cause me any problems.
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: amigov6 on 05 November 2008, 22:11:20
I think on a big auto the size of the brake pedal is purely cosmetic as the footwell wold look silly with 2 small pedals.
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 05 November 2008, 22:12:11
Is so all the old git auto drives can easily push the brake pedal with thier walking stick...
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: TheBoy on 05 November 2008, 22:17:02
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Is so all the old git auto drives can easily push the brake pedal with thier walking stick...
The same walking stick I wave in peoples faces, or use to point at things?  Why do old people do that?
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: amigov6 on 05 November 2008, 22:19:11
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Is so all the old git auto drives can easily push the brake pedal with thier walking stick...
The same walking stick I wave in peoples faces, or use to point at things?  Why do old people do that?
To select reverse whilst looking ahead............ ::)
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: waspy on 05 November 2008, 23:19:04
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Is so all the old git auto drives can easily push the brake pedal with thier walking stick...
The same walking stick I wave in peoples faces, or use to point at things?  Why do old people do that?

My nieghbour does this all the time, he pointed it at me other week, until i told him i'd stick were the sun don't shine ;D I was only kidding when i said & he can take a joke (bloody has to living next to me) :y
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: VXL V6 on 05 November 2008, 23:20:58
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It was a hang over I belive from some early american auto's with no servo brakes, cars got larger and heavier about the same time auto's became the norm on american cars (1940's) but the servo brake system was not universal, so the larger pedal was to allow 2 feet to stop the big heavy car in an emergency, on a manual you had the option of engine braking to assist, early auto's do not have a low gear hold that works to slow the car.
People got used to the big pedal, and as with mny things it became the norm for an historic reason.

It is not as some may think to allow 2 footed auto driving, left brake right go.  Scary but true how many do this. :o
I drive like that all the time,doesnt cause me any problems.

Yep me too, always left foot for brake and right for throttle in automatics and never had a problem switching back in a manual.
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: Andy B on 05 November 2008, 23:27:01
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It was a hang over I belive from some early american auto's with no servo brakes, cars got larger and heavier about the same time auto's became the norm on american cars (1940's) but the servo brake system was not universal, so the larger pedal was to allow 2 feet to stop the big heavy car in an emergency, on a manual you had the option of engine braking to assist, early auto's do not have a low gear hold that works to slow the car.
People got used to the big pedal, and as with mny things it became the norm for an historic reason.

It is not as some may think to allow 2 footed auto driving, left brake right go.  Scary but true how many do this. :o

Looks like it's only you that's scared of left foot braking then!  ;) It's something I've done for years too. :y :y
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: Kevin Wood on 05 November 2008, 23:43:19
It's to make sure you embarrass yourself on the odd occasion you go for the non-existent clutch. Can't see any reason for it, TBH. I'd rather have a normal sized pedal.

The only point in doing anything "creative" with your feel is to heel and toe in a manual, IMHO.

Kevin
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: VXL V6 on 05 November 2008, 23:46:35
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It's to make sure you embarrass yourself on the odd occasion you go for the non-existent clutch. Can't see any reason for it, TBH. I'd rather have a normal sized pedal.

The only point in doing anything "creative" with your feel is to heel and toe in a manual, IMHO.

Kevin

....and a lot of modern cars have the throttle and brake at different heights which makes it hard to heel and toe anyway.
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: zippo on 05 November 2008, 23:50:25
there bigger because women have smaller feet .Cant remember where i read it, but its true
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: Vamps on 05 November 2008, 23:54:02
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there bigger because women have smaller feet .Cant remember where i read it, but its true

If you are trying to take the mick out of auto drivers I may have to remember certain previous conversations around wives and hairdresers.......... :P :P :P
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: zippo on 06 November 2008, 00:02:13
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there bigger because women have smaller feet .Cant remember where i read it, but its true

If you are trying to take the mick out of auto drivers I may have to remember certain previous conversations around wives and hairdresers.......... :P :P :P
its true, am i  going to have to trawl through my old car mags to prove it PEASE DONT MENTION HAIRDRESSERS
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: Vamps on 06 November 2008, 00:16:00
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there bigger because women have smaller feet .Cant remember where i read it, but its true

If you are trying to take the mick out of auto drivers I may have to remember certain previous conversations around wives and hairdresers.......... :P :P :P
its true, am i  going to have to trawl through my old car mags to prove it PEASE DONT MENTION HAIRDRESSERS

Just cos you nearly made the same mistake again........ :P :P :P
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: zippo on 06 November 2008, 00:17:43
Are you ever going to let me forget that  :P :P
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: Vamps on 06 November 2008, 00:27:57
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Are you ever going to let me forget that  :P :P


Nope................ ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: zippo on 06 November 2008, 00:31:29
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Are you ever going to let me forget that  :P :P


Nope................ ;D ;D ;D

your a bad man it could be worse though, i could live near you and then you'd know the wife then you could both give me grief  :P :P
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: Vamps on 06 November 2008, 00:34:20
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Are you ever going to let me forget that  :P :P


Nope................ ;D ;D ;D

your a bad man it could be worse though, i could live near you and then you'd know the wife then you could both give me grief  :P :P

 ;D ;D ;D  My boss and colleagues, who are all female, want to meet shmbo, nooooooo  way, over my dead body etc...................    :D :D :D
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: zippo on 06 November 2008, 00:39:23
it may well be if the wife meets the colleagues .I took my wife to a works do' The second biggest mistake i ever made  :(
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: Vamps on 06 November 2008, 00:45:58
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it may well be if the wife meets the colleagues .I took my wife to a works do' The second biggest mistake i ever made  :(

Work and home should be very seperate, mentioned this to swmbo tonight, said if she pops into the office then I would have to pop into her place of work, she said ok. My boss had threatened to call in for coffee when she knows swmbo is at home and I am at work. :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: why are Auto brake pedals so much bigger
Post by: albitz on 06 November 2008, 04:32:56
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it may well be if the wife meets the colleagues .I took my wife to a works do' The second biggest mistake i ever made  :(
I got my wife a job at my workplace several years ago. whada mistaka to maka, rather mayhem  :o :o :'(