BMW's Solution for Floormats: "Smart" Gas Pedals

[chaseabryant]

Originally Posted by HoeyHimself

They do not hinge on the floor any longer. In the early 2000s, perhaps.

People can say what they want about the necessity of BMW's complexity, but the level of refinement and ingenuity should embarrass the domestics to the point of supplying a letter of apology in the glovebox of all new cars for not being as good as a Bimmer..

Actually, yes, they all DO all hinge from the floor, as does the MINI. Wouldn't surprise me if they used the same module across the line.

-Chase

[HoeyHimself]

Originally Posted by chaseabryant

Actually, yes, they all DO all hinge from the floor, as does the MINI. Wouldn't surprise me if they used the same module across the line.

-Chase

I meant they DO, not to retort like a noob. I frequent the driver's seat of BMWs enough, but was unsure if later models sported drop down pedals.

Do you know what is with the button on BMW/Mini accelerators when you have it to the floor? Like, I can't totally explain it but anyone who has mated the gas in a Bimmer should know what I'm talking about. Never known what its purpose is..

[AG3]

Originally Posted by HoeyHimself

They do not hinge on the floor any longer. In the early 2000s, perhaps.

The "gas pedal" on current BMW models still appear to be hinged on the floor.

2008/09 BMW M3


2010 BMW 5-series GT


2010 BMW X1


2008/09 Mini




Lexus GS and LS models have floor hinged pedals...
(Lexus GS shown)

[baloo]

Originally Posted by balthazar

Except that TBW is ALSO needlessly complex (and not without cost).

Actually DBW makes perfect sense because it lets you do traction control, cruise control, stability control, smart throttle and speed limiters in software. You can also use it to smooth out the response of the engine and improve its emissions.

There's simply no good reason not to use smart throttles.

[chinamonty]

Originally Posted by baloo

Actually DBW makes perfect sense because it lets you do traction control, cruise control, stability control, smart throttle and speed limiters in software. You can also use it to smooth out the response of the engine and improve its emissions.

There's simply no good reason not to use smart throttles.

Dumb drivers are a good one.

[70eldo]

Pedals hinged on the floor do not prevent the floor mat to slide on top of it which would cause unwanted accelleration. You are all talking about the mat sliding under the pedal, but that wouldn't be a problem for the accellerator, but rather for the brake and clutch pedals.

I once borrowed a car (old mitsubishi colt) and the floor mat slipped under the clutch pedal. I wanted to come to a halt at an intersection, but was unable to take the gear out as the clutch pedal was blocked. So the engine died...

Most new cars have some system that holds the floor mat in its position. Or some profile that kinda ankers it in the carpet.

[chaseabryant]

Originally Posted by HoeyHimself

I meant they DO, not to retort like a noob. I frequent the driver's seat of BMWs enough, but was unsure if later models sported drop down pedals.

Do you know what is with the button on BMW/Mini accelerators when you have it to the floor? Like, I can't totally explain it but anyone who has mated the gas in a Bimmer should know what I'm talking about. Never known what its purpose is..

Hmmm, I've never noticed that before, Mine is constantly floored, but I've never come across that!

Do you care to describe it further?

-Chase

[baloo]

That's the kickdown switch. Push it and the trans will drop to the lowest possible gear (auto only obviously).

[chaseabryant]

Originally Posted by baloo

That's the kickdown switch. Push it and the trans will drop to the lowest possible gear (auto only obviously).

Aha, then that explains it. I've only driven manuals! Thanks!

-Chase

[96_impala_ss]

Over engineering at its best. First of all, anyone with a brain knows that the real issue with the Toyota is the drive by throttle, not the floor mats. Toyota is just blaming the mats because they don't want to seem "unreliable"

2nd of all, why must we make things so complicated? What happened to the simple cable connected from the pedal to the throttle body?

[SonicAerio]

Originally Posted by 70eldo

Most new cars have some system that holds the floor mat in its position. Or some profile that kinda ankers it in the carpet.

Exactly my thoughts..... On my Suzuki I have a little locking plastic nub that has a sewn hole in my mat when I place the mat on the nub a plastic lock snaps holding the mat in place.... Clean and simple - no over engineering

[TuffG929]

You guys sound like a bunch of babies. If you don't want technology in your car, then you should look no further than 1965 or so. Over engineering??? What about OnStar, or traction control, or fuel injection, or airbags, or seatbelt pretensioners, or ABS, or satellite radio, or nav systems etc... In reality, this solution is not that big a change at all. It probably costs pennies on the dollar vs a company like Toyota redesigning their pedals, recalling affected vehicles, and settling liability claims. The fact that you can't tune it with a screw driver does not make it "over engineered".

[baloo]

Originally Posted by 96_impala_ss

2nd of all, why must we make things so complicated? What happened to the simple cable connected from the pedal to the throttle body?

It went the way of the bias ply tire and manual choke.

[solman98]

Originally Posted by AG3

Lexus GS and LS models have floor hinged pedals...
(Lexus GS shown)

Anyone else notice that the Lexus also notches the mat to go around the pedal, every one else allows the mat to go under the pedal..... Looks like if the mat got under the pedal, it could hold the pedal there and not release it....

Yep, few high quality zip ties should fix that on these high ends cars....