[porschie356]

I've driven probably a thousand different cars--I dunno, just guessing--in 25 years as a car-magazine editor and then freelance automotive journalist, ranging from Smarts to Bugatti Veyrons, and I have never had the silly problem I have with our 2018 V90 T6 AWD: If I'm not careful, I can catch the gas pedal with the right side of my sole when braking. It's not a problem when cruising, when accelerating and braking are firmly separate acts. but when I'm more casually parking, say, I can find the car trying to accelerate while I'm trying to stop it. Happened to me just a few minutes ago, at our local library. Pulled into a parking slot and while I was reaching down for the books I wanted to return, I suddenly realized that I was slowly moving toward the parked car in front of me, because my braking foot was partially on the throttle. It wasn't like "unintended acceleration," it was happening pretty slowly because I was braking--holding the car stopped, I thought--but I did stop just an inch or two short of giving the other car a firm whack.

Anybody else noticed this, or do I need to simply give more consideration to where I'm putting my foot? (No, it's a normal size 9.5 foot wearing ordinary shoes, not construction boots.)

 

[ay8389]

Hasn't been an issue at all for me. For the fun of it, I just went out and took a look and I'd estimate that there is a good 3 inches of separation between the pedals. The only way I can get my foot on both at the same time is slide it more than halfway off the right side of the brake. Is there a chance that there are different pedal setups?

 

[axl886]

Are you subconsciously trying do heel & toe?

 

[skywolf]

I think it’s likely more of an issue of you having one of your other cars pedal setups in mind. Make sure you lift your foot off and don’t slide from one pedal to the other, that’s how accidents happen. Also driving with flip-flops can cause the heel of your flipper to land in an undesired place so avoid driving with those if you have like a lazy foot type of an issue with lifting off.

 

[skywolf]

Are you subconsciously trying do heel & toe?

I was thinking that too lol.

Are all your other cars auto or manual?

 

[porschie356]

I never owned an automatic transmission in my life until I bought our previous V50. Our current "other car," a Porsche Boxster, is manual. Nor do I wear flip-flops.

Also, I just measured, with a steel tape, the distance between brake and gas pedal. 2 3/8 inches, which still should be plenty. But part of the problem, for me, is that the two pedals are on virtually exactly the same plane. On the Porsche, I have to depress the brake nearly an inch before my foot is level with the gas.

 

[jimbowman]

I don't live in the most sophisticated state but I don't have any trouble with it. Sounds like operator error.

 

[VLD1]

Happened with a 2005 Lincoln Town Car rental. Mushy brake pedal. Scared the crap out of me until I realized what was going on.

 

[jetsi]

It has happened to me in my 2017 V90cc. It has occured to me at a stop light- foot on the brake, but the engine running at a slightly higher rpm than the usual idle. It is operator error- but easy to do. I agree with porchie356, the pedals on the same plane is the reason that this happens. Especially if you tend to slide your foot over rather than lifting. It has meant to me that I have to be careful not to slide.

 

[fm_carv]

Are you Big Foot? [emoji2]

 

[kozak79]

I have to agree. I am catching the break when accelerating. Has never happened with any other car I've had. I feel the break and accelerator are either too close together or not offset enough.

 

[mainsail]

After learning to drive on a manual and having had a number of cars over the years that were manuals, I have to admit I've gotten somewhat careless in that I left foot brake now that we only have automatics. I know, I know, it isn't advisable but somehow, it seems more natural.

 

[bogdan_p]

I have a wider foot, and doesn't seem to bother me. It's nowhere near as bad as a 5th genration Viper, for example.

 

[matt1122]

I wear a 12 4E and usually have no issues, but I find the funniest things can lead to my foot not going where I intend it to on rare occasion. New shoes, new back or leg cramps or tightness, a bug flying in the car... Anything that can throw off your step/gate can throw off things like trying to hit the pedals just so.