Clutch foot rest Mazda 2

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Tue 30 Aug 2005 19:30
Clutch foot rest Mazda 2 - JonL
Just been to test drive the Mazda 2 with a view to replacing my wifes ageing Clio. Really impressed with handling, spaciousness and the styling. However,I was concerned that there was no rest for the clutch pedal foot. I really dont want to be paying for a burnt out clutch because it is slipping all the time because there is no where elso to rest your foot. Have the Mazda designed the clutch pedal so that this does not happen or am I right to be concerned? Thanks
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 30 Aug 2005 20:45
Clutch foot rest Mazda 2 - Cyd
The left foot rest has dissappeared from many cars in recent years. The primary reason for this is the damage done to ankles by these rests in the increasingly severe crash tests required by legislation and market forces (eg NCAP). The simple design solution is to delete the rests.

You are right to be concerned about the clutch. Many cars that no longer have a rest leave you nowhere but the peddle to rest your foot on (at least that's what I find with my great big gun boats).

You should make your wife aware of the damage that resting ones foot on the peddle can do. I'm afraid you'll just have to resign yourself to the "don't YOU tell me how to drive" storm that is bound to follow closely on from your 'discussion'.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 31 Aug 2005 23:30
Clutch foot rest Mazda 2 - Smileyman
We have a Mazda 2, wife's car. Owned it for 15 months now. I agree there is no left foot rest, and as a driver of a car with one fitted when I drive her car I do notice it's absence.
However, I have come to terms with this and usually place my left foot on the carpet beneath the clutch pedal. As you say, never rest it on the clutch pedal as this will cause the clutch to wear out very quickly.

My wife loves the car, it is really good for putting the shopping in the boot/hatchback and rear doors open unusally wide which makes access very easy my elderly MIL.

Note the Mazda 2 is built in the same factory in Valencia, Spain as the Ford Fiesta and Ford Fusion. The cars do share some common parts, eg the Ford 1.4 engine.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 10 Sep 2005 20:12
Clutch foot rest Mazda 2 - JonL
Thanks for your replies. I am thinking of the 1.4 HDI engine which I believe is a PSA/Ford joint deal. We test drove it today and it's more than nippy compared to my wife's 1.2 Clio. I am a bit worried about the long term reliability of these engines given the tremendous internal pressures produced. Does anyone have any experience of these units failing?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 10 Sep 2005 20:54
Clutch foot rest Mazda 2 - Altea Ego
Im sorry. Are you seriously saying that as the car has no rest for your left foot it automatically you will leave it on the clutch pedal?

words fail me.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link