Have just recently taken delivery of Karoq 1.5 SEL DSG. Started to get right leg and hip discomfort. Initially thought it was was the seating position but have found out today that it appears to be the pronounced height of the brake pedal compared to the accelerator pedal that is causing me the problem when I shift my foot across. Had Auto’s for years and never had similar discomfort.  
I’ve looked on the web and it appears that the Yeti had similar problems. I wondered if there might be a chance of a potential adjustment to the DSG brake pedal or even a modification to make it sit more in line with the accelerator pedal. It does seem noticeably high.
I haven’t spoken to the supply dealership yet but that would be my next  course of action. Any help, either technical or ergonomic would be gratefully received.

Edited 10 August, 20205 yr by john999boy
Hyperlink removed

Welcome.

Maybe speak with the Dealerships Motability Specialist, they will have one and they can put you in touch with the Adaption Specialist they use who might be able to assist in doing a modification.

Or you need to use a qualified motor engineer, the pedal can be lowered by modifying the arm.

(i an a right leg amputee that drives standard pedals in autos, but have often modded brake pedals to suit my needs, usually making brake pedals less wide.)

I have had the pad on brake pedal foot areas altered and angled,  but remember that being done safely is the most important thing, ie if a pedal is cut and welded, 

and you might want to inform your insurer.   But a Mobility adaption specialist can keep you right, all the gear and more than just an idea.

2 hours ago, Offski said:

(i an a right leg amputee that drives standard pedals in autos, but have often modded brake pedals to suit my needs, usually making brake pedals less wide.)

 

BIG thumbs up to you sir 

 

I like many full bodied able people don't appreciate the obstacles disabled people have to overcome as we take these so much for granted, I have the highest regard for you.

 

I REALLY hope you take this a compliment like it is intended.

 

Now going to back to the original thread I haven't noticed such an issue with my Karoq, although I do not have many problems with my hips when driving (sleeping yes, big time), but it's certainly I will look out for.

14 hours ago, Robxter said:

...
I’ve looked on the web and it appears that the Yeti had similar problems. ...

 

We had two yeti DSG's and now a karoq DSG. Never noticed an issue.

 

Hope you get it sorted though.

On 21/06/2018 at 21:48, Robxter said:

Have just recently taken delivery of Karoq 1.5 SEL DSG. Started to get right leg and hip discomfort. Initially thought it was was the seating position but have found out today that it appears to be the pronounced height of the brake pedal compared to the accelerator pedal that is causing me the problem when I shift my foot across.

I haven’t spoken to the supply dealership yet but that would be my next course of action. Any help, either technical or ergonomic would be gratefully received.

Took delivery of a Karoq last month and find I have a similar problem with the height of the brake pedal, although the physical effect is cramp in my shin. Tried raising the seat which only helped a little. Agree that the pedal is high, never had a problem before in many years of driving. 

Will have a word with the dealership, they may have some ideas. If they have an answer will post again (unless anyone else does). 

 

Idea - left foot braking?

!

15 hours ago, Scot5 said:

Idea - left foot braking?

Interesting idea, never thought about that. Might be tricky after so many years of usual braking though! 

3 hours ago, Rusteele said:

!

Interesting idea, never thought about that. Might be tricky after so many years of usual braking though! 

Let me warn you, it’s very hard to do and quite surprising how quickly the vehicle can stop with a left foot only ever used to going to the floor.....!

Best be very careful with a DSG and left foot braking, be sure there is no use of accelerator even a little when the brake is applied.

 

Then the brake pedal is the same height if used with the left foot, but actually you lift the foot from the floor which is more than if over an accelerator pedal and just moved to the brake pedal.

You know you read all these forums and motoring advice and whatever else to pass the time and the above replies only go to prove that no matter whatever you say it's going to be wrong.

 

For what it's worth, I agree with above comments especially:

 

22 hours ago, Rusteele said:

Might be tricky after so many years of usual braking though! 

 

because that's ALWAYS my repsonse when people speak about left foot braking. And it was always my response when publications like HonestJohn gave advice that not left foot braking was criminal. He implied that you WOULD kill someone if you didn't left foot brake. I always maintained their advice was bordering criminal - telling an elderly driver to start changing their driving style? Madness.

 

Of course if right foot braking is for whatever reason troublesome then other than specially adapting your car ( speak to mobility ) left foot braking might be the only answer. It's like everything, you'll get used to it thru time but never ever start off trying it on the road - use an empty car park or some private road where there's no traffic. And make sure your seatbelt is secure the first few times you try it

@Scot5  Maybe best you go try some more driving with your and other's  DSG's and get to know about how the DSG's wet or Dry clutch operate.

 

The Left Foot Braking issue and warning is not the old story of those not autos or  2 pedals and auto cars driving into others in car parks as they get confused.

Automatics, CVT's etc and throttle and a bit of braking is different with a DSG where the brake pedal can cut power / drive when used.

 

It is a case of just knowing the system and getting used to it and there are drivers using both feet with a DSG.

I use the left foot for braking, but then i use the left foot on the accelerator as well as i only have 1 foot.

 

PS

Motability is a Charity that provides Vehicles and Wheel Chairs to those in receipt of PIP or DLA.

Dealerships will have a 'Motability Specialist' that will know the local 'Vehicle Adaptors for Controls of vehicles'.

They can do work on behalf of 'Motability Customers' or just Private Individuals that Insurance Companies will be happy with.

 

One easy solution is a flip pedal that moves the throttle to the left of the brake, or has a throttle both left and right of the brake pedal, but that does not lower the brake pedal which is the issue in this thread

 

Bottom pic is how i leave my own cars. Only thing i change is maybe the rubbers on pedals, or the shape.

The reason for standard so no confusion with pedals changing vehicles.  Pretty difficult in my experience moving left foot from left throttle to brake to the right of it.

My Artificial foot stays where it is and left foot operates both pedals.

Edited 9 August, 20205 yr by e-Roottoot

9 hours ago, e-Roottoot said:

@Scot5  Maybe best you go try some more driving with your and other's  DSG's and get to know about how the DSG's wet or Dry clutch operate.

 

 

I've had enough of this.   Every damned thing I write, you pop up to disagree. If you have a view about something then put it forward AND STOP THE INSULTS. 

 

" Maybe it's best you go try driving with your and other DSG's and get to know how they operate?"  Just who do you think you are to speak to fellow members like that?  What on earth is that supposed to be referring to anyway?  The accelerator makes the car move, the brake makes it stop - I'm not quite sure what else is involved with the pedals when driving an automatic.  ( oh no, the pedantic mob will be pick that up as being wrong as well so I'll rephrase that to driving a clutchless car. Oh that'll be wrong as well because a DSG has two clutches, so I'll rephrease it again - driving a car without a clutch pedal).  Am I missing something? Is a DSG different to drive than any other car without a clutch pedal?

 

Someone asked for a solution above and I provided a solution. You on the otherhand?  you give sod all advice, or at least the only advice you have given to the OP is how to drive with a missing right foot.

 

 

Where's the moderators?  This is completely unacceptable and it goes against the rules to what we all signed up to. Again we have someone who relishes in belittling others and taking threads off subject.

 

PS -  Root or what ever you seem to be calling yourself this week -  your signature says you drive  " Mitsubishi Shogun SWB 3.2 Di-D auto van, Vauxhall e-Corsa, Suzuki SX4 1.6 n/a petrol auto."   - do you even have access to a Skoda? Do you own any VAG product? Why are you here?

 

If this continues, I'm off.  This isn't what a fourm is supposed to be about, we're supposed to be helping folk, not going off on ego trips or spending our lives continually correcting others.

 

( thinking aloud to myself...   what on earth have those pictures above got to do with raised brake pedals? Why do people take every opportunity they can to self promote themselves? All their responses follow the same theme - "look at me". )

 

Edit - apologies to OP for going off subject.

 

Edited 9 August, 20205 yr by Guest

@Scot5

I post just the same as you do and i have had some cheek off you over the past few months.

Yes i have access to a Skoda, one i still own but have put away for now.

 

I have sometimes posted after you actually gave duff gen that was going to mislead.

Not that you seem to notice that you did give the wrong info.

 

?

What solution to a high brake pedal is using the other foot.

Removing the rubber cover reduces the height with some pedals. 

One can glue sand paper to the pedal or skateboard decking tape if a slippy pedal is a concern.

Edited 9 August, 20205 yr by e-Roottoot

13 hours ago, Scot5 said:

 

 

I've had enough of this.   Every damned thing I write, you pop up to disagree. If you have a view about something then put it forward AND STOP THE INSULTS. 

 

" Maybe it's best you go try driving with your and other DSG's and get to know how they operate?"  Just who do you think you are to speak to fellow members like that?  What on earth is that supposed to be referring to anyway?  The accelerator makes the car move, the brake makes it stop - I'm not quite sure what else is involved with the pedals when driving an automatic.  ( oh no, the pedantic mob will be pick that up as being wrong as well so I'll rephrase that to driving a clutchless car. Oh that'll be wrong as well because a DSG has two clutches, so I'll rephrease it again - driving a car without a clutch pedal).  Am I missing something? Is a DSG different to drive than any other car without a clutch pedal?

 

Someone asked for a solution above and I provided a solution. You on the otherhand?  you give sod all advice, or at least the only advice you have given to the OP is how to drive with a missing right foot.

 

 

Where's the moderators?  This is completely unacceptable and it goes against the rules to what we all signed up to. Again we have someone who relishes in belittling others and taking threads off subject.

 

PS -  Root or what ever you seem to be calling yourself this week -  your signature says you drive  " Mitsubishi Shogun SWB 3.2 Di-D auto van, Vauxhall e-Corsa, Suzuki SX4 1.6 n/a petrol auto."   - do you even have access to a Skoda? Do you own any VAG product? Why are you here?

 

If this continues, I'm off.  This isn't what a fourm is supposed to be about, we're supposed to be helping folk, not going off on ego trips or spending our lives continually correcting others.

 

( thinking aloud to myself...   what on earth have those pictures above got to do with raised brake pedals? Why do people take every opportunity they can to self promote themselves? All their responses follow the same theme - "look at me". )

 

Edit - apologies to OP for going off subject.

 

I agree Scot5.

 

We all need to be careful how we respond to others on this forum (and all forums whatever the subject).  I myself have been frustrated from time-to-time by some of the replies I have recieved on my own posts and read on others posts but I am learing to ignore some of people who have wound me up in the past (and I am not calling out any one person before anyone gets on their defensive high horses).  Some people just have a certain way of talking/writing to others - some are "polite and helpful", some can come acrosss as "not very poilite (but often still helpful)" and some are just "downright annoying and rude".

 

Just because someone is experiencing a "feature" or "noise" or other unusual thing the other forum members should not assume that the person is being stupid or can't drive or such like.   Many of us have been driving for many years and are posting because what we are seeing does not match our expereince of previous cars.  Telling someone they are not driving properly or telling someone that they need to change the way they drive is not really helpful to anyone apart from the most novice driver.  People who post replies like these need to take a little longer to think about what they are saying and how it might come across and perhaps word their replies in a more friendly and constructive manner. 

 

Having said all of that - for me - my new (to me) 1.5 DSG gearbox is not like the old planetary Auto boxes of old (coming from one of those in a Tiguan for 10 years and a C-class merc for 9 years before that). In the old style Auto I learned to anticipate what I wanted the box to do about 1 second before I wanted it to do it and adjusted my driving style accordingly. I let the torque converter worry about the smoothness and iron out the annoyances at the trade off for a sloppy drive. I also knew that I could floor the accelerator and it was slow enough to react that I could cancel the operation without the risk if stoving the car in.  Going to a DSG was a bit of a shock.  The first time I drove it I treated it like the old auto box I just traded in and nearly rammed it into the kerb on the other side of a junction when I floored it . Since then I took (and an still taking) some time to learn all of the characterisitics of my DSG box. Some are great for me and some characteristics of the old style box I preferred.  DSG for me is generally not as smooth for me (in some scenarios) and have a different characterisitic when lifting off gas and driving around at speeds where the box shifts a lot between 4th and 5th in my limited experience. On the plus side they are really quick to react and when you find their sweet spot are a joy. On the other plus side - I try to drive the wifes 1.0L Manual Fabia in stop start traffic and changing around from 2nd to 3rd and occasionally to 1st is not a pleasant expereince.  People who think driving a DSG is jerky should try one of those in stop start traffic I can tell you. It puts bunny hopping into a new league.  If I compare to my old Auto - no its not as smooth - if I compare it to the wife's Fabia manual then it is smoother than a smooth thing. 

 

Back on to the original subject now - I agree Rusteele that the pedal is too high for me as well and it can be made a lot worse depending on your leg length and where you have the seat and steering wheel positioned.  I takes me weeks (and I mean weeks) to tweak the seat and wheel in a new car (fore and aft and the height position to put my legs into a position where it does not affect me too much and where I can use the arm rest to the left and the windowsill for my elbows the way I like).  If not done already then this would be worth trying in addition to everything else.  It may put you in a position where you feel a bit strange / uncomforatble to begin with but it might be a solution once you get used to the slightly odd seat positioning and steering wheel position compared to the other cars you have or have come from.   It worked for me anyway,

 

 

Just saying 🙂 

 

Paul

 

7 minutes ago, smipx said:

Back on to the original subject now - I agree Rusteele that the pedal is too high for me as well and it can be made a lot worse depending on your leg length and where you have the seat and steering wheel positioned.  I takes me weeks (and I mean weeks) to tweak the seat and wheel in a new car (fore and aft and the height position to put my legs into a position where it does not affect me too much and where I can use the arm rest to the left and the windowsill for my elbows the way I like).  If not done already then this would be worth trying in addition to everything else.  It may put you in a position where you feel a bit strange / uncomforatble to begin with but it might be a solution once you get used to the slightly odd seat positioning and steering wheel position compared to the other cars you have or have come from.   It worked for me anyway,

 

 

Just saying 🙂 

 

Paul

 

Thanks for your suggestion Paul, I'd been coming to the same conclusion after thinking about height and angles. Will try it out before ringing the garage (which I suspect will say they can't help).

Hi.

If you have any issues with insurance at all for vehicle adaptions then please feel free to drop me a line.

Regards,

Dan.

On 10/08/2020 at 11:17, Rusteele said:

Thanks for your suggestion Paul, I'd been coming to the same conclusion after thinking about height and angles. Will try it out before ringing the garage (which I suspect will say they can't help).

Rang the local Exeter garage and was told that it is not possible to alter the height of the brake pedal. It was the receptionist, not one of the mechanics, but I got the impression it's been asked before. 

I solved the problem by cutting up some left over carpet offcuts to fit EXACTLY under the driver's mat (the optional extra, not the main one!). Needs to be a precision cut to make sure it doesn't slide about. Needed three layers to raise the level about an inch (2.54cm) but it has worked well and driving is now so much more comfortable.

Thought anyone having the same problem might find this idea helpful. 

Hi Rusteele

I bought a second hand Yeti last month, a manual.   I thought I’d get used to the clutch which is as high as the brake, but I haven’t.  
This week I got stuck in stop start traffic for an hour both ways across London and could barely walk after.   I’ve been stuck in traffic before with my old beemer and yes, I could feel a twinge, but nothing like this.

The dealer has said I can exchange the yeti for an automatic they have in stock, or any other car manual or otherwise adjusting for price without my having to fork out on top.   I’m grateful of course, but now I’m wondering if this is a problem with all Skoda’s!

I was interested in your solution, only if you pad up the carpet the accelerator and brake will still be at uneven heights.  
Would you mind taking a picture so I can see what you did?

I'll post a photo once this awful weather has eased! You're right about the accelerator and brake pedal heights staying the same but it seems fairly usual for them to be at different heights. I've certainly found driving much more comfortable by effectively raising the floor level. No more 'shin splint' cramps and proper control of the brakes. 

Great many many thanks.  Hopefully I’ll be able to keep my Skoda!

Have attached two photos, had to compress them but they still look OK. One shows the offcuts in place, the removable mat fits over the top so the extra isn't visible when it's in place. The other one is an angled shot showing the four pieces I eventually used. Experimented with different numbers of carpet to find the best height for me and glued them together so they wouldn't slide apart. You can see that only the lowest piece covers the whole of the area under the mat so the mat will still click into place. I did this to minimise the carpet pieces moving sideways, and so far so good. . 

Bump.

Sorry to state the obvious but have you tried playing with the seat height?  I would start by raising the seat to the highest setting and work down from there. Most of the time people adjust from low to high not high to low.  

 

tom

Tried all sorts of adjustments, including moving forwards and back, but it's the angle at the ankle with the heel on the floor which was uncomfortable. Raising the floor level has solved the problem for me. 

9 hours ago, Rusteele said:

Tried all sorts of adjustments, including moving forwards and back, but it's the angle at the ankle with the heel on the floor which was uncomfortable. Raising the floor level has solved the problem for me. 

I have a similar problem, although I dont think this will work for me, I drive with my foot laid over to one side for some reason. This means I rotate my foot when moving from accelerator to brake. The position of your foot makes you articulate it backwards and forwards, like a hinge, which is how I am driving at the minute - not natural for me.

 

I have ordered a couple of pedal rubbers to increase the height of the accelerator, so it is more flush with the brake. fingers crossed

 

20 hours ago, Sanqhar said:

Sorry to state the obvious but have you tried playing with the seat height?  I would start by raising the seat to the highest setting and work down from there. Most of the time people adjust from low to high not high to low.  

 

tom

I have tried both ways, up/down, back forward, seat back upright position adjusted. It gets a bit confusing so you have to start again after a bit.  It always takes a little while to get used to a different car but it is probably down to my driving position'

Usually the problem is leg ache behind the right knee until I get it right, but the offset in height is causing me grief. 

 

Its very difficult to change your driving position after 40 years