Suggestions for disability modifications?

Sep 07, 2004 2 Replies

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Hi everyone --



New Focus owner here ...



I bought a Focus because of two positive experiences using it as a rental car, so the only problem I've run into thus far was one I anticipated.



I am short-statured, and I use pedal extensions to drive. So you can see what I'm talking about, visit

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(I use the 3-5 inchextension, near the bottom of the page.) The gas pedal extension does not fit well on the Focus's tapered gas pedal, and slides off regularly. I can fix this by placing the extension fairly high on the pedal, but it's not very comfortable.



I have it jerryrigged slightly with a couple of blocks of wood attached to the pedal with heavy-duty double-sided tape, to give the extension a flat surface to clamp onto. It seems to be holding ok, but it's not my idea of a permanent solution. I've spoken with someone who does disability modifications professionally, and his only suggestion involved cutting up the pedal. I don't want to do this. Perhaps someone here has some ideas?



Thanks -- John



Race and rally cars use flat alloy plates on the pedals for better control (they bolt through two holes drilled in the face of the pedal). Would using a set of these give you a flat surface you could then fit your pedal extensions to?

-- Neil McDonald, Glenkinchie, Scotland (a Focus owner since last Friday!).

John

In the UK most drivers who require adaptations are supported and supplied through their dealer network, via a scheme called Motability

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Ford run their own extension of this
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and an email to their help line ( snipped-for-privacy@fordmagic.co.uk ) may provide some information which could help.

David

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