2008 Cadillac CTS: The CTS Lean

Gonna have to go test drive one.

I've seen this in a few vehicles, including my 2008 legacy gt. I'm 5'10 and 180 pounds (medium build and body fat). I have size 12 shoes. My foot does NOT fit on the dead pedal...so I have to shim it down some, which means my heel is resting on the floor, toes on the dead pedal, and arch is hanging out there.

My right leg kinda arches inwards away from the swope of the center stack to apply the gas pedal. Kinda annoying.

Took me some time to get used to it. The space down there is so jam-packed, my feet so big, and overall so un-ergonomic....I feel like I am conducting surgery with my feet....tiny movements to avoid hitting any surfaces I didn't want too...

Very important in getting the right feeling driving, and damn near impossible to fix if it's not right on a car.

Joe

Just left-foot brake like Ed, F1 drivers, and rally racers, Josh!

Problem solved! :o)

Ed Hellwig that is (if I remember correctly).

Joe, I've encountered the same dead-pedal problem with my size-12s in both the new Forester and our long-term STI. It's on my list of things to post about. You'd think every manufacturer would have the dead-pedal thing figured out by now.

-Sadlier

I know this may seem odd - but go and sit in the long-term fleet's natural gas Civic. I drive an (auto) EX Sedan and was just noticing on my way home tonight how symmetrical the seating position is. The dead pedal is directly in-line with the accelerator and provides a "planted" feel when my foot is on it.
One caveat - with the left foot on the dead pedal my knee bumps into the door - but it too is symmetrical to my right knee bumping on the oh-so-hated e-brake handle. With mt left foot placed between the dead pedal and the brake, my knee is able to occupy the "pocket" in the door panel under the switches with no obstructions.

I'm also 6'5'' about 340 pounds, so it's tough to find a car nowadays that feels good. Does anybody notice a perceptible shifting of new car drivng positions to the center? It seems like more and more cars are moving the seats to the center of the vehicle but the steering wheel is in the same place. Maybe its my imagination...

i must be the only person in the world who has never used the dead pedal. My car is a manual, so I'm always shifting gears around town, but even when I get on the highway I just put my foot on the floor.

"i must be the only person in the world who has never used the dead pedal. My car is a manual, so I'm always shifting gears around town, but even when I get on the highway I just put my foot on the floor."

I used the dead pedal on my manual, but only when I'm either on the highway or just cruising where I won't have to shift.

Thank God for the E46 3-series for getting this right. The driving position is perfect (except when the gnomes at the dealership move the seat too far forward).

Boydzz -

"I know this may seem odd - but go and sit in the long-term fleet's natural gas Civic. I drive an (auto) EX Sedan and was just noticing on my way home tonight how symmetrical the seating position is."

I own a 2006 Civic SI and I have to agree. The seating is tremendously symmetrical and the ergonomics are superb (the only downside is how far forward you are placed due to the tremendously short hood...). At 5'10 and 180, the e-brake handle has never once bothered my (admittedly slightly short) legs/knee. The amount of under-dash leg space in the front seat of the civic is mind-boggling for the size of the overall car. I'm talking more leg room than an e46 3-series. And the back-seat is downright comfortable for 2 5'10" adults...

I'll say it again as I've said before, but the Civic is one of the most spacious and usable-spaced small coupes I've ever seen. And I still have no idea how they did it, as the trunk is still large (for the size of the car).

Anyway....Josh S. - So odd that Subaru does this, except perhaps the rarity of a Size 12 in Japan-land. I apparently need to import some JDM-sized feet. Oh well, it fits my 5'4 110 pound wife perfectly....and she's letting me modify it. So I can't complain. Adjustable shoft shifter installed, next up is to swap out the crappy trans & diff fluids for some synthetic and put some stiff-ass hollow sway bars on the front and back.

But I digress.... :)

Joe

Well since no one else will, I'm going to give props to Johnmarco for that lead off comment. I thought that was funny.

Josh, nice jab at the Snake Doc in your post. The image of him on the elliptical, very evocative. I reckon he will seek his revenge on you in due time. I recommend you start carrying a taser. Mainly because I want to hear about someone the staff getting zapped.

I'm one of those that never use the dead pedal. If they took it out of my car, I wouldn't notice.

BTW, I love how the temperature & fan control is off to the left by the driver in its own little spot.

crowb -
"I recommend you start carrying a taser. Mainly because I want to hear about someone the staff getting zapped."

Actually, there has been some office talk about Waterboarding. Hmmmm.....

fyi - He drives with gansta lean and was on the elliptical the other night, too. Not pretty.

Snake Doctor,

"He drives with gansta lean and was on the elliptical the other night, too. Not pretty."

Were biking shorts involved?

Leotard.

I only use this sparingly: LOL!

Joe - ditto on the driving position in the Civic. It's ridiculously good, and far better than what one might expect from the fast windshield rake and low roof (which is higher than it looks at first blush, BTW).

boydzz - totally hear you about the dead pedal thing. Even in the Civic, dress shoes are a no-no b/c they get hung up under the dash if I try to use the dead pedal.