Floor Mat Problems

By Andrew Ehinger

    Gas - Check.. Engine running smooth? - Check.  Look around the car. All clear - Check. Put it into gear, and we're off. 

    That's the daily routine for so many motorists on Long Island. But now after the accident in Woodmere, maybe drivers should add, -- Floor mats in place - Check.

    Who would have ever thought the lowly floor mat could cause so much trouble. But Nassau police are blaming a floor mat for the reason a 2007 BMW X3 went out of control and slammed into a Woodmere Hanukkah party Thursday afternoon. 14 people had to be rushed to area hospitals.

    It seems, police say, the drivers side floor mat of the X3 had slipped forward over time and jammed up behind the break pedal. The unusual way it was stuck there police say somehow was able to rub next to the accelerator pedal. So when the driver hit the break pedal the force was transfered through the floor mat pushing down the accelerator pedal too. In essence both pedals were being depressed at the same time causing the car to run out of control.

    Mechanics say this floor mat problem isn't just limited to the BMW X3 it can happen to just about any car if motorist aren't careful. The mats they say can move easily if they don't have an adequate grip on the back or when a motorist wears heavy boots. Sometimes in the winter they say heavy boots can force mats around. Wide boots they say can also get caught up between the console wall and the accelerator or even the break pedal.

    So are there some solutions? Well aside from checking where your floor mats when you get in the car you can look into new floor mats with better grips. Mechanic Steve Rozansky showed me some pretty expensive thick floor mats designed to not let melting snow ruin your car - problem is he says they have no underside grip. A cheap replacement set for less than 10 bucks had the best grip of them all. Some car companies like Volkswagen have clips that lock floor mats in place. You can even buy replacement ones at your local auto parts store that have similar clips for any car. So this winter keep an eye on your floor mats - and don't let anything foul your foot pedals.

   

Comments

[getosama]

floor mat trouble or another maniac behind the wheel?