Mercedes Benz Floor Mats

Any car owner would definitely look after her car by fitting a good set of Floor Mats. Regardless of the make, the original carpet needs to be protected, and in most cases the thick rugged all weather Floor Mats is the popular choice. Do we just throw in the sets or is there any precautionary care we need to select?

Apparently not that simple if you own the latest Toyota or Lexus; ever notice the small gap between the gas pedal and carpet surface datum (Left Pict.)? Last August there was a tragic accident involving a California Highway Patrol officer with several member of his family, they were killed when a 2009 Lexus ES350 accelerated without warning on what supposed to be a normal test drive, sending the car hurtling into a fatal crash at excessive 120 mph speed.

Official investigation has linked the crash to an all-weather floor mat interfering with the accelerator pedal due to improper mat installation, which consequently could cause accelerators to get stuck at its full open position.

Toyota and the NHTSA have asked owners to remove all floor mats until the Japanese Auto Maker has a new pedal replacement by April 2010. Until then unfortunately Toyota and Lexus owners will have to live with dirty carpets on the driver’s side!

Apparently this isn't the first time Toyota has faced this issue; Toyota should stick with the normal design of Gas Pedals because the foot should not be on top pressing the pedal directly to the floor, instead it should be pressed upright and to the wall.

Dealers will initially reshape existing pedals and lower the driver’s side carpet height by removing the sound deadening or heat insulation layering, and later, will offer owners a new redesigned replacement pedal. Furthermore some models such as Camry, Avalon, Lexus ES 350, IS 350 and IS 250 models will have an extra measure of confidence; a new additional device can shut off the engine power should drivers press the accelerator pedal and brake pedal simultaneously.

Perhaps Toyota should instead opt for new designed Toyota Floor Mats where the mat that goes to the driver’s side will have very slippery section just under those pedals. However there is no immediate attention needed for those fitting such all-weather floor mats to other auto maker, no harm done placing Mercedes Benz Floor Mats to a GE280 Wagen either, as there is an ample space in between pedals and floors on this luxury SUV.