Protective Heel Pads
 

Hey guys,

So among many of the simple features in other $10,000 cars that we lack as 86 owners, one of them is a simple rubber heel pad for under the gas and brake pedals.

I've only had mine a month and that area is already pretty worn down. Don't have 1,000 miles on it yet.

I've seen these http://www.heelpadwarehouse.com/heel-pads/ and they are really cheap but they want you to use 3M hi-strength 90 adhesive (I think spray on). I don't want that messing up my carpet down the line either.

So what is everyone else using for their babies?

Believe me after a few more thousand miles the adhesive will be the least of your worries. I wore completely through the carpet mats in two months (I wear work boots 90% of my driving time) and just threw them away and used the stock plastic mats that came with it. Even they are starting to get pretty smooth.
If I had known how bad the mats would wear I would have gladly glued some pads on the carpeted ones.

Yup, worn thru mine too at about 20K miles. I duct taped a sheet of thin plastic underneath to protect the carpet until I can fashion a heel pad of some sort.

Dang. I better jump on these quick.

I was thinking maybe that clear protector that goes under desk chairs. Those usually have little spikes under them to grip the carpet.

That may do it but I would be worried it could come loose and jamb a pedal. Last thing you would want is it caught under the brakes pedal in an emergency stop.

WTF do you merkins do to your cars?

Maybe it's the type of mats supplied over there . I have never worn through the carpeted mats in any car. I do know that some people resort to putting metal mats down, but that is more for cosmetics.

The basic carpet that comes on the floor itself I can understand, but surely all cars come with mats as standard?

Just ordered. $1.59 for 5-1/2" x 11". Of course shipping is just under $6, but still far cheaper than replacing carpet mats down the road. Thanks for the link!

I spent $80 on the 3D Maxspider Mats. They seem to be holding up much better than the stock cloth maps, as those got worn down by month 5 since I wear steel toed boots when I'm working.

Hey watch it with the 'Merkin stuff. I don't want to lumped into that crowd.
I have always been hard on mats because of wearing hard soled work boots (yes I work people) and the heels cut right into the mat. Most of my cars have had a solid plastic insert where the heels go but these did not. Since I drive so much (14+ hours a week) the wear is accelerated. These mats are very thin and I didn't even notice the damage until it was to late. Luckily the Canadian cars come with plastic mats as well so I had that to fall back on.

Looked them up and those look great! I think I will go for that when my stock plastic ones get a bit more worn.

Weathertech digital fit floor liners year round. Tougher than carpet and easy to clean. Definitely not cheap, but, definitely the best floor mats I've ever used.

Mine came with carpet and all season rubber mats. I just kept the rubber mats in the car. Still holding strong though it is wearing.

The thing that made me laugh are the rear seat mats they put in!

I physically laughed out loud when I saw them the first time.
I actually considered just gluing them on top of my front mats when I finally noticed the wear but decided it was a waste of time.