Protective Heel Pads

[Devante]

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?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Devante

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.

[jeffchap]

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.

[Devante]

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.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Devante

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.

[paulca]

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?

[wireman957]

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!

[LucidMomentum]

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.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by paulca

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?

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.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by LucidMomentum

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.

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

[Demandred7]

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.

[soulreapersteve]

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.

[paulca]

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

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by paulca

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.