Heavy Throttle Pedal

[JustROLLIN]

Hey everyone,

I am new to the BMW world and was curious if it is normal for my 2007 328xi to have a heavy throttle pedal. I am not familiar with these vehicles and not sure if that is normal, or if there is a way to adjust the weight of the pedal. I know these are a drive by wire setup, so the feeling is just synthetically created by BMW, so I was wondering if it could be adjusted. I would like to just take a hair of the heaviness out of it. Anyway, thanks for any info you can provide.

~ Rollin

[ndog14]

Have you tried working out?

[Ian1973]

lol nice.

No I have not ever noticed anything like that with a throttle, on any car, ever.

[Critter7r]

All the BMWs I've driven have a pretty smooth throttle that is just stiff enough to not return with just the weight of my foot on it. You may need a new pedal module. Or you may be able to lubricate yours. It's not a difficult part to replace.

[JustROLLIN]

I must be doing a poor job articulating my concern as I do not believe its a failing component, but just curious about the feel of other cars. Regardless, sounds like its normal operation for these vehicles.

Thanks.

[Pyewacket69]

I must be doing a poor job articulating my concern as I do not believe its a failing component, but just curious about the feel of other cars. Regardless, sounds like its normal operation for these vehicles.

Thanks.

I describe the issue as "stiffness". It takes more foot pressure to accelerate in my 2010 328i than it does in, say, my 2009 Toyota Tacoma.

I know of no way to adjust the accelerator sensitivity, but there may be some 3rd party software/gear available to adjust it. Frankly, after a couple of weeks, I never even noticed it anymore.

[Critter7r]

I must be doing a poor job articulating my concern as I do not believe its a failing component, but just curious about the feel of other cars. Regardless, sounds like its normal operation for these vehicles.

Thanks.

you articulated just fine. I've, uh (snuufff) been driving BMWs for so long that I don't notice that the gas pedal is stiff, but now that someone mentioned Camry, I did rent a Mazda 6 a few months ago and the gas pedal went to the floor if you looked at it funny. So, yours may be stiffer than other BMWs, but you also may just be used to other vehicles.

[11328i]

What do you mean by heavy? Are you having trouble accelerating or is it just that you don't like the heavy feel? The fly by wire you mentioned has to do with the steering not the throttle. BMWs tend to have a heavier feel than most cars. I had a 2011 G37 and I do remember the throttle being lighter but I would have to push down on it more to get a response. The BMW on the other hand gets a lot of response when you push down lightly on it. This is probably done on purpose by BMW to increase throttle response so I don't think there is an issue with your car. If you want it changed I would ask your dealer. It's not something you can change using the computer so it's something that would have to be changed mechanically. If its not making it difficult for you to drive then I think it's just a change that you need to adjust to when changing to a BMW especially if you came from driving a Japanese car.

[Pyewacket69]

What do you mean by heavy? Are you having trouble accelerating or is it just that you don't like the heavy feel? The fly by wire you mentioned has to do with the steering not the throttle. BMWs tend to have a heavier feel than most cars. I had a 2011 G37 and I do remember the throttle being lighter but I would have to push down on it more to get a response. The BMW on the other hand gets a lot of response when you push down lightly on it. This is probably done on purpose by BMW to increase throttle response so I don't think there is an issue with your car. If you want it changed I would ask your dealer. It's not something you can change using the computer so it's something that would have to be changed mechanically. If its not making it difficult for you to drive then I think it's just a change that you need to adjust to when changing to a BMW especially if you came from driving a Japanese car.

He didn't use the phrase "fly by wire", but "drive by wire", which is exactly how BMW accelerator pedals function. There isn't any direct linkage between the gas pedal and the engine throttle assembly.

[JustROLLIN]

I describe the issue as "stiffness". It takes more foot pressure to accelerate in my 2010 328i than it does in, say, my 2009 Toyota Tacoma.

I know of no way to adjust the accelerator sensitivity, but there may be some 3rd party software/gear available to adjust it. Frankly, after a couple of weeks, I never even noticed it anymore.


you articulated just fine. I've, uh (snuufff) been driving BMWs for so long that I don't notice that the gas pedal is stiff, but now that someone mentioned Camry, I did rent a Mazda 6 a few months ago and the gas pedal went to the floor if you looked at it funny. So, yours may be stiffer than other BMWs, but you also may just be used to other vehicles.

Wow...thought this thread was just going to be dead based on the earlier responses.

You two seem have had a somewhat similar experience as I had. I appreciate the feedback and you are both correct in the fact that I am coming from cars that must have had soft throttle pedals. Previous cars were an 07 Mazda 3, 09 Mazda 3 and a Subaru Wagon. All of the pedals seemed much lighter than my e90, but as you also mentioned, I have become much more comfortable with the firm pedal and will no doubt miss it during a drive in another car.

Glad to hear others have felt what I have and that it seems to be normal operation. I do not plan on modifying the feel as I have grown to be quite fond of it. :)

Thanks again.