Dead pedal

In an automobile, the dead pedal, often also called the foot rest, is typically a non-moving piece of rubber or metal that the driver is supposed to rest his or her left foot on when driving. Although the dead pedal serves no function in the car, many cars opt to implement it because it provides a number of benefits to the driver. In manual transmission cars the dead pedal is designed to promote a smoother actuation of the clutch by keeping the drivers foot in the same plane as the pedal. Automatic transmission cars can also benefit from the dead pedal because it prevents fatigue by offering a stable inclined surface on which the driver can place his or her foot. Even if a car does not have a dead pedal installed, there are a variety of aftermarket accessories that can be installed.
History
The dead pedal was not a staple component in original design of automobile pedals. Cars such as the original Ford Model T, 1908, did not have dead pedals and had an...