While most people fail to notice, most modern luxury and sports cars are equipped with aluminum pedals. It is a subtle touch of class to the interior of a vehicle.
Excluding cosmetics, there is nothing wrong with the rubber brake and clutch pedal covers equipped in P1 Volvos. However, the plastic gas pedal can prove to be slippery if the driver's shoes are wet. Luckily, there is a factory option for aluminum sport pedals which any P1 Volvo owner may upgrade to.
Parts needed:
P1 Volvos equipped with either the sports package or R-design trim came standard with brushed aluminum pedals. Unlike many of the Chinese knock offs, the Volvo pedal covers have sturdy rubber grips which will hold up to decades of double clutching, heel-toe, quick shifting abuse.
Upgrading the brake pedal covers is an easy do-it-yourself modification where no tools are required! However, a small flat head screw driver or bone tool may come in handy, along with a mirror for viewing the back of the pedals.
Pedal Replacement:
Step 1: Slide the driver's seat as far back as it will go, to provide sufficient working room.
Step 2: Pry the rubber brake pedal cover off.
Step 3: Examine the back of the R-design pedal cover. Like the stock rubber piece, the R-design cover slips over the brake pedal assembly. I personally found it easiest to begin by installing the lower portion of the pedal first, then using a small flat head screw driver to hold back the rubber as I fit the pedal in place. If you need to, use a mirror and your screwdriver or bone tool to work the entire rubber cover over the brake pedal assembly.
Step 4: With the brake pedal in place, grab it firmly and attempt to wiggle the cover off. The cover should not be loose. If it is, reattempt putting it in place. It is very important that the cover does not slip loose from the pedal, as it could hinder braking.
Step 5: Examine the back of the R-design gas pedal cover. This part simply slides over the plastic gas pedal.
Step 6: Like the brake pedal, make sure the gas pedal cover is secure.
While this guides shows the replacement procedure for an automatic, the exact same process is used for the brake and clutch pedal cover replacement in a manual car.
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