This might be a silly question , but can someone tell me what the black plastic lever is that sticks out of an insertion in the carpet infront of drivers seat. Cannot find any reference to it in hand book. thanks.

Do you mean the two plastic things for keeping the drivers floor mat in place?

Maybe, but there is only 1 and i dont see how it would keep mat in place.

The mat holders usually fit in pairs and are designed to fit original mats with retaining holes in them.

They stop the mat sliding down under the pedals.

I have a link to them on eBay, I'll post it when I get home later and the mats to use with them.

thanks. that must be it.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=120791361352

Sorry, I'm on my mobile so can't see what year your car is for mats and confirmation of fit for the mat retainers.

On earlier Fiestas you got two long tags as you describe, which insert into the holes in the mats and twist lock into place. On later models, they replaced it with two studs on the floor that the mat snaps into.