Try

Hi,

1. I stepped on the gas pedal hard to go through a set of lights but I didn't make it. (Is "didn't' make it" referring to the fact that I didn't make it through the intersection?) Yes.

What does this sentence mean with 'tried' compared to #1 without 'tried'?
2. I tried to step on the gas pedal hard to go through a set of lights but I didn't make it (Does "didn't make it" refer to the fact that I didn't make it through the lights or the fact that I didn't step on the gas pedal hard or both?) It could be either. I would normally take it to mean you didn't make it through the intersection. That seems to be the semantic focus of the sentence.

If you want simply to tell me that you weren't able to step on the gas pedal hard,I think you'd more naturally tell me in another way.

Best wishes, Clive