Will Toyota Ever Get Out Of Free Fall ?

[ericire12]

What I'm not getting, and has never been explained. Is in order to have total uncontrolled acceleration, you have to have total failure of 4 systems all at the same time.

1.) Total failure of throttle control causing it to go into full open.

2.) Total failure of the braking system. Standing on the brake pedal will stop ANY car regardless of throttle position or engine size. Drag racers have been doing this for years, it's called "Brake Torquing". Hurst Corporation even sells a device for it called a "Line-Lock". I had one on a 396-375 HP Chevy Nova. With the front wheels locked the car wouldn't go anywhere.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb85hisg8Kc

3.) Total failure of the transmission linkage. Any automatic transmission will allow you to shift the car into neutral at any time. Some models require slight pressure on the brake pedal. You would, or should, be standing on the brake pedal anyway in this situation. Standard transmissions require just simply depressing the clutch pedal.

4.) Total failure of the ignition switch. Simply turning the key off kills the ignition. Most all vehicles have a position between "OFF" and "LOCK" that will allow you to kill the engine without locking the steering column.

The odds of all of these systems failing all at the same time would literally have to be in the billions.  Bill T.

Well, the way I understand it there is no direct link between the peddle and the throttle on the engine. Its a wireless connection. So I would think that it has to be a software issue and that there is some glitch where the computer tells the throttle to go wide open. Also, I believe most of the problems - and the deaths - have occured with the cars that have the new keyless ignition. I have heard in news reports that the people tried to put their cars into neutral and even turn them off, but have no way of doing so once the throttle gets stuck. 

[Timothy]

Has anyone bothered to check WHO was driving the offending vehicle when the problems started?  I wonder if the demographic is predomiately of one gender/age group over another.

When this first came up, I went over, in detail with my wife and daughter, the steps they should take if this ever happen when they were driving.  Both had never considered it. 

It was part of our drivers training back in the 70's.

[ericire12]

Has anyone bothered to check WHO was driving the offending vehicle when the problems started?  I wonder if the demographic is predomiately of one gender/age group over another.

When this first came up, I went over, in detail with my wife and daughter, the steps they should take if this ever happen when they were driving.  Both had never considered it. 

It was part of our drivers training back in the 70's.

The car that was on the phone with 911 when they died was driven by a cop.

[Timothy]

The car that was on the phone with 911 when they died was driven by a cop.

That's unfortunate! 

[TAB]

when rolling the gas will always over come the brake.  from a standing start, no, but at speed, you would be amazed at how little it takes to glaze over brakes.

[Sponsor]

[ericire12]

when rolling the gas will always over come the brake.  from a standing start, no, but at speed, you would be amazed at how little it takes to glaze over brakes.

"Here, hold my beer"

[CJS3]

The car that was on the phone with 911 when they died was driven by a cop.

A local radio personality devoted a part of his program to the issue of "software" problems with Toyota/Lexus vehicles. One of his callers had stated that the Lexus involved in the California incident would not shift into neutral due to the runaway acceleration. He has the same model vehicle that was involved, so he went out on I10 west of Houston and did his own "unscientific" test. He was able to shift into neutral with his foot on the accelerator, off the accelerator and on the brake, and on the accelerator and the brake at the same time. The fact that a police officer was at the wheel doesn't mean that the driver didn't panic.

[billt]

The fact that a police officer was at the wheel doesn't mean that the driver didn't panic.

Very true. The way some of the cops drive around here, sticking gas pedals are about the very least of their worries.  Bill T.

[Timothy]

Very true. The way some of the cops drive around here, sticking gas pedals are about the very least of their worries.  Bill T.

I was going to say something similar but was trying to be nice!  Fact is, most of the police I've come across here in MA are on the "not too bright" side of the Mensa curve...

Either way, I've never driven a car that couldn't be stopped by dropping it into the lowest gear and letting the engine blow or slow the vehicle to a manageable speed.  I've never driven a "fly by wire" vehicle, maybe somethings are just not possible.

[TAB]

lots of newer cars even have electornic controls for the shifter.  I'm not sure about the cars in question, but it would not shock me one bit if they did.


The only reason we have  drive by wire is emission control.

what blows me away are things like one of my wifes co workers BMW.  it does not have a oil dipstick.  it only has electronic one.  Also the oil drain and fill are simlar to airline fitting.  only really BMW uses them, so for example you can't even change the oil on the car in your drive way...

give me points and a carb.