why dont they just put it in Nuetral?

[turbo36]

But still have a hand free to use the phone to dial 911...Hmmm?

Toyota seems to be skirting around their problem, that seems to be more and more caused by their electronics (and maybe the "fly" by wire without mechanical connections).

Time to go back to some basics.

Should be able to turn off the ignition...one move.

Should be able to shift to Neutral....one move, no hold.

Should be able to put on the brakes .... and over-ride the engine.

Too many simple options taken away from the drivers.

(I still fume over not being able to turn off the ignition and remove the key while the car is not in Park. That is an option that should be available to a passenger in a car, driven by someone who should be stopped from driving ... be it a drunk, or reckless driver, or kidnapper,... whatever).

Did you read the post from Duffster? It clearly states that you must "hold" the car in neutral. And you can't "turn" the car off because there is no key, you must "hold" the start button in for 3 seconds.

Last night I took my wife out to show her what to do if the throttle stuck and got a real eye opener into just how easy it is to panic. I drove my truck down the road at 55 mph and floored it as though I was going to pass someone, I then applied the brakes as hard as I could, the truck quickly slowed down but then the tranny downshifted and had enough power to over ride the brakes . After about 15-20 seconds the brakes faded and the truck really started to accelerate which rattled me. Trying to stay calm I said "all you have to do is shift to neutral like this" well I tried but the shift lever didn't move! I had forgotten to push in the release button before trying to shift , it doesn't take much pressure on the shift lever ( a few pounds of force) and you can not depress the release button.

As far as calling on a cell phone , my wife has a blue tooth connection, all she has to do is hit a button on the steering wheel once and everything from there is voice activated.

I too, am skeptical of this gentleman, but there was a family of 4 killed in CA in a similar situation, if I remember correctly the driver was a police officer and someone in the car called 911 just before it crashed.

 

[dodge man]

I think what we need to think about is the fact that people may be making mistakes with the car, BUT is there some kind of design feature of the car that contributes to the problem. This is often the case in airplane crashes. Yeah the pilot screwed up, but this type of design of the airplane contributed to the crash.

 

[FlaDon]

So if you kill the engine and the tranny is still coupled you would have a poor mans jake brake

Basically. Remember, it is an Allison so it uses the engine for grade braking even if the engine is running.

 

[the forgotten man]

this last guy in CA where the Hiway Patol helped him, the 911 dispatcher said " I told him to put it in Neutral" putting it in neutral must not of worked... i think there is much more to this than what it appears.

 

[carpenter383]

Basically. Remember, it is an Allison so it uses the engine for grade braking even if the engine is running.

Not exactly, an auto trans might slow the vehicle for a short time after turning the engine off, but when the hydraulic pressure drops the clutches will disengage and the car would freewheel. Not to mention you would be cutting power to the shift solenoids, which are what actually keeps the clutch or band applied, and the epc solenoid which regulates line pressure.

 

[Regal]

It's got the keyless ignition, but the shifter absolutely, positively allows somebody to shift into Neutral from Drive with the accelerator mashed. I tested it today in fact. I did NOT test the "turn it off by pressing the button for 3 seconds" though.

I'm still bettin that when the computer screws up and opens the throttle, it is also rendering other functions to be inoperable.
You may be able to normally shift out of gear or turn off ignition but who's to say that you would be able to when the computer takes over.

 

[Travelover]

I'm still bettin that when the computer screws up and opens the throttle, it is also rendering other functions to be inoperable.
You may be able to normally shift out of gear or turn off ignition but who's to say that you would be able to when the computer takes over.

Exactly. That was the point I was trying to make earlier.The computer can over ride the throttle (cruise control, traction control), the brakes (ABS, stability control) and the transmission (electronic shift). On my desktop computer, sometimes I have to pull the plug to get back total, control. :confused2:

 

[JasG]

I think the problem with Toyota is being covered the wrong way and even overblown with Toyota. This has been reported back as early as 1986. There have been over 50000 reported cases of this and it has happened with every make and model of car that uses electronic controls, even diesel trucks. Toyota has had around 2000 of these cases. I haven't seen one story that has set up the situation and shown the real solutions when this happens. Electronics fail, it can happen be it a car, a computer, a heavy truck, or a CNC machine it can happen. Due to emissions we are stuck with them.

Sudden Acceleration Information Group

Toyota Sudden Unintended Acceleration - Pedal and Electronics - Popular Mechanics

Audi Case Set Template for Toyota's Troubles - WSJ.com

The 2nd thing is driving is not an instict. It is learned task. Part of the problem is people as a whole just take the bare minimum training to get a license, don't read the owners manual, or even get familar with the controls before they take off. Then add to that the arrogance of some to think they can talk on the phone, text, read while driving. Yet a large number don't know the 1st thing about the drive train of there car. Or how many people hook on to a trailer for the 1st time, throw 5000 lbs or more on it. Then take right off like driving with no trailer?

I am not a perfect driver, and I can not plan for everything. One thing that years of motorcycle riding has shown me is to prepare. One of the safety courses I took years ago said a couple of times a year, practice panic situations. Hard braking, hard turns, know what your limits are and that of your bike. Panic is an instict, learning how to over come it isn't hard, but it takes time. With my truck after the 1st snow is when I practice these things, no different than my bike. Not to say I won't get in an accident, or I won't make a bad choice. In the course it even went over what to do in these situations. Always look for a escape path or way out. What is better, hitting a car, deer, ditch etc, and when your throttle sticks. This has allowed me to avoid a few accidents over the years, and give me a sence of I have a better chance than I did before.

This isn't to say Toyota isn't at some fault.

 

[JasG]

I did a search and here is one on Dodge trucks with Diesels doing the same thing,
At least 2 of the people on this forum had it happen.


http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/sudden-acceleration-t86343.html

Here is a story from 2004.

USATODAY.com - Technology puts unintended acceleration back in spotlight

Basically some models may have more occurances, but it has happened to every car out there.

 

[Reg]

Basically. Remember, it is an Allison so it uses the engine for grade braking even if the engine is running.

Ever notice how grade braking is CANCELED by accelerator use ?
I am not sure where this happens, but would GUESS that a stuck open condition precludes grade braking.