Stopping with stuck accelerator?

[ScampMD]

I'm sure everone has heard about the recall by now, in rare cases the floormats can come loose and cause the accelerator to stick.

Listing to the 911 call related to the recall made me wonder, just how hard is it to panic stop a TCH? (Note: They were not in a TCH, that's just what I have)

I'm thinking if they had time to call 911 they could have put the car in neutal and pretty much coasted to a stop but what about a faster solution?

What happens if you are at highway speeds and press the "Power" button? Anything?

Can you force the car into park or reverse while moving forward (at the cost of many important engine bits)?

Going to 'B' Then 'N' would seem to be a good plan also....

[98CamryLE]

At the time of the first floor-mat recall (1 or 2 years ago), one statement released from Toyota was in response to a question or comment that the models with push-button start could not be completely shut off while actually being driven.

Even though it is not described in the manual, the press release claimed that models with push button start can be turned completely off while in motion by pressing and holding the starter button for three seconds regardless of if the vehicle is actually in motion or not. They warned that this would be the same as turning a car off that had a conventional ignition key- you'll lose your power brakes, power steering, and other critical components.

I have not actually tried it, but that is what the press release said.

Of course, the obvious choice would seem just as effective- just put the damn transmission into neutral. (I'm not sure why the driver didn't do it in the recent case, or why it did not work if he had tried it)

[standonit]

Originally Posted by ScampMD

I'm sure everone has heard about the recall by now, in rare cases the floormats can come loose and cause the accelerator to stick.

Listing to the 911 call related to the recall made me wonder, just how hard is it to panic stop a TCH? (Note: They were not in a TCH, that's just what I have)

I'm thinking if they had time to call 911 they could have put the car in neutal and pretty much coasted to a stop but what about a faster solution?

What happens if you are at highway speeds and press the "Power" button? Anything?

Can you force the car into park or reverse while moving forward (at the cost of many important engine bits)?

Going to 'B' Then 'N' would seem to be a good plan also....

As the other poster stated holding the "start" button will shutdown the engine.
Yes, you will lose power steering and brakes, but you will still be able to safely steer the car off the road and stop the car.
If the gas pedal should stick:
shut off engine
shift into "N" neutral
push firmly with both feet on brake pedal
gently steer vehicle to the shoulder of the road
DO NOT PANIC!!!!!!

[cdn_tch]

Originally Posted by standonit

...
push firmly with both feet on brake pedal
gently steer vehicle to the shoulder of the road
DO NOT PANIC!!!!!!

Since in my neck of the backwater we don't have paved shoulders, pull onto a paved shoulder at a moderate speed, where there is an unpaved shoulder slow down to below 20 mph before pulling over.

[cdn_tch]

Since this tragedy happened I spoke with my SO to ask what she would have done, and she was not aware of holding down the Start/Stop button to turn off the engine at speed.

It might be a good time to talk about what ifs with all the drivers of your TCH so if something should happen, they would at least have know what is possible.

[regal1945]

Originally Posted by cdn_tch

Since this tragedy happened I spoke with my SO to ask what she would have done, and she was not aware of holding down the Start/Stop button to turn off the engine at speed.

It might be a good time to talk about what ifs with all the drivers of your TCH so if something should happen, they would at least have know what is possible.

We will talk what ifs!! open drivers door and gently set down the cement block laying on the rear floor it will stop you lol!!!

[Corollanation]

Originally Posted by standonit

As the other poster stated holding the "start" button will shutdown the engine.
Yes, you will lose power steering and brakes, but you will still be able to safely steer the car off the road and stop the car.
If the gas pedal should stick:
shut off engine
shift into "N" neutral
push firmly with both feet on brake pedal
gently steer vehicle to the shoulder of the road
DO NOT PANIC!!!!!!

You forgot the "oh sh*t hit the the red triangle" part

I don't know how well Russian side rails are built but they advise to use friction to slow down or if no rails then other cars yes I remember that well and if still can't stop choose the cheapest car around and hitting it from behind. which makes me think that thing I read might have been just a joke though back then I truly believed.. Anyway a driver should always keep in mind what he's gonna do if things happen.. Like when I drive I try keep thinking what if this car in front of me does this.. or that.. or.. and so on.. keeps you focused and I hope ready..

oh and the brakes will still work after you shut down the engine but only once.. or at least old cars used to I think (me no mechanic) and you don't need power steering at high speeds..

Putting in R or P don't work watch Mythbusters on Discovery

[regal1945]

Originally Posted by ScampMD

I'm sure everone has heard about the recall by now, in rare cases the floormats can come loose and cause the accelerator to stick.

Listing to the 911 call related to the recall made me wonder, just how hard is it to panic stop a TCH? (Note: They were not in a TCH, that's just what I have)

I'm thinking if they had time to call 911 they could have put the car in neutal and pretty much coasted to a stop but what about a faster solution?

What happens if you are at highway speeds and press the "Power" button? Anything?

Can you force the car into park or reverse while moving forward (at the cost of many important engine bits)?

Going to 'B' Then 'N' would seem to be a good plan also....

WTF? ever heard of brakes?