So, you're behind the wheel and the unintended acceleration issue occurs. I intend to drop the vehicle into neutral, coast to a stop while applying the brakes. The thought occurred to me that using the shift lever is an electronic function and not a mechanical one. The computer actually shifts the transmission. Is that correct? If it is, even though Toyota says there are no software or computer issues, will shifting to neutral actually happen? Has there been any documented cases of unintended acceleration where the driver tried to get the car into neutral and it didn't happen?
Take a look at this sticky thread (reply #13 specifically) for a an answer to your emergency stop question. I'm not aware of any incidents where a car did not shift into neutral when commanded.
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sorry to break it to you, but that only applies to mechanical stuck pedals.
Today, there's a story on 1010wins that a prius with the acceleration problem that couldn't stop at all. He called 911 for help, they told him to shift to neutral and even use the handbrakes, but it won't stop.
In the end, a police cruiser help cushion him to a stop by being in front and use his bumper.
That sounded more like electrical problem since shifting to neutral didn't help him. Toyota already sent in specialist to look into it, will know more as story unfolds.
The trooper told him to put the car in neutral, but nowhere have I seen any quotes from the driver confirming that he actually tried to put the car in neutral...
Either way, Toyota has a HUGE problem on their hands.
On NBC Nightly News he said he was afraid to shift into neutral because he wasn't sure what this type of transmission would do and maybe cause his car to flip.
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On NBC Nightly News he said he was afraid to shift into neutral because he wasn't sure what this type of transmission would do and maybe cause his car to flip.
Where do some people get this stupid notion that anything they touch will cause the car to flip? Too many people from the shallow end of the gene pool around these days.
Where do some people get this stupid notion that anything they touch will cause the car to flip? Too many people from the shallow end of the gene pool around these days.
+1 to that
You would think with all of the news coverage that the world would have been told to put the car in neutral and coast and brake to a safe spot and turn the engine off (with SmartKey by holding the Start button in for three seconds)
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Driver's unwillingness to switch car to neutral during whole event which lasted 20 -30 min makes me to believe that this may not be real SUA case. Another clue that this a Prius that didn't have any reported cases of SUA before. If I'd be seating in a car accelerating out of control and already tried everything possible to stop it and out of desperation would call 911, and if 911 operator tells me to switch damn thing to neutral why not try that too? We all know Toyota resale value is dropping and there could be people trying to go any length to get media attention and get some $$$ from Toyota. Today there is another case of runaway Prius. Under the circumstances there will be people trying to take an advantage of Toyota and since Toyota called it up to itself let them sort out who's real and who's fake. If it is indeed SUA case then I hope that cause of car malfunction will be found.
Yeah, after my post, and watching more of the media, I believe this guy is out for money. even if he's a moron, listening to the police would at least put them on fault if it didn't work and cause more damage, so why not shift to N. explanation? afraid it would go in reverse?!? I can tell you one thing, shifting to reverse while car is driving above 50mph will stall the engine, I know cause I tried it on a maxima one time when my body reacted to a sudden stop. Was meant to shift to neutral, but went as far as Parked cause it was so sudden. Luckily the engine didn't died, scared the crap out of me. If this guy have the time to call 911, tried to unstuck the gas pedals with his hands, and swerving through rigs and cars, he have plenty of time to shift it to neutral without much problem.
SCAM here, and endangering people at it. This guy should be arrested.
sorry to break it to you, but that only applies to mechanical stuck pedals.
Today, there's a story on 1010wins that a prius with the acceleration problem that couldn't stop at all. He called 911 for help, they told him to shift to neutral and even use the handbrakes, but it won't stop.
In the end, a police cruiser help cushion him to a stop by being in front and use his bumper.
That sounded more like electrical problem since shifting to neutral didn't help him. Toyota already sent in specialist to look into it, will know more as story unfolds.
There are problems with this story for sure.
The reporter states he was told to shift into Neutral, "at no affect". What does that mean, he tried and it would not go into neutral or the guy didn't listen to the instruction. They never clarified that but the press likes to hype these incidents. The Officer didn't arrive until 20 minutes and did NOT use his cruiser to stop the Prius. Once the driver listened to the officers suggestions to apply both the brakes and e-brake as he approached a hill it slowed to about 50 and he then he turned the engine off. The officer states he pulled around the Prius and parked in front of it as a precaution. The guy’s story of the recall notice is also sketchy. This issue is not going away soon, that's for sure.
The car was a Prius...have you tried the "transmission" in a Prius? It is totally drive by wire as well and not in a standard layout. I had one as a loaner on Monday (and not my first Prius rental either) and I'll tell you finding neutral on a Prius is NOT straightforward. Drive, reverse, and park is intuitive but not neutral. I suspect the driver did not know how to put the car into neutral. Have a look:
The car was a Prius...have you tried the "transmission" in a Prius? It is totally drive by wire as well and not in a standard layout. I had one as a loaner on Monday (and not my first Prius rental either) and I'll tell you finding neutral on a Prius is NOT straightforward. Drive, reverse, and park is intuitive but not neutral. I suspect the driver did not know how to put the car into neutral. Have a look:
R, N & D are all pretty obvious, however what is the "B" for? Does it stand for "Brown Pants", ie what happens when you have an unintended acceleration issue in a Prius?
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Unintended Acceleration-What To Do
2008 Toyota Kluger KX-S
Where do some people get this stupid notion that anything they touch will cause the car to flip? Too many people from the shallow end of the gene pool around these days.
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