SupraStar 3000 Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 what with all these reports in the media about run-away toyotas and sticky accelerator pedals I keep asking myself,.... why dont these people just turn off the engine with the keys? http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/09032010/36/toyota-prius-driver-uses-police-car-stop-0.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooquicktostop Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 If you turn the key off you have the problem of the steering lock coming on through which could be "interesting" with no power assisted brakes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Or just stick it in neutral, but then you wouldn't get as nice a claim out of it from suing Toyota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 There's several things you can do as a driver if you're thinking straight, have sufficient presence of mind and a non-blinkered approach to what a car's controls do. Unfortunately many drivers these days fail most/all of these criteria. I do accept it could be alarming if your brakes fail. If I were in that situation, I'd like to think I'd have sufficient presence of mind to use the gears to slow down if possible, then on a straight bit of road key off the engine and immediately set the ignition back to the 2-position, to disengage the steering lock. The braking system should have a small number of "pumps" in it before you'd lose servo assistance: use those pumps wisely! That should work on something like a supra, but I don't know if it would apply to the Prius' complex electronics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 That... Or just stick it in neutral, but then you wouldn't get as nice a claim out of it from suing Toyota Then that... why dont these people just turn off the engine with the keys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 These people never heard of the handbrake? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 All good comments, have any of you actually been in a Prius? It's keyless, the key is in your pocket (on the latest model), so you can't 'switch off the engine', I have no idea what would happen if you pressed the 'START' button whilst driving - probably nothing. Also, there's no handbrake, only a footbrake (next to the 'foot' brake ), and a P button (which again, probably does nothing when driving). Plus, they're auto and the gearbox is electric, you have to hold it over N for a few seconds before it disengages D. Basically it's all very confusing and not straight forward to slow down if the brakes fail or throttle sticks or whatever it is with Toyotas today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 You can still use the "footbrake" as the handbrake as I hav many a times! That is if it is similar to the Mercedes style footbrakes! How could have Mr T got it so wrong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 How could have Mr T got it so wrong! I pity the fool... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 All good comments, have any of you actually been in a Prius? It's keyless, the key is in your pocket (on the latest model), so you can't 'switch off the engine', I have no idea what would happen if you pressed the 'START' button whilst driving - probably nothing. Also, there's no handbrake, only a footbrake (next to the 'foot' brake ), and a P button (which again, probably does nothing when driving). Plus, they're auto and the gearbox is electric, you have to hold it over N for a few seconds before it disengages D. Basically it's all very confusing and not straight forward to slow down if the brakes fail or throttle sticks or whatever it is with Toyotas today. That can't be 100% true, how on earth would you turn off the car when parking up? Put the handbrake on and walk away? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 I'm not sure how it works, but it's a very clever vehicle so I guessed it wouldn't let you turn the 'engine' (obviously the actual engine is off when you stop anyway) off when driving, only when you've stopped and put it into park or put the brakes on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konrad Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 That can't be 100% true, how on earth would you turn off the car when parking up? Put the handbrake on and walk away? lol I would guess those Priuses are switching to electric engines once you drive slowly, so when you stop, it basically is not running at all. Once you go out and press "close" button" it switch itself off. Anyway, I like to stick to older type cars where electronics does not spoil my driving experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martini Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Why hasn't this happened to any of the Priuses in England? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Why hasn't this happened to any of the Priuses in England? American's like to sue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Most cars in the USA are automatics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 So are most roads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_jekyll Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 what was wrong with a trhrottle cable connected to the peddle? i think cars should all revert back to early 90s technolighy with lastes safty standars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Do you wear boxing gloves in bed too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 http://tim-ho.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/DPT-Toyoya.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 what was wrong with a trhrottle cable connected to the peddle? i think cars should all revert back to early 90s technolighy with lastes safty standars. AFAIK fly by wire throttle and brakes aren't allowed on the roads yet, and the Prius does have a cable. I think it was a case of the pedal mechanism sticking because of a missing metal plate on the pedal arm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbm Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 American's like to sue. Not forgetting Americans as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Not forgetting Americans as well. Those as well, thanks for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbm Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Those as well, thanks for that. Your welcom'e. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 AFAIK fly by wire throttle and brakes aren't allowed on the roads yet, and the Prius does have a cable. Not entirely true, FBW throttles have been around for years. The Gen II Prius, as far as I know, has a FBW throttle, gear selector and push button start, which shortens the choices you have in an a run away situation. Toyota are claiming a worn mechanism in the pedal as the cause of this problem, even thought they are recalling Japanese only Prius's for software problems relating to braking and throttles...the plot thickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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