TLicense 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! You say that.... I've had my brakes fail on me, and guess when I found out? When I was braking heavily onto a roundabout from about 70 in rush hour traffic. I put my foot hard onto the brakes, heard a loud bang and my foot went to the floor. I'd probably slowed to about 50 by this point, and was probably about 75-100 metres from the roundabout, which I covered in 3 to 4 seconds. In that time I pumped the brakes a couple of times and then pulled the handbrake up. Pulling the handbrake up in my Mk1 MR2 (notoriously bad handbrakes) probably slowed me to about 45 mph which is when I hit a Saab 95 in the NSR corner hard enough to buckle the passenger A-pillar. In those 3 to 4 seconds, the chances of me being able to have pumped the brakes, realised that it wasn't happening, then change in to a slower gear and use that to retard the car were, I would say absolutely nill. It's quite easy to say that you would do this or that, whilst sat behind a computer and having a minute or two to have a think about it, but when it actually happens and you have to realise what's going on, then react, realise that your reaction is having no effect, and react again, with no warning at all, it's a very different matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 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. Well I've no idea where I got the idea that fly by wire wasn't allowed in cars then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 It's quite easy to say that you would do this or that, whilst sat behind a computer and having a minute or two to have a think about it, but when it actually happens and you have to realise what's going on, then react, realise that your reaction is having no effect, and react again, with no warning at all, it's a very different matter. I agree with you completely. I wasn't being smart when I made my previous post. I literally would like to think that I could do it, but whether I would or not, well that depends on many things. My imaginary road is straight with very few other cars around. Obstacles such as corners, other road users, junctions and roundabouts make it much harder to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konrad Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 You say that.... I've had my brakes fail on me... Person in question was stopped by police car, so I believe he had quite a lot of time to get over all ideas. He did try to brake, he called 999 and police car got to him, so we can safely assume he had more than 4 seconds to sort it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martini Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Person in question was stopped by police car, so I believe he had quite a lot of time to get over all ideas. He did try to brake, he called 911 and police car got to him, so we can safely assume he had more than 4 seconds to sort it out He was in America. Last time I was there, there were no corners. In the UK I can imagine this brake issue being a big problem, but in the USA, I think there's usually ample time to think about things/eat some food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinlexusV8 Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Heard that the driver is now being investigated for a scam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 in the USA, I think there's usually ample time to think about things/eat some food... ... shave your other half's bits... (see Gav's thread) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martini Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 ... shave your other half's bits... (see Gav's thread) EDIT: Found it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace 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'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. It is probably along the same lines as my 2008 Megane GT - that is also keyless, it works with one of those credit card sized fobs, which you slot into the dash and then press the "engine start/stop" button to start or switch off the engine. The fob does not have to be in the dashboard slot; if you have the fob in a pocket (or about your person) when you approach the car, it detects the presence of the fob and unlocks all doors and allows you to start the engine without taking the key out of your pocket - as long as it remains within the car's detection area. When exiting the vehicle, whether or not the fob is in the dash, you just press the "engine start/stop" button which stops the engine running. Opening the driver's door then switches off all the electrics, and you use the "lock" button on the fob to activate the central locking once you've closed the door behind you. You cannot even lock the fob in the car (if you accidentally leave it in the dash) as there is no way to lock the car from the outside without having the fob in your hand. HTH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SupraGTE Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 the Toyota stop and start button will shutdown the engine if you keep it pressed for 3 seconds. and why is all this only happening in US , and why did Toyota need to be at the kongress ?? in my eyes and IMO as the american goverment put allot of money in there own car manufactures , ford , gm etc IMO they are not neutral to be in court against Toyota as they are partly owner now in this companies and would benefit for a fall of Toyota just an opinion:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 and why is all this only happening in US It's not, there has been cases of it in Europe and Japan, it's just been kept very quiet. You know Americans, they just like to shout about everything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinlexusV8 Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 Liar ... http://www.fox40.com/news/headlines/ktxl-news-jamessikesinvestigated0311,0,4677651.story Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 It is probably along the same lines as my 2008 Megane GT - that is also keyless, it works with one of those credit card sized fobs, which you slot into the dash and then press the "engine start/stop" button to start or switch off the engine. The fob does not have to be in the dashboard slot; if you have the fob in a pocket (or about your person) when you approach the car, it detects the presence of the fob and unlocks all doors and allows you to start the engine without taking the key out of your pocket - as long as it remains within the car's detection area. When exiting the vehicle, whether or not the fob is in the dash, you just press the "engine start/stop" button which stops the engine running. Opening the driver's door then switches off all the electrics, and you use the "lock" button on the fob to activate the central locking once you've closed the door behind you. You cannot even lock the fob in the car (if you accidentally leave it in the dash) as there is no way to lock the car from the outside without having the fob in your hand. HTH. Maybe he should've just thrown the key fob out the car?! Sorted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purity14 Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 Maybe he should've just thrown the key fob out the car?! Sorted Steering lock at 90mph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitz Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 Funny Advert, regarding this. http://jalopnik.com/5492832/the-anti+toyota-commercial-ford-wishes-it-had-the-balls-to-run?skyline=true&s=i Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 Steering lock at 90mph Straight road, step on the brakes. No problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purity14 Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 Straight road, step on the brakes. No problem. Next time you are on the motorway that is nice and straight feel free to remove the key from your ignition, lock your glovebox and return it to the ignition. Please report your findings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 The suspicion that it may be another "balloon-boy" stunt gains momentum: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8569465.stm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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