How To Stop A Toyota

Industrial Maintenance & Operations Magazine ^ | February 4, 2010 | CNN Video

[tiki]

See reply #17, BS.

[Revolting cat!]

Mr & Mrs Tiger Woods could provide some advice! They need the money.

[Chi-townChief]

It appears that Toyota themselves are coming clean about the Prius problems so who knows?

[Star Traveler]

Brakes have more power than engines... so something is not working right with the brakes if they won’t stop the wheels from turning, even with engine power on them.

I’m not saying that yours did not do as you say, but simply that something is not working right, with the brakes, if that won’t stop the wheels from turning even with engine power on them.

I would get the brakes checked out...

[thefactor]

Hit the car in front of you? Steer into a bridge embunkment?

[DYngbld]

Every Prius owner I know is a liberal. Brake problems on the Prius might be Toyotas way of getting even. :)

[ROLF of the HILL COUNTRY]

” I’d shift into neutral. Was I close?”

Partly. That would work, but you'll redline your motor.

The best thing to do is shift into neutral, then immediately TURN OFF the ignition while being careful not to lock the steering column.

I never thought I'd ever have to use that bit of Drivers’ Ed, but it sure came in handy. I was driving a rental Audi in the Alps when the accelerator got stuck—talk about scary!

[Ron C.]

Don't believe posts here. Almost all comments here about what to do are wrong - or incomplete. (Advice from some media outlets are likewise foolish.)

Here is what you must do, and NOT do:

DO NOT TURN OF IGNITION KEY! (That would disable power breaks, power steering, etc.)
1. Hit the break firmly, but not hard enough to lock wheels, increase pressure as you slow.
2. At the same time as above, immediately shift into neutral gear. (the motor will rev up, but ignore the noise - concentrate on steering to the side of the road.)
3. When the vehicle has come to a complete stop, turn off ignition key.

[a fool in paradise]

Or you could just remove the floor mats.

[stevio]

That’s what I was thinking. Put a Ford in front of it.

[IYAS9YAS]

I thought the same but I would also pull the key out to stop the car. I’m glad I don’t have a Toyota.

No. Don't try to turn the car off until you are stopped. If you must do so, do so only as a last resort - turning off the vehicle immediately negates power steering and power brakes - making it hard to steer and slow the vehicle. Most newer cars that are automatics will not lock the steering wheel until the key is in the insert/remove position, and they also won't let you turn the key to that position unless the shifter is in park/neutral (I've had four automatics in my adult life, none let me remove the key without the vehicle in park - neutral wasn't even an option).

However, there may be a possibility that some vehicle makes allow you to turn the key all the way to the remove position while not in park. This position also allows the steering wheel to lock - something you definitely don't want to have happen.

Without having watched the video, there are three basic, commone-sense steps to take.
1) Try to get into an unoccupied lane and then jam on the brakes - hard - to try to stop the vehicle immediately. Don't pump them, and don't sissy-foot them just trying to slow down - this will just cause them to fail.

2) Shift to neutral - all cars should allow the shifter to go from drive or reverse into neutral without impediment - do it - it's better to blow the motor than it is to wipe out the whole car, yourself, and whomever else may be with you or near you.

Please note - depending on circumstances, shifting into neutral could be your first option.

3) Once you are stopped - turn off the key - this allows the use of power steering and power brakes until you are stopped.

[MHGinTN]

Do ya suppose Barry the affirmative action Fascist is planning on exploiting 'his people' (dishonesty shills who seek handouts; has nothing in particular to do with race) by having a huge number of them park their Toyotas on the side of the road and demand Toyota replace the car or refund all their money so they can buy a Government Motors tincan?

BTW, your advice is spot on (and it is brake, not break ... one would hope the vehicle stopping mechanisms are not yet broken at the point the accelerator sticks).

[ROLF of the HILL COUNTRY]

You don't have to remove the key to lock the steering column. You can stop the ignition by turning the key back to the “ACCessories” position, but if you turn the key all the way back to the “lock/remove” position, YOU WILL LOCK UP YOUR STEERING!

Also, no one NEEDS power steering or brakes, you just have to remember that you'll need more effort to steer and brake.

We had to do all these things in Driver's Ed; don't they teach that anymore?

[IYAS9YAS]

That doesn’t work, I know from experience. I put both feet and all my weight and all it did was smoke the tires.

Your brakes should always be able to outpower your engine, if not, you likely have mechanical issues. Get them brakes checked.

[nmh]

Thanks for the advice.

Hopefully I will never have to experience this.

[nmh]

Thank you - good advice.

[nmh]

Thank you for the advice.

[nmh]

Thank you too for your good advice.

It is best to think these situations out ahead of time, if one can to prevent a devestating outcome.

[mad_as_he$$]

Of interest.

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

On my car, I can turn the key all the way to off without locking the steering column, provided I leave the key in.