Here's what the interior of one looks like. See how long it takes you to identify the gearshift.
Posted on 03/07/2010 11:12:34 AM PST by Oklahoma
How to Handle Sudden Unintended Acceleration: Video
In this video, PM senior automotive editor Mike Allen accelerates his car to 55 and then stops it—while the throttle is still open.
DO • Brake. Brake once, don't pump or ride the brakes. This will only heat up the brake pads, potentially overheating them and making them fail. It will take more force than you're used to to make the vehicle stop. Use both feet if you need to. • Shift. Move the gearshift into neutral. If the throttle is truly stuck, the engine will redline and make a lot of noise, but it won't be damaged. The injection computer will keep it from over-revving. Leaving it running will keep the power brakes an power steering working normally. Obviously, if your car has a manual transmission, simply stepping on the clutch pedal will slow the car. • Steer. Steer your car to a safe place off the road and away from traffic.
DON'T • Pump the brakes. • Shift into park. (Which won't engage at speed anyway.) • Drag the brakes. • Shut off the engine. (Well, shut off the engine as a last resort, but it may affect the brakes and steering, which will become heavier, although they'll remain operational.)
Which cars have that now? How does it detect the difference between a person that uses both feet and a panic situation? I prefer to have all my controls available without some computer second-guessing my actions AND a kill switch under my control.
>>Unless, that is, you panic, freak out, and lock up - which unfortunately is what a lot of people do.
Some of these people made cell phone calls while their car was out of control. One called 911 to ask for help and one called home. That just blew my mind that anyone would think of the phone when their car is trying to kill them while they just passively sit back and let it happen. It’s the nanny state mindset taken to the point of absurdity.
You're right, the system has to leave the lazy driver alone, the one who cruises along with his left foot on the brake, wasting gas and brake linings. Since every ABS system will have a brake pressure sensor, it would be easy to recognize a panic situation using that sensor. Simultaneous heavy braking and wide open throttle would not be a normal driving situation. That's when you want the override to work.
Cars with push button starters also stop the engine using the same button, some Toyotas have this. The Toyota implementation requires the button to be held down for 3 seconds in order to kill the engine. Apparently, some people don't realize this (who reads manuals?), and they think the button doesn't work. Other cars recognize multiple pushes as being a panic kill request, which is a better approach. But you have to distinguish between a real situation, and an accidental bump of the button. I like the military approach of using a switch guard.
Yeah, I agree about having as much control as possible. That's one reason I won't buy an automatic. But in a modern car, the computer gets involved with just about everything you do. It's either that or drive an old car.
Just happened today:
Runaway Toyota Prius stopped on I-8 by CHP patrol car
What to do when your Country is speeding towards a collision...
DO: shift into gridlock/neutral. this will prevent further acceleration.
DO: hit brakes and/or coast to a stop so you can kick the idiot driver out of the driver’s seat and onto the pavement.
DO: Replace idiot driver with someone who has a clue a: how to drive the country, er, car and b: how to interact with all the other motorists on the highway.
DON’T: whistle a happy tune as the idiot driver tries to tell you he knows what he’s doing.
Here's what the interior of one looks like. See how long it takes you to identify the gearshift.
I would say it is on the dash, under the air vent.
Yep. Not exactly intuitive, though, is it?
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