“Toyota is recalling 3.8 million cars and warning owners of certain late-model cars to immediately remove their driver’s side floor mat to avoid accelerators getting stuck.”
Consumer Reports lists the cars.
This problem apparently killed a California state trooper and three members of his family recently.
We’ve talked about this one and wonder why he didn’t put the car in neutral, but we weren’t there …
Ken, once had a Suburban that would not release from cruise control. Made for a couple of interesting moments.
Also, are you following the earthquake and subsequent tsunamis?
I was listening to the September 19th Car Talk last night and a woman caller said her cruise control sometimes wouldn’t shut off. She even crashed into a Blockbuster store. I had two questions, the first of which might also apply to you too Barry.
1. After the first time cruise control didn’t shut off, why would you ever set cruise control again until it was definitely fixed?
2. How could the caller not brake the car at parking lot speeds, even if cruise control was on? How did she even get into and through a parking lot if the car was accelerating? In other words, I didn’t believe her.
The off-duty CHP officer that was killed was doing about 120 mph. His brakes were on fire. Once again, how could he not think to put the car in neutral? The event lasted long enough that his brother-in-law was talking on the phone to 911. (All four in the car were killed.)
Toyota must had replicated the floor mat problem since that accident (it was a month ago), or I can’t see them making the recall. Sudden unintended acceleration is almost, but not always human error.
You can listen to the 911 call. (I haven’t listened. Do you really want to?)
Ken, I know this sounds lame, but I just put the old berb in neutral then it would release. You are absolutely right it was pretty dumb. also I agree that the brakes will normally stop a car even when the engine is floored.
How about turning the engine off. The steering would be more difficult and breaking harder, but the engine would be off. That, coupled with a shift to neutral before turning that key, would stop the car, wouldn’t it?
Turning off that model Lexus requires pushing the start/stop button for 3 seconds. He may not have realized he needed to push it that long. (There is no key, only a fob.)
Don’t forget when you turn off the ignition it generally locks the steering column.
The engine can be turned off without engaging the steering wheel locking mechanism. The key must be turned to the lock position which is different than the off position. Try it.