If this happens to you, I'd recommend first turning off the ignition, and then get on the brakes. If turning off the ignition fails, shift to neutral and then get on the brakes. If that fails shift to park or reverse to destroy the transmission, then get on the brakes. If that fails say your prayers and try not to take anyone else out with you. If you have time to dial 911, you are not taking action quickly enough. 911 is not going to help you.
Very scary video and news indeed. My aunt was in a serious accident years ago. Hers involved a stuck accelerator pedal on a Cutlass 442 Oldsmobile. Her husband was to blame. He had left the oil cap off and it lodged in the linkage.
If this happens to you, I'd recommend first turning off the ignition, and then get on the brakes. If turning off the ignition fails, shift to neutral and then get on the brakes. If that fails shift to park or reverse to destroy the transmission, then get on the brakes. If that fails say your prayers and try not to take anyone else out with you. If you have time to dial 911, you are not taking action quickly enough. 911 is not going to help you.
NHTSA recommends shifting to 'N' b4 shutting off ignition (as you lose power steering/brakes)
I agree on the calling 911 thing... <yikes>
If this happens to you, I'd recommend first turning off the ignition, and then get on the brakes. If turning off the ignition fails, shift to neutral and then get on the brakes. If that fails shift to park or reverse to destroy the transmission, then get on the brakes. If that fails say your prayers and try not to take anyone else out with you. If you have time to dial 911, you are not taking action quickly enough. 911 is not going to help you.
Do not turn of the ignition first if you have a key/turn type switch....this will lock steering wheel.
First shift car into neutral , apply brakes in safe location and turn engine off.
oh yea, put down the cell phone.
Does anyone think this "Runaway Prius" was going 90 mph when it crashed? Held up well!
I drive two Toyotas.....Sounds like driver error to me. Even if this problem is "Real"
Yeah, probably better to shift to Neutral first. You will still have brakes and steering if you kill the engine you just wont have power assist (brakes you probably will, till you use up all the vaccuum).
My Tundra had been stalling out at low RPM which became kind of dangerous especially with the trailer in tow. Traffic circles where the most fun. The brakes still worked with the engine off but I would have to shift into neutral while still moving and restart motor.
Toyota said it was a $2K repair as the entire throttle body housing had to be replaced to also replace the throttle body motor. I Drove it way to long like this then tryed a Throttle body cleaning product which fixed the low idle stalling problem. $4.00
The point being....I forget...but also one can shift, brake and restart the vehicle while driving but it is preferred to fix the problem first.
I have a friend in the car repair business and he told me of clients bringing their cars in complaining about loss of power and not being able to accelerate. Many of these cars had three and four floor mats stacked on top of the originals.
I can't imagine how those Folks feel, and to have Toyota not accept responsibility is outrageous. To think they tried to bury that defect when they first became aware of it. Toyota has a history of non-disclosure; the infamous "sludge" (non) recall, the frame rot (non) recall on their "trucks", and now malfunctions of wireless throttle. At least the sludge issue was not responsible for any deaths, not sure if anyone was killed due to the rear frame rot/corrosion problem. It looks like finally the consumer has had enough and has sparked a revolt. I read an article recently about their incremental loss of quality in recent years due to over production and how it is likely to reduce Toyota to a #3 or #4 sales position world-wide in a few short years. When people start getting killed due to poor quality control and inferior product, it is likely this pace will accelerate. No pun intended.
Our prayers go out to those Families affected.
Bill
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When people start getting killed due to poor quality control and inferior product, it is likely this pace will accelerate. No pun intended.
Our prayers go out to those Families affected.
Amen to that Bro.
AFAIC, dollars to donuts this has happened to WAY more people than whats being reported- most probably did shift to 'N', averting a catastrophic event... then quietly took in 4 service, where dealer is more than happy 2 quietly fix... coincidence that toyo's profits took a nose dive recently?? Covering dealer work adds up in a hurry...
<flame suit on>
IME almost every foreign-make owner I've ever met are 'fanboys' 4 their ride, and they'd swear by their foreign-make to their dying breath.. even in the event of a MAJOR quality/design problem...
Me? I own a heavy-chevy, and I don't tiptoe around its problems if asked (actually, I just blame the UNIONS... <smirk>)
Do not turn of the ignition first if you have a key/turn type switch....this will lock steering wheel.
I don't think you will lock the steering wheel by turning off the switch. On all the modern vehicles I've driven the transmission must be in "Park" for the steering to lock.
I can't imagine how those Folks feel, and to have Toyota not accept responsibility is outrageous. To think they tried to bury that defect when they first became aware of it. Toyota has a history of non-disclosure; the infamous "sludge" (non) recall, the frame rot (non) recall on their "trucks", and now malfunctions of wireless throttle. At least the sludge issue was not responsible for any deaths, not sure if anyone was killed due to the rear frame rot/corrosion problem. It looks like finally the consumer has had enough and has sparked a revolt. I read an article recently about their incremental loss of quality in recent years due to over production and how it is likely to reduce Toyota to a #3 or #4 sales position world-wide in a few short years. When people start getting killed due to poor quality control and inferior product, it is likely this pace will accelerate. No pun intended.
Our prayers go out to those Families affected.
Bill
Looks like another "I hate Toyota Club" is lighting the village torches. Bolt your doors Camry soccer Mom, they are coming for us!
The sludge problem was disproven, I recall.....no pun intended.
The frame rot is true and Toyota bought back at 1.5 time high book value all problem trucks. They also are now replacing entire frames on trucks free of charge right now. Many happy Toyota truck owners.
Mal-functioning throttles on cars mentioned in theses stories? Looks like the Toyota Haters have already made up their minds. But it has not been proven yet. Don't worry, the Lawyers are working on it. Where is Ralph Nader now? I miss the Corvair. Not the Pinto so much.
Full disclosure:
I have owned
Fords/Chevys/IH/Austin Healy/Triumph/BMW/Honda/Isuzu(with a Chevy label) Jeep/ VW and a few Toyotas
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