Run away cars

[Charles B Naumann]

I learned something form this:

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2009/11/video-how-not-to-stop-a-runaway-car-dont-pump-the-brakes.html

DON"T PUMP THE BRAKES. The problem is that most brakes are vacuum assisted, and if the engine is at full throttle, there is no vacuum. There is a small vacuum reservor, but this is quickly depleted if you pump the brakes. I never knew this. They also recommend turning the key off, since htat can lock the steering wheel. The best bet is to put the car in neutral. The throttle limiter will keep the engine from blowing (but if you are in a run away situation, a blown engine is really not your biggest worry).

Which brings up several interesting questions. Many cars do not have ignition switches any more. They have power buttons. How do you turn off a car with a power button? (Hint, just tapping it doesn't do it.) Cars like the Prius have a shift by wire transmission. How do you put one of these in neutral?

I think Toyota has a bigger problem here than bad floor mats. I think they may have a fundamental flaw in there design, and unfortunately some of these modern conviences like power brakes and smart ingitions and smart transmission really are creating very dangerous situations.

Interesting that VW has some further smarts in the car that appreantly sense when the brake is being pressed and back the engine off. I think that needs to be a requirement on all cars. It should not be too hard. If the brake is being pressed for more than a few seconds and the engine is revving kill the damned engine.

[Charles B Naumann]

Intersting:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/02/04/japan.prius.complaints/index.html?hpt=T1

In the video, the mechanic says "There is an update for the computer as well." That is the first I have heard of this.

The 2010 Prius can delay braking for up to 1 second, and they have not issued a recall? Holy smokes batman, 1 second is a HELL of a long time to delay braking. They should not issue s recall, they should issue a statement to immediately stop driving the cars and tow them to the service center.

BTW, Steven Wozniak said last week that his Prius had this problem, and he could repeat it. And now Toyota finally admits there is a problem.

[Fizzban]

BTW, Steven Wozniak said last week that his Prius had this problem, and he could repeat it. And now Toyota finally admits there is a problem.

Man, it took The Woz showing them it's repeatable for them to admit it's a problem.  Either Toyota is that ignorant, or someone was trying to sweep something under the rug. I don't like either situation.

[Antimony]

Yep.  In addition to Toyota's recent giant recall of other models with overly enthusiastic accelerator pedals, they just admitted to a fault with the Toyota Pretentious, er Prius.  Something about the brake pedal?

NPR news this morning mentioned that the government automotive watchdog questioned Toyota when complaints were received but there was little or no follow up.

[Crimm]

This morning on the news they said the Prius issue was a computer glitch with the ABS. They also said that late January models have this issue repaired.

[Antimony]

This morning on the news they said the Prius issue was a computer glitch with the ABS. They also said that late January models have this issue repaired.

So if you bought your car last week, you're good to go!   

[Crimm]

Yeah I loved the commentary of the news reporter. Inexact quote:

"So if they knew this was an issue to 'fix it in the latest versions of the cars' then why haven't they notified people of a recall yet?"

Then they showed the announcement of Toyota.

Classic.

[Antimony]

But wait, there's more!

Yet Another Toyota Recall, this time the Tacoma Pickup

CNN article

ATLANTA (CNN) -- Toyota announced a voluntary safety recall of about 8,000 four-wheel Tacoma trucks in North America, citing potential production defects in the front-drive shaft of certain 2010 models.

The automaker said Friday that the front shaft in a small production run of pickups may include a component that developed cracks during the manufacturing process.

As the vehicles are used, the cracks could potentially lead to the separation of the drive shaft at the joint.

Have you seen their commercials lately?

They are so screwed.

[Crimm]

Now the Corolla

http://www.toyota.com/recall/?srchid=K610_p278711362

The news is saying that there is something wrong with the steering column

&

http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/15/autos/toyota_complaints_swell/index.htm?cnn=yes

[Antimony]

[Crimm]

NSFW

Funny video about stopping your prius.

NSFW

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/lZ4PtafRB9c&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/lZ4PtafRB9c&rel=0</a>

[Antimony]

Rut Roh, Shaggy.

Toyota recalls 600,000 Sienna minivans

[Antimony]

This isn't even any fun anymore.

Toyota recalls Lexus GX SUVs due to rollover risk

[Antimony]

And so it goes...

Toyota recalls Lexus LX470 SUV for "potential steering shaft disengagement."