Oh, Toyota!

[Tea]

http://www.businessweek.com/news/201...gas-pedal.html

Sikes told cable channel CNN the accelerator was stuck and wouldn’t move even when he tried to lift it by hand. The car failed to slow down even after Sikes called 911 and followed instructions to get the car to stop.

A California Highway Patrol officer, alerted by emergency dispatchers, caught up to Sikes and, using his public-address system, asked him to apply the emergency brake and brake pedal at the same time. That worked to slow the car to 50 mph. Then Sikes was able to turn off the ignition, he told CNN.

‘Won’t Drive Car’

“I won’t drive that car again, period,” Sikes said on NBC.

The model in San Diego “appears to be a second-generation Prius” and not the 2010 model, said Brian Lyons, a spokesman for the automaker. Three Toyota technicians are prepared to inspect the vehicle once it is located, he said.

Sikes had recently serviced the Prius at a local dealer and was informed it wasn’t part of a recall, he told NBC.

Toyota in November recalled 2004 through 2009 model-year Prius hybrids to reshape accelerator pedals that the company said could be entrapped by floor mats. The 2010 model has also been recalled so its braking software could be adjusted.

Doesn't sound like floor mats are the problem here.

[Halo]

There is something seriously wrong with those cars, probably with the software related to the cruise control. I wouldn't drive one if it was a gift right now.

[Tea]

That is exactly what I was thinking, Halo, that it's related to the cruise control. I put it here in case someone ever needs to know how to stop one of these things.

[Babalou]

I've gotta say, I feel perfectly safe in my Camry.* I've practiced throwing it into neutral while barreling down the highway. According to my service tech, the problem vehicles are made in the US, not Japan. Also, he says there are problems with some GM vehicles that aren't being publicized on account of the government owning GM.

*just in case I'm wrong to feel so safe, it's been nice knowing you guys.

[Babalou]

Also, I don't know anything about cars or cruise control (even though I use them regularly), but I don't believe the gas pedal stays depressed when cruise control is activated. I know it used to. In the first car I ever had with cruise control, you could actually see the gas pedal go down when the car accelerated. But I'd have to check my Camry. I think it's all electronic now.

[weeezy]

My friend went from a 1993 Honda Civic to a 2007 Toyota Corolla. He HATES it. When it's windy, the car goes all over the road. He's got a 5 year lease, but after that, he's going back to Honda.

[Babalou]

I had a Corolla for two weeks while my old Camry was having work done. I didn't like it much either.

[Tea]

We've got an '89 Cressida that my kid drives. I've been told by the mechanic that has a blah blah supra engine blah blah for drifting. Whatever that is. To be fair, they've always been a dependable car, that's why there's zillions of them out there. I haven't really kept apprised of this case, but I'm getting the impression that Toyota has been very so to acknowledge there is a problem at all.

[Scribe]

I saw that latest runaway on the news this morning. (You know how they like to televise freeway chases in Southern California.)

The cop actually put his patrol car in the path of the Prius and let the driver hit it in order to bring the Prius to a complete stop. The officer said that when he pulled alongside to try to help, the Prius was doing at least 90, and he could smell the brakes and tires burning. The driver was also interviewed. This guy was very, very shaken. He said, "I was literally STANDING on the brake pedal..."

I doubt that this sudden acceleration thing is something new or exclusive to late model Toyotas. Maybe it's just statistically significant -- you see a lot of Toyotas in general (and a lot of Priuses in particular) around now. My brother-in-law is a loyal Audi driver and he totaled one about ten years ago just backing down his driveway. He put it in reverse and it suddenly rocketed backwards out into the road and into a tree. No explanation. The more that cars are ruled by electronics management systems, the more potential is there for these kinds of glitches.

I worry a lot more about being t-boned by some asshole yakking on a mobile phone than I do about getting in the way of a flying Toyota. People who think they can drive competently while chatting on the phone, texting, or eating bowls of cereal (and yes, I have witnessed that feat) really need to be tied down and made to watch video footage of themselves, drifting back and forth between lanes, drifting over the yellow lines, and cruising at 50 mph through stop signs and school zones whose lights are flashing.

[Joe Schmoe]

Originally Posted by Babalou

Also, I don't know anything about cars or cruise control (even though I use them regularly), but I don't believe the gas pedal stays depressed when cruise control is activated. I know it used to. In the first car I ever had with cruise control, you could actually see the gas pedal go down when the car accelerated. But I'd have to check my Camry. I think it's all electronic now.

Yes the gas pedal remains depressed when the cruise control is activated......

[Babalou]

I guess I don't have to check. Thanks, Joe!

[Tea]

Texting and driving too, Scribe. I am relentless in lecturing my kid on the dangers if text-driving. I hope it's not going in one ear and out the other. I usually hold prison over his head. He's awfully pretty for prison.

[Scribe]

Even the hands-free talkers have a very distorted sense of how well they are driving. It's alternately fascinating and terrifying to witness. It used to be that when I saw someone weaving around or failing to notice red lights, I assumed it was a drunk driver. Now, when you pull up alongside to take a look, the mouths are always moving but the brains and eyes are just not engaged. It's really scary.

[Babalou]

It doesn't even require a phone to distract me. Once I drove right through a red light while having a conversation with my mother, who was sitting next to me.

I find I can no longer multi-task like I used to. Doing one thing will take up my entire brain.

[Scribe]

That's why I never paint my nails whilst driving anymore.