Another Prius with a stuck accelerator today
03-08-2010, 08:08 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another Prius with a stuck accelerator today
03-08-2010, 10:40 PM
#3
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,047
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last edited by Renesis_8; 09-11-2011 at 03:35 PM.
03-10-2010, 10:13 AM
#5
Registered
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: California
Posts: 656
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I fail to understand why the drivers of these so-called runaway vehicles don't simply turn off the ignition. It's even more amazing when you consider that some of these folks dig out their cellphone and dial their wife or 911 while driving 80 or 90 MPH, or more. The first order of business is to drive the vehicle, which includes shutting the thing off, not talking on the #@*%#%#! cellphone!
Some months ago, I asked my wife what she would do if our car started accelerating on its own. With out hesitation she replied, "I'd turn off the ignition."
-1.3L
Some months ago, I asked my wife what she would do if our car started accelerating on its own. With out hesitation she replied, "I'd turn off the ignition."
-1.3L
03-10-2010, 10:30 AM
#6
Am I the only one who smells somethin' fishy?
I don't doubt this problem afflicts a small number of Priuses. That much seems clear. But gosh, I'm startin' to wonder if a bunch of Prius or Camry owners might be doing this on purpose, so they can sue Toyota and settle for a big pile of cash.
Nah… I'm sure it's my imagination.
Nah… I'm sure it's my imagination.
03-10-2010, 10:42 AM
#8
^ LOL. I guess what worries me is, if some of them are, indeed, defective (and I'm pretty sure some of them are), what's to stop dishonest owners from faking the problem, running the car into a fence or the side of a building, (admittedly a risky thing to do anyway), and then claiming the car sped up by itself?
Actually, would make an interesting, amusing screenplay with some colorful characters (think it through and you can guess what ironically happens to the hero who successfully pulls off the scam), but the more I think about it, highly unlikely in real life.
Actually, would make an interesting, amusing screenplay with some colorful characters (think it through and you can guess what ironically happens to the hero who successfully pulls off the scam), but the more I think about it, highly unlikely in real life.
Last edited by New Yorker; 03-10-2010 at 10:44 AM.
03-10-2010, 12:37 PM
#9
Void Where Prohibited
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mineola, TX
Posts: 3,046
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I fail to understand why the drivers of these so-called runaway vehicles don't simply turn off the ignition. It's even more amazing when you consider that some of these folks dig out their cellphone and dial their wife or 911 while driving 80 or 90 MPH, or more. The first order of business is to drive the vehicle, which includes shutting the thing off, not talking on the #@*%#%#! cellphone!
Some months ago, I asked my wife what she would do if our car started accelerating on its own. With out hesitation she replied, "I'd turn off the ignition."
-1.3L
Some months ago, I asked my wife what she would do if our car started accelerating on its own. With out hesitation she replied, "I'd turn off the ignition."
-1.3L
03-10-2010, 12:57 PM
#10
Intended acceleration
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Durham NC
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Obviously it's easy to think calmly about these things when it's not your vehicle running away, but personally I can't imagine being unable to stop it. From what I've read, it seems like no owner has got beyond "step 1 - apply brakes". Why not... change into neutral, lift the accelerator pedal yourself, by hooking your foot under it, or kill the ignition? (If you have a push button start, toss your keys out of the window. You know what they say: you can't take them with you...)
Last edited by SheffieldSteel; 03-10-2010 at 01:01 PM.
03-10-2010, 12:59 PM
#11
Registered
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: California
Posts: 656
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The guy claimed he attempted to do this (90mph blue one). The Prius had some push button ignition or something that would not kill the ignition for whatever reason. I'm not familiar w/ Prius's system so who knows but I'm sure if he was really in a do or die situation as claimed, he would have tried everything over that length of time.
-1.3L
03-10-2010, 01:13 PM
#12
Intended acceleration
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Durham NC
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How to stop a car safely, and how NOT to...
http://www.pr-inside.com/runaway-pri...p-r1766769.htm
http://www.pr-inside.com/runaway-pri...p-r1766769.htm
03-10-2010, 02:02 PM
#13
Void Where Prohibited
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mineola, TX
Posts: 3,046
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You might be correct. I was just chatting with a co-worker and he says that you must hold the ignition (or ON) button down for 3 seconds to shut down the engine. Also, he claims that there are "safety" overrides that prevent the driver from shutting off the engine while the vehicle is moving, or from selecting an incorrect gear for the speed (not sure this applies to the Prius). Even so, the 3 second thing seems silly, even dangerous. Should be the other way around - 3 seconds to start the engine, not stop engine. Also, are the brakes so darned weak that they cannot overpower the engine? I mean, we're not talking about a 7-liter 400 HP engine with 400+ ft/lbs. of torque.
-1.3L
-1.3L
How to stop a car safely, and how NOT to...
http://www.pr-inside.com/runaway-pri...p-r1766769.htm
http://www.pr-inside.com/runaway-pri...p-r1766769.htm
I know, right. Can't you shift a Prius into nuetral?
Last edited by JRichter; 03-10-2010 at 02:11 PM.
03-10-2010, 04:03 PM
#14
Heh123
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: canada
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Even though Toyota is at fault with these problematic cars. However, I am so pissed off about how people just blames the company simply they just CANT drive properly. These people needs to get their license suspended until they learn how to drive. I just really hate the way people making huge &^$#&# fuss about this crap. I am not a toyota fanboy but seeing these people accussing toyota just simply cant drive disgusts me.
End of my rant.
End of my rant.
03-10-2010, 04:15 PM
#15
mod edit
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It takes a typical car less than 150 feet to stop from 60 MHP. In order to equal that power from the engine, much less overpower it, one would need a car capable of accelerating 0-60 MPH in less than 150 feet. For a car like the Prius weighing roughly 3000 pounds, one would need a hell of a lot more power than what they've got. I would guess at least 500 bhp. The only way the brakes would fail to prevent a car from speeding up is if they are already in terrible condition, or if the car's electronics prevent full braking power when the throttle is open. (which would be a terrible design flaw btw.)
I don't get it....
I don't get it....
03-10-2010, 05:31 PM
#16
From what I have heard the shifter doesn't directly move the valve body on the Prius, rather it's an elctrical imput to the trans computer which tells it to shift. The ignition is not directly connected to the engine it also go through the ecu.
I have heard that none of these things we're talking about do anything. When the electronic fail it seems the only imput they recognize is the accelerator imput but it fails in the wrong position, hence the problem.
I have heard that none of these things we're talking about do anything. When the electronic fail it seems the only imput they recognize is the accelerator imput but it fails in the wrong position, hence the problem.
03-10-2010, 09:50 PM
#17
Intended acceleration
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Durham NC
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Imagine, as a little "thought experiment", a federal investigator getting into a Camry and jamming down on the accelerator and brake at the same time.
If this experiment hasn't been done for real, what do we pay taxes for?
If this experiment hasn't been done for real, what do we pay taxes for?
03-11-2010, 08:33 AM
#18
Registered
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All of a sudden it appears that a Toyota is speeding out of control every other day. Why did this start in the last few months when the media went all out to get Toyota? Sure there were some cases reported before, but now every Prius, Camry, etc. is out of control. And this last guy, I saw him on TV doing an interview in front of the dealer. Looked like a real ***. It had just happened and he was saying how he can't get in touch with Toyota and no body is calling him back. This guy just did not appear ligit. I could be wrong, but I just have a wierd feeling.
One other thought, by applying the brakes on a Prius it uses the heat or whatever to recharge the hybrid battery, so wasn't he just going faster by adding more power to the electric motor? jk. But it does amaze me how these people can't think of anything else but to call some one. They can't control the car with two hands, but they can dial numbers.
Car and Driver has tested cars with the gas floored and they were always able to stop the car with the breaks. Something is not right. A witch hunt I say.
One other thought, by applying the brakes on a Prius it uses the heat or whatever to recharge the hybrid battery, so wasn't he just going faster by adding more power to the electric motor? jk. But it does amaze me how these people can't think of anything else but to call some one. They can't control the car with two hands, but they can dial numbers.
Car and Driver has tested cars with the gas floored and they were always able to stop the car with the breaks. Something is not right. A witch hunt I say.
03-11-2010, 10:39 AM
#19
The guy claimed he attempted to do this (90mph blue one). The Prius had some push button ignition or something that would not kill the ignition for whatever reason. I'm not familiar w/ Prius's system so who knows but I'm sure if he was really in a do or die situation as claimed, he would have tried everything over that length of time.
I did some testing with my 2008 Prius today to determine what I could do inthe event of an uncommanded acceleration and found the following::
Case 1. While accelerating I flipped the shifter into Neutral.
Result: The car shifted into neutral and the engine did not rev at all (even with my foot on the accelerator)
Case 2. While driving at 25mph I held the power button for 3-4 seconds.
Result: The car shifted to Neutral, Beeped and the engine shut off.
The Brakes were usable, but required more pressure and the steering was harder to turn, but remained unlocked.
Case 3. While driving I pressed both the accelerator and the brake at the same time
Result: The car tried to accelerate, but the brakes were more than capable of stopping the car (I did not do this test at a high rate of speed and I only did it for a couple of seconds)
Case 4. (Not Done Today) While driving at 40mph I accidentally pressed the PARK button (oops)
Result: The car beeped at me and immediately went into Neutral, I was unaware of what was going on so I was pressing the accelerator to go faster, but the engine did nothing until I placed the shift lever back to drive.
Case 1. While accelerating I flipped the shifter into Neutral.
Result: The car shifted into neutral and the engine did not rev at all (even with my foot on the accelerator)
Case 2. While driving at 25mph I held the power button for 3-4 seconds.
Result: The car shifted to Neutral, Beeped and the engine shut off.
The Brakes were usable, but required more pressure and the steering was harder to turn, but remained unlocked.
Case 3. While driving I pressed both the accelerator and the brake at the same time
Result: The car tried to accelerate, but the brakes were more than capable of stopping the car (I did not do this test at a high rate of speed and I only did it for a couple of seconds)
Case 4. (Not Done Today) While driving at 40mph I accidentally pressed the PARK button (oops)
Result: The car beeped at me and immediately went into Neutral, I was unaware of what was going on so I was pressing the accelerator to go faster, but the engine did nothing until I placed the shift lever back to drive.
03-11-2010, 10:43 AM
#20
Well, GM is government owned. So the government (GM) is putting Toyota on the hot seat. All the while the gov. and Toyota have known about this issue for a very long time. Before they owned GM the gov. didn't really care, they told Toyota to take care of it but didn't really enforce it. Now that they have a investment in GM they want Toyota, one the world's top automakers and some of their biggest competition, to look very, very bad.
03-11-2010, 11:38 AM
#21
Well, GM is government owned. So the government (GM) is putting Toyota on the hot seat. All the while the gov. and Toyota have known about this issue for a very long time. Before they owned GM the gov. didn't really care, they told Toyota to take care of it but didn't really enforce it. Now that they have a investment in GM they want Toyota, one the world's top automakers and some of their biggest competition, to look very, very bad.
Don't forget that Toyota borrowed 3 Billion dollars from Japan Bank for International Cooperation, thanks to help from the Japanese government.
03-12-2010, 03:32 PM
#24
Registered
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, well, I just read that the guy in this Prius filed for bankruptcy in 2008 with $700,000 of debt. Including still owing $20,000 on this Prius.
Oh I just noticed that Dynamho found something also.
Oh I just noticed that Dynamho found something also.
Last edited by 911SC; 03-12-2010 at 03:36 PM.
03-13-2010, 09:23 AM
#25
Registered
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Lakeville, MA
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts