Another Toyota Problem?

[emh]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

I have posted on this topic before at a Toyota forum I belong to. But I'll ask the question here:

Why in the heck wouldn't these drivers just shift into neutral? IF there was a "real" unintended acceleration problem.......sure the engine might blown up, but without the power of the engine driving the wheels forward, you'd at least have ample to time to get to a shoulder or off the road completely by the time the engine quit.

Sure the throttle is drive-by-wire, but the transmission is still mechanical via the little lever we call a shifter.

It's a matter of reaction time, right? Shifting to neutral isn't something people are used to doing instinctively while driving. So that requires time to conciously think and do -- while confronted with a surprising and unexpected situation. And if you were in traffic, that delay may well be enough to casue an accident.

[Stéphane Dumas]

not a technical problem however but...
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/18/t...rights-abuses/

[SnapOversteer]

The Tacoma Double Cabs have 4-piston calipers with quite large front discs and pads. Even with the transmission in 2nd gear (which has TONS of torque multiplication) and the accelerator floored, the truck slows down. I've done it in mine.

And any acceleration can quickly end by turning the ignition off. The lack of power steering isn't too terrible while moving though you will have to strong arm it.

I think some people look for someone or something to blame (other than themselves) when they make a mistake.

[PMC the 1st]

Toyota is inspecting computer codes for a mismatch between FI injector application and the extent to which the driver presses down on the accelerator pedal.
This assumes, of course, that the ECU is analysing a continuous stream of samples (Fourier Analysis), rather than periodic sampling.
Suppose the accelerator pedal actuator (a little mechanical switch) sticks momentarily. The ECU would never detect the fault. Thus, there may be no accelerator pedal pressure and the brake may be completely depressed, yet the car would continue to surge forward without the ECU ever having recorded a fault.
IT'S ALL TOYOTA'S FAULT!!!