RUNAWAY PRIUS

[loverboy_gnd]

What do you guys make of this?

A California Highway Patrol officer used his patrol car to stop a runaway Toyota Prius on Monday. The owner says he is thankful to be alive.
"I am still very nervous I have an upset stomach," driver Jim Sikes said after the incident.
He was driving his 2008 Prius when the accelerator became stuck.
"I was trying the brakes," he said. "I was on the brakes pretty healthy it wasn't doing anything, just kept speeding up, just kept going."
The out-of-control Prius reached speeds of more than 90 miles per hour along Interstate 8, whizzing past other cars.
California Highway Patrol Officer Todd Niebert pulled alongside the Prius, then used his loudspeaker to tell Sikes to push the brake pedal to the floor and apply the emergency brake.
Luckily it worked.
"It was a good day because it ended the way it did no one was injured and the vehicle came to a stop," Officer Neibert later said.
In a statement, Toyota said it had dispatched a field technical specialist to San Diego to investigate the report and offer assistance.
Toyota has recalled more than six million vehicles in the U.S. since last fall because of acceleration problems in multiple models, and braking issues in the Prius.
Sikes says he's not taking any more chances.
"I wont drive that car again. Period," he said. "If I can have a problem, anyone can have a problem."
For more Rochester, N.Y. news go to our website www.whec.com (http://www.whec.com/).

[ATL86]

Toyota's fucked.

[JoshM]

All of the vehicles in the recall will go into neutral and is covered on the toyota recall page: (but wierd that they give a "if it will not go into neutral" post also)
http://www.toyota.com/recall/pedal.html

"What if you experience a sticking accelerator pedal while driving?

Each circumstance may vary, and drivers must use their best judgment, but Toyota recommends taking one of the following actions:

- If you need to stop immediately, the vehicle can be controlled by stepping on the brake pedal with both feet using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brake pedal as it will deplete the vacuum utilized for the power brake assist.
- Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.
- If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.
- If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button.
- If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel. "

[Evil Goat]

i love how they keep trying to say it's not a software malfunction, they're going to go under trying to save face....i lol everytime i hear the local toyota commercials on the radio now

[98blackcivic]

another win for honda!

[loverboy_gnd]

another win for honda!
LOL

[blaknoize]

Let alone the directions and driver common sense that most of these drivers lack (and also why I cant stand driving an automatic car, due to driver control being lost.) Bitches cry about the functionality of the car but dont understand how to stop in a terrible situation.

The driver didnt try to use the E-brake and apply it steady along with his brakes, nor did he think to use the Neutral gear selection as listed above. FUK AUTOMATIC (CVT AND THE COUSINS, DRIVER CONTROL SUFFERS AND ANYONE CAN ATTEMPT TO PILOT A CAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND HOW TO DISABLE THE BITCH IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION)

[TIGERJC]

This is why we need more driver education, just put the damn thing in neutral and have it red line until it blows.

All vehicles should be manual and I will bet money that accidents and just dumb shit would stop when it comes to vehicles

[loverboy_gnd]

Let alone the directions and driver common sense that most of these drivers lack (and also why I cant stand driving an automatic car, due to driver control being lost.) Bitches cry about the functionality of the car but dont understand how to stop in a terrible situation.

The driver didnt try to use the E-brake and apply it steady along with his brakes, nor did he think to use the Neutral gear selection as listed above. FUK AUTOMATIC (CVT AND THE COUSINS, DRIVER CONTROL SUFFERS AND ANYONE CAN ATTEMPT TO PILOT A CAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND HOW TO DISABLE THE BITCH IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION)

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!! x MF 2

[allout13]

This is why we need more driver education, just put the damn thing in neutral and have it red line until it blows.

All vehicles should be manual and I will bet money that accidents and just dumb shit would stop when it comes to vehicles

this

maybe it would decrease the amount of people who drive while on the phone or texting because its hard as shit to do anything but drive when you have to shift manually (at least in the city)

[blaknoize]

this

maybe it would decrease the amount of people who drive while on the phone or texting because its hard as shit to do anything but drive when you have to shift manually (at least in the city)

Not really, but u are more aware of whats going on, since I believe (and it may just be me) that regardless of the situation and what is going on. A driver of a manual generally plans ahead (shifts, downshift, antisipated RPM range for likely event) so they would be more aware even with a cell or otherwise.

[DVSRX-7]

Toyota better suck some major dick to get there name back on top.

[allout13]

Not really, but u are more aware of whats going on, since I believe (and it may just be me) that regardless of the situation and what is going on. A driver of a manual generally plans ahead (shifts, downshift, antisipated RPM range for likely event) so they would be more aware even with a cell or otherwise.

during a big turn its hard to shift up, keep the wheel turned, and talk on the phone :dunno:

either way, being more aware of the surroundings is a plus

[d00d]

Are all of these models the "drive by wire" type? I remember when the new si"s came with them from the factory recently and everyone complained about the slow throttle response. This is exactlly what first came to my mind wheni heard about all of this. I would rather have my cable operated throttle anyday!

[Mantooth]

This is why we need more driver education, just put the damn thing in neutral and have it red line until it blows.

All vehicles should be manual and I will bet money that accidents and just dumb shit would stop when it comes to vehiclesThat isn't always as easy as it sounds. It could have locked him out of even neutral. Also, saying all vehicles should be manual is prejudice.


this

maybe it would decrease the amount of people who drive while on the phone or texting because its hard as shit to do anything but drive when you have to shift manually (at least in the city)FWIW, I can drive a manual car, in drive, in an out of cars, while texting and drinking a soda. I know it's not safe, but It can be done by some.


Are all of these models the "drive by wire" type? I remember when the new si"s came with them from the factory recently and everyone complained about the slow throttle response. This is exactlly what first came to my mind wheni heard about all of this. I would rather have my cable operated throttle anyday!Cables stick too, but I think this Toyota situation is WELL beyond the floor mat sticking. I think it's a software problem as well.

[loverboy_gnd]

sometimes its different when you're actually in the situation, we think differently. I think he panicked, im glad they were able to stop it, cause it could've ended waay worse

[ATL86]

I think this Toyota situation is WELL beyond the floor mat sticking. I think it's a software problem as well.

THIS is where Toyota suffers the most. First, they say it's the floor mats, then sticking gas pedals, now some independent researchers believe it may have something to do with the electronic throttle. Toyota says that isn't the issue. If that turns out to be truth, then what will come of Toyota's credibility?

[Gutling]

There were two different gas pedals, by two different companies. One works great, the other sticks due to a design flaw. The floor mat situation is different, can can happen in all dbw and cable cars. Its just dumb people that stack 8 or 9 floor mats and trash and such in the floor board and it gets stuck behind the pedal. Its not a software flaw (at least in all except the prius, not sure if that one) its a mechanical.

[00 blk G20t]

haha if your car has a "J" in the vin your ok......im curious when they will just pull the cars off the road all together.(the hybrids) the real question is......does toyota have the money to flip a class action lawsuit on their asses? 96 people so far are claiming depreciation value from selling their "dangerous" prius.

i dont know about everyone else but i totally avoid prius on the road now. i will go out of my way to have one not be following behind me....like its a cop car or some shit LMAO.

[ilovemyhonda.]

I saw this on the news this morning..crazy. Good thing I own a Honda. Woot Woot!

[ilovemyhonda.]

This is why we need more driver education, just put the damn thing in neutral and have it red line until it blows.

All vehicles should be manual and I will bet money that accidents and just dumb shit would stop when it comes to vehicles

That's racise, but if this was true or to happen then I wouldn't have to be driving this dumb autotragic :cry:

[Shift_2WIN]

People are just idiots. He couldve just put the car in neutral, and then used the brakes, but people are so lazy. They just rely on the auto transmission computer to do all of the work for them, so when an emergency situation comes up that ACTUALLY REQUIRES THEM TO DO SOME DRIVING, they have no idea what to do. If you are going to drive an auto, at least know how to really drive it. Alot of people dont know what the lower gears in an automatic are for, and even more dont know that you can even shift it while in motion. A manual owner would know exactly what to do, push in clutch, shift to neutral, b/c we do it all of the time. But someone who never really drives their car, but lets the car drive them, just panic in situations like this. That is what causes accidents and makes a dangerous situation even more dangerous. Driver's Ed, and I mean serious "to the track to re-enact dangerous situations" driver's ed, not "what do you do at a stop sign" driver's ed, needs to be mandatory.

[djpikachu1]

I dont believe this shit I think something is up, ever since this whole toyota thing has happened everybody is saying that something is wrong with their toyota's. We have owned toyota for many years and theyare very reliable cars. Its just me cause i dont believe the media no more. we got a notice to go repair our 06' tacoma but i dont belive nothing is wrong with our truck. Just like when they said that china had lead in childrens toys some years ago, that shit was bs 2. AGAIN THIS IS MY OPINION.

[loverboy_gnd]

^^ i thought so too.. but who knows

[RallyMazda01]

The guy who was driving the Prius is all a lie.
here ya go
http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/toyota-offers-preliminary-findings-155268.aspx

Toyota Offers Preliminary Findings From Technical Field Examination of Alleged 'Runaway Prius' in San Diego



• Toyota Engineers Conclude Two Days of Investigation

• Driver’s Account Of Event Inconsistent With Initial Findings

SAN DIEGO, Calif., March 15, 2010---At a press conference today, Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. offered key preliminary findings of technical field examination and testing that were performed on March 10 and 11 regarding an alleged “runaway Prius” event dramatically covered by national news media.

Toyota engineers completed an investigation of the 2008 Prius driven by Mr. James Sikes that was the subject of a 911 emergency call on Monday, March 8. The driver reported that the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed, the accelerator pedal was stuck, and that the vehicle was out of control and could not be stopped. The emergency operator repeatedly instructed the driver to shift the car into neutral and turn off the power button.

A California Highway Patrol officer intercepted the vehicle and instructed the driver to press firmly on the brakes, apply the emergency brake and turn off the car, at which time the Prius came to a safe stop.

While a final report is not yet complete, there are strong indications that the driver's account of the event is inconsistent with the findings of the preliminary analysis.

Toyota engineers employed data download/analysis, static and dynamic testing as well as thorough inspections of all relative components. In addition, they retraced the reported driving route taking into account driving time and accounts from the 911 recording.

The investigation revealed the following initial findings:

• The accelerator pedal was tested and found to be working normally with no mechanical binding or friction. It should be noted that the Prius is not subject to a recall for sticking accelerator pedals and the Prius component is made by a different supplier than the one recalled.

• The front brakes showed severe wear and damage from overheating. The rear brakes and parking brake were in good condition and functional.

• A Toyota carpeted floor mat of the correct type for the vehicle was installed but not secured to the retention hooks. It was not found to be interfering or even touching the accelerator pedal.

• The pushbutton power switch worked normally and shut the vehicle off when depressed for 3 seconds as the 911 operator advised Mr. Sikes to do.

• The shift lever also worked normally and neutral could be selected. The neutral position is clearly marked and can be easily engaged by moving the lever left to the “N” marking.

• There were no diagnostic trouble codes found in the power management computer, nor was the dashboard malfunction indicator light activated. The hybrid self-diagnostic system did show evidence of numerous, rapidly repeated on-and- off applications of both the accelerator and the brake pedals.

• After examination of individual components, the front brakes were replaced and the vehicle was test driven, during which the vehicle was observed to be functioning normally.

• During testing, the brakes were purposely abused by continuous light application in order to overheat them. The vehicle could be safely stopped by means of the brake pedal, even when overheated.

The Prius braking system uses both conventional hydraulic friction brakes and a regenerative braking system which switches the electric drive motors into brakes to generate electricity.

The system features a sophisticated self- protection function which cuts engine power if moderate brake pedal pressure is applied and the accelerator pedal is depressed more than approximately 50 percent, in effect providing a form of “brake override.”

This function, which is intended to protect the system from overload and possible damage, was found to be functioning normally during the preliminary field examination.

Toyota engineers believe that it would be extremely difficult for the Prius to be driven at a continuous high speed with more than light brake-pedal pressure, and that the assertion that the vehicle could not be stopped with the brakes is fundamentally inconsistent with basic vehicle design and the investigation observations.

These findings suggest that there should be further examination of Mr. Sikes account of the events of March 8.

NHTSA investigators were present during Toyota’s examination, and are conducting their own investigation of the vehicle and its performance. Toyota’s examination was also observed by a congressional staff member.

[Fastlife Mag]

Why doesnt anyone think to turn off the engine?

[BanginJimmy]

Interesting article I found in the LA Times. The whole article is pretty interesting but I provided the link for page 5. Read under the heading "Test Drive".

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/nov/29/business/la-fi-toyota-throttle29-2009nov29?pg=5

[Elbow]

Why wouldn't you just put it in neutral?