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Coles_Law
November 25, 2009 9:36 PM
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Wait-I could do that with thirty seconds and an angle grinder.

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2 replies
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huadpe
November 26, 2009 8:04 AM
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I do all my product recalls at home.

Well, no, actually. cutting metal in a very confined space seems exactly like the sort of thing I want someone else to do for me. I think I'd either harm myself, do significant damage to some nearby part(s), set fire to something, or some combination of the above.

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GitEm$teveDave
November 25, 2009 11:34 PM
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See if Toyota will outsource to you. I'm sure they will have tons of overflow work.

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tenioman
November 25, 2009 9:50 PM
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Hopefully this will prevent further accidents!

But remember, if your pedal does get stuck:

Put your car in neutral!

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2 replies
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YourSoundtrack
November 25, 2009 11:42 PM
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I swear to you a report on the local news said that until repairs could be completed in April that Toyota said \"drivers should practice throwing their car into neutral.\"

That must be fun to think about... \"Toyota's going to fix my car eventually... In the meantime, all I have to do is practice this last ditch maneuver and I'll be perfectly safe the next five months.\"

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DrWebster
November 25, 2009 10:11 PM
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So the new software will keep people from being able to do awesome burnouts? Way to ruin all the fun, Toyota.

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1 replies
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rickhamilton620
November 25, 2009 11:38 PM
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A lot of brands have these \"smart pedals\" designed to cut engine power when both the accelerator and brake are applied.

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tsume
November 25, 2009 10:39 PM
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\"Toyota will also modify the engine software to include a brake override system that will cut the throttle if the brakes and throttle are applied simultaneously\"

Uh oh, how will all the blonde women on their cell phones in California drive if they can't use both feet?

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1 replies
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StanTheManDean
November 25, 2009 11:33 PM
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About the same as they do now.... not very well.

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mikedudical
November 25, 2009 10:49 PM
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I used to have a Lexus that the pedal would get stuck in the floor mat too. It was scary enough that I took the mats out completely. I'm assuming the Dealers will get the recall work done before they resell any of these cars. I know that there are a lot of orphaned Toyota's out there too (see: http://www.repofinder.com ) that need the recall done before some guy buys one then drives it through the back of his garage. Always get a Carfax and check for warranty work before you buy.

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phonic
November 25, 2009 10:53 PM
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When my parents came down to visit a month or so ago, they rented a Prius. I mentioned to them the story about the horrible accident in CA. My dad said \"oh, I guess that's why the floor mats were in the trunk\". Enterprise had the foresight to at least remove them, but you would have thought they would also INFORM the renters as to why they were in the trunk. He had no idea.

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Blueskylaw
November 25, 2009 11:05 PM
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Automotive shrink ray?

Less car for same money.

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enabler
November 25, 2009 11:19 PM
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It will be interesting to see if the sheer number of affected vehicles makes for any long-term damage against Toyota's reputation, or if they have enough good will built up to heal quickly. Glad Toyota is stepping up. I never played that Lexus 911 audio - I knew it would haunt me.

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3 replies
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TouchMyMonkey
November 26, 2009 8:38 AM
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Damage? I'll let you know in about ten or twelve years, when my Toyota is finally decrepit enough to trade in.

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humphrmi
November 26, 2009 12:02 AM
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You know, I was kind of surprised when this came out - because I've had so many cars where the floor mats interfere with the gas pedal - chevys, fords, even a fiat. I always remove or replace the floor mats in my cars. So in my mind, and I think many other people's out there, Toyota was the first car company to take responsibility for an issue that many of us have known about for many years.

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StanTheManDean
November 25, 2009 11:35 PM
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Good idea. It is scary bad, especially if you know the people.

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H3ion
November 26, 2009 12:07 AM
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So maybe Toyota/Lexus doesn't drive on water. Just another good car that occasionally has problems, eh?

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TPA
November 26, 2009 4:29 AM
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How are drivers supposed to dry off their brakes after driving through water? Maybe driving elsewhere doesn't require it but deep puddles of standing water is quite common in Florida. Even with proper drainage the rain comes down in 8\"-12\"/hr rainfall rates. Bad solution. Why not reprogram the engine on/off button to actually shut OFF when pushed rather than waiting? Holding the off button down for 3-10 seconds at highway speeds means a distance of up to 8 football fields before the engine shuts down.

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1 replies
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ecwis
November 26, 2009 6:11 AM
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It would be more dangerous if the engine shut off immediately after pressed since people will definitely hit it accidently. It's a lot harder to shut it off accidently if you have to hold it down for three seconds. Personally, I'll just stick with the standard ignition.

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r081984
November 26, 2009 8:57 AM
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Disabling the throttle when the brake is pressed is a horrible idea.

What do you do when you are at a red light on a very steep hill?
Every morning at a certain light I need to ease of the brake and apply the gas at the same time to prevent from sliding backwards. Other drivers do not give enough distance behind you on a steel hill.

By disabling the gas they are creating a whole new set of problems. Being able to put the car in neutral is all you need to do, not disable the gas.

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4 replies
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JonBoy470
November 26, 2009 10:25 PM
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Automatics \"creep\" when you don't push any of the pedals. The creep holds the car in place during the fraction of a second that it takes to move your foot from the brake to the gas.

If you're driving one of the 8 or 9 manual shift cars left in the US, and you roll back at the light, then you're just straight up doing it wrong.

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shepd
November 26, 2009 10:19 AM
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Using the gas to stay put on a hill in an automatic transmission isn't good for the transmission. At best it heats up the transmission fluid, which means you need to replace it more often.

If you have a manual, trying to use the gas to stay put will burn out the clutch.

Use the brake pedal, and, when ready to go, release it fully and use the gas and the handbrake to get going without sliding back.

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r081984
November 26, 2009 10:27 AM
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???
This an an automatic. If you take your foot of the brake and quickly push the gas you will creep back a little.
The only way to prevent this is to let up on the brake and then start pushing the gas so you know you will not slide backwards before you completely release the brake.

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Awjvail
November 26, 2009 11:20 PM
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Okay... if you need to do some fancy brakework to prevent rolling backwards in an automatic, you're DEFINITELY doing it wrong. Do you drive with two feet or something? Usually you just go from one pedal to another quickly, and poof - you're moving forward.

Still, if you need the brake in a manual you're also doing it wrong. I've only had to do the handbrake trick on a hill ONCE, and that was when I was reversing out of a steep dirt driveway with another car inches in front of me.

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shepd
November 26, 2009 3:13 PM
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Yes, you can do it with the \"real\" brake, however, just like with a manual, the proper way really is to use the handbrake in any car to prevent roll back, and you're supposed to be (Although I know nobody does) keeping it applied the entire time you're stopped on the hill. You shouldn't be doing heel-toe except on a race course. :) If you're not doing heel-toe for activating the gas and brake at the same time, you're doing it wrong. In an automatic your left foot shouldn't move unless it gets restless, and in a manual your left foot is for the clutch only.

As for heating up the transmission, that's only happening if you're using the accelerator alone to hold your position on a hill, which is the worst of all options, but even I've done that when I'm in a rush.

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Nicole
November 26, 2009 9:28 AM
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If you need to ease off the brake to not hit someone on a hill, you're doing it wrong.

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Winteridge2
November 26, 2009 8:22 PM
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does this mean I will no longer be able to drive my toyota 180 mph? bummer!

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bsteimel
November 26, 2009 9:13 PM
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How are you supposed to do heal-to-toe shifting? I know this is usually reserved with sports cars and Toyota really doesn't have any. But can't you get the sporty lexas in a manual transmission option? The whole brake thing better be thought out better so certain situations the brakes and the gas can be applied together.

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Stretch limousine
November 27, 2009 4:49 AM
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Good news for all Toyota owners as it will lessen accidents and save on the fuel. With the recession taking its toll cutting down on the petrol costs is the top most priority.

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