[CharlieMay]

After hearing all the problem Toyota is having, and seeing the interview with Steve Wozniak saying that he felt it was a firmware issue, I was just wondering what other's thoughts were as to the root of the problem. Do you think it's a gas pedal sticking, or a malfunction of the computer/cruise-control system that could be causing it.

I know the media is on top of this but it seems to be happening a lot so I thought it might be a good topic of discussion here.

This post has been edited by CharlieMay: 10 March 2010 - 07:13 PM

[WolfCoder]

What ever happened to brakes that were brakes?

This post has been edited by WolfCoder: 10 March 2010 - 07:14 PM

[CharlieMay]

Is it me or does anyone else think the first instinct after finding the brakes aren't getting the job done that the next step would be shutting off the engine? I guess that was the first thing I thought when the guy today was talking about having to weave in and out of traffic while trying to talk to the 911 operator. I guess the situation would have to arise for me to know for sure but I would think that turning off the engine would be high on the list of attempting to stop the vehicle.

[eker676]

What I don't get is why they don't just take out the computer and make it manual? In some cases you might avoid a crash w/ the computer but if it's causing problems take the dang thing out and let the person driving handle the situation.

Also, I think the engine is computerized as well. You can't just turn the key and shut your car off or people would definitely do that. I haven't researched that last point but, it seems like common sense to shut it but if the computer doesn't let you well, you have a wild dangerous ride.

Edit: Well, I talked w/ my father who is a safety engineer and he said that some cars don't have a brake override. Meaning the brakes have no effect on the accelerator so, if the accelerator is down brakes don't do crap.

This post has been edited by eker676: 10 March 2010 - 07:59 PM

[Sethro117]

I've never drove a Prius but if turning the key off doesnt shut the engine off I think I would be looking into a different vehicle.

[no2pencil]

uhm, only my Chevette had the ability to turn the key off while the car was in drive. I'll have to check my current vehicles, but I'm pretty sure I've never had a car that does this effectively (other than the previously mentioned).

[Sethro117]

All the ones I've had done it. A 96 F-150, I drove a Pontiac Montana for awhile and never tried with that one. And my 04 Explorer does it too.

[skyhawk133]

How hard would it be to put the car in NEUTRAL?! Yeh, engine is gonna rev up, probably blow up your engine, or you could put it in neutral, brake, come to a stop, and shut off the car.

I honestly think the guy faked it for some $$$ or he's getting paid by the feds to just completely trash Toyota so the American brands gain back market share and they recoup the $$$ they (we taxpayers) poured in to their failing asses.

[capty99]

skyhawk133, on 11 March 2010 - 12:35 AM, said:

I honestly think the guy faked it for some $$$ or he's getting paid by the feds to just completely trash Toyota so the American brands gain back market share and they recoup the $$$ they (we taxpayers) poured in to their failing asses.

what guy? Steve Wozniak? As in the apple founder? I don't think he is hard up for cash.

[skyhawk133]

No, the fuck stick that couldn't figure out how to put his car in NEUTRAL.

[TriggaMike]

skyhawk133, on 10 March 2010 - 11:40 PM, said:

No, the fuck stick that couldn't figure out how to put his car in NEUTRAL.

This. I'm definitely glad to hear there is someone else out there who has figured out that no matter what you're driving, you can always slam your car into neutral if your accelerator jams. Seriously, what's the big deal then? Nothing. Toyota would replace your engine after it overheated and blew up, and then everything would be tip-top and you'd be back on your road in your "fixed" Prius. I wouldn't recommend driving in gridlock traffic though

[no2pencil]

I kid you not, fuck stick I may be, but in high school my friend had some beat up luxury car & this happened to us. He missed a stop sign & SLAMMED on the breaks. Next thing we knew the car just up & took off! We were doing about 55/65 ish, & he started flipping out. I could hear him slamming on the break pedal so I said put it in neutral, & he did but nothing. Then I suggested park & it started making this horrible clicking sound. It eventually came to a stop, & lucky for us it wasn't speeding up it kept at it's speed. I had almost forgotten about this. It was kind of scary.

If the throttle is ON, then it's pumping gas into the engine. If the transmission is an automatic, one could be screwed.

I do have to say that in my opinion, a major car company wouldn't issue a massive recall just because the public are fuck sticks & can't operate their car.

[WolfCoder]

I thought you were talking about some new kind of driving type, like automatic or fuck stick.

[Nykc]

Anyone who owns/drives a Prius is a fuck stick anyways.

Regardless there are other ways in most vehicles to stop cars. What irks me the most is that cars have to be so computerized anymore you need a PHd in that particular model just to inflate your tires.

This hurts the normal mechanics as well because you are forced to run to the dealership everytime something goes wrong.

[WolfCoder]

Somehow that GM joke with the cars that need their windows closed, restarted and opened to work is becoming a sort of scary reality.