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The Toyota Witch Hunt

businessweek.com

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Re: The Toyota Witch Hunt

#101

Post by bjelkeman-again »

jsz0 wrote: post #83
erlanger wrote: post #8

I hold the conspiracy theory that these issues are being so aggressively sought out in an attempt to bring Toyota's image down to the level of American auto manufacturers.

I don't buy that. The US has a big interest in the Japanese economy that goes well beyond the auto industry. I think it's just media fear mongering. If you do own a Toyota it's hard to ignore so they're going to milk it for every cent it's worth.

Yeah, but the interests which are pursuing this issue are not the same interests as the "US" in your statement.

Re: The Toyota Witch Hunt

#102

Post by fh »

Confusion wrote: post #97
presidentender wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wholeheartedly agree. The sheer number of failures that have to occur, the low level of action on the drivers' parts required to overcome the problem (put it in neutral! Use your brakes! Use your parking brakes!), the speed and intensity of the government's response, and the fact that GM is so unpopular combine to make the entire debacle suspect.

Not to mention the curious fact that these incidents only happen in the US, even though there are vast numbers of Toyota's out here in Europe.

Most cars here in Europe are stick shift though. A stick shift car can't go berserk on you, you simply press the clutch pedal, as you do anyway when braking, and the acceleration is gone.

Re: The Toyota Witch Hunt

#103

Post by Hexstream »

illumin8 wrote: post #67
paulbaumgart wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I haven't driven any newer Toyotas, but do they not let you turn off the ignition while in motion/gear?

The newer Toyotas all have push button start. Apparently, it's not very intuitive, unless you have a lot of experience building PCs with ATX power supplies, that you need to hold down the start button for 3-4 seconds to turn off the engine when it is in drive. It's almost like Microsoft designed these cars: "What? I push Start to shut down the car/computer?"

http://www.jokesunlimited.com/jokes/if_microsoft_made_cars.h...

Re: The Toyota Witch Hunt

#104

Post by Zak »

illumin8 wrote: post #67
paulbaumgart wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I haven't driven any newer Toyotas, but do they not let you turn off the ignition while in motion/gear?

The newer Toyotas all have push button start. Apparently, it's not very intuitive, unless you have a lot of experience building PCs with ATX power supplies, that you need to hold down the start button for 3-4 seconds to turn off the engine when it is in drive. It's almost like Microsoft designed these cars: "What? I push Start to shut down the car/computer?"

I really don't understand the push button start fad. Unless it's coupled to an RFID key or some such, it's less convenient than just turning the key.

Re: The Toyota Witch Hunt

#106

Post by stcredzero »

sliverstorm wrote: post #70
stcredzero wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Please consider the entirely of your own scenario. Bending down awkwardly and taking your eyes off the road to get at fuses under the dash could well kill you if you are in an out of control speeding car. Most of the other actions suggested can be taken while in standard driving posture. Those will be much safer than reaching for fuses under the dash.

It's not the first solution. It's just a last-ditch effort to try. In other words, it "could well kill you". I'd much rather take the "COULD" route than doing something that will darn sure kill me, i.e. speeding uncontrollably. In any case, I was just throwing out an idea.

I would accept it as a last ditch attempt.

Re: The Toyota Witch Hunt

#107

Post by anamax »

wisty wrote: post #84
anamax wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Wouldn't shifting to neutral make the engine rev up really high? Does the computer limit the RPMs to prevent damage? Yes, the computers do. However, if you're going to have an accident, engine damage is pretty low on the list of concerns, even if you ignore the fact that accidents cause engine damage.

Switching the engine off (if you can do it fast enough) should slow you down faster though. If you stay in gear with no ignition, the engine drag will brake you a bit.

> Switching the engine off (if you can do it fast enough) should slow you down faster though.

Switching off the ignition can lock the steering....

You also lose the power-assist on the brakes.

Given the above, you might not notice that you've also lost the power-assist on the steering.

Re: The Toyota Witch Hunt

#108

Post by kelnos »

stcredzero wrote: post #22

The Mythbusters tried to slam a car into reverse at speed. What they discovered, is that there are safety mechanisms to prevent this from happening in automatics. http://mythbustersresults.com/episode84

Not just automatics... my manual (2004 Honda) has an interlock that blocks the shifter from moving into reverse if I'm moving forward at > 10mph.

Re: The Toyota Witch Hunt

#109

Post by baguasquirrel »

anamax wrote: post #107
wisty wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Switching the engine off (if you can do it fast enough) should slow you down faster though. If you stay in gear with no ignition, the engine drag will brake you a bit.

> Switching the engine off (if you can do it fast enough) should slow you down faster though. Switching off the ignition can lock the steering.... You also lose the power-assist on the brakes. Given the above, you might not notice that you've also lost the power-assist on the steering.

Switching the engine off in drive or neutral does not appear to lock the steering. You're right about the power-assist though.

Re: The Toyota Witch Hunt

#110

Post by anamax »

baguasquirrel wrote: post #109
anamax wrote: post #107

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Switching the engine off (if you can do it fast enough) should slow you down faster though. Switching off the ignition can lock the steering.... You also lose the power-assist on the brakes. Given the above, you might not notice that you've also lost the power-assist on the steering.

Switching the engine off in drive or neutral does not appear to lock the steering. You're right about the power-assist though.

> Switching the engine off in drive or neutral does not appear to lock the steering.

Turning the engine off with the key need not lock the steering, but it will lock the steering if you turn the key past off to lock.

In a run-away engine scenario, are you likely to stop turning the key in a position that you don't use very often? Or, are you likely to turn it as hard as possible?

There may be an interlock that is supposed to keep the key from locking the steering while in drive or neutral, but do you trust it? (What about manual transmission cars? I know that I can lock my steering while in gear. I forget whether it requires clutch-in though.)

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