Sudden Burst of Speed

[bookappeal]

Originally Posted by rachaelseven

Call me a concern troll if you'd like, but I don't see how a behavior that freaks out every driver of the car can be considered ok. I'm amazed this behavior has managed to survive so long without being changed.

I completely agree. There are numerous threads on this issue and, apparently, it happens with other makes and models as well. I understand Tom's explanation (sort of) but has anyone verified that the vehicle stops at the intended stopping point as long as you don't freak out and remember to press harder on the gas pedal? I'm pretty sure I overshot the intersection by a couple inches at least when it happened to me last time and another driver reported that he missed his turn because of it.

Are we just freaking out or does the car really travel farther than the driver intended, no matter how quickly one reacts? If it does, then it's a major safety issue.

As the weather gets colder, I'm starting to dread braking on icy and snowy roads. With all of the local towns and cities facing debt, there won't be much plowing, salting, or pothole repair this season!

Chris

[rachaelseven]

Originally Posted by bookappeal

Are we just freaking out or does the car really travel farther than the driver intended, no matter how quickly one reacts? If it does, then it's a major safety issue.

Well, if you think about it, a "sudden loss of expected deceleration" would have pretty much the same effect on your stopping point as a "sudden acceleration". Either way, you didn't get as much deceleration as you were planning on, so it seems pretty likely you will overshoot your mark. Now hopefully, you react by pressing the pedal harder and make up for the loss of deceleration. But you do have a reaction time of at least a tenth of a second, and during that time, you are going to travel some distance. I suppose it really all depends on the exact circumstances, but I certainly have no trouble imagining a situation where it could actually be a problem.

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by rachaelseven

Well, if you think about it, a "sudden loss of expected deceleration" would have pretty much the same effect on your stopping point as a "sudden acceleration". Either way, you didn't get as much deceleration as you were planning on, so it seems pretty likely you will overshoot your mark. Now hopefully, you react by pressing the pedal harder and make up for the loss of deceleration. But you do have a reaction time of at least a tenth of a second, and during that time, you are going to travel some distance. I suppose it really all depends on the exact circumstances, but I certainly have no trouble imagining a situation where it could actually be a problem.

Loss of braking action is always a potential problem. The situation described in this thread is just one of many ways that braking can take longer than expected, which is why we leave extra space in front of our cars.

Tom

[FireEngineer]

Originally Posted by rachaelseven

Yup. It is "sudden loss of expected deceleration"

I like that term, I think I'll borrow it.

Wayne