Event Recorder

[fleubis]

Having heard of the sudden acceleration than may affect our beloved Prius, I am wondering if anyone is aware of a 3rd party event recorder that will record the relevant data like brake and accelerator, speed, etc., that can be recover3d in the case of such a sudden acceleration event or crash. Such a device needs to be readable by a 3rd party and not be dependent upon Toyota as they are rapidly loosing credibility in this matter.

[Blind Guy]

For the last few years, most new cars are equipped with an event recorder that does exactly what you are referring to. It's even mentioned in the Prius's Owners Manual.

David (aka Blind Guy)

Originally Posted by fleubis

Having heard of the sudden acceleration than may affect our beloved Prius, I am wondering if anyone is aware of a 3rd party event recorder that will record the relevant data like brake and accelerator, speed, etc., that can be recover3d in the case of such a sudden acceleration event or crash. Such a device needs to be readable by a 3rd party and not be dependent upon Toyota as they are rapidly loosing credibility in this matter.

[1 mad scientist]

Originally Posted by fleubis

Having heard of the sudden acceleration than may affect our beloved Prius, I am wondering if anyone is aware of a 3rd party event recorder that will record the relevant data like brake and accelerator, speed, etc., that can be recover3d in the case of such a sudden acceleration event or crash. Such a device needs to be readable by a 3rd party and not be dependent upon Toyota as they are rapidly loosing credibility in this matter.

Most if not all current vehicles have some type of black box recording capability built into the computer system. The data is not available to the driver.

There is a way for a Prius with the dynamic cruise control to accelerate rapidly under normal driving conditions. If the cruise control lever is pushed up while the vehicle has slowed down and is following another vehicle the set speed will increase with no change in the vehicle speed. The setting changes very fast when the lever is held up or down. If the speed setting has been increased while following another vehicle the Prius will accelerate very quickly when the vehicle in front moves away from the sensor. I have had this happen to me two or three times before I recognized why. Pressing the brake disengages the cruise, so it is not a dangerous situation when driving on a highway. Holding the cruise lever down is another way to quickly slow the vehicle down. This could explain some of the sudden acceleration events if the cruise would get bumped and resume with the speed set to a high value.

Bob

[a64pilot]

Why do you say Toyota is losing credibility in this matter? I don't think there is any more of a problem here than there was with the Audi's years ago.

And yes, there are several recorders out there. Autotap can be put into record mode where darn near everything on the bus is recorded. But I think you would have more luck filming UFO's.

[cossie1600]

There are plenty of kid monitoring systems out there.

On another note, I love how the moron who can't shift to neutral is creating a panic.