The big red E-stop button.

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by Blind Guy

I guess I don't understand what all the fuss is over, to me, it's VERY simple!

If you have a runnaway car/engine, just pull the gearshift to "N" for 2 seconds, and the problem is solved! The engine goes to idle, the power steering and brakes still have power and you just pull the car over and STOP!

David (aka Blind Guy)

I think we have a new spokesman. David, if you don't mind, our new motto will be: "Stopping the Prius? It's so easy, even a Blind Guy can do it."

Tom

[rachaelseven]

Originally Posted by qbee42

I think we have a new spokesman. David, if you don't mind, our new motto will be: "Stopping the Prius? It's so easy, even a Blind Guy can do it."

Tom

I like it, but I can already see the Geico lawyers warming up their word processors :-P

[Blind Guy]

Originally Posted by qbee42

I think we have a new spokesman. David, if you don't mind, our new motto will be: "Stopping the Prius? It's so easy, even a Blind Guy can do it."

Tom

* Maybe that's what they need to say on the Placard they affix to the gearshift near the "N"!

David (aka Blind Guy)

[rachaelseven]

Hey, as long as we're adding big red buttons, is there a hack to add a big red "Troll" button to the forum so threads can be stopped when they enter runaway mode?

[Blind Guy]

Originally Posted by qbee42

I think we have a new spokesman. David, if you don't mind, our new motto will be: "Stopping the Prius? It's so easy, even a Blind Guy can do it."

Tom

I think that should be the new motto to, BTW do I get royalties on this?

I sure hope we never have a car engine runawy, with both a Blind Guy and a Blonde, we are in BIG TROUBLE!

LaDonna (aka blind guys wife)

[wjterry]

Originally Posted by rachaelseven

Hey, as long as we're adding big red buttons, is there a hack to add a big red "Troll" button to the forum so threads can be stopped when they enter runaway mode?

Excellent idea!!!

[DeanFL]

Originally Posted by Blind Guy

I guess I don't understand what all the fuss is over, to me, it's VERY simple!

If you have a runnaway car/engine, just pull the gearshift to "N" for 2 seconds, and the problem is solved! The engine goes to idle, the power steering and brakes still have power and you just pull the car over and STOP!

David (aka Blind Guy)

David,

Now that you've taken care of this topic so well, would you mind going to Washington? Most of us like simple basic solutions as this one. Thanks.

[spiderman]

I don't know... but if they had one of those flip up protector covers over the button, I wouldn't mind one one my dash. It's not like I can put anything on the dash anyway... wasted space.

[rachaelseven]

Originally Posted by spiderman

I don't know... but if they had one of those flip up protector covers over the button, I wouldn't mind one one my dash. It's not like I can put anything on the dash anyway... wasted space.

So the kids can play "Deal or No Deal" while you're driving? Awesome.

[garygid]

If the car is runaway due to a simple throttle stuck under something heavy (mat, foot, brick, etc.), the shift to N, or the 3-sec OFF, would most probably work well.

However, if there is some "control computer" problem, it is quite possible that neither control will perform its intended function. But, even a Big Red Button does not prevent software-produced accidents.

Just yesterday, my Prius-III backed up with sudden unintended acceleration, with my foot only on the brake pedal. I recognized what was happening because it happened once before, just over 2 months ago, just a few days after I got the car. I suspect that some unusual element of timing and internal state of the computer and hybrid power system combine to produce this "abrupt" reverse acceleration as I am gently easing off my foot pressure on the brake pedal. Others have noticed this "bug".

Yes, in this case pressing the brake stops the car, and shifting to N and then R again "resets" the software so that further backing is the expected gentle movement.

However, the unexpected "jump" backward might have caused an accident, crashing the car into anything behind me. And, who would believe me when I said "The Prius-Bug did it, not Me!"?