Toyota to replace 2004-2009 Prius gas pedals, give new all-weather mats

[hampdenwireless]

washingtonpost.com

Most interesting to me:
"Toyota plans to install a brake override system on the Camry, Avalon and Lexus ES350, IS350 and IS250 models as an "extra measure of confidence," Toyota and NHTSA said. The brake override system, commonly called a "smart brake," will ensure the vehicle will stop if both the brake and the accelerator pedals are applied simultaneously. Toyota also plans to make the brake override system standard equipment throughout the Toyota and Lexus lineup starting with January 2010 production of the ES350 and Camry. Most new models will get the equipment by the end of 2010."

[bwilson4web]

I'd like to see the formal press release from Toyota but we pretty well knew this was coming. Here are a couple of photos showing the smaller, NHW20 accelerator assembly, and the older, NHW11:




The older, NHW11 accelerator suffers a problem with 'noisy wipers' in the sensor. A replacement accelerator is ~$500 or the sensor can be disassembled and cleaned (Thanks Doug.) But the interesting part is the NHW20 accelerator.

The question is will the tip of the old accelerator be 'cut down in the field' or a new part issued?

I'd like to have the 'smart pedal' system retrofitted to my wife's ZVW30.

Bob Wilson

[ggood]

I'm so-o-o-o jealous. My wife's HyCam gets a new pedal, but my 2010 Prius doesn't get anything!

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by ggood

I'm so-o-o-o jealous. My wife's HyCam gets a new pedal, but my 2010 Prius doesn't get anything!

Let's wait until the formal press release comes out. I suspect our 2010 will be covered. Having taken delivery of a 2010 Prius without the floor mat clips (corrected the next day because I knew to call,) I suspect it will be covered:


OWCH! You were right:
http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/t...ry-102572.aspx

The models involved are:
2007 to 2010 MY (model year) Camry,
2005 to 2010 MY Avalon,
2004 to 2009 MY Prius,
2005 to 2010 MY Tacoma,
2007 to 2010 MY Tundra,
2007 to 2010 MY ES350,
2006 to 2010 MY IS250, and
2006 to 2010 MY IS 350.

Strange omission, the 2010 Prius. One possibility is the ZVW30 Prius may mount the accelerator pedal higher than the NHW20. Anyone have a photo of the accelerator area like mine to compare?

The press release mentions a letter coming that also asks:

. . .
In the meantime, owners of the involved vehicles are asked to take out any removable driver’s floor mat and not replace it with any other floor mat until they are notified of the vehicle-based remedy, as notified in the consumer safety advisory and the interim notice.
. . .

Bob Wilson

[TonyPSchaefer]

As a clarification, aren't almost all of the controls of the Prius fly-by-wire software controlled? Wouldn't the ability to brake while accelerating be controllable through a firmware upgrade? Has anyone tried to brake while accelerating?

[mjv]

They just announced this on CNBC, said that Toyota had a conference call to recall 3.8 million vehicles, some to replace the pedal and some models would get a modified braking system.

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by TonyPSchaefer

. . . Has anyone tried to brake while accelerating?

It is called a 'forced charge' and used to put a maximum charge on a battery. With the vehicle stopped, mash on the brake and floor the accelerator. The engine will run and put a charge on the traction battery. It is often used at Hybridfest when members of the press are going to drive 'prepared' cars.

Bob Wilson

[dorf]

I'm confused about the gas pedal replacement (Recall)for the 04-08?.

I've got an '07 and there is plenty of clearance, between the pedal and the mat.

Comments ????

[plowe2]

Me too - it seems to be 2004-09 Prius models and I have a 2010 but the dealer seem to know mot much.

ANY insight from this forum would be appreciated.

[MJFrog]

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

It is called a 'forced charge' and used to put a maximum charge on a battery. With the vehicle stopped, mash on the brake and floor the accelerator. The engine will run and put a charge on the traction battery. It is often used at Hybridfest when members of the press are going to drive 'prepared' cars.

Bob Wilson

There's no reason why this behavior can't be maintained in addition to the smart-braking. If MPH = 0, allow force charge, otherwise, disable accelerator.