Uncontrolled Acceleration

Tripod137 · 11-06-2007, 04:36 PM

I had a short entrance ramp to the parkway. I waited for my opening and floored it. Got on up to speed w/ no problems so I relax a bit....but the car keeps accelerating! So I disengage the cruise control (I didn't remember hitting it)...but that didn't work it was never on...so I tap the brakes and the car slows a little, but the engine is still revving. I take my foot off the brake and the car starts accelerating again! It was rush hour traffic, but no one was in front of me, luckily. I push harder on the brakes and the car slows down some...but the engine is still revving high! I release and reapply...the car still wants to accelerate (my 2 yr old is in the back totally oblivious). Then I push a little hard on the brakes and, I guess, the emergency stopping thing kicks in and the car shakes and slows down a lot. But the engine is still revving....so I figure...lets see if the gas pedal is stuck. I switched feet on the brakes and tried to pull up the pedal with my toe. The car starts to slow down! and no more revving!

It seems as if, after my last car wash, my winter floor mats (that I use all year round) slid up a little far towards the pedals and when I floored it, the gas pedal got stuck under the edge of the mat and "kept the gas on".

Need to keep on up my floor mat position and be mindful of when I floor the gas, it could get stuck.

It made for an interesting few seconds of my evening. I am still wondering why I didn't start to freak out....maybe if the "toe under the gas pedal" thing didn't work....

qbee42 · 11-06-2007, 04:41 PM

There have been other reported problems with floor mats.

Tom

PoulStaugaard · 11-06-2007, 04:49 PM

How about shifting into neutral ? Won't that do it - The Prius throttle being computerized ?

Tripod137 · 11-06-2007, 05:08 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PoulStaugaard @ Nov 6 2007, 04:49 PM) [snapback]535733[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

How about shifting into neutral ? Won't that do it - The Prius throttle being computerized ?
[/b]

The Engine won't rev like crazy being in neutral?

Neicy · 11-06-2007, 05:50 PM

In that case it would have continued to rev, but the gear would be disengaged and you would slow down. I believe a safety warning was issued recently regarding mats/rugs on some Toyota vehicles; that when using one set on top of another they may not stay in the clips and move.

**Tideland Prius** · 11-06-2007, 06:00 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tripod137 @ Nov 6 2007, 02:08 PM) [snapback]535749[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The Engine won't rev like crazy being in neutral?
[/b]

Not on a Prius. Try it. When you're stopped, shift to N and depress the accelerator. Nothing happens.

Danny Hamilton · 11-06-2007, 06:05 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Nov 6 2007, 06:00 PM) [snapback]535779[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Not on a Prius. Try it. When you're stopped, shift to N and depress the accelerator. Nothing happens.
[/b]

Hmm, what about the other way around. If I step on the accelerator to get the ICE revving, and then shift to N, will it maintain the current RPM, or will it drop to idle? Maybe I'll try it on the way home tonight.

Tech_Guy · 11-06-2007, 06:39 PM

Hey Guys,

Remember that that Prius automobile transmission is like no other transmission... Neutral is not really neutral like other transmissions. See the following URL's for detail..

http://www.cleangreencar.co.nz/page/prius-transmission

http://prius.ecrostech.com/original/Unders...gOnAsIDrive.htm

Keith

clintbhs02 · 11-06-2007, 06:49 PM

Something similar happens to me when I have the car in cruise control, then go to hit the brakes.. its takes like 3 seconds to make up its mind to stop (and right before it starts to stops it seems like it accelerated)

Neicy · 11-06-2007, 06:59 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Nov 6 2007, 07:00 PM) [snapback]535779[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Not on a Prius. Try it. When you're stopped, shift to N and depress the accelerator. Nothing happens.
[/b]

Wow! Didn't know that. Thanks!

11-06-2007, 04:36 PM	#1
Tripod137 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Long Island Posts: 124 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I had a short entrance ramp to the parkway. I waited for my opening and floored it. Got on up to speed w/ no problems so I relax a bit....but the car keeps accelerating! So I disengage the cruise control (I didn't remember hitting it)...but that didn't work it was never on...so I tap the brakes and the car slows a little, but the engine is still revving. I take my foot off the brake and the car starts accelerating again! It was rush hour traffic, but no one was in front of me, luckily. I push harder on the brakes and the car slows down some...but the engine is still revving high! I release and reapply...the car still wants to accelerate (my 2 yr old is in the back totally oblivious). Then I push a little hard on the brakes and, I guess, the emergency stopping thing kicks in and the car shakes and slows down a lot. But the engine is still revving....so I figure...lets see if the gas pedal is stuck. I switched feet on the brakes and tried to pull up the pedal with my toe. The car starts to slow down! and no more revving! It seems as if, after my last car wash, my winter floor mats (that I use all year round) slid up a little far towards the pedals and when I floored it, the gas pedal got stuck under the edge of the mat and "kept the gas on". Need to keep on up my floor mat position and be mindful of when I floor the gas, it could get stuck. It made for an interesting few seconds of my evening. I am still wondering why I didn't start to freak out....maybe if the "toe under the gas pedal" thing didn't work.... __________________ Mods: MFD Screen protector, PriusHoods Hood, Bumper Guard, Tint all around, Sirius Satellite, Weathertech Floorliner, Carbox cargo mat

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11-06-2007, 04:41 PM	#2
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 5,639 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 6	There have been other reported problems with floor mats. Tom

11-06-2007, 04:49 PM	#3
PoulStaugaard Now a PriusOwner Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 79 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	How about shifting into neutral ? Won't that do it - The Prius throttle being computerized ?

11-06-2007, 05:50 PM	#5
Neicy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wakefield, MA. Posts: 781 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: G Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	In that case it would have continued to rev, but the gear would be disengaged and you would slow down. I believe a safety warning was issued recently regarding mats/rugs on some Toyota vehicles; that when using one set on top of another they may not stay in the clips and move.

11-06-2007, 06:39 PM	#8
Tech_Guy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca. Posts: 226 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hey Guys, Remember that that Prius automobile transmission is like no other transmission... Neutral is not really neutral like other transmissions. See the following URL's for detail.. http://www.cleangreencar.co.nz/page/prius-transmission http://prius.ecrostech.com/original/Unders...gOnAsIDrive.htm Keith

11-06-2007, 06:49 PM	#9
clintbhs02 Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 22 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Something similar happens to me when I have the car in cruise control, then go to hit the brakes.. its takes like 3 seconds to make up its mind to stop (and right before it starts to stops it seems like it accelerated)