Uncontrolled Acceleration

Some people complain about brake failure with the Prius, I wonder if this is the problem for them? Unsecured floor mats.

 

I think it's been hashed out that almost all those mis/under-reported events
were most likely floormat issues. The forward creep happens amazingly
quickly, despite all those little fingers underneath that are supposed
to sink into the base carpeting and stabilize it.
.
Now, if you never actually push the pedal to the floor, it's much less
likely to get snagged!
.
_H*

 

Neutral on a regular car actually disconnects the gears. There's no way to do this on a Prius -- they're always engaged. The only way to rev the engine without moving is to have it run MG1. The maximum RPM for MG1 is 10,000 which translates to about 2800 RPM on the ICE if you're stationary.

 

On a 2005 model, I've sometimes experienced a slight surge when I slow down to a stop, just about 1-2 seconds before I come to the full stop. This surge, of course, requires me to apply more braking force. (No mats are involved with this issue.)

Has anyone else experienced this?

 

The "slight surge" is probably the regen releasing then applying the friction brakes. It's amazing to me how we perceive a drop in deceleration as acceleration. I notice it every time I get the HSD to go to "coast" (no arrows).

Which brings up a story - while watching a NASCAR race on a track with a grass infield, a car lost control and slid across the grass into a barrier. The commentators, both ex-drivers and intelligent gentlemen, carried on about how the car would accelerate when it got on wet grass. I was rolling on the floor in laughter!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tripod137 @ Nov 6 2007, 03:36 PM) [snapback]535718[/snapback]</div>

Wow! That's scary. Thanks for sharing. Makes you wonder what would happen if this was a Ford Expedition EL and the throttle stuck...of course the driver is on the cell phone and oblivious to what's happening. Just a scary thought.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Danny Hamilton @ Nov 7 2007, 11:48 AM) [snapback]536241[/snapback]</div>

Yah... I thought of that. I take off my right shoe when I drive (to be one with my car), I'll probably feel the carpet if it gets bunched up or something. And yes, I know this is extremely illegal in most states.

 

The driving barefoot thing seems to be an urban legend. It's legal in the US though not necessarily recommended. But make sure your shoe isn't someplace it can block the pedals.

 

Every time I have to drive with shoes on, I feel *incredibly*
clumsy by comparison. No likee.
.
_H*

 

Being a Prius Owner I feel that until the root cause in identified that all owner should start practicing a rolling shut down. The following is how I will be performing this process:

1. Tap accelerator petal several times. This may or may not free the condition.
2. Start emergency braking. The driver may have to press down hard to slow the vehicle. Brakes may be damaged in this maneuver.
3. Place transmission in Neutral. The transmission will not go into any other position until the car is at a complete stop.
4. Brake until stopped off road. This should be done very quickly since the engine will be damage if the over speed condition is not terminated very soon after the transmission is placed in Neutral.
5. Press Power button. If the above does not work the only solution may be to turn off the car. This will place the car into Park and turn off other control systems and should only be used if all other methods do not work as this will damage the transmission if the car is in motion.
6. Contact towing service to take car to dealer. The dealer should inspect the brakes, tires, transmission, and engine controls system.

The last step is of course only if the runaway happens. I will be practicing this at least once a week. I will be practicing on an empty road at no more than 25 MPH.

 

a great deal of this is incorrect as it relates to the prius

the car can be manually shifted in and out of neutral at any speed

hitting the "park" button also puts the car into neutral at speeds of 3 mph + ... park and reverse are "locked out" even on drive by wire

the engine on the prius does not surge in neutral, and if by some "glitch" it did, the motor is electronically limited, and a rev limiter will prevent the motor from grenading

 

interesting

i just about to search for a thread like this and noticed this on the front page of this sub-forum

 

I saw a video on ABC news with an engineer from Consumer Reports describing what to do if uncontrolled acceleration occurs. He explains that you can not use your brakes alone to stop a car accerating and the brakes may even fail quickly. Also turning the engine off can be confusing and may cause loss of power steering and power brakes. And on other cars if you turn the key too far you may lock the steering wheel.

Bottom line is that you should hit the brakes and immediately shift into neutral, which allows you to stop the car and then once you are safe, you can turn off the engine if it still revving. Here is a link to the page where there is a link to the video on the right side:
abcnews.go.com/Blotter/RunawayToyotas/sudden-acceleration-toyota-cars-owners-rebel-accidents/story?id=8980479&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

I cant post it as working link yet since I just joined this forum, but cut and paste should get you there.

 

Today as I was merging onto a freeway my accelerator stuck. Braking didn't work but as I was maneuvering back into the merge lane I remembered that hitting the power button might help. I was able to stop the car but the engine was still going and I still had my foot firmly on the brake pedal. I then reached down and pulled the floor mat toward me which immediately stopped the unwanted acceleration. That floor mat is now OUT of the car. Yes, I had just recently received the Prius Notification about this problem - but of course thought it just wouldn't happen to me. I'd had the car washed just before this event but never thought to check the mat afterwards.
Does anyone know why this problem affects only certain Toyota models? Any word on what Toyota's resolution will be?
Now I'm also wondering why car washes aren't posting signs and/or being extra cautious about repositioning mats after cleaning. Since all of the model and years of the mat recall issue are known, wouldn't it be prudent of them to simply refuse to return that mat to its' previous location?

 

Phone the car wash and chew them out. They should not make your car unsafe getting it clean.

 

let's not put the responsibility for our safety and security on the car wash

glad you're ok

 

Glad you are OK. Have you had your mat properly clipped before the cleaning? There is no need to remove the mat completely. Just do *not * stack it on top of the summer carpet - put it *right* on the floor - and clip it properly using the safety hooks. When clipped, there is simly *no way* in the hell the mat might move and stuck the gas pedal. I drive around with my mat clipped in the place and feel quite safe already . I am not going to remove it, no need to panic.

If you had the mat clipped before and the guys at the car wash didn't put it back properly, I would certainly go back to that place and have a serious word or two with them and their manager. This is a very serious issue which could have had grave consequences.

 

Hey, I didn't say sue them, I said yell at them. Impress upon them that they shouldn't do this. How are you going to feel if you don't tell them and find out that another of their customers dies next week.