Unscheduled Acceleration Poll

Using your best judgement and understanding of these unscheduled acceleration incidents, Gilbert's simulations, and Toyota's simulations, did any of the following fail to work properly or would any have failed to work properly?

1. Brake Override?
2. Brake Assist?
3. Neutral (or Reverse)?
4. 'P' Park button?
5. 'Power' button?
6. None failed

I'm not interested in anything technical such as whether there were error codes or wiring damage and the like. I'm interested in stopping the car safely. Further more this unscientific poll and by the nature of other cars involved in the simulations isn't limited to only Prius.

 

Strange that during the simulations no one tried other systems involved to see if they worked or not. Seems like that would have been a huge plus factor for Toyota--if the other systems still worked normal?

Even Gilbert in the ABC video told the reporter that the brakes were working but didn't elaborate specifically if there was Brake Assist? It sure didn't look like there was any Brake Override. Come to think of it I don't think that car was a Prius.

Seriously, you'd think this would be something everyone would take seriously in the course of any simulation--that even if you've experienced an unscheduled acceleration all the other systems still work or some work and some don't or none work? Not knowing that much leaves me more concerned then the acceleration in and of itself!

I thought people were more willing to stick their necks out in posts...but apparently not in silent polls. I don't feel as comfortable as I did and will stick to not exceeding 55 mph.

 

If I could edit the poll question I would reword it, "Do you think Unscheduled Acceleration also causes these other System Failures:"

It would be nice if anyone does select any of the 5 systems if you would explain why in the thread here or point to your reasons why elsewhere.

 

I had a thought... If Toyota claims to have duplicated Gilbert's and their simulation of the "stuck accelerator" in their line and _also_ in n-number of other manufacturer vehicles with no error codes produced then why haven't these other manufacturers cars had their own share of real world stuck accelerators? Also, if the "stuck accelerator" is a real problem but can only be simulated by a resistance between two wires and a third wire connecting to 5 V and that this is so unlikely to actually occur with cracked insulation or damaged wires--especially since (I think I read) they have found no evidence of damaged wires, then doesn't this point to something inside an ECU (Electronic Control Unit)? I trust Toyota is looking elsewhere and won't shy away from possibly finding the problem inside an ECU?

 

You or someone didn't check Brake Assist. Is that because Brake Assist might be the one independent system that some ECU couldn't override and disable? If that is the case then all the Prius incidents could have come to a happy landing by proper application of the brakes.

 

What other systems could you also have imagined when you say 'more'?

 

I'm not being that complicated. My only real _assumption_ at this point is that possible so-called failures with the five systems listed above in the poll will all prove to be driver error induced and that UA like the 'tip of the iceberg'. I will also assume that once UA is solved and corrected the rest of the 'iceberg' will be forgotten and things will go back to 'normal' until something else raises the issue of driver error. Toyota likely will be able to prove that none of the five systems ever failed.

BTW, since someone suggested it...are there other systems I have overlooked or is there some central ECU that could take-out (cause to fail) any or all of the five systems listed?

 

How do you figure I'm in over my head, or you either? What don't you understand about the poll? The poll is just a different way to have a discussion on what people think about the issue overall. I wanted to see if I might have missed reading something significant. I read a news clip earlier today that Toyota didn't find anything wrong with the car near San Diego they examined along with another 2008 Prius. I find it all very fascinating--the technology and driver errors and people trying to pull off hoaxes. I even wear House, M.D.'s 'T' that says, "Everybody Lies". Some may think I'm 'over my head'. Some may think I'm 'paranoid'. A good friend, (who I think is paranoid) thinks I'm insane to be driving or riding in any Toyota, much like I feel about driving or riding on a motorcycle or riding a bicycle in mixed traffic. Toyota even mentions how Brake Override cuts the engine to idle. I wonder how the guy in San Diego was even able to burn-up his brakes if it was a hoax? Time to die? Time to wait!

 

That is of course your opinion. I would not accept top prize from you--maybe from a moderator or Toyoda. Is it possible that those of you who think I'm 'over my head' in this poll/discussion prefer to leave your heads buried in the sand? It is clear that the poll and this discussion in PriusChat was a bad idea in that there isn't one of you or myself that lacks confidence in the car?

What the poll was trying to demonstrate was something that didn't require a poll here in any of the 2010 Gen III forums and likely has no place here in PriusChat. None of the five means to stop or help safely stop a runaway acceleration have ever failed. What has failed deliberately or by accident in every one of these incidents is the driver by not being familiar with the car they drove. Even those who maybe put their whole incident on as hoax demonstrate they don't know how to control the car in an emergency--else some or all of the five ways to stop the car would have failed too--and that I and some of you can only speculate has never happened.

But again, this doesn't interest PriusChat. If a moderator would like to close this thread or even better delete it please do so. I will try to stick to physical problems that concern me on my Prius and pay no attention to others problems or speculate that driver training on hybrid/new technology cars is poor to none.