Comments on: Public Service Announcement: How to Stop a Runaway Toyota

By: Josh Freeman

Josh Freeman — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:45:59 +0000

I meant to add: this goes to show you that it pays to read your car user manual before you find out it wont stop

By: Josh Freeman

Josh Freeman — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:44:58 +0000

This is funny. Ideally you can shift down (assuming it had a few lower gears like 1,2,2 like normal cars) from D to 2 and then a few seconds later to 1 in order to slow down the vehicle. After shifting to 1 the car will slow a bit and you can put it in neutral and apply pressure to the break. The shifts would have to be timed well however because the accelerator would still be going. As someone else stated, worst case scenario, go straight to neutral and apply pressure to the break. no matter what you do, depending upon the rate of acceleration, the car is probably going to have some problems by the time it finally stops.

The car also has a “B” mode which is electronic breaking. With this engaged it mimics an air pump in creating the slowing of the engine. It is similar to having a standard shifting system where you lower the gear rather than waste your breaks. It slows you down and will eventually bring you the 10mph or less.

Thought that would be interesting. Anyway, still a very funny/tragic story. Toyota is probably losing TONS of money right now.

By: WesWoodell

WesWoodell — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:12:38 +0000

Maybe so. Either way it doesn’t appear he’ll be voted the brightest bulb in the chandelier anytime soon.

By: WesWoodell

WesWoodell — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:11:23 +0000

Yeah Kev – apparently brakes alone didn’t work for this guy.

By: Kevin Templeton

Kevin Templeton — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:18:05 +0000

The writer of this article needs to check his spelling. The part of the car that makes is stop is the BRAKES.

By: Cary

Cary — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:51:54 +0000

The Prius owner I know says the power steering still works even with the ignition off.

Seems like an elementary driver education FAIL here. If engine is revving out of control, turn it off or put it in neutral. Done.

By: Jim Woodell

Jim Woodell — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:07:37 +0000

Don’t these cars have keyless ignitions? I know the 911 dispatcher instructed the man to put the car in neutral and he said he was just trying to keep it under control, so he couldn’t.

Maybe this guy just made this up to get a BIG settlement from Toyota.

By: WesWoodell

WesWoodell — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:17:19 +0000

Woah – even better. Then you keep your power steering.

By: Cary

Cary — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:15:51 +0000

Or put it in neutral.

By: WesWoodell

WesWoodell — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:09:31 +0000

p.s. – when are you coming to visit?