Toyota/Lexus recall

[sprkeng]

Originally Posted by Cygnus

My parents have a 2009 camry. I have noticed how the mat can easily slip and cover the pedals while driving. I told my mother about it today. She was aware of the problem too.

There was a recall on the mats...my wife has a 08 Camry and she got it fixed...

[Emil]

Originally Posted by sprkeng

There was a recall on the mats...my wife has a 08 Camry and she got it fixed...

Just curious, what did they do?

Thanks!

[rbinck]

I agree with junehhan

How about neutral, pull park brake and turn the key off! Most cars have enough boost storage for the brakes to stop the car with the engine off. The park brake should stop the car as well.

[Emil]

I remember when I was a kid learning to drive my father would take me out first thing Sunday morning. I was taught what I should expect from the car and how to handle emergency situations on some minimally traveled back road, I did the same for my kids. I wonder how much this is done anymore? It should be. Cell phone usage should also be addressed.

[junehhan]

I think the fact is that people in today's society don't want to take any personal responsibility for anything and want someone else to take care of them for them. It is sad in my opinion. Just as a gun owner must be responsible for learning how to safely use their gun, car owners should also likewise be responsible for learning what to do with their car.

[daleb]

I thought of 'key off' too...just be careful not to lock the steering wheel.

[Emil]

Originally Posted by daleb

I thought of 'key off' too...just be careful not to lock the steering wheel.

On my cars (Fords) to go to lock position you actually have to manually move a lever of some sort or else it will stop just before locking - a safety feature .

[daleb]

Originally Posted by Emil

On my cars (Fords) to go to lock position you actually have to manually move a lever of some sort or else it will stop just before locking - a safety feature .

Sorry, I assumed most knew ALL cars have similar devices to overcome before it will lock.

My point was people might panic and do that anyway or even try to remove the key, which is the reason for the caution.
That would not be dumbest thing I've ever seen drivers do.

[Emil]

Originally Posted by daleb

Sorry, I assumed most knew ALL cars have similar devices to overcome before it will lock.

I didn't assume ALL cars had the devices since I falsely assumed that accelerators would be designed with ample clearance in case of bulky floor mats.

[daleb]

Originally Posted by Emil

I didn't assume ALL cars had the devices since I falsely assumed that accelerators would be designed with ample clearance in case of bulky floor mats.

I'm not sure what one has to do with the other.

Locking steering columns are a standard feature in all cars, even if some work a little differently, they all do the same thing, basically.

Floor mats may good or bad depending on the supplier the auto mfr. selected and/or how they are fitted. We've covered that already, or at least I thought.

[mshulman]

I have a 2005 Prius which is apparently part of the recall, but I can't see how my mats could pose a problem. I've driven just over 100k miles with it and they've never once been an issue or even close to it.

http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/t...610_p228906298

Reading the warning direct from Toyota, it seems this could simply be a recall for idiots. Idiots that use floor mats that are not designed for their vehicle. Based on the article, it seems any floor mat designed for your vehicle and secured properly should be fine.

[daleb]

Originally Posted by mshulman

it seems this could simply be a recall for idiots.

This is not uncommon for a lot of recalls.

[Emil]

Originally Posted by daleb

I'm not sure what one has to do with the other.

Locking steering columns are a standard feature in all cars, even if some work a little differently, they all do the same thing, basically.

Floor mats may good or bad depending on the supplier the auto mfr. selected and/or how they are fitted. We've covered that already, or at least I thought.

I'm replying to your comment "Sorry, I assumed most knew ALL cars have similar devices to overcome before it will lock.".
It would be an assumption on my part to think all cars do have a lockout mechanism. Another case to prevent me from assuming anything was the fact that you would also assume accelerators were properly designed.

But I think we kinda beat this one to death.

What's next .

[daleb]

Originally Posted by Emil

I'm replying to your comment "Sorry, I assumed most knew ALL cars have similar devices to overcome before it will lock.".
It would be an assumption on my part to think all cars do have a lockout mechanism. Another case to prevent me from assuming anything was the fact that you would also assume accelerators were properly designed.

But I think we kinda beat this one to death.

What's next .

I was not assuming anything, I did not know I left you with that impression. I don't see anything that points to the accelerator being the main problem. If the problem could be resolved by redesigning the accelerator so mats do not get caught, then I agree, we have a solution.

I certainly don't know enough about accelerator design to say one is poorly designed or not, until there is a problem, obviously.

Considering how many functional parts in a modern automobile that leaves a lot of potential problem areas.
But then it is the small problem that gets all the attention.

The outcomes are more grim of course. And serious accidents involves something more important than statistics, human lives. But this is not the most devastating consequences of a manufacturing defect, by any means. But one that certainly deserved to be addressed, as they all do.

I agree, time to move on!

[BNCR]

This didn't happen to me. I copied it from the Ferrari V12 site.

Frightening throttle sticking!

Tonight I had a 20 mile errand to pick up a couple kids at the movie theater so I took the 456M. Normal procedure; start it up and pull out of the garage at idle (I always back in) and stop and close the door and let it idle for 45-60 seconds to start warming up. All is good.

I then get into the cul de sac and being respectful of neighbors I calmly motor out to the main road. After a mile or two I get on it a little to feel some torque in 2nd gear and the throttle stays open! Scares the crap out of me but the brakes pull me down and before I have to turn the key and risk steering lock issues the throttle releases. I careful continue and experiment and it only occurs in heavy throttle so I gear up to 4th figuring it'll be easier to brake it down if it happens. I realize that when it sticks I can pump it a few times and it releases every time. I decide to continue since I'm now only a mile or two away from the theater. Since I'm early (always) I pull under a light and start trying to figure out what to do.

I shut down and restart- no change. I then get out and open the hood and quickly realize that even though I've rebuilt/restored dozens of cars with my own hands, I'm not going to really learn anything in the dark with this baby.

Then it occurs to me. I close the hood and fix the problem in 2 seconds.

It was the floor mat- it had released from the retaining grommets and bunched up against the torque tube tunnel and was binding the pedal but only on return for some reason.

Scary though...