Saw this one coming

[Lazarus]

Something just didn't seem right when I first heard about it. I figured I could do the same thing if I was speeding and got caught, just fake like the accelerator was stuck, as back in 02-03 Nissan had a similiar issue with the floormats.

http://autos.aol.com/article/prius-driver-scam

[jtryz]

that guy is going to go to jail real sooooooon. and then its to late for Nuetral.....

[bluerider]

Good find Laz, that thing sounded fishy from the first report.

[DICKIEDOO]

What an idiot.

[X-Man]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,589090,00.html?test=latestnews

[wallypiper]

http://www.georgehernandez.com/h/aaBlog/2004/media/08-08_PriusDashboard.jpg
That button, the one that says "Power" and has the little international graphic symbol for an "ON/OFF" button. In any circumstance, if you press and hold that button for three seconds, the car turns off.

However, the Toyota owner's manual hides this information under lots of warnings about NOT pressing the button while driving. There are lots of confusing explanations of how the Prius drive system functions on the web. There are several ways to get into Neutral while driving but actually moving the shift lever to the neutral position is actually the slowest way to do it. You have to hold it there for three seconds. The Prius uses the drive train for braking so shifting into neutral dramatically reduces the immediate effectiveness of stepping on the brake pedal. That's why they make it hard to shift into neutral. There are some other things, however, that you can do that will, according to one report, immediately shift the car to neutral.


(1) Can one put the Prius into neutral while it is driving:

Of course. It's easy--just press the Park button and it will go into neutral. No muss no fuss. The parking pawl is only engaged if the the park button is pressed when the speed is less than 7 mph. If pressed at over 6 mph the Prius will go into neutral and stay in neutral regardless of speed.

Other ways to get into neutral while driving are:

1. Select R on the shifter.

2. Hold the shifter in the N position for three seconds. (This is my least favorite way because it takes too long)

(2) Can one turn the Prius off while driving.

Normally the operation of the power switches is disabled while the vehicle is being driven. However, if the hybrid system must be stopped in an emergency while the vehicle is in motion, the driver can press the power switch for approximately three seconds or more to stop the hybrid system. In this case the power switch changes from the READY mode to the ACC mode.

ACC mode means:

1. The traction battery is disconnected.

2. The engine stops.

3. Most dash lights are off.

4. Some 12V systems will still operate (the audio system for example).

5. Power brakes will still work (they are pressurized by an electric pump).

6. The electric power steering may work as well (I haven't tried this).

I don't know about this guy. I have no idea whether his Prius was out of control or not. But it's clear that many people would find themselves at a loss when trying to stop a runaway Prius. Let's face it. The vast majority of car owners and drivers never open the owner's manual unless they find themselves unable to figure out how to do something they want to do - program the radio, change the clock etc. Driving a car is so universally the same from one model to another for most people that there is no need to read the manual just to get in the car and go from A to B. Toyota has broken that continuity with the Prius. There ARE differences with some of the most basic parts of operating the car.

[Hammerhead]

I've wondered all along how many of these "stuck accelerator" claims are from Toyota owners who are "upside down" in their cars.

[wallypiper]

A guy in the office has an old Camry. A week or two ago he was sitting second in line at the gated entrance to the apartment complex where he lives. The guy ahead was having trouble with the entrance and poor "Ralph" was stuck there waiting. He looked down at something in the car, stuff on the passenger seat he was just sorting out to take inside or not and while he wasn't paying attention his car rolled backwards about 4 or 5 feet and struck a brick column. It did an incredible amount of damage to the car - rear bumper smashed, one fender smashed, trunk lid badly bent. I advised him to get a lawyer and file a suit against Toyota for "unexpected negative acceleration".

[meghan]

A guy in the office has an old Camry. A week or two ago he was sitting second in line at the gated entrance to the apartment complex where he lives. The guy ahead was having trouble with the entrance and poor "Ralph" was stuck there waiting. He looked down at something in the car, stuff on the passenger seat he was just sorting out to take inside or not and while he wasn't paying attention his car rolled backwards about 4 or 5 feet and struck a brick column. It did an incredible amount of damage to the car - rear bumper smashed, one fender smashed, trunk lid badly bent. I advised him to get a lawyer and file a suit against Toyota for "unexpected negative acceleration".

Priceless!! :lol:

[greenlantern]

it was only a matter of time before someone took advantage of this. I hope this guy goes to jail for tarnishing Toyota's name because he had a lead foot

[wallypiper]

The implication is that he faked the whole thing for financial reasons, not that he was a hot foot that got in a wreck. It may be true. He's in deep financial doo doo (former real estate agent in CA). But nevertheless, the Prius has some "driver training" issues compared to a normal late model sedan.

[SLLaffoon]

A guy in the office has an old Camry. A week or two ago he was sitting second in line at the gated entrance to the apartment complex where he lives. The guy ahead was having trouble with the entrance and poor "Ralph" was stuck there waiting. He looked down at something in the car, stuff on the passenger seat he was just sorting out to take inside or not and while he wasn't paying attention his car rolled backwards about 4 or 5 feet and struck a brick column. It did an incredible amount of damage to the car - rear bumper smashed, one fender smashed, trunk lid badly bent. I advised him to get a lawyer and file a suit against Toyota for "unexpected negative acceleration".

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/autos/article1075909.ece

[likestoride]

A few years ago I was driving my wife's 1995 Vette (I'm not 'allowed' often as I tend to get tickets every time I do). As I was coming to a light
I pushed the brake and accelerated right into the back of a car, bounced off it, and hit it again.

I was afraid to drive it due to the stuck accelerator. Went home carefully anyway. She drove it without issues. I even drove it a couple of time without issues.

Then I drove it again and the same thing - but I realized the problem. The particular pair of 4E wide shoes I was wearing was so wide that I was
actually pushing the gas pedal and brake at the same time. The harder I pushed the brake, the harder I accelerated.

The real problem was 'the nut loose behind the wheel'.

[Lazarus]

it was only a matter of time before someone took advantage of this. I hope this guy goes to jail for tarnishing Toyota's name because he had a lead foot

Nah I think Toyota beat him to that all by their lonesome.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

From what I remember reading, a Toyota rep stated that if you ever press the brake and gas pedal at the same time while the car is in motion, it immediatelly puts the car in neutral.

[wallypiper]

Then I drove it again and the same thing - but I realized the problem. The particular pair of 4E wide shoes I was wearing was so wide that I was
actually pushing the gas pedal and brake at the same time. The harder I pushed the brake, the harder I accelerated.

The real problem was 'the nut loose behind the wheel'.

I've had that happen. I travel for work and get different rental cars all the time so I end up in cars I've never driven a dozen or so times a year. The pedal spacing can sometimes take some adjusting and a lazy foot will, indeed, end up spanning the break and gas pedals. A good design prevents that by having the brake pedal travel end before you get to the gas pedal but break wear can undo that over time. But as soon as you take your foot off the pedal it's all OK of course.

[Lazarus]

But nevertheless, the Prius has some "driver training" issues compared to a normal late model sedan.

What ever happened to good old fashion cars that didn't require "special" instructions to operate?

[DecepticonDon]

"I thought the car would flip over" :rofl:

[greenlantern]

either way im sure his case wont make it far

[The Lazy Destroyer]

What ever happened to good old fashion cars that didn't require "special" instructions to operate?

If new car designs were restricted to previous standards for operation, we would still be handcranking our engines from the front, using solid-rubber tires, or talking about the mileage on our steam operated vehicles. Although I see your point on trying to keep things the way they are for convenience, it does not follow the standard of progression in the automobile industry.

If the operations of a new model vehicle confuses the driver... they shouldn't drive it! Pretty simple!

[Georgiacbr]

it was only a matter of time before someone took advantage of this. I hope this guy goes to jail for tarnishing Toyota's name because he had a lead foot

Toyota tarnished it's name a wile back in the form of cheaper part's and being made in the Usa . I have owned a few Tundra and other model's and like them for the most part however I have noticed little issues lately in the new Toyota. About this recall I think its pretty well knowen Toyota has some issues to work out and I hope they learn some leasons here. Yea this case might be fault's and from the new reports coming out now my direction on this has changed.