Government keeping us safe...

[ColoEnthusiast]

Don't know what we'd do without these geniuses. Now if your car accelerates inexplicably, you don't have to:
1. Put it in neutral and casually pull to the side.
2. Press the 500 hp brakes on your 150 hp Honda and calmly pull to the side.

The Gov. thinks we need them to make us safe by having the accelerator be disabled and brakes automatically apply. Wow, maybe they really can protect us from being so apparently stupid..
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php...show_article=1

[Troublco]

Ahhhhhhhhh, nothing like folks feeling like the Government needs to do their thinking for them! Apparently there are lots who can't do any of their own. Like that 65% from that other thread.........

[Marlin]

I was using the stuck accelerator thing to try and get out of a ticket 30 years ago... No,, it didn't work....

[ryanek9freak]

You know, out of all these so called out of control accelerator problems I've heard of, not one of the geniuses had enough common sense to TURN OFF THE FUCKING CAR. Key off, no power. You will still be able to steer your car with engine off, it will just be a little more difficult.

[Irving]

That's because that Lexus didn't have a key. It was a push button start and you had to hold the push button down for three seconds to turn the car. I don't expect them to have that memorized as it was a rental vehicle. Not putting the car into neutral is unacceptable though. Also, I don't recommend turning the car of either, as then you risk the steering wheel locking up while moving and that is REALLY bad news.

They should just get rid of steering wheel locks. When was the last time that stopped someone from steeling a car, 30 years ago?

[jerrymrc]

That's because that Lexus didn't have a key. It was a push button start and you had to hold the push button down for three seconds to turn the car. I don't expect them to have that memorized as it was a rental vehicle. Not putting the car into neutral is unacceptable though. Also, I don't recommend turning the car of either, as then you risk the steering wheel locking up while moving and that is REALLY bad news.

They should just get rid of steering wheel locks. When was the last time that stopped someone from steeling a car, 30 years ago?

The Lexus also has a electronic braking system. The combination of "fly by wire" of both the throttle and brake along with the transmission leaves only the steering wheel with a mechanical connection.

If ol "HAL" decides he does not like you anymore not much you can do about it. My newest car has a FBW throttle but the rest is mechanical.

[68Charger]

to the Toyota debacle...

Many that have experienced the problem aren't talking.. to anyone..

I have heard unconfirmed reports that shifting to neutral sometimes does nothing when this occurs (software issue), that the key/start button will not disable the engine when you're above 35mph, and that standing on the brakes is ineffective shortly due to the lack of power braking (WOT = no vacuum)

but there seems to be a lot of misinformation surrounding this, if the bottom line is Toyota %$#@*ed up bigtime, and then tried to cover it up.. then more gov't intervention isn't the answer... just manslaughter charges for the management that tried to cover it up... the cause of the sticking brake pedal is because of a part designed to induce friction for "pedal feel"??

I'll stick with the older, simpler cars... I can work on them myself, keep them going virtually forever (daily driver is a $500 Neon that is over 190k miles).. insurance is cheap, tags are cheap... and if I really needed an impressive ride, I'd get off my A$$ and get my Charger on the road...

[Troublco]

There is definitely something to be said for older, simpler cars. Easier to fix, and less to go wrong. I keep thinking I'm going to get working on my '67 Vette, but just haven't had time. Of course, very soon that may change!

[BigBear]

I agree... my car is.... un safe, lol. It's be nice to find a nice cheap car that isn't a friggin' computer or has a navigation unit, or headrest TV's, of has a flux compacitor, etc. Sure I don't mind power windows and locks, but it's not that hard to reach over and unlock the door by myself, lol. Give me a cage, 4 tires, and a decent engine and I'm ok. lol.

[Troublco]

I agree... my car is.... un safe, lol. It's be nice to find a nice cheap car that isn't a friggin' computer or has a navigation unit, or headrest TV's, of has a flux compacitor, etc. Sure I don't mind power windows and locks, but it's not that hard to reach over and unlock the door by myself, lol. Give me a cage, 4 tires, and a decent engine and I'm ok. lol.

Get yourself a Jeep CJ! Or, if you can stand a basic ignition computer, a Cherokee. I rebuilt the entire drivetrain of my '93 Cherokee with the help of a friend when it got to about 220,000 and the body is going to give out long before the running gear! Of course, I sold it a year later but such is life. At least I only sold it to my Dad.