What is going on with these Toyotas and SA?

[cgallery]

I think the biggest thing is BMW has a logic circuit that turns the gas off if the brake and gas are both depressed for more than a few seconds. I suspect all cars will have this soon. It should cost very little. BMWs, Infinities, VWs, Porsches, and Chrysler products have this circuit now (the C&D article discusses it).

I'm surprised this isn't just a firmware upgrade.

I had been told that car computers could be examined after an accident to determine whether pressure was applied to the brake pedal. So if it can record that value, it would seem that it could use it as an input to the algorithm that controls the throttle.

[dbhost]

Maybe Microsoft wrote the software for the ECM? (Electronic Control Module, A.K.A. the computer...)

[LCHIEN]

I'm surprised this isn't just a firmware upgrade.

I had been told that car computers could be examined after an accident to determine whether pressure was applied to the brake pedal. So if it can record that value, it would seem that it could use it as an input to the algorithm that controls the throttle.

that is a serious topic of discussion, many other car brands have a safety feature in their computer code that if the brake is continually applied, it will override and disable any input or output that tries to cause teh acccelerator to be applied. While many cars have this, Toyota has long refused to put this in. They're talking about making this a requirement on all new vehicles sold in the US as a federal mandate.

[phi1l]

FWIW, nearly all modern jetliners use fly by wire control. When the pilot moves the throttles or the flight controls, signals are sent to actuators. FBW saves weight at the expense of complexity. Less weight means less fuel means the airlines are more likely to survive.

Isn't it more like the pilot moves the throttle, then the computer decided if it will sent a signal to the actuator, or not??

[phi1l]

Actually, I think it's all a vast Detroit conspiracy..

[aggrex]

New brake interlock technologies are promised for all future models to eliminate the possibility of SA is what concerns me today. I hope these brake interlock technologies do not take the fun out of driving by making the cars completely fool-proof. My manual trans provides me with plenty of control as I go up or down the gears for specific situations.

[Ed62]

I'm sure every car maker can have problems like Toyota has. If I'm not mistaken, Toyota has been trying to pull the wool over consumer's eyes by telling them there is no problem, or that the problem has been fixed. I think this has really hurt their reputation with the consumer, and it won't be good for their business. Reputations are not easily repaired once they are damaged. I think it will be several years of mediocre business for them.

Ed

[dbhost]

I'm sure every car maker can have problems like Toyota has. If I'm not mistaken, Toyota has been trying to pull the wool over consumer's eyes by telling them there is no problem, or that the problem has been fixed. I think this has really hurt their reputation with the consumer, and it won't be good for their business. Reputations are not easily repaired once they are damaged. I think it will be several years of mediocre business for them.

Ed

Do you remember the sudden acceleration problems in the Audi 5000? It took nearly 15 years for them to earn a decent name back.. And they are still not much more than a nice market luxury car in the U.S.

[RayintheUK]

"The car in front is a Toyota." Thank goodness, I don't want one behind me any more.

Ray

[LCHIEN]

"The car in front is a Toyota." Thank goodness, I don't want one behind me any more.

Ray

Ford Pinto (exploding gas tanks in rear end collisions) in front, toyota (Sudden acceleration) behind and a Ford Exploder (rolls over w/o warning) on either side, that's my nightmare. Oh, yeah, I think I'm driving a Corvair (unsafe at any speed, according to Nader).