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Toyota: What to do when your gas pedal sticks: February 1, 2010 at 3:16 pm by Danny Tan · Filed under Cars, International News, Toyota
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h119/yeehau86/toyotalogo5.gif
Toyota USA, facing a PR nightmare due to a massive recall on sticky accelerator pedals, has released an advisory for its customers, which contains recommendations on what to do should the problem appear in their cars. Here’s the official statement:
Each circumstance may vary, and drivers must use their best judgment, but Toyota recommends taking one of the following actions:
If you need to stop immediately, the vehicle can be controlled by stepping on the brake pedal with both feet using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brake pedal as it will deplete the vacuum utilized for the power brake assist.
Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine. If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.
If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button.
If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key-ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel.
Toyota: Solution for sticky accelerator pedal found, repairs to start this week: February 2, 2010 at 11:33 am by Danny Tan · Filed under Cars, International News, Toyota
Toyota has found the remedy for its sticky accelerator pedals that could cause unintended acceleration – a steel reinforcement bar! The company will begin contacting its North American customers to to bring in their vehicles for the fix, starting this week. The parts are already being shipped to dealers, which will extend hours to complete the recall campaign as quickly as possible (some even stay open 24 hours a day).
Now, the actual problem involves a friction device in the pedal designed to provide the proper “feel” by adding resistance and making the pedal steady. This device includes a “shoe” that rubs against an adjoining surface during normal pedal operation. Due to the materials used, wear and environmental conditions, these surfaces may, over time, begin to stick and release instead of operating smoothly. In some cases, friction could increase to a point that the pedal is slow to return to the idle position, leaving the throttle partially open.
Toyota claims to have a solution that is simple but effective. A precision-cut steel reinforcement bar will be installed into the pedal assembly to reduce surface tension between the friction shoe and the adjoining surface, eliminating the excess friction that has caused pedals to stick. The effectiveness of the newly reinforced pedals have been confirmed through rigorous testing on afflicted sticky pedals, Toyota says.
The actual repair involves about 30 minutes’ work and Toyota will cover all repair costs. After the fix, drivers should not notice any change in the feel of the pedal. For the list of North American models affected by this recall, see our previous post here.
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h119/yeehau86/toyotalogo5.gif
Toyota USA, facing a PR nightmare due to a massive recall on sticky accelerator pedals, has released an advisory for its customers, which contains recommendations on what to do should the problem appear in their cars. Here’s the official statement:
Each circumstance may vary, and drivers must use their best judgment, but Toyota recommends taking one of the following actions:
If you need to stop immediately, the vehicle can be controlled by stepping on the brake pedal with both feet using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brake pedal as it will deplete the vacuum utilized for the power brake assist.
Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine. If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.
If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button.
If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key-ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel.
Toyota: Solution for sticky accelerator pedal found, repairs to start this week: February 2, 2010 at 11:33 am by Danny Tan · Filed under Cars, International News, Toyota
Toyota has found the remedy for its sticky accelerator pedals that could cause unintended acceleration – a steel reinforcement bar! The company will begin contacting its North American customers to to bring in their vehicles for the fix, starting this week. The parts are already being shipped to dealers, which will extend hours to complete the recall campaign as quickly as possible (some even stay open 24 hours a day).
Now, the actual problem involves a friction device in the pedal designed to provide the proper “feel” by adding resistance and making the pedal steady. This device includes a “shoe” that rubs against an adjoining surface during normal pedal operation. Due to the materials used, wear and environmental conditions, these surfaces may, over time, begin to stick and release instead of operating smoothly. In some cases, friction could increase to a point that the pedal is slow to return to the idle position, leaving the throttle partially open.
Toyota claims to have a solution that is simple but effective. A precision-cut steel reinforcement bar will be installed into the pedal assembly to reduce surface tension between the friction shoe and the adjoining surface, eliminating the excess friction that has caused pedals to stick. The effectiveness of the newly reinforced pedals have been confirmed through rigorous testing on afflicted sticky pedals, Toyota says.
The actual repair involves about 30 minutes’ work and Toyota will cover all repair costs. After the fix, drivers should not notice any change in the feel of the pedal. For the list of North American models affected by this recall, see our previous post here.
