What to do in case like this?

[brh1978]

I was reading an article about the Toyota throttle issue in the USA, the article states:

Toyota will also add a so-called smart pedal, software that cuts engine power any time both the accelerator pedal and brake pedal are depressed at the same time.

Such software has already been adopted as a safety feature by a number of automakers, including Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, BMW, Nissan and Chrysler, the companies said.

Don't know for sure but the Tiguan probably has this system...

[duncan]

Re 'Smart Pedal' :It does and its a total pain in the bum if you 'heel and toe' whilst braking and changing gear. I'd love to be able to turn this 'feature' off.

Anyway on topic - I would have thought that it could have been put in Neutral: unless the load on the gearbox was such that it couldn't disengage. Not sure how the autobox works, but a manual box under load is hard if not impossible to shift under load (no clutch)
I can see how the electronics wouldn't allow him to drop down a gear to prevent over running

The only other instance I've heard of this was truck driver somewhere (UK I think) who drove saying his throttle was stuck open and his brakes had failed trying to stop it. When they analysed the trucks computer and parts the driver had made the situation up.
It'll be interesting what the outcome of this is

[gerhard]

I'm sitting on the fence on judging this one, because my tendency to analyse things has me crying B/S...

I can believe that a car ECU could fail, effectively locking out all input signals such as "key is off", and keep the thing running at full clip.

A Ford Explorer does not have drive-by-wire throttle, though, as far as I know, so in this case it would have to be a frayed cable preventing throttle return. But this is unlikely too, since there is always a spring on the throttle body to shut the throttle in case of cable disconnect. Maybe this jammed open, but he would have had to be using full throttle, the return spring would have broken and jammed itself fully open.

In that case, turning the key off would work, and throwing the auto into neutral should also work, albeit the engine would probably over-rev and self-destruct.

Then he was able to make phone calls while panicking - hmmmmm

So will he get booked for driving dangerously, speeding, and using the mobile?

[clip]

I saw the geek interviewed on TV. He was grinning and carrying on avoiding straight answers to the journo's questions. I'm calling on this. Not saying he didn't have a problem, just his "out co control, can't stop" scenario. As gerhard said, he was able to make multiple mobile calls while "running out of control".

[jfranek]

A follow-up article in The Age today -

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...1218-l0tv.html

It doesn't seem to be a high priority for the police, but Ford have to wait.

[jfranek]

using the parking brake in an emergency

Yes it will work. Try it. Seriously... it is pretty effective too. It is designed to be able to be used as an emergency brake.

Thanks Swallowtail for this information. I must have overlooked it when I first read the Manual.

Joe

[T&M]

uuuuhum......................... BS!

[borbor1313]

This happened to me 15 years ago,darn scary
Activated the cruise control and the car just kept accelerating,wouldnt slow down even when pressing the brake. Slipped the car into neutral and pulled over but the engine kept over reving until it reached 7000rpm.Shutting off the ignition and
taking the key out didn't make any difference.Had to call the RAA.