As the Toyota schmozzle expands, here's a good engineering look at DBW and
other electronic systems embedded in many newer vehicles:

http://www.edn.com/blog/1690000169/p...51&rid=3035522

When I first looked at a TSX in 2006, the peddler crooned accolades about the DBW - and I just groaned. That didn't prevent me from buying the vehicle but it was one big strike against. I still hate that part; but so far no unintended acceleration. And if it ever happens, I have enough driving skill to deal with it, unlike many clueless doofuses on the road.

 

You can always turn the ignition off. No power brakes or steering isn't as horrible as you may think. Your grandparents did it. Your parents probably did too. You may have done it too if you're old enough. No power brakes is way better than slamming into an overpass at 120.

 

Itchy...just remember one click only, not two...it's very hard to steer with a locked column.

As a side note, just throw it in neutral...let the engine scream, it's better than you screaming as you rocket to your death.

Also, the grandparents used a manual steering rack that was much easier to turn than a power steering rack with no power. Manual racks use different tricks to make the effort reasonable. Brakes, the vacuum boost depletes and you really have problems...hit the parking brake, it will work!

 

This whole unintended acceleration issue got me thinking that anyone who had had an accident was almost certainly driving an automatic. (And was not thinking the above options through, either.)

But if this happened to anyone who drives a stick, that driver would immediately do one of two things: press the clutch -- problem solved...and/or take the gearshift out of gear -- problem solved.

The unsaid reality is, most automatic transmission drivers are not 'actively engaged' with their transmissions, like manual drivers are, (constantly working the clutch and the gears.) Panic likely set in before they realized the gears can be disengaged from the engine.

 

yep, a power steering/brakes car that has its engine shut is very tough to control and the strength needed to steer it is WAY stronger than in older cars. But it is still better than crashing at 120 miles.
I listened to the audio of the 911 call...yes it is amazing that they had teh time to call 911 and not put it in neutral or shut the engine. I am sure that at that state of mind, it is very tough too. Also that that Lexus was probably a automatic. A manual driver like boulder said would hit teh clutch and put it in neutral right away.

 

I had my engine cut out in my old car once and driving w/o power steering or brakes isn't very easy at all in a newer car. The brakes become very difficult to work after the first pump when they pretty much loose all their vacuum and god forbid if you had to make a sharp turn or an evasive maneuver without power steering..

 

Years ago when I was in the US Army, I drove a 2 1/2 ton "deuce and a half". It was a manual (5 speed if I remember right, manual steering and air brakes... If you ever drove one of those, a car without hydraulic assist is not so bad.

 

Haha, I rode in those enough to know what you're talking about.

I drove a M113 once. And a trash truck during the summers in college. A car without PS can be a handful for people that don't know what they're doing and are prone to hysterics.

 

Where's 60 Minutes to destroy Toyota's image like they did Audi's ...

 

:iagree: someone driving standard knows exactly whats happening with the vehicle and controls that every few moments as they upshift and down shift, too many people are "autotards" and have no idea what "N" is for.

 

I was scanning the comments and this particular one made me laugh...