Toyota UA-LAC

[Grant Lenahan]

good points, all.

However, your foot is still pressing on a column of fluid. However, either a valve or a pump may intervene.

Grant
On Jan 27, 2010, at 6:30 PM, Huw Powell wrote:

> I agree that a software flaw/glitch/bug could be a big factor here.
> 
> These cars aren't like my 80s Audis or my 70s truck, pretty much every "feature" is mediated by a/the computer, right?
> 
> - the throttle is controlled by a computer, not a cable
> - the brakes are run by a computer, not your foot pressing on a column of fluid
> - the transmission isn't just a bunch of gears one can disengage with a  lever
> 
> etc. etc.
> 
> Some random thoughts - trying to brake at WOT and high speed with a full-on ABS/traction control system might result in inability to brake as hard as possible (each time the ABS pulls pressure off the pads, aren't they now "dragging" for a moment?).
> 
> It might not be possible to put tranny into neutral at speed.
> 
> It might not be possible, even, to turn off the engine with the car moving for safety reasons (you'd be turning off everything else with it).
> 
> And lastly, just for fun, braking against 200hp at the wheels (a reasonable figure these days) generates about 37,000 watts (50 * 750) of energy at each brake (more at front, less at rear).  That's a *lot* of heat.  Although my assumption that all the engine hp have to be converted as fast as they are made might be wrong ;)
> 
> Ed Kellock wrote:
>> In addition to the 3-second press to turn off the ignition being maybe too
>> much for some drivers to manage in such a crisis situation, if indeed there
>> is a software issue, then the 3-second turnoff operation might also be
>> ineffective.
>> Ed
>> Unfortunately, some of the car in question also have the "smart key" system
>> in them, in which a button is used for shutdown. Unfortunately, it has to be
>> held in for 3 seconds to work, which is an eternity when in this situation.
>> I'll agree with John on this one, I think it's a software problem. I've
>> though this since learning about the problem and looking at my wife's car.
>> There is no such issue with my wife's 05 camry 4-cyl, which is throttled by
>> a cable. But, these cars in question are throttle by wire, and I think just
>> the right circumstances bring out a bug that holds the throttle wide open.
>> Just my .02,
>> Tony
> 
> 
>> .  As for the sticking throttle, I firmly believe,
>>>> and never surface in the media, that they have a massive (and VERY
>>>> scary) software problem, compounded by Toyota's "taking a chance" by choosing to forgo the "failsafe" used by European manufacturers.  
> 
> -- 
> Huw Powell
> 
> http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi
> 
> http://www.humanthoughts.org/
>