[urq] Toyota should be talking to Audi....NAC

[john at westcoastgarage.net]

LL - NY wrote:
> I'd call that more of a blanket CYA than an admission that there is a 
> known and verified (for their research) problem. Basically a fail safe.
>
> On Fri, Feb 26, 2010 at 11:58 AM, john at westcoastgarage.net 
> <mailto:john at westcoastgarage.net> <john at westcoastgarage.net 
> <mailto:john at westcoastgarage.net>> wrote:
>
>     Ti Kan wrote:
>     > Grant Lenahan writes:
>     >
>     >> Dan DiBiase wrote:
>     >>
>     >>> The problem is that people don't know how to handle this
>     situation. It's fine to say that the brakes will overcome the engine,
>     >>> but you probably only have one shot at it, and need to slam
>     them on all the way immediately. Most folks don't know that and
>     >>> probably just panic.
>     >>>
>     >>> It's all just another good reason to drive a stick!
>     >>>
>     >> is your one-shot comment due to a lack of vacuum reserve at WOT?
>     >>
>     >
>     > No, I think it's more a problem with brake fade -- if the driver
>     > rides on the brakes without full force.  It would be better to
>     > just stomp on it and try to get the car to stop asap (let the
>     > ABS deal with any potential wheel lockup).
>     >
>     > One thing that bother me, though.  Is that Toyota has issued
>     > recalls and has "fixes" for the supposed problem, but no
>     > Lexus models are covered under any such recalls.  Yet many of the
>     > UA reports are with Lexus (such as with the infamous CHP officer).
>     > The recalls shortens the accelerator pedal (to avoid a
>     > floormat jam) and adds a shim (to avoid a possible stuck pedal),
>     > but no ECU reprogramming.
>     >
>     > It is my understanding from the reports that Toyota's drive-by-wire
>     > system does not override the accelerator when the brake is applied.
>     > VAG cars do, I believe, and probably most others...  so this
>     > would be a software issue, but Toyota has not (yet) admitted to
>     > an any software problem with regard to the UA issue.  This
>     > is not to be confused with the separate Prius recall which _is_
>     > software related.
>     >
>     > Whatever the real problem is, it's like peeling an onion and
>     > I am sure we haven't heard the last of it yet.
>     >
>     > -Ti
>     >
>     >
>     > A columnist writing this week in Autoweek reports that Toyota
>     has been implementing a brake override system on the production
>     line since January of this year.  So much for their claims
>     software isn't the problem......................
>
>     John
>
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>
True to form, however, Toyota appears to have kept it under wraps as 
long as possible.  I find it interesting that a great number of other 
manufacturers have implemented this feature since they first installed 
DBW (even Nissan, their "crosstown rivals").  Not to have taken 
advantage of this option speaks volumes to their corporate arrogance, 
IMO, as well as their overwhelming drive to grow and protect their 
bottom line, no holds barred. 

John