The steering lockout is still not a problem on the modern cars I have driven. On those with automatic transmission (runaway is hardly a problem on a car with manual transmission--just depress the clutch pedal to disengage power), there has always been an ignition off position before steering lockout is hit, and the key won't rotate to the steering lockout position until the transmission is in "park". So it is a simple matter to turn off the engine and not lock the steering wheel, even in a panic.
I have not had any such problem so far (and don't have a Toyota), but I have practiced rotating the key to ignition off, as well as putting the transmission in neutral while under power, just in case runaway should ever happen. I guess I must be some sort of strange bird.... I recently read that my car has brake override for the throttle, so I tried that too (it works!). As far as getting a car home but needing to rev the engine to keep it running, one can always use a lower gear to keep the speed down to maintain some safety. Donald Borowski Schweitzer Engineering Labs Pullman, Washington, USA From: Bill Owsley <[email protected]> To: "Pettit, Ghery" <[email protected]>, "Grasso, Charles" <[email protected]>, Andrew McCallum <[email protected]>, "[email protected]" <[email protected]> List-Post: [email protected] List-Post: [email protected] List-Post: [email protected] Date: 02/17/2010 09:06 AM Subject: Re: Toyota Sent by: [email protected] Oh that's funny. Reminds me of nearly the same only it was a Ford Falcon and when the spring broke, the mechanical arrangement and weight defaulted to wide open. I'm sure glad that was before the steering lockout when the key is turned off. Now they are going to no throttle when the brake is applied so how am I supposed to get a car home when the engine has to be kept rev'd up to stay running? More roadside repairs... - Bill In the event of a national emergency, click on the following links to provide directions to your duly elected mis-representative. http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml or... https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm From: "Pettit, Ghery" <[email protected]> To: "Grasso, Charles" <[email protected]>; Andrew McCallum <[email protected]>; "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Sent: Wed, February 17, 2010 11:26:34 AM Subject: RE: Toyota I recall having a car go WOT while driving when I was in high school. Long (looooooong) before electronic throttle control. As in a 1963 Rambler. The throttle return spring had broken when I stepped on the gas while accelerating. Turning off the ignition was the simple immediate action. Reconnected what was left of the spring and away we went. Fortunately, no bent metal or hurt people. John is potentially jumping to conclusions. Ghery S. Pettit From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Grasso, Charles Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 7:28 AM To: 'Andrew McCallum'; '[email protected]' Subject: RE: Toyota I agree with Johns comments. Looking at the title its my impression that Keith is forcibly making the case that EMI and/or manufacturing practices caused this crash. This is a dangerous case to make considering that there is no evidence of what caused the crash. As John points out ? one can get mechanical ?latch-up? too. Best Regards Charles Grasso From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Andrew McCallum Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 1:48 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Toyota See link for Keith Armstrongs view: http://www.nutwooduk.co.uk/downloads/Toyota.doc quick link : Full article here... Andrew McCallum Senior EMC Engineer DeltaRail Group Plc - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to <[email protected]> All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc Graphics (in well-used formats), large files, etc. can be posted to that URL. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ Instructions: http://listserv.ieee.org/request/user-guide.html List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas <[email protected]> Mike Cantwell <[email protected]> For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: <[email protected]> David Heald: <[email protected]>
