San Diego, CA - Runaway Toyota Prius Corralled by Cops |
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News Source: AP
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A California Highway Patrol officer helped slow a runaway Toyota Prius from 94 mph to a safe stop on Monday after the car’s accelerator became stuck on a San Diego County freewaySan Diego, CA - A California Highway Patrol officer helped slow a runaway Toyota Prius from 94 mph to a safe stop on Monday after the car’s accelerator became stuck on a San Diego County freeway, the CHP said.
Prius driver James Sikes called 911 about 1:30 p.m. after accelerating to pass another vehicle on Interstate 80 near La Posta and finding that he could not control his car, the CHP said.
“I pushed the gas pedal to pass a car and it did something kind of funny … it jumped and it just stuck there,” the 61-year-old driver said at a news conference. Sikes said he could smell the brakes burning he was pressing the pedal so hard.
A patrol car pulled alongside the Prius and officers told Sikes over a loudspeaker to push the brake pedal to the floor and apply the emergency brake.
“They also got it going on a steep upgrade,” said Officer Jesse Udovich. “Between those three things, they got it to slow down.”
After the car decelerated to about 50 mph, Sikes turned off the engine and coasted to a halt.
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Read Comments (40) — Post Yours »
1
Mar 09, 2010 at 10:06 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
tnk god i drive a venture
2
Mar 09, 2010 at 10:19 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
He could have just switched off the engine , or shift into neutral.
Or apply brakes. Tests have shown that brakes could stop a 500 horsepower car with the engine at full throttle , (there will be smoke comin out of the brakes ,)
3
Mar 09, 2010 at 10:19 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
ummm, hello, California cops. Just tell the driver to switch into Neutral.
4
Mar 09, 2010 at 10:31 AM out of towner Says:Report as Inappropriate
In NY he would have gotten speeding ticket (thanks bloomberg)
5
Mar 09, 2010 at 10:33 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
On the prius its a lot harder to shift the car while in motion because it doesn't have a regular PRNDL shifter like most cars. It is completely electronic just like the ignition is a start button. If you move the shifter you feel any clicks like you are used to feeling in a regular car. They build in safety programing for accidental touching of the shifter just like the start button requires a 3 second hold before the car will shut off.
Just a lesson on how electronics DO NOT necessarily make things better
6
Mar 09, 2010 at 10:39 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
canthe we get toyaota at half price? I'll fix the problem myself, for that price.
7
Mar 09, 2010 at 10:39 AM Mike Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ ummm, hello, California cops. Just tell the driver to switch into Neutral. ”
Great idea buddy, bud if you happened to watch I believe supreme court testimony of another woman who owned a lexus that lost control, the first thing she did was to try to put the car into neutral, and it did nothing, in fact I think it actually accelerated more
8
Mar 09, 2010 at 11:01 AM fav anony Says:Report as Inappropriate
read the reports for the women who called her husband to say she was gonna die while in her toyota, when it accelerated - neutral didnt work
9
Mar 09, 2010 at 11:11 AM ShatzMatz Says:Report as Inappropriate
I bet you this turns out to be a setup. Any normal person would have known to turn off the engine and shift to nuetral.
10
Mar 09, 2010 at 11:19 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
A friend of mine with a Prius just double checked... yes, turning the engine "off" requires that STUPID "hold the button in for three seconds". but he _was_ able to move the "shifter" into neutral while driving at 70 mph, and the engine disengaged from the transmission with no problem. The engine cheerfully revved up as much as he wanted.. but it wasn't pushing the car and he was able to glide to a halt with no problem whatsoever.
("shifter" in quotes because it handles quite a bit differently than the customary stick handles we've been using for decades).
11
Mar 09, 2010 at 11:31 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
All you brainiacs think you would have been smarter and done better. Don't you think he tried everything he could to stop the vehicle? The point is it was out of control.
12
Mar 09, 2010 at 11:32 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Can't you guys be nuetral? A man almost died and everyone only has bright ideas for what he should've done. I wonder why no one asked why he didn't put the car in reverse.
13
Mar 09, 2010 at 11:32 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
He did go into neutral it did not help
14
Mar 09, 2010 at 11:42 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
This is a scam! There are no problems with Toyotas!
The Federal Government now owns General Motors and Chrysler and it is manufacturing the demise of Toyota's market dominance.
15
Mar 09, 2010 at 11:44 AM Raphael Kaufman Says:Report as Inappropriate
This demonstrates my previous post in which I noted that Toyotas are cars for people who don't know anything about cars.
16
Mar 09, 2010 at 11:46 AM mistervister Says:Report as Inappropriate
This sounds like the beginning of the end of Toyota. When Hashem wants giants can fall.
17
Mar 09, 2010 at 11:53 AM Carfax Says:Report as Inappropriate
1. There is a failsafe in all cars that does not allow gear shifting at speed with automatic transmissions.
2. There is also a failsafe that does not allow engine cut off at speed
3. A Prius has a top speed of about 45 mph.
4. The brake/accelerator override does not function.
5. The cause of this problem is faulty cruise control switches. There is a problem with the wiring harness contacts being too small.
18
Mar 09, 2010 at 12:11 PM Just Curious Says:Report as Inappropriate
Does anyone know if all these new problem that are cropping up in Toyotas is a problem in Europe or elsewhere or is it an exclusive American Toyota issue? Why did all Toyota issues only come up since the US government became the owners of a competitive carmaker? It seems odd that for more than a decade there were no problems and suddenly there is a new story every day. The media just came out that 34 accidents in the history of Toyota are to blame for these issues and suddenly there are a steady flow of stories. Is it one big conspiracy? I was just wondering??
19
Mar 09, 2010 at 12:12 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ He could have just switched off the engine , or shift into neutral.
Or apply brakes. Tests have shown that brakes could stop a 500 horsepower car with the engine at full throttle , (there will be smoke comin out of the brakes ,) ”
To put the car in neutral should work. Turning off the car would lock the wheel and you would loose your steering.
20
Mar 09, 2010 at 12:23 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ He could have just switched off the engine , or shift into neutral.
Or apply brakes. Tests have shown that brakes could stop a 500 horsepower car with the engine at full throttle , (there will be smoke comin out of the brakes ,) ”
I would not advise that because the force can send you out the window. if your not an expert don't give crazy advice. the last thing we need is for vin to be sued because some commentator that is 16 years old was giving car advice that killed someone
Try Neutral and if you have to hit a car from behind in a straight line it is also better than shutting off the engine at 90 MPH.
21
Mar 09, 2010 at 12:29 PM speedy D Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ He could have just switched off the engine , or shift into neutral.
Or apply brakes. Tests have shown that brakes could stop a 500 horsepower car with the engine at full throttle , (there will be smoke comin out of the brakes ,) ”
I also read that Car and Driver Article.
But keep in mind that, That 500HP car has 9inch Ceramic cross Drilled Breombo Brakes. And it takes 4 times a s long to get it to Halt. Which a very Scary few Seconds.
22
Mar 09, 2010 at 12:45 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ tnk god i drive a venture ”
Be prepared to dump a lot of money into it at 75k and junk it after 130k.
23
Mar 09, 2010 at 12:50 PM scary- be prepared Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I also read that Car and Driver Article.
But keep in mind that, That 500HP car has 9inch Ceramic cross Drilled Breombo Brakes. And it takes 4 times a s long to get it to Halt. Which a very Scary few Seconds. ”
Holding down the Power start button for 3 seconds will shut down the car. But its only advisable if toy are Desperate and ONLY on a straight road For you will loose power steering. And braking will still bring you to a stop albeit a long one.
The Shifter in the Prius as well as newer BMWs are Electrical not Mechanical so it may not be able to shift to N if the OBD (car brain) is messed up
Hasem yishmore ulienu
24
Mar 09, 2010 at 12:53 PM Kevin Says:Report as Inappropriate
The Cop did a great job and so did the driver. All the people who think they would have done better are making assumptions...... and probably do not have a clue about what they are talking about.
25
Mar 09, 2010 at 01:37 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
A friend of mine driving a camery got pulled over for speeding . he told the cop these toyatas they just keep on acclerating couldnt slow it down . the cop reduced the ticket for the good line
26
Mar 09, 2010 at 01:59 PM Boruch Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ 1. There is a failsafe in all cars that does not allow gear shifting at speed with automatic transmissions.
2. There is also a failsafe that does not allow engine cut off at speed
3. A Prius has a top speed of about 45 mph.
4. The brake/accelerator override does not function.
5. The cause of this problem is faulty cruise control switches. There is a problem with the wiring harness contacts being too small. ”
>> A Prius has a top speed of about 45 mph.
No. The Manual states "up to 106 mph." I have actually driven my Prius @ 109 mph.
27
Mar 09, 2010 at 02:04 PM Walter Lipman Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ 1. There is a failsafe in all cars that does not allow gear shifting at speed with automatic transmissions.
2. There is also a failsafe that does not allow engine cut off at speed
3. A Prius has a top speed of about 45 mph.
4. The brake/accelerator override does not function.
5. The cause of this problem is faulty cruise control switches. There is a problem with the wiring harness contacts being too small. ”
You are an ignoramus. Your points 1 and 2 are both false. As an owner of a Prius, I can vouch the point 3 is nonsense, too. Point 5 is pure stupidity, and point 4 is about a feature that does not exist.
28
Mar 09, 2010 at 02:10 PM boro parker Says:Report as Inappropriate
Bh they made the prius small enough that its not a ideal car for the heimishe oilem, I do not see many of it on the Boro Park streets, I just see one all the time which appears to belong to a Hatsoloh Paramedic...hope he gets a new one...we need our incredible hatsolo members to arrive to scenes safely
29
Mar 09, 2010 at 02:49 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Most of you guys drive 19 seat mini vans not Toyota prius which does not have traditional manual shifter or brakes, EVERYTHING IS electronic and controlled by wires and a computer chip with overrides that prevent shifting while at cruise speeds. Don't Monday morning quarter back the driver because non of you would have done anything better to control the situation.
Toyota needs to hire every known electrical and mechanical engineer on the planet to save their company. Toyota's engineering department needs to go back to college if they can't figure out what the hell is wrong with their designs after all this time.
30
Mar 09, 2010 at 04:53 PM Steve Says:Report as Inappropriate
Something is weird here! No mention from the News interviews, the police etc. regarding shifting to NEUTRAL! Are all these people morons? This guy was going through this for 20 minutes, he was calling 911, he had cops telling him to turn off the car (loose power steering) he tried the emergency brake. JUST SHIFT NEUTRAL!!
Takes one second and end of issue! What am I missing?????
31
Mar 09, 2010 at 06:18 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Something is weird here! No mention from the News interviews, the police etc. regarding shifting to NEUTRAL! Are all these people morons? This guy was going through this for 20 minutes, he was calling 911, he had cops telling him to turn off the car (loose power steering) he tried the emergency brake. JUST SHIFT NEUTRAL!!
Takes one second and end of issue! What am I missing????? ”
You're missing post #29. Go read it.
32
Mar 09, 2010 at 06:32 PM cd Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Something is weird here! No mention from the News interviews, the police etc. regarding shifting to NEUTRAL! Are all these people morons? This guy was going through this for 20 minutes, he was calling 911, he had cops telling him to turn off the car (loose power steering) he tried the emergency brake. JUST SHIFT NEUTRAL!!
Takes one second and end of issue! What am I missing????? ”
Over 30 mph , any healthy adult could steer without power steering .
I drive from tsfas down to tiveria (using the 90 ) with the motor shut . With no power steering .
It was good exercise
And up until 1995 most trucks under 26,000 pounds , had no power steering at all.(Heavier ones did have hydraulics assistance)
33
Mar 09, 2010 at 07:08 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Something is weird here! No mention from the News interviews, the police etc. regarding shifting to NEUTRAL! Are all these people morons? This guy was going through this for 20 minutes, he was calling 911, he had cops telling him to turn off the car (loose power steering) he tried the emergency brake. JUST SHIFT NEUTRAL!!
Takes one second and end of issue! What am I missing????? ”
What are you missing? The rest of the comments.
34
Mar 09, 2010 at 08:54 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Something is weird here! No mention from the News interviews, the police etc. regarding shifting to NEUTRAL! Are all these people morons? This guy was going through this for 20 minutes, he was calling 911, he had cops telling him to turn off the car (loose power steering) he tried the emergency brake. JUST SHIFT NEUTRAL!!
Takes one second and end of issue! What am I missing????? ”
Common sense. Humility. Technical training. Should I continue?
35
Mar 09, 2010 at 09:18 PM food for thought Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ He could have just switched off the engine , or shift into neutral.
Or apply brakes. Tests have shown that brakes could stop a 500 horsepower car with the engine at full throttle , (there will be smoke comin out of the brakes ,) ”
switching off the engine when coasting at 94mph is a death wish... shutting the engine disables power steering, not to mention the fact that the steering wheel will lock.
36
Mar 10, 2010 at 08:19 AM zaly Says:Report as Inappropriate
this info from toyota
Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.
If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost
check out this
http://www.toyota.com/recall/pedal.html
37
Mar 10, 2010 at 03:03 PM food for thought Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ He could have just switched off the engine , or shift into neutral.
Or apply brakes. Tests have shown that brakes could stop a 500 horsepower car with the engine at full throttle , (there will be smoke comin out of the brakes ,) ”
switching off the engine when coasting at 94mph is a death wish... shutting the engine disables power steering, not to mention the fact that the steering wheel will lock.
38
Mar 11, 2010 at 03:00 AM Bill Says:Report as Inappropriate
I cannot believe this particular runaway was such a problem. I can see sudden acceleration being a problem is a case like they had in New York recently where leaving the driveway you suddenly accelerate. But on the highway. Come ON. You put the car in neutral, apply the brakes, and pull over. What is even more amazing is that it sounds like the CHP did not tell him to shift in to neutral. There was part of the 911 tape that asks about shifting to neutral but the driver’s response was cut off.
39
Mar 11, 2010 at 12:39 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ He could have just switched off the engine , or shift into neutral.
Or apply brakes. Tests have shown that brakes could stop a 500 horsepower car with the engine at full throttle , (there will be smoke comin out of the brakes ,) ”
People quoting the Car and Driver test (brakes can stop a 500 hp car etc.) should be aware that this is true for the brakes as long as they maintain their power boost which is lost if you cycle the brakes at low engine vacuum. Intake manifold vacuum boosts the brake pedal pushing power of your foot in most cars, (not sure about the Prius), but of course this vacuum is lost if the engine dies and is very low at wide open throttle.
40
Mar 12, 2010 at 04:18 PM Smokey Specs Says:Report as Inappropriate
Some of the comments on this thread remind me about the Marisa Tomeii role in "My Cousin Vinny".(1992). In that movie, the lawyer's girlfriend takes the stand in a case involving a murder that takes place down south and her expert testimony about car tires gets 2 defendants off the hook. The lawyer was played by Joe Pesci.