Scared my self today

[puddle jumper]

I took a 6.4L diesel out to day on a road test and as I was driving the gas peddle stuck to the floor. The first thing I thought of was the Toyota problem. As this truck started to rocket down the highway (good thing I was on the highway on a straight stretch no one around). The truck got up to about 85mph I was just about to shut the engine off I realized that the floor mat was holding it down. Pulled it back with my foot and all was good. Just that instant of not being able to slow down really made me feel helpless.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Scared my self today

I took a 6.4L diesel out to day on a road test and as I was driving the gas peddle stuck to the floor. The first thing I thought of was the Toyota problem. As this truck started to rocket down the highway (good thing I was on the highway on a straight stretch no one around). The truck got up to about 85mph I was just about to shut the engine off I realized that the floor mat was holding it down. Pulled it back with my foot and all was good. Just that instant of not being able to slow down really made me feel helpless.

Scary, throw out the floor mats !!!

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Scared my self today

Not my truck one of the foreman's trucks. Told him about it and he just shruged it off. Dumb as dumb is.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Scared my self today

use a panhead screw and screw the damm mat down to the floor.

 

[achris]

Re: Scared my self today

use a panhead screw and screw the damm mat down to the floor.

Like it!

One thing that I'm curious about.... All these cars that get the pedal stuck... If it's difficult to turn the engine off, I believe some have a button that's got to be held for 3 seconds, or something stupid like that.... why don't people just push the gear lever into neutral? You can still do that on a modern car, can't you? Or am I missing something?

Chris........

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Scared my self today

You got to understand that in a panic situation people freeze up and have an uncontroled grip with both hands on the wheel. Its a panic reaction that over rules a logical reaction. I was test driving a performance car and had its gas pedal sucked all the way to the floor because of a defective carb linkage and believe me it took both hands to try and control the car as it went sideways down a city street. If the other person in the car had not been able to reach and turn the engine off we could have been killed. Unless you have had a car get away from you its hard to say what you would do. The car was a 396 nova super sport.

 

[achris]

Re: Scared my self today

You got to understand that in a panic situation people freeze up and have an uncontroled grip with both hands on the wheel. Its a panic reaction that can over rule a logical decision that has to be made in seconds. Jet fighter pilots are trained to be able to do this. The average socker mom isnt..see what I mean?

Sorry, don't buy it..... Nobody who is allowed to drive could be THAT clueless.

And yes, I have had an accelerator pedal stick down... on a freeway at 110khp. I just turned off the key... no panic, and I did it before the situation got out of control.....

C.......

 

[DianneB]

Re: Scared my self today

Many years ago I had the same thing happen on a motorcycle - throttle stuck wide open. Fortunately it was on the highway and not much traffic so I was laying on the gas tank at 120 MPH (in a 60 zone) trying to get the linkage to release when I passed a cop going the other way LOL! (Long story! )

I was thinking more about getting the situation under control and didn't have time to panic (until after).

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Scared my self today

Like it!

One thing that I'm curious about.... All these cars that get the pedal stuck... If it's difficult to turn the engine off, I believe some have a button that's got to be held for 3 seconds, or something stupid like that.... why don't people just push the gear lever into neutral? You can still do that on a modern car, can't you? Or am I missing something?

Chris........

I think that button could be the ejector seat

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Scared my self today

Sorry, don't buy it..... Nobody who is allowed to drive could be THAT clueless.
.......

Well, since you don't live in the United States, I'll forgive you for that remark. Fact is, there are very unintelligent people that drive in this country, everyday. This is not hard to believe.

One time, MANY moons ago (okay it was 21 years ago!) when I was 16 years old, I had the aftermarket floor mat of our Ford Mustang get stuck, causing the accelerator to be stuck wide open. I realized it right away as I pushed in the clutch, and the motor went to redline instead of slowing down. I was shocked for about 1-2 seconds, then turned the key off, and coasted to the side of the road. I can guarantee you that my sister, while just as smart as me, would have PANICKED, and not handled the situation. It can happen to anyone.

 

[JB]

Re: Scared my self today

Had the floormat thing happen in a '86 Ford Ranger as I started up an exit ramp. A firm foot on the brake brought her to a stop. That floormat may still be there by the ramp.

 

[surrender]

Re: Scared my self today

Taking the car out of gear is the easiest thing to do. Heck I do it all the time when I hear a weird noise and want to see if its coming from the tranny in my truck. Whats the big deal?

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Scared my self today

. Fact is, there are very unintelligent people that drive in this country, everyday. This is not hard to believe.

I'll second that!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Scared my self today

FYI...if this turns into another heated debate on how to properly stop a runaway car....it will be closed.

 

[avimgod]

Re: Scared my self today

Sorry, don't buy it..... Nobody who is allowed to drive could be THAT clueless.

And yes, I have had an accelerator pedal stick down... on a freeway at 110khp. I just turned off the key... no panic, and I did it before the situation got out of control.....

C.......

Sorry, but yes people really can be that clueless... Ever seen someone going down the road with their gas cap hanging by the little strap?

Next time you happen to be near a car shop, ask them how many cars come in with almost NO oil in the engines.

My wife called me at work last week, complained about the trans dragging in our Durango when she was in reverse (these transmissions are known for the OD failing and causing problems in reverse)... I got home, she asked me to take a look at the truck... first thing I did was take it OUT of 4WD... binding GONE instantly! go figure!

Yes people CAN be that stupid as to lock grip on the steering wheel, how else do you think that a car gets driven THROUGH a crowd of people... first instinct is to pull your hands toward you, second is to push your foot to the ground, if your foot is over the gass peddle you WILL loose control and shoot your car straight into or through whatever is in front of you... it happens every day!

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Scared my self today

OOPS! Wrong thread. lol

 

[bsktball55]

Re: Scared my self today

You got to understand that in a panic situation people freeze up and have an uncontroled grip with both hands on the wheel. Its a panic reaction that over rules a logical reaction. I was test driving a performance car and had its gas pedal sucked all the way to the floor because of a defective carb linkage and believe me it took both hands to try and control the car as it went sideways down a city street. If the other person in the car had not been able to reach and turn the engine off we could have been killed. Unless you have had a car get away from you its hard to say what you would do. The car was a 396 nova super sport.

The freeze up and panic and can't figure out how to turn the car off, but they sure can find their cell phones and dial to call someone.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Scared my self today

Many years ago I had the same thing happen on a motorcycle - throttle stuck wide open. Fortunately it was on the highway and not much traffic so I was laying on the gas tank at 120 MPH (in a 60 zone) trying to get the linkage to release when I passed a cop going the other way LOL! (Long story! )

I was thinking more about getting the situation under control and didn't have time to panic (until after).

And the cop said, "YA, RIGHT"

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Scared my self today

You got to understand that in a panic situation people freeze up and have an uncontroled grip with both hands on the wheel. Its a panic reaction that over rules a logical reaction. I was test driving a performance car and had its gas pedal sucked all the way to the floor because of a defective carb linkage and believe me it took both hands to try and control the car as it went sideways down a city street. If the other person in the car had not been able to reach and turn the engine off we could have been killed. Unless you have had a car get away from you its hard to say what you would do. The car was a 396 nova super sport.

Turning the key off is what not to do. Loss of power brakes, loss of power steering or complete lock up of the steering. My neighbor's kid did this, resulting in him crossing into oncoming traffic and crashing. Shift to neutral and hit the brake.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Scared my self today

Turning the key off is what not to do. Loss of power brakes, loss of power steering or complete lock up of the steering. My neighbor's kid did this, resulting in him crossing into oncoming traffic and crashing. Shift to neutral and hit the brake.

I agree. All new cars and trucks have rev limiters so you wont hurt the engine and steering and braking are the most important things in moments like these.