Suggestions for stopping a run-away car:
1. Put the transmission in neutral. Rev limiter will protect the engine.. won’t sound nice but you’ll stop. Ignition key to off position when no longer moving.
2. Manual transmission: push the clutch in fool!!!
3. On a straight section of road, ignition key to off position (3 – 5 sec). Steering will momentarily lock, then turn back to on position but don’t go to start. Engine may restart depending upon speed (> 30mph for automatic). Can try switch to off, trans to neutral then switch to on trick. If engine restarts because still it drive, it still may cause the ECU to ‘reboot’, clearing the problem if it was ECU based.
4. Hit the brakes. In most cars, the brakes will be able to stop the car even when the engine is trying to accelerate. The exception might be with a car having more than 600hp.. but those usually have even better brakes.
5. Pull the fuse for the ECU (only useful if there is more than one person in the car). This will immediately shut the engine off (The ECU controls the fuel pump, ignition timing, as well as throttle control on drive-by-wire cars).
The floormat problem sounds likely on this one. There are too many ways to stop a runaway engine.. Floormats can remove using the brakes if it has bunched up behind the brake and on top of the accelerator.
