OT: Lexus – Unsafe at any speed?

[Coronita]

[quote=Zeitgeist]Flu and other auto experts-
Would shifting it into neutral and braking have stopped the engine? Just thinking out loud.[/quote]

Sorry for the late response. Been really busy lately.

In short, that’s exactly what the driver should have tried to do…Put the car in neutral and/or downshifted to a lower gear and either let the engine blow (unlikely) or let the rev limiter cut the throttle. I did read the article before this was posted here…Definitely a tragedy…I guess in some cases, some people don’t know to put the car in neutral or maybe he did but just paniced. I’m a little surprised that a police officer wouldn’t have thought about this, considering they probably deal with runaway cars all the time.

One thing might have been if the person wasn’t able to shift into neutral, but highly unlikely considering that the lexus es350 gear shifter is not fully electronic (unlike high end BMW’s with the idrive system).

Lots of cars have an electro-mechanical parking brake, so that wouldn’t have helped in this case.

It seems kinda strange this happened. But, yeah I’m no lexus/toyota frankly, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there were some problems.

The Audi “unintended acceleration problems” were fabricated by 60mins, in which they hired some dude to rig audi into moving by itself. The other folks that actually had a problem was because the gas and the brake pedals in euro cars in the past were placed closer together.

I can tell you several other things that are actually wrong with audis…but unintended acceleration wouldn’t be one of them.

It never ceases to amaze me how much electronics they are putting into cars…It’s getting just ridiculous imho. I’ve decided my next project car (when I have time) will be an old school for track use only car 🙂

[Coronita]

[quote=paramount]TG: Unfortunately my Expedition isn’t much better with all of it’s electrical problems.

I think I’m done with Ford.[/quote]

Why? Ford’s kicking some butt lately. Their latest product mixes aren’t too shabby.

As for GM, I kinda like the 2010 Buick Lacrosse. Looks kinda slick imho. Would pick that over a Lexus ES or Acura.

[Coronita]

[quote=paramount]TG: Unfortunately my Expedition isn’t much better with all of it’s electrical problems.

I think I’m done with Ford.[/quote]

Why? Ford’s kicking some butt lately. Their latest product mixes aren’t too shabby.

As for GM, I kinda like the 2010 Buick Lacrosse. Looks kinda slick imho. Would pick that over a Lexus ES or Acura.

[Coronita]

[quote=paramount]TG: Unfortunately my Expedition isn’t much better with all of it’s electrical problems.

I think I’m done with Ford.[/quote]

Why? Ford’s kicking some butt lately. Their latest product mixes aren’t too shabby.

As for GM, I kinda like the 2010 Buick Lacrosse. Looks kinda slick imho. Would pick that over a Lexus ES or Acura.

[Coronita]

[quote=paramount]TG: Unfortunately my Expedition isn’t much better with all of it’s electrical problems.

I think I’m done with Ford.[/quote]

Why? Ford’s kicking some butt lately. Their latest product mixes aren’t too shabby.

As for GM, I kinda like the 2010 Buick Lacrosse. Looks kinda slick imho. Would pick that over a Lexus ES or Acura.

[Coronita]

[quote=paramount]TG: Unfortunately my Expedition isn’t much better with all of it’s electrical problems.

I think I’m done with Ford.[/quote]

Why? Ford’s kicking some butt lately. Their latest product mixes aren’t too shabby.

As for GM, I kinda like the 2010 Buick Lacrosse. Looks kinda slick imho. Would pick that over a Lexus ES or Acura.

[Coronita]

[quote=AN][quote=GoUSC]I currently have a loaner Infiniti FX35 with the stupid push button starter and think it is the most retarded thing ever. Just another motion I have to go through to start the car. Is turning a key REALLY that tough????[/quote]
I love the push button start. Especially when it’s properly implemented like in the Infiniti and not the Benz. W/ Benz, you still have to stick your key in the hole, then push the button. That’s retarded. However, w/ the Infiniti system, you can leave your keys in your pocket and just push the button when you sit down. Don’t have to fumble w/ the keys. That’s a big convenience for me.[/quote]

What’s funny is if you accidently leave your key on the outside of your window and then drive off thinking you have your keys with you…and then your key comes off your windshield as you make a turn…Don’t ask me how i know…I have strange friends 🙂

Also, I once figured out on a honda loaner car that if your coasting at 30mph and shift into reverse, you either come to a quick stop and/or you start hearing a click/click/click..Or if you drive 70mph on the freeway with the parking brakes fully engaged, and then stop and dump a bucket of cold water on a semi-glowing brake rotors, yes you can warp the rotors…

Morale of the story: don’t buy used cars, especially ones that were previous rental cars/loaners.

[Coronita]

[quote=AN][quote=GoUSC]I currently have a loaner Infiniti FX35 with the stupid push button starter and think it is the most retarded thing ever. Just another motion I have to go through to start the car. Is turning a key REALLY that tough????[/quote]
I love the push button start. Especially when it’s properly implemented like in the Infiniti and not the Benz. W/ Benz, you still have to stick your key in the hole, then push the button. That’s retarded. However, w/ the Infiniti system, you can leave your keys in your pocket and just push the button when you sit down. Don’t have to fumble w/ the keys. That’s a big convenience for me.[/quote]

What’s funny is if you accidently leave your key on the outside of your window and then drive off thinking you have your keys with you…and then your key comes off your windshield as you make a turn…Don’t ask me how i know…I have strange friends 🙂

Also, I once figured out on a honda loaner car that if your coasting at 30mph and shift into reverse, you either come to a quick stop and/or you start hearing a click/click/click..Or if you drive 70mph on the freeway with the parking brakes fully engaged, and then stop and dump a bucket of cold water on a semi-glowing brake rotors, yes you can warp the rotors…

Morale of the story: don’t buy used cars, especially ones that were previous rental cars/loaners.

[Coronita]

[quote=AN][quote=GoUSC]I currently have a loaner Infiniti FX35 with the stupid push button starter and think it is the most retarded thing ever. Just another motion I have to go through to start the car. Is turning a key REALLY that tough????[/quote]
I love the push button start. Especially when it’s properly implemented like in the Infiniti and not the Benz. W/ Benz, you still have to stick your key in the hole, then push the button. That’s retarded. However, w/ the Infiniti system, you can leave your keys in your pocket and just push the button when you sit down. Don’t have to fumble w/ the keys. That’s a big convenience for me.[/quote]

What’s funny is if you accidently leave your key on the outside of your window and then drive off thinking you have your keys with you…and then your key comes off your windshield as you make a turn…Don’t ask me how i know…I have strange friends 🙂

Also, I once figured out on a honda loaner car that if your coasting at 30mph and shift into reverse, you either come to a quick stop and/or you start hearing a click/click/click..Or if you drive 70mph on the freeway with the parking brakes fully engaged, and then stop and dump a bucket of cold water on a semi-glowing brake rotors, yes you can warp the rotors…

Morale of the story: don’t buy used cars, especially ones that were previous rental cars/loaners.

[Coronita]

[quote=AN][quote=GoUSC]I currently have a loaner Infiniti FX35 with the stupid push button starter and think it is the most retarded thing ever. Just another motion I have to go through to start the car. Is turning a key REALLY that tough????[/quote]
I love the push button start. Especially when it’s properly implemented like in the Infiniti and not the Benz. W/ Benz, you still have to stick your key in the hole, then push the button. That’s retarded. However, w/ the Infiniti system, you can leave your keys in your pocket and just push the button when you sit down. Don’t have to fumble w/ the keys. That’s a big convenience for me.[/quote]

What’s funny is if you accidently leave your key on the outside of your window and then drive off thinking you have your keys with you…and then your key comes off your windshield as you make a turn…Don’t ask me how i know…I have strange friends 🙂

Also, I once figured out on a honda loaner car that if your coasting at 30mph and shift into reverse, you either come to a quick stop and/or you start hearing a click/click/click..Or if you drive 70mph on the freeway with the parking brakes fully engaged, and then stop and dump a bucket of cold water on a semi-glowing brake rotors, yes you can warp the rotors…

Morale of the story: don’t buy used cars, especially ones that were previous rental cars/loaners.

[Coronita]

[quote=AN][quote=GoUSC]I currently have a loaner Infiniti FX35 with the stupid push button starter and think it is the most retarded thing ever. Just another motion I have to go through to start the car. Is turning a key REALLY that tough????[/quote]
I love the push button start. Especially when it’s properly implemented like in the Infiniti and not the Benz. W/ Benz, you still have to stick your key in the hole, then push the button. That’s retarded. However, w/ the Infiniti system, you can leave your keys in your pocket and just push the button when you sit down. Don’t have to fumble w/ the keys. That’s a big convenience for me.[/quote]

What’s funny is if you accidently leave your key on the outside of your window and then drive off thinking you have your keys with you…and then your key comes off your windshield as you make a turn…Don’t ask me how i know…I have strange friends 🙂

Also, I once figured out on a honda loaner car that if your coasting at 30mph and shift into reverse, you either come to a quick stop and/or you start hearing a click/click/click..Or if you drive 70mph on the freeway with the parking brakes fully engaged, and then stop and dump a bucket of cold water on a semi-glowing brake rotors, yes you can warp the rotors…

Morale of the story: don’t buy used cars, especially ones that were previous rental cars/loaners.

[Coronita]

[quote=equalizer][quote=jamsvet]You just can’t tell me that he wasn’t pressing down on the accelerator rather than the gas pedal. I drove an Audi and it happened to me. I could have sworn that I was on the brake but I was really on the gas. Luckily I figured out the problem in time.

No modern car can overcome the brakes. It’s just that simple. Don’t believe it? try it.

Even though he was a CHP officer, they are not gods. I am saddened by his and his families demise, but anyone can make a fatal error.

I don’t think that we will ever know the true reason for the crash, maybe that’s why they call them accidents.[/quote]
If the pedals are not indistinguishable, then why isn’t it a design flaw? Are the pedals in the Audi too close to each other or is the brake pedal too small? Are the Lexus mat holders or all-weather mats susceptible to operator error? If so, then it is a prima facie design error.

Lexus pedals aren’t too small or too close to each other. If mats are the cause, then bolt the damn things to the floor.

Audis-
“And the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration embarked on a lengthy investigation. The agency concluded that because the Audi’s accelerator and brake pedals were placed close together, inattentive drivers were confusing the two by pressing the accelerator when they intended to brake. Europeans, it should be noted, recorded no such incidents.”

American car drivers are used to large brake pedals. Import makers should design cars around customers needs and expectations.

http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1020726_a-short-sad-history-of-so-called-sudden-acceleration%5B/quote%5D

Audi’s were redesigned with larger pedal spacing…The floor mats were recalled by Lexus, don’t know if the dealer took them out of the rental/loaner.

[Coronita]

[quote=equalizer][quote=jamsvet]You just can’t tell me that he wasn’t pressing down on the accelerator rather than the gas pedal. I drove an Audi and it happened to me. I could have sworn that I was on the brake but I was really on the gas. Luckily I figured out the problem in time.

No modern car can overcome the brakes. It’s just that simple. Don’t believe it? try it.

Even though he was a CHP officer, they are not gods. I am saddened by his and his families demise, but anyone can make a fatal error.

I don’t think that we will ever know the true reason for the crash, maybe that’s why they call them accidents.[/quote]
If the pedals are not indistinguishable, then why isn’t it a design flaw? Are the pedals in the Audi too close to each other or is the brake pedal too small? Are the Lexus mat holders or all-weather mats susceptible to operator error? If so, then it is a prima facie design error.

Lexus pedals aren’t too small or too close to each other. If mats are the cause, then bolt the damn things to the floor.

Audis-
“And the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration embarked on a lengthy investigation. The agency concluded that because the Audi’s accelerator and brake pedals were placed close together, inattentive drivers were confusing the two by pressing the accelerator when they intended to brake. Europeans, it should be noted, recorded no such incidents.”

American car drivers are used to large brake pedals. Import makers should design cars around customers needs and expectations.

http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1020726_a-short-sad-history-of-so-called-sudden-acceleration%5B/quote%5D

Audi’s were redesigned with larger pedal spacing…The floor mats were recalled by Lexus, don’t know if the dealer took them out of the rental/loaner.

[Coronita]

[quote=equalizer][quote=jamsvet]You just can’t tell me that he wasn’t pressing down on the accelerator rather than the gas pedal. I drove an Audi and it happened to me. I could have sworn that I was on the brake but I was really on the gas. Luckily I figured out the problem in time.

No modern car can overcome the brakes. It’s just that simple. Don’t believe it? try it.

Even though he was a CHP officer, they are not gods. I am saddened by his and his families demise, but anyone can make a fatal error.

I don’t think that we will ever know the true reason for the crash, maybe that’s why they call them accidents.[/quote]
If the pedals are not indistinguishable, then why isn’t it a design flaw? Are the pedals in the Audi too close to each other or is the brake pedal too small? Are the Lexus mat holders or all-weather mats susceptible to operator error? If so, then it is a prima facie design error.

Lexus pedals aren’t too small or too close to each other. If mats are the cause, then bolt the damn things to the floor.

Audis-
“And the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration embarked on a lengthy investigation. The agency concluded that because the Audi’s accelerator and brake pedals were placed close together, inattentive drivers were confusing the two by pressing the accelerator when they intended to brake. Europeans, it should be noted, recorded no such incidents.”

American car drivers are used to large brake pedals. Import makers should design cars around customers needs and expectations.

http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1020726_a-short-sad-history-of-so-called-sudden-acceleration%5B/quote%5D

Audi’s were redesigned with larger pedal spacing…The floor mats were recalled by Lexus, don’t know if the dealer took them out of the rental/loaner.

[Coronita]

[quote=equalizer][quote=jamsvet]You just can’t tell me that he wasn’t pressing down on the accelerator rather than the gas pedal. I drove an Audi and it happened to me. I could have sworn that I was on the brake but I was really on the gas. Luckily I figured out the problem in time.

No modern car can overcome the brakes. It’s just that simple. Don’t believe it? try it.

Even though he was a CHP officer, they are not gods. I am saddened by his and his families demise, but anyone can make a fatal error.

I don’t think that we will ever know the true reason for the crash, maybe that’s why they call them accidents.[/quote]
If the pedals are not indistinguishable, then why isn’t it a design flaw? Are the pedals in the Audi too close to each other or is the brake pedal too small? Are the Lexus mat holders or all-weather mats susceptible to operator error? If so, then it is a prima facie design error.

Lexus pedals aren’t too small or too close to each other. If mats are the cause, then bolt the damn things to the floor.

Audis-
“And the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration embarked on a lengthy investigation. The agency concluded that because the Audi’s accelerator and brake pedals were placed close together, inattentive drivers were confusing the two by pressing the accelerator when they intended to brake. Europeans, it should be noted, recorded no such incidents.”

American car drivers are used to large brake pedals. Import makers should design cars around customers needs and expectations.

http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1020726_a-short-sad-history-of-so-called-sudden-acceleration%5B/quote%5D

Audi’s were redesigned with larger pedal spacing…The floor mats were recalled by Lexus, don’t know if the dealer took them out of the rental/loaner.

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