In the past few weeks, Toyota acceleration problems have been documented in the news. In the reports, car owners experienced unwanted accelerations when their gas pedals became jammed in a partially depressed position. In response to these occurrences, Toyota has launched a recall plan for specific vehicles to remedy the problem.
Despite the actions taken by the company, many motorists are now wary of the possibilities of unwanted accelerations, regardless of the cars they own. Although this condition is rare, it’s good to know how to deal with it to avoid costly accidents.
Don’t panic
If the gas pedal of your car is stuck, don’t panic. You’re not in a helpless situation. As long as you know what to do, you’ll be able to slow your car down gradually to a safe stop.
You can still dab on the brakes
If you notice that your gas pedal is stuck, you can still dab on the brakes to prevent your car from speeding up. Your application must be firm and steady. Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly. This action could diminish the vacuum assist, reducing the efficiency of your brakes.
In addition to stepping on the brakes, you should also shift the transmission gear stick to neutral (N). The car will stop accelerating, making it easier for the brakes to stop the car. Keep in mind that the engine revs won’t decrease because the gas pedal is still stuck in a partially depressed position. But this is a non-issue since the car is already in neutral.
If you are unable to put the car into neutral, you can switch the ignition key to ACC. This will turn your engine off without locking your steering wheel or shutting down your braking control. However, power steering and other brake assists will be lost.
*For those driving Toyota cars installed with a start/stop push button, firmly press the button for at least three seconds to turn the engine off. Do not tap on the button.
Other reminders
Turn your hazard lights on, so other motorists know that you’re having an emergency. Make a controlled stop at the side of the road and call for assistance.
Sign up on the box at the right for further assistance in buying an economy car.
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