REPORT: So-called "smart" gas pedals could counteract floor mat issues
Now that Toyota's massive 3.8 million-vehicle recall for floor mats with a mind of their own has got unintended acceleration on our brains, perhaps it would be a good time to take a look at ways to solve the potential problem once and for all. In contrast to Toyota's initial low-tech tie-wrap approach, The New York Times reports that some automakers have created so-called "smart gas pedals."
So, um, what's a smart gas pedal? Apparently, on all BMWs since 2005, a computer can tell when both the gas and brake pedals are being applied when the vehicle is moving. In that situation, the computer disables the gas pedal and gives the brakes priority. Presumably, the BMW system is smart enough to figure out intentional left-foot braking, as we don't recall experiencing any problem in such usage scenarios.
Considering Audi and other automakers' unfortunate history with unsubstantiated unintended acceleration claims, similar technology reportedly exists at that automaker along with parent company Volkswagen. Interestingly, the NYT reports that General Motors, Ford, Honda, Acura, Toyota, Lexus and Hyundai don't employ such systems, though Toyota is said to be considering the technology after its recent travails. According to Chrysler spokesperson Lisa Barrow, most vehicles from the Pentastar "have a feature that recognizes the use of both pedals at the same and brings the engine speed to idle."
[Source: The New York Times | Image: George Heyer/Getty]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
why not the LS2LS7? 2:31PM (10/09/2009)
Audi has done this for years. My 2000 A6 has it.
It only takes effect if you push the brake (or release and push) the brake after pressing the gas. If you press the gas 2nd, it lets you go ahead and torque up the tranny.
This doesn't solve any liability issues because liability lawsuits are more driven by the deep pocket theory than by logic.
Reply
PJ 2:48PM (10/09/2009)
Glad to hear that. My first thought was "R.I.P. heel-and-toe."
stg 6:46PM (10/09/2009)
My 05 A6 has it too. As a matter of fact I tested it my self to see how it worked. I fully accelerated till 60 MPH and as I was accelerating I pressed on the brake without releasing the gas. The car cut off the gas and soon I was in full brake force. Make sure you tell the people with you to be aware of what is about to happen. lol
TonyInMI 2:35PM (10/09/2009)
Soon this will be mandatory like the TPMS. Sheesh.
Reply
Shiftright 2:36PM (10/09/2009)
How about inventing smart drivers? In any car, if the throttle can be overpowered by the brakes. Solution: "APPLY BRAKES"!
Reply
m 3:58PM (10/09/2009)
In any car? The brakes can only absorb and dissipate full engine power for a pretty short time. That's on basically every car. If you did manage to get stopped, what do you do then? Jump out before the car open-throttle launches itself again?
But I agree with your smarter drivers idea. After the brakes thing fails, you'd think it would cross somebody's mind to shut off the engine or put the transmission in neutral.
g 4:39PM (10/09/2009)
@m
"If you did manage to get stopped, what do you do then? Jump out before the car open-throttle launches itself again?"
Ummm - I'd turn the ignition off rather than jumping out.
Actually, I'd probably have put the clutch in long before that happened but that's besides the point.
DKB_SATX 4:49PM (10/09/2009)
@m: If you can get stopped (i.e. if you apply full braking force immediately, before you've overheated the brakes by trying to "control" it instead of just stopping ASAP) then you can hold it stopped indefinitely while you figure out something to do. If you were thinking, you'd have put it in Neutral long before and wouldn't have to care about the brakes' ability to overpower the engine... but so many people don't really think about how to drive a car, and people who've only driven automatics often don't think about the fact that you can disconnect the engine from the wheels with that PRNDL thingie-whatsis.
why not the LS2LS7? 6:55PM (10/09/2009)
During the sudden acceleration days, Audi loaded up cars with 3 journalists and a driver, drove down a steep hill and nailed the gas and brake at the same time and the cars stopped, even though they didn't have the accelerator cutoff back then.
Your brakes are far more powerful than your engine. Many cars can do 60-0 in under 120 feet. But they take 2-3x as far to reach 60 from 0.
danrm 10:57AM (10/10/2009)
I've read that the engine revving at full tilt, either in drive or neutral robs enough vacuum from the assist for the brakes that it takes an enormous amount of pressure on the brake pedal to stop the car.
Also, I believe this whole issue has uncovered a fundamental flaw in the push-button start/stop in that 1) it takes 3 seconds to turn off a moving vehicle when you start pressing it. and 2) most people don't know this aspect of the system. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want to wait 3 seconds in an emergency for my car to turn off. Also, Toyota didn't even publish this information in the manual until the 2009 model year.
If I were a surviving member of the family involved in that accident, I would sue the ass off of Toyota. Also, anyone who personally drives one of these cars should be made aware of how to turn their vehicle off in an emergency.
danrm 11:02AM (10/10/2009)
I've read that the engine revving at full tilt, either in drive or neutral robs enough vacuum from the assist for the brakes that it takes an enormous amount of pressure on the brake pedal to stop the car.
Also, I believe this whole issue has uncovered a fundamental flaw in the push-button start/stop in that 1) it takes 3 seconds to turn off a moving vehicle when you start pressing it. and 2) most people don't know this aspect of the system. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want to wait 3 seconds in an emergency for my car to turn off. Also, Toyota didn't even publish this information in the manual until the 2009 model year.
If I were a surviving member of the family involved in that accident, I would sue the ass off of Toyota. Also, anyone who personally drives one of these cars should be made aware of how to turn their vehicle off in an emergency.
Level 2:38PM (10/09/2009)
solve one problem with the potential to create another....
Reply
BoxerFanatic 2:39PM (10/09/2009)
Which would be harder?
Developing a "smart" gas pedal...
Or developing a floor mat that fits properly, and STAYS IN PLACE...
... well, maybe the pedal thing...
Reply
click_playaz 2:48PM (10/09/2009)
So why don't they develop both? so People don't have to worry anymore.
nrb 3:04PM (10/09/2009)
I'm with Boxer. Every car I've ever owned has the ability to "hook" the floormat in place. As long as you have a compatible floormat, it' works pretty darned well.
Let's hear it for low-tech solutions.
jv2k 3:18PM (10/09/2009)
Easier solution:
Don't make those grip bumps on the mat so tall. I mean what exactly do you need all that traction for on your floor mat?
Smarter solution:
Don't allow people who aren't smart enough to realize that they can hit the breaks while accelerating, put the car in neutral, or turn the engine off while in gear/in d to drive. I can understand hesitating because flooring the gas while in neutral can mess up your engine but when the alternative is flying down the highway at an uncontrollable 130mph it's pretty obvious what you need to do.
the4thheat 10:30PM (10/09/2009)
If only they could develop a smart driver who knows how to turn off their car or shift into neutral.
waiownsyou 12:58AM (10/11/2009)
With the exception of the Toyota fiasco, most OEMs have a snug, if not intentionally perfect, fit to the floor following the caricature. It's those people who buy aftermarket $10 all-weather mats from places like Wal-mart or Autozone that end up causing all the trouble...
Boreas 10:31AM (10/14/2009)
How about making sure there is clearance between the carpet and the gas pedal by about an inch and a half, then you wouldn't need the complication of a "smart" gas pedal or lousy mat hooks.
Joe 2:52PM (10/09/2009)
I'm pretty sure the Toyota Prius already has this. A friend of mine tried power-braking one. No dice. If you are holding the brake the Gas does nothing.
Reply