Honda Car Forum

On Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:47:56 -0500, "Elmo P. Shagnasty"
<elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote:

>In article <4LednSrST467RAPWnZ2dnUVZ_h6dnZ2d@giganews.com>,
> dbu'' <nospam@nobama.com.invalid> wrote:
>
>> > When this "runaway" accelertor problem happens, can't the driver yank the
>> > gear shift to neutral, and/or turn the ignition off?
>>
>> The Prius is unlike any conventional car. I don't believe it's quite
>> that simple.
>...
>> Toyota innovations are getting ahead of operator
>> understanding of these vehicles.
>
>Dude, SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL IS NOT A "TOYOTA INNOVATION". What the ****
>is so hard to understand about this simple and oh-so-basic function?
>
>For Sikes to have claimed that "I thought the car would flip if I
>shifted to neutral" is enough for me to demand that he be taken off the
>road for the rest of his life.


And that is the bottom line. I would worry that the engine might
destroy itself if I shifted a runaway car into neutral, but given that
the other option is to smash into someone else at 90+ mph, I take that
risk.

"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
news:elmop-3343C8.07475616032010@news.eternal-september.org...
> In article <4LednSrST467RAPWnZ2dnUVZ_h6dnZ2d@giganews.com>,
> dbu'' <nospam@nobama.com.invalid> wrote:
>
>> > When this "runaway" accelertor problem happens, can't the driver yank
>> > the
>> > gear shift to neutral, and/or turn the ignition off?
>>
>> The Prius is unlike any conventional car. I don't believe it's quite
>> that simple.
>
> see, you're representative of the public at large. You can't possibly
> imagine that a Prius could behave like every other car in the
> world--even though you've never owned or driven one.
>
> The driver can indeed yank the shifter into neutral and/or turn the car
> off. Yanking into neutral is as easy as it is in a Buick--touch shift
> lever, move to neutral.
>
> And you know what happens? Yeah. No drama. Drive system disengages,
> gas engine stops running, car immediately starts slowing down.
>
>
>
>> There is no conventional key, there might even be a delay
>> in time for ignition off due to the electronics involved.
>
> If you're using the power button, they've programmed it with a 3 second
> delay. You'd know that if (a) you owned one, and (b) you bothered to
> read the owner's manual of your shiny new $25,000 toy. Of course,
> arrogant asses who claim they know everything about driving never bother
> even to open or keep track of their owner's manual, let alone read it,
> so they wouldn't know how their specific car operates. Even when they
> get in and see that there's no key like in their '67 Buick, they never
> bother to investigate how that power button works.


So, when they arrive at their destination, they leave their Prius running?

In article <4LednSrST467RAPWnZ2dnUVZ_h6dnZ2d@giganews.com>,
dbu'' <nospam@nobama.com.invalid> wrote:

> > When this "runaway" accelertor problem happens, can't the driver yank the
> > gear shift to neutral, and/or turn the ignition off?
>
> The Prius is unlike any conventional car. I don't believe it's quite
> that simple.

see, you're representative of the public at large. You can't possibly
imagine that a Prius could behave like every other car in the
world--even though you've never owned or driven one.

The driver can indeed yank the shifter into neutral and/or turn the car
off. Yanking into neutral is as easy as it is in a Buick--touch shift
lever, move to neutral.

And you know what happens? Yeah. No drama. Drive system disengages,
gas engine stops running, car immediately starts slowing down.



> There is no conventional key, there might even be a delay
> in time for ignition off due to the electronics involved.

If you're using the power button, they've programmed it with a 3 second
delay. You'd know that if (a) you owned one, and (b) you bothered to
read the owner's manual of your shiny new $25,000 toy. Of course,
arrogant asses who claim they know everything about driving never bother
even to open or keep track of their owner's manual, let alone read it,
so they wouldn't know how their specific car operates. Even when they
get in and see that there's no key like in their '67 Buick, they never
bother to investigate how that power button works.



> The shifting
> system is not a mechanical linkage I don't beleive.

Correct. So? It *does* have a shifter, it *does* have a neutral
position--why do you think moving the shifter to neutral "might not be
that simple"????


> That said, it should
> have a fail safe system of shutting down and coming to a safe stop, OFF
> the freeway.

Just like your '67 Buick does, yes. It's called "shift the sonunvabitch
to neutral and coast to a stop".


> Toyota innovations are getting ahead of operator
> understanding of these vehicles.

Dude, SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL IS NOT A "TOYOTA INNOVATION". What the ****
is so hard to understand about this simple and oh-so-basic function?

For Sikes to have claimed that "I thought the car would flip if I
shifted to neutral" is enough for me to demand that he be taken off the
road for the rest of his life.

"JoeSpareBedroom" <newstrash@frontiernet.net> wrote in message
news:LFKnn.40001$_v6.22173@newsfe08.iad...
> "Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
> news:elmop-3343C8.07475616032010@news.eternal-september.org...
>> In article <4LednSrST467RAPWnZ2dnUVZ_h6dnZ2d@giganews.com>,
>> dbu'' <nospam@nobama.com.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>> > When this "runaway" accelertor problem happens, can't the driver yank
>>> > the
>>> > gear shift to neutral, and/or turn the ignition off?
>>>
>>> The Prius is unlike any conventional car. I don't believe it's quite
>>> that simple.
>>
>> see, you're representative of the public at large. You can't possibly
>> imagine that a Prius could behave like every other car in the
>> world--even though you've never owned or driven one.
>>
>> The driver can indeed yank the shifter into neutral and/or turn the car
>> off. Yanking into neutral is as easy as it is in a Buick--touch shift
>> lever, move to neutral.
>>
>> And you know what happens? Yeah. No drama. Drive system disengages,
>> gas engine stops running, car immediately starts slowing down.
>>
>>
>>
>>> There is no conventional key, there might even be a delay
>>> in time for ignition off due to the electronics involved.
>>
>> If you're using the power button, they've programmed it with a 3 second
>> delay. You'd know that if (a) you owned one, and (b) you bothered to
>> read the owner's manual of your shiny new $25,000 toy. Of course,
>> arrogant asses who claim they know everything about driving never bother
>> even to open or keep track of their owner's manual, let alone read it,
>> so they wouldn't know how their specific car operates. Even when they
>> get in and see that there's no key like in their '67 Buick, they never
>> bother to investigate how that power button works.
>
>
> So, when they arrive at their destination, they leave their Prius running?

Since the car doe NOT run when stopped (most of the time) yes it has been
known to happen...again maybe if you had ever driven one.
>

"Justbob30" <NoThank@you.com> wrote in message
news:hno406$9el$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>
>
> "JoeSpareBedroom" <newstrash@frontiernet.net> wrote in message
>> So, when they arrive at their destination, they leave their Prius
>> running?
>
> Since the car doe NOT run when stopped (most of the time) yes it has been
> known to happen...again maybe if you had ever driven one.

Won't the car shut off when you open the door?

"Justbob30" <NoThank@you.com> wrote in message
news:hno406$9el$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>
>
> "JoeSpareBedroom" <newstrash@frontiernet.net> wrote in message
> news:LFKnn.40001$_v6.22173@newsfe08.iad...
>> "Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
>> news:elmop-3343C8.07475616032010@news.eternal-september.org...
>>> In article <4LednSrST467RAPWnZ2dnUVZ_h6dnZ2d@giganews.com>,
>>> dbu'' <nospam@nobama.com.invalid> wrote:
>>>
>>>> > When this "runaway" accelertor problem happens, can't the driver yank
>>>> > the
>>>> > gear shift to neutral, and/or turn the ignition off?
>>>>
>>>> The Prius is unlike any conventional car. I don't believe it's quite
>>>> that simple.
>>>
>>> see, you're representative of the public at large. You can't possibly
>>> imagine that a Prius could behave like every other car in the
>>> world--even though you've never owned or driven one.
>>>
>>> The driver can indeed yank the shifter into neutral and/or turn the car
>>> off. Yanking into neutral is as easy as it is in a Buick--touch shift
>>> lever, move to neutral.
>>>
>>> And you know what happens? Yeah. No drama. Drive system disengages,
>>> gas engine stops running, car immediately starts slowing down.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> There is no conventional key, there might even be a delay
>>>> in time for ignition off due to the electronics involved.
>>>
>>> If you're using the power button, they've programmed it with a 3 second
>>> delay. You'd know that if (a) you owned one, and (b) you bothered to
>>> read the owner's manual of your shiny new $25,000 toy. Of course,
>>> arrogant asses who claim they know everything about driving never bother
>>> even to open or keep track of their owner's manual, let alone read it,
>>> so they wouldn't know how their specific car operates. Even when they
>>> get in and see that there's no key like in their '67 Buick, they never
>>> bother to investigate how that power button works.
>>
>>
>> So, when they arrive at their destination, they leave their Prius
>> running?
>
> Since the car doe NOT run when stopped (most of the time) yes it has been
> known to happen...again maybe if you had ever driven one.
>>


Then what's the purpose of having the OFF button? It seems odd that owners
would not become acquainted with it on day #1 of owning the car.

On 03/16/2010 07:31 AM, JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
> "Justbob30"<NoThank@you.com> wrote in message
> news:hno406$9el$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>>
>>
>> "JoeSpareBedroom"<newstrash@frontiernet.net> wrote in message
>> news:LFKnn.40001$_v6.22173@newsfe08.iad...
>>> "Elmo P. Shagnasty"<elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
>>> news:elmop-3343C8.07475616032010@news.eternal-september.org...
>>>> In article<4LednSrST467RAPWnZ2dnUVZ_h6dnZ2d@giganews. com>,
>>>> dbu''<nospam@nobama.com.invalid> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>> When this "runaway" accelertor problem happens, can't the driver yank
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> gear shift to neutral, and/or turn the ignition off?
>>>>>
>>>>> The Prius is unlike any conventional car. I don't believe it's quite
>>>>> that simple.
>>>>
>>>> see, you're representative of the public at large. You can't possibly
>>>> imagine that a Prius could behave like every other car in the
>>>> world--even though you've never owned or driven one.
>>>>
>>>> The driver can indeed yank the shifter into neutral and/or turn the car
>>>> off. Yanking into neutral is as easy as it is in a Buick--touch shift
>>>> lever, move to neutral.
>>>>
>>>> And you know what happens? Yeah. No drama. Drive system disengages,
>>>> gas engine stops running, car immediately starts slowing down.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> There is no conventional key, there might even be a delay
>>>>> in time for ignition off due to the electronics involved.
>>>>
>>>> If you're using the power button, they've programmed it with a 3 second
>>>> delay. You'd know that if (a) you owned one, and (b) you bothered to
>>>> read the owner's manual of your shiny new $25,000 toy. Of course,
>>>> arrogant asses who claim they know everything about driving never bother
>>>> even to open or keep track of their owner's manual, let alone read it,
>>>> so they wouldn't know how their specific car operates. Even when they
>>>> get in and see that there's no key like in their '67 Buick, they never
>>>> bother to investigate how that power button works.
>>>
>>>
>>> So, when they arrive at their destination, they leave their Prius
>>> running?
>>
>> Since the car doe NOT run when stopped (most of the time) yes it has been
>> known to happen...again maybe if you had ever driven one.
>>>
>
>
> Then what's the purpose of having the OFF button? It seems odd that owners
> would not become acquainted with it on day #1 of owning the car.
>
>

drive a prius dude. prius drivers leave those things on all the time -
the vehicle makes no noise so it's real easy to forget.

--
nomina rutrum rutrum

Obveeus wrote:
> "Justbob30" <NoThank@you.com> wrote in message
> news:hno406$9el$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>>
>> "JoeSpareBedroom" <newstrash@frontiernet.net> wrote in message
>>> So, when they arrive at their destination, they leave their Prius
>>> running?
>> Since the car doe NOT run when stopped (most of the time) yes it has been
>> known to happen...again maybe if you had ever driven one.
>
> Won't the car shut off when you open the door?
>
>

No. I have one. It WILL shift into neutral at any speed. It WILL turn
off by pressing the power button without shifting to park. It WILL
operate at or below the speed limit and can be operated without having a
wreck so I don't have to make up stories about it "running away on its
own".

When stopped, at a red light for instance, the gasoline engine will shut
down when the battery is above a pre-set level. When the battery level
drops the gasoline engine will start automatically, run at idle speed,
and recharge the battery. If the light is a long one and the battery
draw is high this cycle may repeat.

IMHO almost all runaway cars are caused by a defect in the central
processor of the driver. The driver steps on the gas instead of the
brake, panics, and presses the gas pedal even harder thinking they are
pressing the brake pedal. Then again, I live in Florida, seems like we
have a lot of runaway cars of all makes and models. Interestingly high
percentage of Cadillacs and Lincolns with VERY senior citizens. Remember
now, this is all just MHO.

Nasty <nasty@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in
news:4b9f977a$0$4975$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshostin g.com:


>
> No. I have one. It WILL shift into neutral at any speed. It WILL turn
> off by pressing the power button without shifting to park. It WILL
> operate at or below the speed limit and can be operated without having
> a wreck so I don't have to make up stories about it "running away on
> its own".



I've never driven a Prius. Under what exact conditions does the thing
actually run under battery power alone?


--
Tegger

"JoeSpareBedroom" <newstrash@frontiernet.net> wrote in message
news:LFKnn.40001$_v6.22173@newsfe08.iad...

>> If you're using the power button, they've programmed it with a 3
>> second
>> delay. You'd know that if (a) you owned one, and (b) you bothered
>> to
>> read the owner's manual of your shiny new $25,000 toy. Of course,
>> arrogant asses who claim they know everything about driving never
>> bother
>> even to open or keep track of their owner's manual, let alone read
>> it,
>> so they wouldn't know how their specific car operates. Even when
>> they
>> get in and see that there's no key like in their '67 Buick, they
>> never
>> bother to investigate how that power button works.
>
>
> So, when they arrive at their destination, they leave their Prius
> running?

The power button actc differently when the vehicle is at reat. If the
car is stopped, pushing it once turns off the vehicle (you don't need
to hold it for three seconds). You only have to hold if for three
seconds if the car is moving.

Ed