Author Archive
Alternate Fuel, Clean Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicle Articles Featured in ASE’s TechNews Magazine
6. May 2010 by admin.
In its winter 1999 edition, ASE commenced running a series on “Alternate Fuel Technology” in its Blue Seal TechNews publication. The series quickly expanded in scope to include clean technology and clean fuels related topics.
Readers from across the automotive industry have expressed appreciation for the information provided in our AFV series: OE technicians have learned more about the vehicles they service; instructors have learned from and displayed the articles in classrooms; fleet managers have expressed gratitude for our non-biased “fuel neutral” reporting on AFVs; and clean fuel, clean air and clean vehicle associations and magazines have reprinted articles from our series.
We hope you will find the information useful and informative, and we encourage readers to pass the articles along to third parties.
ASE wishes to thank the many people and organizations who contributed information and images used in the articles; without them, the series would not have become possible. If you wish to reprint any of the articles, we ask only that credit be given to ASE as the source, and let us know how and why you find them useful. ASE continually receives positive and enthusiastic feedback about the AFV series, and our hope is that others may benefit from the series as well.
Note:
The information printed and provided in the collection of AFV articles was current at the time of publication. Aside from minor edits, the information originally printed remains unchanged, thus providing a historical perspective. Rapid changes in fuels and vehicle / component technology, legislation, and market conditions have taken place since the time of original publication. For the most up-to-date information, readers are advised to check with vehicle manufacturers, conversion equipment suppliers, energy providers, government agencies, and the U.S. DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) / Clean Cities information center at 1-877-337-3463.
These articles are provided free of charge for educational purposes. If reprinting, please do not change content. When using, please credit ASE as the source. Articles are available electronically as PDFs, or may be downloaded from ASE’s website shown below. If you have further questions about the AFV series or its content, you may contact the author, Bob Rodriguez.
Executive Summaries of Articles (Click here)
Earth Day is Here! How To Have a Positive Effect on the Environment
26. April 2010 by admin.
It’s Earth Day, so Ask Patty has rounded up some important suggestions that touch on Earth Day friendliness. At AskPatty.com, we recognize our responsibility to the world around us and strive to reduce our environmental impact. Here are some tips you can follow to be more ecofriendly in your car
Improve Your Vehicle’s Fuel Economy
Just a couple years ago, the price for premium fuel in the Los Angeles area was over $4. This month, it’s loitering around $3.25. This article at AskPatty.com suggests a variety of automotive tips which are useful whether you’re trying to make a difference by helping the environment, or you’re just aiming to save a few more dollars at the pump each month.
Recycle Old Car Batteries
Calling all dead car, truck, boat and motorcycle batteries. It’s time to get recycled. According to Road and Travel, “an automotive battery, also referred to as a lead-acid battery, contains about 21 pounds of lead, three pounds of plastic and one gallon of sulfuric acid. These items can be toxic if handled improperly, and there is a better solution.
Bring your old lead-acid batteries to the AAA Great Battery Roundup. Roundups are held annually in the United States and Canada to commemorate Earth Day. Ask your local AAA/CAA office for particulars.
“The lead-acid battery is crucial to modern automotive technology and is easily recycled if disposed of properly,” said Nancy DeRose, AAA’s manager of Battery Services, in a release. “Nearly 99 percent of a vehicle battery can be recycled and used again without removing new lead, or other natural resources from the environment.”
To handle used batteries, keep them upright and place them in a sturdy box or plastic container when transporting them for recycling. AAA says if the battery case is cracked or leaking, put it in a leak-proof container. Also do not smoke near or expose the batteries to an open flame, and make certain they will not shift and tip over in a moving vehicle.
To learn more about the Great Battery Roundup, call your Auto Club office or visit www.aaa.com.
Continue reading “Earth Day is Here! How To Have a Positive Effect on the Environment” »
As we enter the second decade of the 21st century, women are on the verge of attaining economic parity with men–something our great-grandmothers and grandfathers would never have imagined. With this new economic fortitude, women have the opportunity to take previously untapped power into their hands to influence the direction of the marketplace, the workplace, the family, and worldwide leadership.
In this new book, “Influence: How Women’s Soaring Economic Power Will Change the World for the Better,” Maddy Dychtwald paints a captivating picture of women coming into power in America and worldwide. Filled with breakthrough research findings, marketplace insights and inspiring examples of trend-setting women from all walks of life, this compelling multi-media presentation can be customized for a variety of industries and audiences.
Some of the topics include:
- How women’s rise to power impacts money, markets and men: the past, present and future.
- The three stages of women’s financial awareness: 1) security, 2) independence and 3) influence.
- How women will pioneer the opportunities and challenges of the longevity revolution.
- The new female-driven “cyclic” work/life paradigm.
- How women are rewriting the rules of success.
- How the new - and evolving - female/male equation changes the rules and roles at home and at work.
- An examination of women’s multiplying marketplace clout and how successful companies are responding.
AskPatty.com President and CEO Jody DeVere is featured heavily in the chapter “Start Your Engines: Transforming the Automotive Industry.” In this chapter, Dychtwald says “It’s an industry that’s owned and operated by men. Some 95 percent of the country’s 20,000 auto dealers belonging to the National Automobile Dealers Association are male. And it shows.”
Jody agrees with her, saying “The auto industry today is in trouble, and automakers are struggling so hard.” According to Jody, automakers are “only doing lip service to women in terms of marketing and selling. When what they need to do is change, and create an environment where women don’t equate buying a car or getting it serviced with going to the dentist.”
Jody is joined in the chapter by other heavy-hitting women, including Marina Shoemaker, director of General Motor’s Women’s Retail Network; Cheri Fleming, owner and Dealer Principal of Female Friendly Dealer Valencia Acura; and Marti Barletta, president and CEO of The TrendSight Group.
Download the chapter here or buy the book here.
Maddy Dychtwald is a nationally recognized author, public speaker, marketing executive and entrepreneur. She has spent nearly 25 years deeply involved in exploring and forecasting demographic, lifestyle and consumer marketing trends. In 1986, she co-founded Age Wave, with her husband, Ken. She has helped grow the company from the ground up to a multi-million dollar enterprise with a time-honored reputation as the best in its field. As the nation’s foremost thought-leader on population aging and its profound business, lifestyle, and cultural implications, the company provides breakthrough research (including the landmark study Women, Money and Power), compelling presentations, award-winning communications, and results-driven marketing and consulting initiatives to over half the Fortune 500,
Maddy is the author of three books: her newest book hits bookshelves next month. She has also written “Cycles: How We Will Live, Work, and Buy” (2004), which was the winner of the 2004 Book of the Year Award from the National Community Colleges Association as well as co-authored an illustrated children’s book entitled “Gideon’s Dream: A Tale of New Beginning”s (March 2008).
Eco-Driving Tips From Ford
26. April 2010 by admin.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that the United States uses about 150 billion gallons of gasoline annually. Eco-driving techniques tested by Ford showed that motorists coached in eco-driving can significantly improve the fuel economy performance of their vehicles. Here are simple tips that any driver can use:
Slow down and watch speed - Drive 55 mph instead of 65 to save fuel. EPA estimates a 10 to 15 percent improvement in fuel economy by following this tip. Also, aim for a constant speed. Pumping the accelerator sends more fuel into the engine. Using cruise control whenever possible on the highway helps maintain speed and conserve fuel.
Accelerate and brake smoothly - Accelerating smoothly from a stop and braking softly conserves fuel. Fast starts, weaving in and out of traffic and hard braking wastes fuel and wears out some of the vehicle components, such as brakes and tires, more quickly. Maintain a safe distance between vehicles and anticipate traffic conditions to allow for more time to brake and accelerate gradually.
No idling - Today’s engines don’t need a warm-up. Start the car immediately and gently drive away. Don’t leave your car idling. Prolonged idling increases emissions and wastes fuel. Turn the engine off in non-traffic situations, such as at bank and fast food drive-up windows, when idling more than 30 seconds.
Check your tires - Keep tires properly inflated to the recommended tire pressure. This alone can reduce the average amount of fuel use by 3 to 4 percent. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel economy. They also wear more rapidly. Check the vehicle’s door-post sticker for minimum cold tire inflation pressure.
Be kind to your vehicle - Maintain proper engine tune-up to keep vehicles running efficiently. Keep the wheels aligned. Wheels that are fighting each other wastes fuel. Replace air filters as recommended. Use a fuel with good detergent additives to keep the vehicle engine clean and performing efficiently. Always consult the owner’s manual for proper maintenance.
Travel light - Avoid piling a lot of luggage on the roof rack. The added frontal area reduces aerodynamics and will hurt fuel economy, reducing it by as much as 5 percent. Remove excess weight from the vehicle. Unnecessary weight, such as unneeded items in the trunk, makes the engine work harder and consumes more fuel.
Close windows at high speeds - Don’t drive with the windows open unless you keep your speed under 50 mph. Driving with the windows open at highway speeds increases aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and lowers fuel economy.
Choose the right oil - Use good-quality oils with the viscosity grade recommended in the owner’s guide. Ford recommends SAE 5W-20 oil for most cars and trucks to provide the best fuel economy. Only oils “certified for gasoline engines” by the American Petroleum Institute with the starburst symbol should be used.
Minimize use of heater and air conditioning - Use heating and air conditioning selectively to reduce the load on the engine. Decreasing your usage of the air conditioner when temperatures are above 80 degrees can help you save 10 to 15 percent of fuel. Use the vent setting as much as possible. Park in the shade to keep the vehicle cool and reduce the need for air conditioning.
Consolidate trips - Plan ahead to consolidate your trips. This will enable you to bypass congested routes and lead to less idling.
If every driver practiced these eco-driving techniques — which can result in an EPA-estimated 15 percent benefit in fuel economy — more than 22 billion gallons of gas could be saved each year!
Save Money with These Fuel Efficiency Tips
11. January 2010 by admin.
There’s so much information being broadcast lately about the economy and the high prices we are paying for consumer goods, so AskPatty thought we would offer ways to help you to drive more efficiently with this money saving advice we found at the Car Care Council.
Consider these vehicle conditions that cost consumers millions of dollars in wasted fuel:
* Loose or missing gas caps
* Underinflated tires
* Faulty thermostats
* Worn spark plugs
* Malfunctioning engine controls
* Poor wheel alignment
* Inefficient driving techniques
How important are vehicle gas caps?
17 percent of the vehicles on U.S. highways have either misused or missing gas caps, causing 147,000,000 gallons of gas per year to vaporize into the atmosphere. (Source: Service Tech Magazine, Sept. 2000)
How do underinflated tires affect fuel efficiency?
Underinflated tires and incorrect wheel alignment can lead to conditions which increase rolling resistance. This is like driving with the parking brake not fully released, it can cost a mile or two per gallon on a car that normally delivers 20 miles per gallon. Correct tire inflation pressure is critical for good fuel economy, safety, maximum tire life and proper vehicle handling performance.
Keep your car in tune:
Keeping up with regular vehicle maintenance can improve gas mileage by an average of 4.1 percent. Results may vary depending on the kind of repair and how well it is performed.
How do dirty air filters affect fuel efficiency?
An air filter clogged with dirt, dust and bugs chokes off the air and creates what is called a “rich” mixture - too much gas being burned for the amount of air, which both wastes gas and causes the engine to lose power. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
Why should spark plugs be replaced regularly?
A vehicle can have either four, six or eight spark plugs, which fire as many as 3 million times every l,000 miles, resulting in a lot of heat, electrical and chemical erosion. A dirty spark plug causes misfiring and that wastes fuel. They need to be replaced regularly.
Recycling Your Used Motor Oil
11. January 2010 by admin.
Are you a wannabe do-it-yourselfer who has been afraid to try to change your own oil? While this task can seem daunting, if done carefully, it doesn’t have to be messy or complicated.
This is the third of three simple and eco-friendly steps, so be sure to read the entire series: Changing Your Own Motor Oil (Wednesday, December 30); Changing and Recycling Your Own Used Oil Filter (Tuesday, January 5), and Recycling Your Used Oil (Wednesday, January 6).
After draining the oil from your car’s crankcase, pour the oil into a clean, leakproof container with a screw-on top. Many household containers are suitable, including the original motor oil containers. However, never re-use containers that held household chemicals such as bleach. Make sure that the container has a secure lid so it cannot spill. Containers specifically designed for carrying used motor oil also may be purchased at automotive supply stores.
If you don’t take your used oil to a recycling center immediately, never temporarily store it in any container that once held food, beverages or chemicals. Regardless of the type of container used for carrying or storing oil, be sure it is clean, clearly labeled “Used Oil,” and kept out of the reach of children and pets.
Take the container to the nearest used oil collection center. If your community doesn’t have a collection center, check with your local service station or an automobile maintenance facility such as a lube center, repair shop or car dealership. Also look for the nearest “oil drop.” This is a petroleum industry symbol indicating that used oil is collected for recycling/reuse. You can also search at this link for an oil recycling center using your zipcode.
Please don’t be tempted to dump your oil into the gutter or trashcans: approximately 220 million gallons of used oil are improperly disposed of each year — and just ONE gallon of used oil can contaminate up to one million gallons of drinking water!
Changing and Recycling Your Own Used Oil Filter
11. January 2010 by admin.
Are you a wannabe do-it-yourselfer who has been afraid to try to change your own oil? While this task can seem daunting, if done carefully, it doesn’t have to be messy or complicated. We’ve broken the process down into three simple and eco-friendly steps, so be sure to read the entire series: Changing Your Own Motor Oil (Monday, January 30); Changing and Recycling Your Own Used Oil Filter (Tuesday, January 5), and Recycling Your Used Oil (Wednesday, January 6).
When it’s practical and cost effective, empty used oil filters are being collected for recycling. Check with the used oil collection facility where you take your used motor oil to see if accepts used oil filters, or if it can direct you to a place that does.
Regardless of how you recycle or dispose of your used oil filter, it must be drained of used oil. Special handling is required to properly clean an oil filter.
Turn off the engine, block the wheels and set the parking brake before getting under your car. To avoid burns, make sure that the engine is not too hot. Consult your owner’s manual for directions.
Remove the drain plug on the bottom of the engine’s oil pan and allow the used oil to drain from your car into a suitable container such as a drip pan.
Use a filter wrench (if necessary) to loosen the old filter. Carefully remove the used filter.
Drain the filter of any oil. The most effective method is to use a sharp tool to puncture the anti-drain back valve (on the filter’s flat end) or the filter dome (on its rounded end) and allow the used oil inside the filter to drain into a container appropriate to hold used oil for recycling. (Anti-drain back valves are present in most automotive and light-duty truck filters. The valve consists of a rubber flap that creates a vacuum to prevent oil from draining back into the engine when it is not running. Puncturing the filter breaks the vacuum and releases the trapped oil.)
Place the flat end of the punctured filter on the used oil collection container and drain as much oil as possible out of the filter. It is important for used oil filters to drain at least 12 hours near engine operating temperature and above room temperature (approximately 60*F).
Install the new filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Coat its rubber seal with a small amount of oil, then replace it. Do not use a filter wrench to tighten the new filter as this may damage the filter. Instead, tighten it snugly with your fingers, following the directions supplied with the filter.
When you’ve completed your oil change, don’t be tempted to toss your filter into the trashcan: approximately 220 million gallons of used oil are improperly disposed of each year — and just ONE gallon of used oil can contaminate up to one million gallons of drinking water!
Take the filter (along with your used oil) to the nearest used oil collection center. If your community doesn’t have a collection center, check with your local service station or an automobile maintenance facility such as a lube center, repair shop or car dealership. Also look for the nearest “oil drop.” This is a petroleum industry symbol indicating that used oil is collected for recycling/reuse. You can also search at this link for an oil recycling center
Can You Make Your Engine Last 300,000 Miles?
12. November 2009 by admin.
Ladies, here at AskPatty, we’re always sharing tips about car care and maintenance to help you get more out of the life of your vehicle. Performing your regular scheduled maintenance and oil changes is the BEST WAY to ensure your vehicle lives a long and healthy lifetime.
With the economy in poor shape and studies showing that Americans are keeping their cars on the road longer than ever before (9.4 years), we know there has never been a better time for women to do what they can to protect their vehicles, providing peace of mind for them and their families.
Well, Valvoline has rolled out a new program meant to help ensure your engine lasts as long as 300,000 miles with regular Valvoline oil changes, and guarantees the program with up to $5,000 in repair expenses if it doesn’t.
Drivers can choose from three levels of the Valvoline Engine Guarantee based on personal driving needs and vehicle requirements by choosing a distance based on the following oil selections:
–MaxLife Full Synthetic or Synpower Full Synthetic - 300,000-mile limited guarantee
–MaxLife or DuraBlend (synthetic blends) - 225,000-mile limited guarantee
–Valvoline Premium Conventional - 150,000-mile limited guarantee
Sam Mitchell, president, Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline), explains the special offer. “It’s clear that in this economy, many people are focused on saving money and making their vehicles last longer. We’re confident that Valvoline motor oil has what it takes to make that happen, and we’re backing that confidence with a guarantee not only in our oil, but also in the life of our customers’ engines when they use our oil as recommended,” Mitchell says.
Better yet, it’s not just new cars and trucks that qualify: Most vehicles with fewer than 75,000 miles are eligible to be registered in the free Valvoline Engine Guarantee program. Valvoline Instant Oil Change Centers make it so easy, you don’t even have to get out of your car, making it easy for busy Moms to load up the family, get the oil changed, and begin enrollment in the free Engine Guarantee all at once! (As a mom who knows what a hassle it can be loading kids in and out of the car when running errands, I can appreciate this!) Also, if you check out the Valvoline Instant Oil Change website before you go, you can download money-saving coupons and sign up for car care tips and special promotions as well.
Simply visit EngineGuarantee.com to learn full details about Valvoline’s 300,000-mile Engine Guarantee and program limitations, and to locate the nearest Valvoline Instant Oil Change centers
Mario Andretti Schools Chevron Employees for Global Road Safety Week
12. November 2009 by admin.
Road crashes are among the leading cause of death globally and are recognized as the Number One cause of death in the industry. The devastation the loss of life and serious injury wreaks on the families, friends, communities, and victims themselves is incalculable. Yet, many road traffic crashes are preventable.
As part of Global Road Safety Week - being held November 9-14, 2009 — Chevron is working with its employees to heighten awareness across the company of how choices as drivers, and as pedestrians, can affect the health and safety not only of ourselves, but also of others in the community. As part of this weeklong effort, Mario Andretti — one of the all-time kings of the Indy Car racing circuit–visited the company’s San Ramon headquarters today to speak with Chevron employees about how the choices of both drivers and pedestrians impact everyone’s safety. A huh-yuge advocate of driving safety, Mario also lends his hand to Bridgestone’s teen safety program with a downloadable safety booklet meant to educate young drivers. In addition to its special event held today, Chevron is communicating all week long with all its national employees with daily messages to highlight each day’s specific theme, which include Driver Fatigue, Journey Planning, Speeding, and Defensive Driving.
The planned events for Chevron’s Global Road Safety Week lead up to the United Nations World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, on November 15th which commemorates all those killed and injured in road crashes, along with their families, the emergency service providers, and all others affected or involved in the aftermath of automotive accidents.
Chevron also wants to spread the road safety message beyond its own employees, saying “Everyone can each change their behavior to drive safely. We can practice defensive driving; we can exercise the willpower to stay focused on the task of driving; we can ensure we are visible to traffic if we have need to cross or step into a road; we can ensure that we are alert enough to drive, and we can choose to drive at speeds within the law and acceptable for road conditions.”
Additionally, because more than 40% of all road traffic deaths occur among people younger than 25 years old, Global Road Awareness Week also focuses on educating such “young road users” as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, novice drivers, and their passengers.
As part of its global efforts, the World Health Organization (WHO) has created the “Road Marks” series of posters to raise awareness of ways to be safer on the road. The posters graphically illustrate their call to action and invite young people to be part of the solution: wear a helmet, never drink and drive, don’t speed, wear a seatbelt, and be seen on the road. (Note: The five-poster series is available to all who organize events around the world to celebrate Road Safety Week and are available in a variety of languages.)
<-Too late to fasten your seat-belt: Wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of being ejected from a vehicle and suffering serious or fatal injury by between 40%-65%. Be part of the solution: wear a seat belt.
->Too late to stop drinking: Consuming alcohol before driving increases the risk of a crash as well as the likelihood that death or serious injury will result. Passing a drink-driving law and enforcing it can reduce the number of road deaths by 20%.
Be part of the solution: never drink and drive.
<-Too late to be seen: Pedestrians and cyclists can be difficult to see on the roads, which increases their risk of road traffic injuries. Wearing lightly colored or reflective clothing makes them much more visible and can help avoid collisions. Be part of the solution: be seen on the road.
->Too late to put on your helmet: Most motorcycle deaths are a result of head injuries. Wearing a motorcycle helmet correctly can cut the risk of death by almost 40%, and the risk of severe injury by 70%. Be part of the solution: wear a helmet.
<-Too late to slow down: Speed kills all types of road users - drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. A 5% cut in average speed can reduce the number of fatal crashes by as much as 30%. Be part of the solution: don’t speed.
Be especially aware of road safety this week, and say a special prayer of remembrance on Sunday, November 15, for those people touched by the tragedy of an automotive accident.
Green Tips for Your Vehicle
12. November 2009 by admin.
Alternate-fueled and hybrid vehicles are gaining market share but still account for a relatively small percentage of vehicles on the road. Someday all of us may be driving pollution-free, hydrogen-powered cars. But what’s a concerned consumer to do in the meantime?
Motorists who want to go ‘green’ don’t have to wait to help the environment. By changing a few habits, motorists can begin helping the environment right away, say the experts at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
ASE recommends regular vehicle maintenance and better driving habits as two easy-to-implement strategies. What’s more, better automotive habits will help your vehicle last longer and command a better resale price as well.
The following tips from ASE can put you on the road to environmentally conscious car care:
- –Keep the engine running at peak performance—a misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent. Replace filters and fluids as recommended in the manual.
- –Today’s vehicles have much cleaner tailpipe emissions that they did thirty years ago. But a poorly running engine or faulty exhaust system will cause your vehicle to pollute much more than it would otherwise. Don’t ignore that ‘Service Engine’ light.
–Keep tires properly inflated and aligned to reduce the engine’s effort and, thus, gasoline consumption. What’s more, your tires will last longer too, saving you money and easing the burden at recycling centers. - –Have your vehicle’s air conditioner serviced only by a technician certified to handle and recycle refrigerants. Older air conditioners contain ozone-depleting chemicals, which could be released into the atmosphere through improper service.
- –Avoid speeding and sudden accelerations; both habits guzzle gas. When waiting for friends or family, shut off the engine. Consolidate daily errands to eliminate unnecessary driving.
- –Walk more. (Talk about helping yourself and the environment simultaneously!)
- –Remove excess items from the vehicle, since less weight means better mileage. Remove that roof-top luggage carrier after vacations to reduce air drag.
If you do your own repairs, properly dispose of engine fluids and batteries. Some repair facilities accept these items. Or call your local government. Remember, too, that improperly disposed fluids such as anti-freeze can harm pets and wildlife.
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was founded to improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. Almost 400,000 technicians and parts specialists hold current ASE certifications. They work at all types of facilities, from new car dealerships, to national chains, independent repair shops, fleets, and more. There employers often display the blue and white ASE sign, while the technicians wear shoulder insignia or lapel pins identifying himself or herself as ASE certified. For more information, including seasonal car care tips, visit www.ase.com.
How Do You Stop A Runaway Vehicle?
9. October 2009 by admin.
In the aftermath of last month’s news event involving deaths of a California Highway Patrol Officer and three members of his family, and the subsequent advisories by Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall more than 3.8 million vehicles to check their floor mats, one other issue comes to mind: “How DO you stop a runaway vehicle when the brakes don’t seem to work?”
We’ve all heard stories about “Unintended Acceleration” in which vehicles are reported to suddenly accelerate on their own, and do not respond to braking by the driver. In most circumstances, cases of unintended or sudden acceleration can rarely be duplicated in vehicle testing. Often, such cases are caused when the driver accidentally steps on the gas rather than the brake.
I was recently advised by Mac DeMere a colleague and expert driver with years of experience in the automotive industry: “If you’re pushing the brake pedal and the car continues to accelerate, release that brake pedal and push the one to its left.” He says pedal misapplication is a very common problem. The fact is, he says your vehicle’s brakes are more powerful than the engine in every unmodified, well-maintained modern car.
So what should you do if your vehicle experiences unintended acceleration?
In its recent safety advisory, Toyota offers the following suggestions:
“Should the vehicle continue to accelerate rapidly after releasing the accelerator pedal, this could be an indication of floor mat interference. If this occurs, Toyota recommends the driver take the following actions:
First, if it is possible and safe to do so, pull back the floor mat and dislodge it from the accelerator pedal; then pull over and stop the vehicle.
If the floor mat cannot be dislodged, then firmly and steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet. Do NOT pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to slow the vehicle.
Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.
If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF, or to ACC. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.
-If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button.
-If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key-ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel.”
This is a lot of stuff to remember if you’re in a panic situation, so — regardless of what kind of car you are driving — if you can only remember one thing it’s this: you can downshift the transmission gear selector into lower gears to slow the vehicle or go into neutral (N) position and then use the brakes to make a controlled stop.
If for some reason the brake pedal doesn’t seem to work (see Mac’s note above), once the car is in neutral, you can ease on the emergency brake to slow the vehicle. (Don’t jerk the e-brake with full force: that can cause fishtailing, or snap the cable which operates the mechanism.) This is better than turning the engine off, which could shut down power to the steering and make it very difficult to steer the vehicle.
Even if the engine is revving, as long as the car is in neutral, it can’t apply that force to the wheels, and you will still retain control of the steering system to assist you in coasting the vehicle to a safer stop.
