I may be oversimplifying theToyota accelerator problem...

[Earth_First]

but couldn't you; if you were having problems, shift your vehicle out of gear and/or drop the car into neutral and decelerate by coasting?

OR

Is the vehicle accelerating no matter what you do?

Genuine, non-rhetorical question here...

[wtbymark]

1. I think, in the time of panic a lot of people forget

and I heard a lot of models don't have keys (?pretty dumb for many reasons)

[Travis_0004]

7. Even without keys, cars can be turned off

If you drive a car, you turn if off every single time you drive it, so everybody should know how to turn their car off, even if they don't have keys.

That being said, turning if off is the dumbest thing you can do. Neutral is a much better solution as you still have power steering and power breaks.


Somewhat unrelated:
I was driving a box truck one time, and pulled into a rest area at 3am or so, and when I went to hit the breaks nothing happened. Its important to keep your cool, and I threw it into a low gear, and downshifted until I came to a stop. Thank God nobody was walking in the lot, or semi's pulling out of their spot. Sometimes things go wrong with a car, but if you keep your cool, the solution is easy.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. From Toyota's FAQ page:

What if you experience a sticking accelerator pedal while driving?
Each circumstance may vary, and drivers must use their best judgment, but Toyota recommends taking the following actions:
• If you need to stop immediately, the vehicle can be controlled by stepping on the brake pedal with both feet using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brake pedal as it will deplete the vacuum utilized for the power brake assist.
• 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. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.
o 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.
o 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.

Oddly, many years ago (about 1973), I had a stuck accelerator in my '69 Corolla. But it was just a stuck throttle cable, and I quickly handled it by turning off the ignition. The new cars, especially the ones with engine start buttons, seem to be a little more complicated to deal with.

[Earth_First]

3. Seriously?!

An 'unrec' ?!

[LiberalAndProud]

4. Evidently, that's the preferred coping method.

Because Toyota did not incorporate the critical safety feature that shifts the car into neutral during braking, the driver must manually shift the vehicle into neutral. According to Consumer Reports, if your vehicle accelerates out of control, take these steps:

(1) Put your foot on the brake hard -- slam on the brake.

(2) Shift the car into neutral.

(3) The car will slow and come to a stop while the engine is revving.

(4) Once you are stopped, turn off the vehicle.

http://kansascity.injuryboard.com/automobile-accidents/toyota-sudden-acceleration-what-to-do-if-it-happens-to-you.aspx?googleid=274116

Having the presence of mind to do so while approaching a busy intersection at 95mph, on the other hand ....

[seabeyond]

6. look at post two. lol. there instructions are not so this this and this.

more like try this, if not then this and then try.....

[RC]

5. My first instinct is to stand on the brakes.

I know because I had two other people in the front seat with me and the middle person was straddling the hump.
The windows were down - no A/C. I had just started to move when a bee flew in and the person in the middle panicked and pushed the accelerator all the way down. I has no idea what was wrong. Without thinking, I stood on the brakes and the car stopped. The engine still revving. I turned the key off. Then I found out what had happened.
To me the bee was no big deal. I figured it could find its way back out again. But to panic and try to get away while swatting at it, no wander some people get stung.

[MicaelS]

8. Sure,

But many people, don't think of that. Or they're afraid they'll ruin the engine by over-revving it if they put it in neutral. Of course, life is more important than an engine.

[piedmont]

9. The Lexus shifter is slightly more complicated than most automatics

It may require moving the shifter backward, to the right, and then forward to get into neutral. For many drivers used to automatic, this may be very difficult to do in a panic situation. The California highway patrol officer who crashed a dealer-loaner may have had that problem.

http://image.motortrend.com/f/30822912+w750/2010-lexus-RX-450h-shifter.jpg