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If you don't know what to do when your car accelerates outside of your control (i.e., turn the ignition OFF) then you shouldn't be behind the wheel. There are

If you don't know what to do when your car accelerates outside of your control (i.e., turn the ignition OFF) then you shouldn't be behind the wheel. There are dozens if not hundreds of reasons a throttle might stick or an engine might suddenly surge and if you can't handle this situation you're a threat to everyone within striking distance of your vehicle. Whether Toyota is to blame for these cases or not, I think anyone who testifies to losing control of their vehicle for these reasons should have their license revoked on the spot.

wtallis 17y ago
Turning off the ignition will kill your power brakes and power steering, and may lock the steering column. Not good if you're in traffic or generally not on a straight, flat road. Shifting into neutral while standing on the brake pedal (and clutch if you have one) seems to be the consensus on what's safest.
- jasongullickson 17y ago
  I've never driven a car that locks the steering wheel when the ignition is turned off (you have to turn it to "lock"). Shifting into neutral is good, except that a racing engine presents dangers of it's own. Killing the ignition removes this risk as well. I'll go on to say that if you can't steer or stop your car without power assist you have yet another strike against you as a operator of an automobile.
  - wtallis 17y ago
    When you're in an unintended acceleration situation, you don't want the only solution to be one that introduces several other sudden, unintended changes in the behavior of the car. And in a panic situation, you're not going to be able to reliably turn the key only one click counterclockwise to the off position instead of two clicks to the lock position.
    - jasongullickson 17y ago
      And in a panic situation, you're not going to be able to reliably turn the key only one click counterclockwise to the off position instead of two clicks to the lock position. As I stated originally, if you are incapable of handling a vehicle in an emergency situation then you should be relieved of the responsibility. For the record I have performed this "complex" operation under these conditions (and on a motorcycle as well) and I've met more than one other person who has done the same.
  - sliverstorm 17y ago
    a racing engine is probably not as dangerous as racing down the road at 120mph. Engines with rev limiters (all modern passenger car engines) will not exceed redline, and any well maintained and designed engine should be able to redline for a minute or two without locking up, long enough for most emergencies to come to a close (regardless the outcome) This is not to say killing ignition is a bad idea, but it does not seem to be required. In any case, the worst things that can happen to the driver that I can think of is fire or accidental re-engagement of the tranny. Only real way I'm aware of for an engine to blow and hurt somebody is when a motorcycle shoots a piston straight through the head of the engine and up into the rider. I don't think transverse V6's can launch pistons through the head AND firewall. Also while the steering wheel may not lock, power steering will vanish. I want to say the driver will just have to deal, but an 80 year old probably can't turn the non-power assisted wheel of their 4000lb luxury car, and that's not their fault persay. Which brings up other questions. This is a dilemma, and partly why I have never truly liked power steering.

wtallis 17y ago

Turning off the ignition will kill your power brakes and power steering, and may lock the steering column. Not good if you're in traffic or generally not on a straight, flat road. Shifting into neutral while standing on the brake pedal (and clutch if you have one) seems to be the consensus on what's safest.

jasongullickson 17y ago
I've never driven a car that locks the steering wheel when the ignition is turned off (you have to turn it to "lock"). Shifting into neutral is good, except that a racing engine presents dangers of it's own. Killing the ignition removes this risk as well. I'll go on to say that if you can't steer or stop your car without power assist you have yet another strike against you as a operator of an automobile.
- wtallis 17y ago
  When you're in an unintended acceleration situation, you don't want the only solution to be one that introduces several other sudden, unintended changes in the behavior of the car. And in a panic situation, you're not going to be able to reliably turn the key only one click counterclockwise to the off position instead of two clicks to the lock position.
  - jasongullickson 17y ago
    And in a panic situation, you're not going to be able to reliably turn the key only one click counterclockwise to the off position instead of two clicks to the lock position. As I stated originally, if you are incapable of handling a vehicle in an emergency situation then you should be relieved of the responsibility. For the record I have performed this "complex" operation under these conditions (and on a motorcycle as well) and I've met more than one other person who has done the same.
- sliverstorm 17y ago
  a racing engine is probably not as dangerous as racing down the road at 120mph. Engines with rev limiters (all modern passenger car engines) will not exceed redline, and any well maintained and designed engine should be able to redline for a minute or two without locking up, long enough for most emergencies to come to a close (regardless the outcome) This is not to say killing ignition is a bad idea, but it does not seem to be required. In any case, the worst things that can happen to the driver that I can think of is fire or accidental re-engagement of the tranny. Only real way I'm aware of for an engine to blow and hurt somebody is when a motorcycle shoots a piston straight through the head of the engine and up into the rider. I don't think transverse V6's can launch pistons through the head AND firewall. Also while the steering wheel may not lock, power steering will vanish. I want to say the driver will just have to deal, but an 80 year old probably can't turn the non-power assisted wheel of their 4000lb luxury car, and that's not their fault persay. Which brings up other questions. This is a dilemma, and partly why I have never truly liked power steering.