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>Can you think of any reason why the car should not have operational power steering when it is in motion[1]? You can't have an electrical cut-out that doesn't

>Can you think of any reason why the car should not have operational power steering when it is in motion[1]? You can't have an electrical cut-out that doesn't cut-out certain components. The reason you need a complete electrical cut-out is for safety reasons (eg fuel leaks into engine bay). If the ignition switch is not used for that purpose they would need to put a big red button on the dash like GP said. The ignition switch cutting all power has worked without incident in every other brand for many decades. The issue here is GM's incompetence, and I'm not inclined to the idea that they would have competently implemented another system. If anything I think this is an argument that power steering should be limited so that average drivers don't lose control of their vehicles if it fails (I've lost power steering in motion due to an engine stall, it is very scary).

fnordfnordfnord 12y ago
>You can't have an electrical cut-out that doesn't cut-out certain components. Nonsense. Even the old mechanical ignition switch simply engages a number of relays and other electrical/electronic controls. >The reason you need a complete electrical cut-out is for safety reasons (eg fuel leaks into engine bay). Fuel cutoff relays exist and have been in use since, not long after electric fuel pumps were put into use. >The ignition switch cutting all power has worked without incident in every other brand for many decades. In no way is that statement predictive of the efficacy of such a simple scheme going forward with more advanced electronic controls. >The issue here is GM's incompetence, No arguments there. >If anything I think this is an argument that power steering should be limited so that average drivers don't lose control of their vehicles if it fails (I've lost power steering in motion due to an engine stall, it is very scary). It is limited. It's more properly called power assist. It shouldn't be scary. Power steering is most useful only at low speeds.
Too 12y ago
What's the chance that: 1. You get a fuel leak in the engine bay while driving. 2. There is not already another safety system detecting this. 3. The driver actually notices this while driving. 4. The driver decides to take action by turning off the key, without stopping the car first?! 5. For the scenario to be dangerous we are also assuming this leak is severe enough to eventually cause ignition and catch fire. This is like taken from a b-grade action movie and doesn't happen. Any scenario i can think of where you would require an emergency shutdown you would also want to get the hell out of the car asap. You could also imagine that things like cruise control "get jammed" but i find that extremely unlikely since software doesn't have the same wear and tear as mechanical components and sensors. Worst worse case you can always stop the car use the mechanical brakes or gearbox since those have more power than the engine. Unless we are talking about brake by wire or similar but those have _completetely_ different safety standards, there is also a reason those are not on the market yet.

fnordfnordfnord 12y ago

>You can't have an electrical cut-out that doesn't cut-out certain components. Nonsense. Even the old mechanical ignition switch simply engages a number of relays and other electrical/electronic controls. >The reason you need a complete electrical cut-out is for safety reasons (eg fuel leaks into engine bay). Fuel cutoff relays exist and have been in use since, not long after electric fuel pumps were put into use. >The ignition switch cutting all power has worked without incident in every other brand for many decades. In no way is that statement predictive of the efficacy of such a simple scheme going forward with more advanced electronic controls. >The issue here is GM's incompetence, No arguments there. >If anything I think this is an argument that power steering should be limited so that average drivers don't lose control of their vehicles if it fails (I've lost power steering in motion due to an engine stall, it is very scary). It is limited. It's more properly called power assist. It shouldn't be scary. Power steering is most useful only at low speeds.

Too 12y ago

What's the chance that: 1. You get a fuel leak in the engine bay while driving. 2. There is not already another safety system detecting this. 3. The driver actually notices this while driving. 4. The driver decides to take action by turning off the key, without stopping the car first?! 5. For the scenario to be dangerous we are also assuming this leak is severe enough to eventually cause ignition and catch fire. This is like taken from a b-grade action movie and doesn't happen. Any scenario i can think of where you would require an emergency shutdown you would also want to get the hell out of the car asap. You could also imagine that things like cruise control "get jammed" but i find that extremely unlikely since software doesn't have the same wear and tear as mechanical components and sensors. Worst worse case you can always stop the car use the mechanical brakes or gearbox since those have more power than the engine. Unless we are talking about brake by wire or similar but those have _completetely_ different safety standards, there is also a reason those are not on the market yet.