I’ve always heard that this is how a lot of the “wrong pedal” accidents go. Two foot drivers get panicked in an accident and slam on both the gas and the brakes at the same time. I feel like the brake should be able to override the gas though. But I’ve never tried it and am not about to lol.
I feel like the brake should be able to override the gas though.
“Override” in the sense of pushing the brake pedal cancelling the accelerator input signal? No.
“Overpower” in the sense of the brakes being able to apply more force to stop the wheels from turning than the engine at full throttle is able to apply to keep them turning? Yes.
Actually, due to the 2009 incidents with Toyota accelerator pedals getting stuck, all modern (~2012+) cars cut the accelerator signal if the brakes are being pressed as a safety precaution (this is called brake-throttle override).
That’s true; Toyota needed the appearance of doing something to “fix” the “problem.” I’d argue that the feature was never actually necessary, though.
I also wouldn’t be surprised if, as those 2012+ vehicles age, the extra complexity ends up causing more problems (e.g. from failing switches cutting the accelerator signal when they shouldn’t) than it ever prevented.
Regardless of your issue with my terminology, it just seems like a safety issue if the brakes can’t overpower the acceleratkr. What if the accelerator got stuck?
Sorry, my tone was unintended: the part I meant to emphasize is that your brakes should be powerful enough to overpower the engine, even if it is stuck at full throttle. If they can’t, something is wrong with your brakes.
Ah you’re good. For whatever reason my weird brain was taking it to imply that the brakes may not necessarily be able to do that and was like wtf that seems dangerous.
In most cars, the accelerator is easier to press down fully than the brake pedal. Apply the same force required to floor it to the brake pedal (or even double) and the car will go.
You’re not incorrect, but that’s the wrong comparison to make. If the car is accelerating out of control and you’re trying to stop it, you’re not going to press the brake as hard as you would the accelerator; you’re going to press the brake as hard as you can (which, unless you’re old and frail, is a lot harder).
All cars from 2012 and newer actually have a brake-throttle override that cuts the accelerator signal if the brakes are being pressed due to the 2009 incidents with Toyota cars that had their accelerator pedals get stuck in floor mats.
I’m actually terrified of doing this in an automatic because I’ve been driving a manual so long. Nobody is making manuals anymore so I assume my next car will be an automatic and I’m going to need a strap for my left foot so I can’t accidentally do this lol.
Last time I drove an automatic I put it in reverse when I got to a stop sign because my hand just went for it and pushed the same amount I would in my car to get to neutral. That was the day that I learned both that the button on automatic shifters means nothing, and that I must sit on my right hand when driving one.
When I’ve driven an auto rental a few times the most I accidentally do is try to put my left foot through the floor when going for the clutch that doesn’t exist. The brake is far enough to the right your engrained habits shouldn’t cause you to reach for it with you left.
I’ve always heard that this is how a lot of the “wrong pedal” accidents go. Two foot drivers get panicked in an accident and slam on both the gas and the brakes at the same time. I feel like the brake should be able to override the gas though. But I’ve never tried it and am not about to lol.
“Override” in the sense of pushing the brake pedal cancelling the accelerator input signal? No.
“Overpower” in the sense of the brakes being able to apply more force to stop the wheels from turning than the engine at full throttle is able to apply to keep them turning? Yes.
Actually, due to the 2009 incidents with Toyota accelerator pedals getting stuck, all modern (~2012+) cars cut the accelerator signal if the brakes are being pressed as a safety precaution (this is called brake-throttle override).
That’s true; Toyota needed the appearance of doing something to “fix” the “problem.” I’d argue that the feature was never actually necessary, though.
I also wouldn’t be surprised if, as those 2012+ vehicles age, the extra complexity ends up causing more problems (e.g. from failing switches cutting the accelerator signal when they shouldn’t) than it ever prevented.
Regardless of your issue with my terminology, it just seems like a safety issue if the brakes can’t overpower the acceleratkr. What if the accelerator got stuck?
Sorry, my tone was unintended: the part I meant to emphasize is that your brakes should be powerful enough to overpower the engine, even if it is stuck at full throttle. If they can’t, something is wrong with your brakes.
Ah you’re good. For whatever reason my weird brain was taking it to imply that the brakes may not necessarily be able to do that and was like wtf that seems dangerous.
In most cars, the accelerator is easier to press down fully than the brake pedal. Apply the same force required to floor it to the brake pedal (or even double) and the car will go.
You’re not incorrect, but that’s the wrong comparison to make. If the car is accelerating out of control and you’re trying to stop it, you’re not going to press the brake as hard as you would the accelerator; you’re going to press the brake as hard as you can (which, unless you’re old and frail, is a lot harder).
All cars from 2012 and newer actually have a brake-throttle override that cuts the accelerator signal if the brakes are being pressed due to the 2009 incidents with Toyota cars that had their accelerator pedals get stuck in floor mats.
In many cars, they don’t.
I’m actually terrified of doing this in an automatic because I’ve been driving a manual so long. Nobody is making manuals anymore so I assume my next car will be an automatic and I’m going to need a strap for my left foot so I can’t accidentally do this lol.
Last time I drove an automatic I put it in reverse when I got to a stop sign because my hand just went for it and pushed the same amount I would in my car to get to neutral. That was the day that I learned both that the button on automatic shifters means nothing, and that I must sit on my right hand when driving one.
That muscle memory is a hell of a thing
When I’ve driven an auto rental a few times the most I accidentally do is try to put my left foot through the floor when going for the clutch that doesn’t exist. The brake is far enough to the right your engrained habits shouldn’t cause you to reach for it with you left.
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