dsp979

I know engineers always try to make things easier, but sometimes I think things get a little over-engineered.

Here's a better idea. How about going back to a regular cable throttle?

BTW, my cousin is taking her previously mentioned 2010 Corolla to her driving test this Friday. Good, or bad, idea?

I'll get to drive it thursday, will see if the pedal gets stuck or not.

spwolf

lol... you can not be serious, right?

The G Man

The sensor itself is non contact but there is still a moving part where the gas pedal actually pivots, they will be subject to wear and tear and in Toyota's case, get stuck sometimes.
Most fail safe system is based on lost of comunication between the gas pedal and the computer, or simply the fact that they dont understand each other. If the gas pedal get stuck or sends out a false signal, there is no way for the computer to know if the driver really want to go fast or if its a system malfunction. Thats where the brake over ride sofeware will come into play. On some cars, there are two sensors on the gas pedal and if they both send out different values, the computer knows one of the sensor is bad.

The G Man

Drive by wire is needed in a vehicle stability system, therefore, there is no going back to cable.

I am sure you cousin will be fine

geko29

How is this different from a cable-actuated throttle, except that it has fewer points at which it can get stuck?

spwolf

it is not... in my '86 Golf, throttle cable teared and i lost power suddenly on the highway. Luckily it was night and nobody was around so i was able to pull over safely.

there is no issue with DBW here... just faulty part.

The G Man

Cabled throttle use to get stuck too, but you are not at the mercy of electronics and softwares, and throttle cables are much cheaper to replace as routine maintenance.

dsp979

And now toyota is telling dealers to suspend sales of 8 vehicles involved in recall.

LS430inDE.

Yea...I agree. This discussion should be in a different thread---called a COURT OF LAW. If this isn't an eye opener to the toyota fanbois, i dont know what is!! Bad bad baaaad news---to suspend sales of vehicles!

http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/t...ry-102572.aspx

dsp979

I'm taking a big guess that some late model cars with mechanical cable throttles have VSC systems installed.

I want to say the mid-80s Mercedes 190e 2.3 16 valve had a primitive VSC system, or just traction control, and that it doesn't have DBW. This is just a guess.

Yes, cable throttle does get stuck. I had this problem on my 240sx. Luckily, the cable was too tight and just needed more slack.

The G Man

Traction control works by cutting throttle when the computer detects wheel slippage, usually with drive by wire controls and the stability apply braking to individual wheel when it detect a stability problem. Some stability combine cutting throttle and braking each wheel to regain control faster.

PhantomZX

I don't believe drive by wire is necessary for vehicle stability system. Vehicle stability systems work by applying braking force to individual wheels as well as modulating the throttle.

We already know that braking can be done independently of throttle, so that leaves us with only throttle control to worry about. The 93-98 Supra Turbo had a traction control system where a 2nd throttle plate is normally in the open position. When the computer detects slippage, it signals an electric motor to shut that throttle plate. So, the first throttle plate that is cabled directly to the accelerator pedal can be in any position but the engine will behave like nobody's stepping on the gas.

Drive by wire's benefit is more for emissions IMO.

IS-SV

Anything new on the original topic, from Toyota?

joe80

it's now a global recall. yikes..

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/27/r...recall-global/

flipside909

Not quite. It's in discussion. Not official yet. Read it carefully.