[QUOTE=honeygee2;5255816] They did announce that for the 2011 camry they will have a brake override built into the computer system. If they dont have a problem why put that in?

It's the ultimate insurance policy for Toyota against lawsuits. Expensive, sure, but needed against frivolous lawsuits that might start in future cars because of the mass hysteria going on now.

 

your absolutely right...somehow i missed those ads...shame on all of them.

 

On a lighter note, If Lexus issues a recall to add brake-override software to our LS430s, we may be faced with a decision:

- Apply the override and preserve the lives of ourselves and others in the unlikely instance of unintended acceleration

- Decline the override and retain the car's ability to power brake through corners and make big, smoky burnouts.

My decision to take the override will take about 2 milliseconds.

In reality, the software reflash will probably be done as part of any service visit to the dealer, even an oil change.

 

Don't assume that any software fix (including brake override) is not going to introduce addition other potential errors or bugs. In the average modern car there are approx 20-30 or more electronic logic control units and dozens of electronic sensors running approx 100 million lines of code. The Space shuttle has fewer chips and code running in it than a 2010 Lexus.

 

We need to go back to horse drawn wagons... worse that can happen is horse gets spooked and runs crazy, or the horse just collapses and dies.

You don't think about it when you drive, but I read there are approximately 200+ sensors in a modern car checking everything from the lights, to the engine functions, and then some sensors that are checking other sensors that are checking sensors. That's a whole lot of sensors to potentially fail and cause something to go crazy.

Ugh... some times, ignorance is bliss.

 

You probably didn't mean that like it sounds on the surface, but I think it's a big jump to conclusion that lives would be lost without the override. Also, the override may not be without consequences. Jabberwock's example, for one. And how does the override work? What happens if someone not used to the override is trying to inch up onto their inclined driveway (or inch onto a lift in a garage, or whatever), riding the brake and giving a little throttle at the same time, the car isn't responding to the throttle because the brake is partially depressed, then they let off the brake. Does the car surge forward and crush somebody?

As I said, no override for me. My position at this point in time is that IF I ever go back to a dealer or other shop (other people have wrenched on my vehicles about 4 times since 1984, so who knows if/when there will be the next time?), I will ask in advance and specifically forbid them in writing to do the modification. Of course things might change, but until I know more, that's where I am.

 

^^^^
You have a number of valid instances when you would use the brake and gas at the same time. (However, maybe this fix will cure those folks who ride down the road with their left foot resting on the brake pedal.)

Watch the developments closely if Lexus does implement a reflash for our cars. If you take the car to a dealer, they may not give you a choice but to accept the reflash due to the safety concerns.

A few years ago, Cadillac developed a reflash for STS and SRX cars with the Northstar V8 that killed performance. Owners screamed bloody murder because the reflash was being done when cars were in for unrelated service, without the owners' knowledge or permission.

GM also started a program to scan and record the software on vehicles in for service to determine if an aftermarket tune had been applied. They would use this as evidence to void parts of the new car warranty.

 

Unfortunately, the outcome WILL be brake override for every new vehicle, Toyota or otherwise. At worst, I hope it doesn't also include manual transmission vehicles, or at least that there's a simple aftermarket work-around for people who want to have control of the throttle and brakes and be able to heel-and-toe downshift, trail brake, brake boost, etc. I've personally had throttles stick WOT or partial throttle on a few vehicles in my life (I've driven a number of hoopties and half-finished builds in my time ), but still I wouldn't like to see yet another control taken away by electronic nannies.

 

+1 this is getting way out of hand, we've already had another thread just like this.... the recall doesn't affect us guys.. plain and simple

 

Members, please use the merged recall thread on this same topic in car chat to continue your discussion.