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"Defects in the car’s electronic throttle control system (ETCS) were directly responsible for the Camry’s sudden acceleration and resulting crash." [0]

I couldn't find an exact description of how the driver crashed. Was it using the on-board cruise control or normal throttle use? Never use the cruise control. Must ask when I get my car serviced if it has electronic or mechanical throttle body cf @bliti

[0] http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2013/10/25/toyota-s...



it was a symptom of neither cruise control or normal throttle use. the way the issue manifested is actually pretty terrifying:

"Koua insists that his 1996 Toyota Camry sped up to between 70 and 90 mph despite heavy braking."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%E2%80%9311_Toyota_vehicle_...

out of context, but "we're in trouble, there's no break"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03m7fmnhO0I


thx @catshirt, I note this about my Camry: "Toyota Australia announced that its accelerator pedals are made by a different supplier and that there is no need for a recall of Australian made vehicles".

Reading through the notes I see trying to turn the engine off while going effects various electrical sub-systems. Me, I'd try putting the car in neutral (auto).

A couple of years ago the alternator blew in my car. The battery had enough charge to let me drive +30km home after a re-start by a local RAC. When I drove the car the three kilometres to the shop, the charge started to drop and battery failure light (alternator failure) clicked on.

First the car started loosing systems: seat-belts, overdrive, ABS... etc. This continued, till I bunny hopped the car into the garage where everything stopped working. No doubt a sticky accelerator is scarier than the lurching I had in busy traffic, kept going till the end. Power steering was the last to go, then the engine itself.




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