[Quietcars] Toyota issues safety recall advisory.

[michael townsend]

One of the vehicles mentioned here is a hybrid, thus, if not pertinent to
the list, at least a safety conscious item.  

Mike T in NJ.

>From the Toyota news blog:


Toyota-floor-mat-installation
Toyota today announced that it is asking 3.8 million owners of seven Lexus
and Toyota models to remove factory driver-side floor mats to prevent
potential throttle "entrapment"
that can equate to uncontrolled acceleration. This is a temporary safety
advisory, not a recall, as the automaker works with the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) on an action plan and long-term solution. Toyota will be notifying
owners in its largest safety advisory to date. (The illustration shows
proper floor mat installation using floor anchors.) The impacted vehicles:
2005 - 2010 Toyota Avalon
2007 - 2010 Toyota Camry
2004 - 2009 Toyota Prius
2005 - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
2007 - 2010 Toyota Tundra
2007 - 2010 Lexus ES350
2006 - 2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350
Toyota would not confirm how many reports have been filed on pedal
entrapment, nor how many related deaths or injuries may be attributable. The
issue gained national spotlight due to the tragic crash in California late
August of a 2009 Lexus ES sedan driven by an off-duty police officer. (Read
"
Misaligned floor mat may have caused calamity
.")
Should your vehicle accelerate after the gas pedal is released, there could
be interference from a floor mat. In such situations, Toyota advises:
Pull back the floor mat and dislodge it from the accelerator; then pull over
and stop the vehicle.
If the floor mat cannot be dislodged, then firmly and steadily step on the
brake pedal with both feet. Do NOT pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this
will increase the effort required to slow the vehicle.
Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the
brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the
engine.
If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF, or to ACC.
This will
not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these
systems will be lost.
If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and
steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine.
Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button.
If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key-ignition, turn the
ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the
key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel.
While this advisory is for Lexus and Toyota models, it should serve as a
reminder to all drivers to check your floor mat installation. If your car
has stock floor mats, take the time to make sure they are hooked to their
restraint fixtures, if the car is so equipped. If you have aftermarket or
accessory floor mats, make sure they are secured and can't move around in
such away as to interfere with pedal travel.
Never stack floor mats; there should be only one per person. And always keep
travel trash clear of the driver's foot well.
Learn about safety technologies in our
car safety
 section.
-
Jeff Bartlett
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/


"I am accustomed to hearing malicious falsehoods about myself...but I think
I have
a right to resent, to object to, libelous statements about my dog."
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
Mike Townsend and Seeing Eye dog Brent
Dunellen, New Jersey  08812
emails:  mrtownsend at optonline.net; 
michael.townsend54 at gmail.com
Home Phone:  732  200-5643
Cellular:  732  718-9480