An interesting read on Jalopnik...

http://jalopnik.com/5464315/beige-bi...ding-dull-cars

 

Chuck, great editorial and a tribute to the Silverback drivers "back in the day". I've always considered that DSC was the acronym for "Drive the Stupid Car" or is that "Drive the Car...Stupid".

 

Great read.

 

Thanks for the tip, it's a great read as are all the comments following.
It's perfect for MINI owners as they seem to be very connected to their cars.

 

Thanks for the link.

Love the article but the article doesn't just apply to cars. This overkill of technology has led to the mindset of "if we can think it, we should create it".

I sure miss old school analog products where it actually took some above average abilities to be good at something.

 

This is something that is talked about more in the MINI community than others I think. However, it is something I am getting to understand more. People do not even understand how to fix a leak, which is usually as easy as tightening a connection.

 

Great link from my favorite web page!

 

thxs for sharing...interesting read

 

Shaun...Dude, how's it going out there? We haven't heard from you in a while. Update all your old Mid-Ohio buddies

 

It is going well. I have stepped away from the MINI a bit just because I have no place to work on it anymore, apt complex does not allow it and my friend with the garage moved. It is still loved though.

I have a different job now, I fix coffee equipment. Money isn't as good as my last possition, but I work much less hours. Nice balance.

 

Here's a page with the repair service bulletin... take a look at the hilarious comments at the bottom.

http://jalopnik.com/5465002/toyota-r...nt-you-to-see/

My favorite:

Warning: Pregnant women, the elderly, and children under 10 should avoid prolonged exposure to Toyota accelerator pedal.

Caution: Toyota accelerator pedal may suddenly accelerate to dangerous speeds.

Toyota accelerator pedal contains a liquid core, which, if exposed due to rupture, should not be touched, inhaled, or looked at.

Do not use Toyota accelerator pedal on concrete.

Discontinue use of Toyota accelerator pedal if any of the following occurs:
• itching
• vertigo
• dizziness
• tingling in extremities
• loss of balance or coordination
• slurred speech
• temporary blindness
• profuse sweating
• or heart palpitations.
If Toyota accelerator pedal begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and cover head.

Toyota accelerator pedal may stick to certain types of skin.

When not in use, Toyota accelerator pedal should be returned to its special container and kept under refrigeration. Failure to do so relieves the makers of Toyota accelerator pedal, CTS Automotive Incorporated, and its parent company, Toyota Motor Company, of any and all liability.

Ingredients of Toyota accelerator pedal include an unknown glowing green substance which fell to Earth, presumably from outer space.

Toyota accelerator pedal has been shipped to our troops in Saudi Arabia and is being dropped by our warplanes on Iraq.

Do not taunt Toyota accelerator pedal.

Toyota accelerator pedal comes with a 3 year warranty.

 

As for the rest of the comments, particularly the "we think if we CAN build it then we SHOULD build it...", I don't agree. Most of the modern advancements in cars really are beneficial - I wonder how many drivers in marginal traction conditions, for example, were spared crashes by DSC and/or anti-lock brakes for example.

The trick is that manufacturers like Toyota no longer tout driving PERFORMANCE, and instead just plug safety and comfort. I just saw a Range Rover ad while I was writing this, for example, that advertised that the car "monitors the road conditions 10,000 times a second", obviously suggesting that it does so so you don't have to.

I mean, really... cars with MULTIPLE MOBILE TELEVISIONS installed? This speaks to a fundamental disconnect IMHO between what many people want the driving experience to be (no-hassle) with what it really is (dangerous, something you need to pay attention to).

Bottom line to me anyway is that IF you know how to drive and IF you know the basics of how your car operates and IF you know how to avoid most dangerous situations before they happen and IF you know basics like "steer into a slide in the snow" and "anti-lock brakes won't negate the laws of physics or help you on wet ice no matter how fast they kick in" then al this tech is overall helpful. BUT, it in no way replaces the good old-fashioned basics. That's what people need to learn more of, along with a fundamental attitude change about what it means to drive. All this tech (and the way it's marketed) only REFLECTS the attitude of the consumer, it does not CREATE it by and large. Fix us and this problem will fix itself as engineers design cars that meet consumer expectations.

 

I guess cars are getting smarter & the drivers dumber. Funny thing is, I see cars with all those high tech safety aides crashed & spun out. How can this be? Could it be that some non-drivers get a false sense of security from all the high tech nannies their cars have? Why pay attention to conditions when nanny will do it for me? Or possibly big brother should make them recall those defective nannies.

 

My biggest issue with this issue is not the sticky pedal, BUT with Toyota knowing about the issue for YEARS without addressing it. Then when the Feds told them fix it a-holes they went to the media and acted like they were taking corrective action to save lives. No a-holes the US Government ordered you to do these things. Toyota is the John Edwards of car manufacturers sure they do a good job but when they mess up they do everything in their power to hide it or use it to their advantage. Well guess what Edwards is never going to be president and I think after this Toyota will never be #1 again. Quality is easy when you focus on it, but when you shift the focus to being the worlds largest carmaker it is not so easy. I care not what Toyoda says that dude wanted to be #1. FYI Toyoda is the President of Toyota it says alot about your company when you mis-spell your family name

deep breath yoga pose relax relax... OK my re-occuring Toyota rage is back in check for now.

 

I agree that what Toyota did or rather didn't do stinks. Although I feel that every single automaker on the planet would do the same thing & most of them likely have a few skeletons in their closets. Sweep it under the rug & keep it secret, until found out.

I do think that Toyota will get back on top. They do build a fine appliance that many non-divers love. People have short memories & that is to Toyoda's advantage.

 

This is exactly it... They think "oh, I have ABS and traction control... that means I can drive 70 in a snow storm!" They think "I have backup sensors... so I don't have to look before I pull out of a parking space at WalMart."

They don't realize that all this technology must be layered ON TOP OF good driving skills, common sense and constant vigilance - tech doesn't REPLACE any of those things.

Unfortunately, that's not something you can fit into a car commercial blurb.

 

I am not so sure any other companies would go on national tv and lie, Toyota did just that. They went on the Today show and said:

1. We are recalling because WE decided to recall.
2. We just found out the problem existed.

When Pinto's were exploding from gas tanks did Ford spend 6 months argueing that it was actually mud flaps? Toyota kept saying floor mats, knowing full and well the real issue was their pedal design.

When Explorers were flipping due to tires... OK bad example.

I think most automakers would argue with the government over recalls, but I doubt they would have the ***** to lie about it.

If you think people forget about these issues ask yourself would you buy an Alfa? Americans gave up on the big 3 after they had quality issues the same will hapen now with Toyota.

 

Why yes Ford was less than human in their treatment of exploding Pintos. I remember that it was a bolt that punched through the tank in rear end impacts. The fix was a very cheap piece of plastic shielding. Ford knew they had a problem in '70 yet didn't implement a fix until they were made to in '78. Yet Ford payed dumb while Innocent owners died a horrible death. Ford even figured it would be cheaper to pay off a few lawsuits than implement the fix. F#!%*ing criminal! Lied, hell yes they lied. Now 32 years later most folks don't remember that, except those who lost loved ones because of Ford.

***Even now Ford is fighting with the government about recalling exploding Crown Vics.*** It's just so sad.

And lets not forget GM's wonderful handling of one of their rolling design flaws. http://www.autosafety.org/history-gm...as-tank-defect

None of this lessens what Toyota did. It's just an illustration of some of the other evils out there.

I'd bet a coffee & a donut that there hasn't been one recall that wasn't suppressed & fought before it was implemented. None! Just this old fart skeptics opinion.

Would I buy an Alfa, hell no it's owned by Fiat. I won't buy a Peugeot or a Citroen either.

 

Cars, politics, sports, business, attacks on our lives...we are (sadly) a society of convienent amnesia. We fight full body scans at airports (I guess we forgot about 911), we'll forget about Tiger as soon as he wins another golf tournament, and we will quickly forget about accelerator pedals. Heck, I almost forgot about mine on the Tundra until I read this. But then again, I'm old enough to know to put it in neutral, apply the brakes or turn the key if it accelerates on its own.

 

See Chuck I knew you would prove my point, people do not forget these things!

 

I proved no point at all. You reminded me, I blame you for waking me from my blissful ignorance. In fact Babs says I have one of the worst cases of selective amnesia she has ever seen. (selective amnesia) = only remembering what one wants.

Mark it is good you have reached the silverback years. Silverbacks have a good sense of self preservation. I'm sure your Tundra has lot of nannies o keep you safe. I'd buy one if I can get the donut nannie. Yep hands you a donut when needed. Although I hear there is a bad batch of donut nannies out there. They hand you sushi instead of a donut. I guess Toyota will change the name of that to the fisherman's bait option & dodge another recall.

I think I should come clean here. Back when the earth was still cooling I too had accelerator & brake issues with a Toyota. Every time I came to a corner the brakes slammed on & the throttle jammed closed. Dammed near got run over from behind.

 

Chuck you look like you are trying to avoid getting the swine flue in that picture. Is there a roll cage in that car?

 

Can't race without a cage ya know. The photographer asked that I cover my face lest I break his camera. Since I have a fur face the SCCA made me wear a balaclava. They were afraid of the stick my burning beard would make. Little did they know it's not my beard that's stinky.

 

I fear we are veering off topic yet again...

http://jalopnik.com/5468053/toyota-r...d-acceleration

 

30 people complained that while they were texting their car ran over pedestrians. We know it is not torque steer those cars have no torque!