Recalls

What a week. Good news is I got my car running again. It's sure nice to have your own personal transportation. Something we tend to take for granted in my opinion. What I found out is that the problem I had with my car is a well known, documented condition that was the subject of a recall some years ago. I won't tell you who manufactured my car. It doesn't matter really, they've all had them. You might be surprised. Anyway, the $3 part that it took to solve the problem permanently was not installed from the factory, and in truth, I'm sure no one felt it was necessary to begin with. Luckily for me, or thanks at least in part to my good mechanical sense, I didn't ruin the engine in my car when it suddenly developed a massive oil leak. Got me to thinking about Toyota's current situation though.

What I've come to see about this sticking throttle problem is how overcomplicated the modern automobile is. For the uninitiated, present day Toyotas, among others, have what could be called a 'drive by wire' system. The throttle on the engine is controlled by an electric motor. The motor is in turn controlled by a computer which receives an electrical signal from a rheostat on the accelerator pedal that the driver pushes down on or releases to make the car go faster or slower. Kind of like the light dimmer on the wall of your house. In order to get the right 'feel' on this pedal, a clutch type arrangement was engineered into the pedal assembly. This is what is being blamed for the sticking throttle problem. Remember the boardgame "Mousetrap"? That's what's known as a Rube Goldberg machine. You release the squirrel from the cage, the dog with a string tied to its tail chases the squirrel, flipping on the switch that turns on the electric fan, blowing the toy boat across the kiddie pool............you get the idea. What ever happened to simple, effective cables? I'm a firm beleiver in the K.I.S.S. principle. Keep it simple, stupid. Now this problem is going to cost Toyota untold expense, let alone the lives that have already been lost to this problem. So much for building a better mousetrap.

Don't get me wrong, there's no doubt in my mind that modern automobiles are vastly more efficient, comfortable, and safer than all the old classics that I so fondly remember from the glory days of the auto industry. But come on, how complicated does it have to be? It really is an ill wind that blows no good, and now other manufacturers are going to capitalize on the newly tarnished image that Toyota has (rightfully) earned over the course of the last few decades. I've heard some dealers are adding or planning to add more help to deal with the additional workload. So there's some job creation for you.

The other thing is that people understandably panic when a machine gets a mind of its own. I was watching the news maybe a couple of years ago where someone had the throttle stick on their car out on the interstate somewhere. I don't remember what kind of car it was, again, it doesn't really matter. Point is, several highway patrol officers were chasing this runaway down the highway trying to communicate with the driver and slow the car. Unsuccessfully. I don't remember if anyone was seriously hurt or killed, but the driver eventually lost control of the car and crashed. It never occurred to him or her to just shift into nuetral (not 'Park') and/or turn the key to the off position. Even if they had, losing the power steering might have also come as a shock. If you've ever watched "Days of Thunder" you might remember the scene where the throttle sticks on Cole's car. Something you would think would be a good thing on a race car, but here again, driver control is essential even when you want to go fast. What did his crew chief tell him? "Just push the clutch and let it blow". Same idea.

I had a similar experience with the rental truck I used to move cross country. I came out of the Eisenhower Tunnel on the Great Divide at or below the recommended speed. I saw the sign making me aware of the 7% grade for the next few miles. I prepared myself to deal with it. Before I knew it, I was in a battle to keep the engine overspeed light from coming on and not burning up the brakes. For a while I wondered if I was going to make it to the next runaway truck ramp or not. If the engine had blown up, I would have lost the braking effect it was providing. If I had burned the brakes off of it trying to slow it down, I would've had even more problems. I don't think I've ever had a white knuckle experience like that before. It was a relief to pull of the road in Dillon, Colorado and have a little lunch and a rest while the thing cooled off. Could have been a bad day for more than just me and my family. Point is, it's important to know how things work and why, and what to do when things don't go according to plan.

Well, that's my rant for today. Have a good tomorrow everyone.