Toyota Adds Panic Mode To Keyless Start/Stop Button

Toyota has quietly made a change in most of its models that could save lives if a car's accelerator sticks open -- and it's not the one at the center of the $1.1-billion settlement of Toyota's unintended acceleration lawsuits.

Toyota has modified the start-stop buttons in most of its models so that they shut the engine off after three quick pushes, or after being continuously pushed for two seconds. That's two big changes from the old policy that required a continuous three-second push in order to shut down the power.

The start-stop button was cited as a factor in the crash that killed an off-duty California Highway Patrol officer and three family members outside San Diego three years ago. The investigation found that in a panic situation, a button required a much longer push than intuitively would be expected to turn off the engine. But Toyota officials defended it at the time, saying it was important to make sure that drivers or their passengers didn't turn off the car inadvertantly by brushing against it.

1CarSmart1 - 1/7/2013 11:58:15 AM

-5 Boost

Stupid americans.

enthusiastx11 - 1/7/2013 2:10:50 PM

+5 Boost

it's a japanese car. what does it have to do with americans? and where, dear genius, are you from?

1CarSmart1 - 1/9/2013 2:05:01 PM

0 Boost

I hate to have americans mad at me. They might use their penis-compensation machines (guns, SUVs) and shoot me or run over!

1CarSmart1 - 1/7/2013 12:35:04 PM

-5 Boost

This is what I would expect of someone with church in there name. Let me guess you believe in creation vs. evolution? Get back in your buick and hit a tree.

Agent009 - 1/7/2013 1:06:47 PM

-1 Boost

WHACK! churchmotor banned for being an idiot.

HughJass - 1/7/2013 4:32:48 PM

+5 Boost

So now companies have to engineer for stupidity as well. Won't be any good if a) sales person doesn't spoon feed this to the customer or b) stupid people panic and forget it in which case Toyota will be liable even if it happens on someone else's car.

As for stupid Americans. Yes, the US was the only country to report Toyotas flying at you from the left, from the right, at your crotch. After the UAW and Obama finished their witch hunt, no Toyota have come flying through my living room even when over half of them never bothered to come back for the recall "repair".

lexworld - 1/7/2013 11:43:35 PM

+3 Boost

....Wow, Who is this 1CarSmart1 guy? Stupid Americans you say? Anyway, I think what we all really witnessed was just how bad and corrupt our country is fastly becoming. Toyota is a great example of how a company should be run. With Integrity. That's why we all continue to witness their relentless success, though not perfect, they and their Luxury Division Lexus are the connoisuer of the Automotive Industry. A three tap shut off of the start button....One more step of tlc for their loyal customers and customers to be. "If you cant beat'em, join'em!".

85bmw745i - 1/8/2013 11:34:08 AM

+1 Boost

I am American and will openly say we ARE stupid. We are the only people that sue someone else for something that is common sense for anyone else. I.E. Hot coffee spilling on your lap, trying to sue the Dallas Cowboys because you don't have the brainpower to realize that if you sit on a metal bench at cowboy stadium in 90 degree heat in direct sunlight with daisy duke short shorts on, it will burn your leg/thighs, especially if you simple mind can't process something as basic as ouch! that burns, followed by a reaction of jumping up. I am proud to be American, but as long as we continue to go out of our way to accommodate stupid people, normal and intelligent people alike will continue to suffer.

irishmike - 1/8/2013 12:50:29 AM

+1 Boost

An idea for Toyota--wire the horn to the brake pedal, HEE!!

1CarSmart1 - 1/9/2013 2:03:06 PM

0 Boost

I say the americans are stupid because you believe the acclerating car idea that is a product of other stupids like UAW/GM/Obama. I tell "churchmotor" to hit a tree so there will be fewer idiots. Toyota makes sensible cars.

lexworld - 1/10/2013 3:03:39 AM

0 Boost

...I gotcha -1CarSmart1, Yes Toyota not only makes sensible cars but makes the best overall Automobile. As we all know if they can comeback the way they have after all those phony recalls, earthquakes, sunamis, failed auto suppliers and false accusations I think they deserve to be the Conniorsuer of the modern-day Automobile. Period!!

NBCGLX - 1/11/2013 5:47:22 PM

+1 Boost

I'm still baffled by the whole "unintended acceleration" situation. How does a CHP, someone who is trained to deal with high-stress situations IN A CAR, not think to put the transmission in Neutral????