What Should You Do If Your Pedal Sticks?
Jim Kenzie's Video Demonstration on What To Do If Your Pedal Sticks
What should you do if your gas pedal ever got stuck at full throttle, whether you're driving a Toyota or any other vehicle?
First thing is - don't panic.
There are two ways to avoid a crash - either steer out of the way, or brake.
Steering is the first option, because you can change course by steering much faster than you can brake. Ideally you want to steer AND brake, because if you hit something, hitting it at a lower speed is always a better idea.
Do NOT shut off the engine. That will kill the power assist to both the brakes and the steering, making it much more difficult to execute corrective action.
If the car is has an automatic transmission, slam it into neutral. If it's a manual, depress the clutch and, again, select neutral. This will prevent the car from accelerating any faster, and make it easier for the brakes to stop the car.
The engine will race even faster with the transmission in neutral. But most modern cars have revolution limiters, and the engine won't blow up.
Check your rear-view mirrors to get an idea of the surrounding traffic. If you have the time and the presence of mind as you apply the brakes, flick on the four-way flashers, look for a place where you can safely pull over, and stop the car.
Then switch off the engine, flick on the four-ways if you haven't already, and take a deep breath. Depending on where you have stopped, you may want to get out of the vehicle to find a safer place to wait for help.
Then call your preferred roadside assistance supplier.
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