Tundra’s New Smart Throttle System Explained
Jason Lancaster | Mar 25, 2010 | Comments 9
All 2011 model year Toyota vehicles will come standard with “brake-to-idle failsafe” systems, also know as “brake override” or what we like to call “Smart Throttle.” As we’ve written in the past, a smart throttle that disengages when brakes are applied is the easiest and most fool-proof way to prevent runaway acceleration.
If your car has this system and takes off on it’s own because of a sticky throttle, bunched-up floor mat, or cosmic rays, touching the brakes for 1/2 a second will tell the computer to disengage the throttle. You’ll go from WOT to idle automatically…no more stories about brakes that couldn’t over-power a vehicle’s throttle, and a much lower likelihood of an unintended acceleration accident.
Some truck owners are concerned that this new system will reduce their ability to drive their Tundra effectively, but based on the info from Toyota, it seems the new Smart Throttle system will work just fine without limiting anyone’s ability to use their truck. Here’s how it’s supposed to work:
1. It only works if you’re traveling faster than 5mph. Some truck owners were concerned that a brake-to-idle failsafe would keep them from hooking up their trailer easily (some find it easy to use both the throttle and the brake simultaneously while backing up), but the system won’t engage in this situation.
2. It won’t work if you press the brake pedal first. If you’re starting out on a hill, or if you decide it’s time to do a wicked burn-out –
press the brake before the accelerator (just like you normally would) and the system won’t engage. In this situation, ‘Brake Override Judgment’ is off.
3. It’s off in 4WD Low. If you’re out on the trail crawling around in four low, this system won’t effect you one bit.
Here’s the decision tree for Toyota’s system:
The decision tree for Toyota's new 'Brake Override' system, a.k.a. 'Smart Throttle'
Based on this tree, it seems like Toyota has thought of everything. Unless you’re a driver that uses both pedals simultaneously as you drive down the highway, I can’t think of a situation that Toyota’s system doesn’t account for. To be honest, however, the only time I’ve used both the brake and the accelerator in any vehicle is just before I do a burn out…so maybe I can’t think of a situation that this system won’t work for.
What do you think: Is Toyota’s system well thought out?
Filed Under: Auto News
I think it is quite well thought out! Maybe those execs over at toyota finally took a look at your blog! 🙂
Brake Override Judgment if off – that is all I need to worry about – time for some smoking burnouts! If they didn’t think of this, there would be a lot of non-future tundra owners out there I would bet.
Seriously, the ONLY problem I have with this system is it is supposedly my guess run by electronics and I am not 100% convinced the gas pedals being stuck is NOT caused by electrical malfunction. Who is to say the electronics that run this new brake/pedal system will malfunction and end up killing the idiots it is designed to protect?
Wish me luck, I am going in to my local toyota dealer tomorrow for a free 1 year alignment and demanding to NOT do my recall on my corolla for the gas pedal. If they do the shim recall, I am taking it around the block and going right back and stating I do not like the shim fix and have them order me a new gas pedal that is not the same gas pedal.
This is stupidity on stilts catering to idiots who don’t belong behind a wheel in the first place.
Trying to idiot-proof Darwin’s Nominees is an impossible task and serves only to seriously inconvenience those with more than half a brain. The DN’s will still stumble into a way to kill themselves off.
Contemplate:
If manufacturers couldn’t make a vehicle that wouldn’t accelerate out-of-control, what makes anyone think that what they’ve put in place won’t fail also??
All this knee-jerk/CYA reaction will do is make a towing or braking situation more dangerous or even impossible, period.
Good idea the way it is laid out. I was a bit worried about pulling the boat out of the water, but it sounds like they found the solution with applying the brake before the gas. Is this something that we be retrofitted on the 2010’s?
Looks good except now Toyota will be sued by the idiots that ride their brakes on the highway.
Jason love the way you used Ramoine’s burnout pic. I personally haven’t smoke the tires on my truck. I use the truck as a truck. It wouldn’t bother me if they did retro fit all the other trucks. For safety it’s a good idea they have there.
Jr – I do too, but that decision tree came from Toyota, so they deserve the credit. Thanks anways.
mk and WingHunter – Good points about the general menace of electronics used to idiot-proof electronics. I think that, regardless of the actual benefit, this system will be a standard feature on all cars in the very near future. Hopefully, it will work as intended.
Frenchy – I’m almost certain that the Tundra won’t be retrofitted. Other models, however, are getting this system retroactively.
TC8 – Yep! 🙂
Mickey – Thanks. That’s the best Tundra burnout pic I’ve seen I think.
There was one on Tundratalk.net which showed a guy smoking his tire for at least 5-10minutes till it blew.
Thanks for the post Jason !