Toyota releases Brake Override System fact sheet

Toyota releases Brake Override System fact sheet

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Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc has released a fact sheet dated 10 Mar 2010 explaining the working mechanism of the Brake Override System in the wake of the recent unintended acceleration episodes. Applicable to certain drive-by-wire vehicles, the system automatically cuts engine power in the event that the brake and throttle pedals are applied simultaneously.

toyota brake override
Image source: Toyota Brake Override Fact Sheet

The programming logic used for the system requires for a throttle opening greater than 1/3, vehicle speed in excess of 5mph (8kph), and firm application of the brake pedal. At higher throttle openings, the system activates even with under light braking. The system immediately cancels upon release of the brake pedal.

toyota brake override 2
Image source: Toyota Brake Override Fact Sheet.

A further constraint of the system is that it only activates when the accelerator pedal is pressed before the brakes and not the other way round. This allows for drivers to hold the brakes to prevent roll back on hill starts, and heel-toeing for manual vehicles (though whether Toyota has any manual vehicles in the US is another question altogether).

Additionally, Toyota also noted that the Brake Override System does not function for 4WD vehicles when the transmission is locked into low-range gearing, and that the Toyota Hybrid System produces a similar, but not identical result in cutting engine power under simultaneous brake and throttle application.

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KON

Source: Toyota Brake Override System Fact Sheet


2 COMMENTS

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