I'll never understand why people are afraid to turn the key off if the throttle sticks open. Seems like a better idea than using a brick wall to stop the car.
I'll never understand why people are afraid to turn the key off if the throttle sticks open. Seems like a better idea than using a brick wall to stop the car.
Both feet in, key off, get ready to crash. It sounds like he at least had time for step 1.
Ouch. That thing folded up like an accordion.
BTW, the whole "throttle stuck open" thing is always suspect. There isn't a car alive, including the Atom, that has more power than brake.
Iain
"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
I've had my throttle get stuck at WOT due to the gas pedal getting caught on some loose wires under the dash. Just like suggested above I turned the ignition off and coasted into a parking lot.
Blah blah blah!
I beg to differ. I hate to say this but I hit my house with my RAM. My foot slipped off the clutch and while I had the brakes down the engine management system would not let it die and it lurched into my house before I could engage the clutch again. Believe me when I say that I had the brake FULLY depressed.
So much for that "space frame". Looks like they used exhaust tubing instead of heavy wall DOM. He/they were lucky!
92 Sunny 214k, 95 Dimples, 93 James Bondo, 92 SM (Speedie Jr )
Shelley, Apex, Tigger, Max, Baby(cats), Fluffy, Spot, and Peanut (mini horses), Cinnamon & Bitsy(dawgs)
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Let me guess... Cummins diesel and you had it in first?
I actually did that once at a drive through... engine didn't die and I traveled the length of the truck before I could get the clutch pushed in.
This is my biggest fear with my truck due to where it parks in the garage. It's right on the other side of a wall from my bedroom... it'd go through that interior wall like it wasn't even there...
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The scary part is that the truck has 15 inch disc brakes on all 4 corners and hydroboost on the master cylinder.
Back on topic: I wonder how fast they were traveling when they hit the wall. And why not just put it in neutral and let the engine blow.
I also wonder how fast they were going.
I speculate the "why not clutch in and blow it" question is answered by the fact that in stressful, time sensitive instances, it can be hard to think through problems like that (I have frozen before). Also, I Imagine the driver was showing off to his passenger a bit, and didn't realize the throttle was stuck until a very late braking point (shortening the amount of time he had to decide on a plan of action). Just because he states that he wasn't racing, doesn't mean he wasn't hot rodding. To some people, racing is defined by the presence of an opponent.
1994 R-package - gone, but not forgotten.
1966 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40. Restification in progress. or should I say De-RUSTification in progress?
1984 Honda VF1100S. V4 Fury!
Don't forget that you only get vacuum assist for one push on the pedal if you really are at full throttle...
Maybe 4 wheels aren't so bad after all... wickett.org
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