Turning the X5 off in an Emergency

[JCL]

Originally Posted by X5rolls

I think this is good advice but I don't agree with the order you have, I think delaying putting it into neutral could cause the driver to crash.

Attempting to hit the brakes (some engines can easily over power the brakes or the brakes might not be in top order, they are hot already, or substantially worn) and steer to the side of the road could make you lose control.

I think it is up to the driver in any case. The problem with shifting while driving is you might not get neutral (see the example in this thread of the BMW that drove into a house, and then drove out of it. That was shifter confusion on the part of the driver).

Engines can not easily over power the brakes, if the brakes are functioning. We are talking about braking systems that are three to four times as powerful as engines. Simple check: How many seconds to stop from 60 mph? How much hp would you need to accelerate that quickly to 60? We have 1000 - 1200 hp braking systems, until they overheat. Yes, if the brakes fail at the same time as the accelerator fails, then all bets are off. I would agree that if you are travelling at 80+ mph, then the brakes may overheat so putting it in neutral first would be a good idea. But in traffic, or close quarters, the fastest way to get control is to apply the brakes.

[X5rolls]

Originally Posted by JCL

I think it is up to the driver in any case. The problem with shifting while driving is you might not get neutral (see the example in this thread of the BMW that drove into a house, and then drove out of it. That was shifter confusion on the part of the driver).

Engines can not easily over power the brakes, if the brakes are functioning. We are talking about braking systems that are three to four times as powerful as engines. Simple check: How many seconds to stop from 60 mph? How much hp would you need to accelerate that quickly to 60? We have 1000 - 1200 hp braking systems, until they overheat. Yes, if the brakes fail at the same time as the accelerator fails, then all bets are off. I would agree that if you are travelling at 80+ mph, then the brakes may overheat so putting it in neutral first would be a good idea. But in traffic, or close quarters, the fastest way to get control is to apply the brakes.

Drivers could get confused if they were in a panic and miss neutral, I agree. Also agree on brakes will overpower engines if they are in good working order. It would also probably be 2nd nature to get on the brakes - I guess I'd try neutral first but my un-planned reaction would be brakes too. Hard to argue with your logic but I still think Neutral is the best first step.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by X5rolls

Drivers could get confused if they were in a panic and miss neutral, I agree. Also agree on brakes will overpower engines if they are in good working order. It would also probably be 2nd nature to get on the brakes - I guess I'd try neutral first but my un-planned reaction would be brakes too. Hard to argue with your logic but I still think Neutral is the best first step.

How about, if when you and I are each driving our new Toyotas, and we both have an unintended acceleration incident, we both go for neutral and the brakes, simultaneously? We can both agree that both actions would help.

Now all I need is a Toyota, with an automatic transmission (since my fictional Toyota would have had a manual so I would have just gone for the clutch in any case)

[X5rolls]

Originally Posted by JCL

How about, if when you and I are each driving our new Toyotas, and we both have an unintended acceleration incident, we both go for neutral and the brakes, simultaneously? We can both agree that both actions would help.

Now all I need is a Toyota, with an automatic transmission (since my fictional Toyota would have had a manual so I would have just gone for the clutch in any case)

We could make a race out of it - shortest stopping distance wins.