Acceleration is like a double edge sword; it can be subservient or go rogue. One of the scariest things you could ever experience is seeing your car accelerate when you are literally standing on the brakes.
Why would a car accelerate when braking? The failure of the throttle body mostly causes this problem. A stuck throttle body will cause the car to accelerate even when you brake. Unintended acceleration may also occur when the acceleration pedal is stuck on the floor mats.
Sudden unintended acceleration is a serious auto problem that can result in accidents. It is essential to understand the cause of unintended acceleration and what you need to do when your car accelerates uncontrollably.
What Causes a Car to Accelerate When Braking?
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power train is one of the most common causes of sudden unintended acceleration. Many modern cars feature a throttle control mechanism that should supposedly make them safer.
The throttle mechanism controls most of the electronics in the car. A malfunction in the throttle mechanism could cause the vehicle to accelerate when braking.
When Sudden Unintended Acceleration Occurs
Sudden unintended acceleration may occur at any time regardless of age or condition of the car. Due to changes in the design of modern vehicle electronics, unintended acceleration is likely to happen when the vehicle is moving.
Unintended acceleration may occur when you:
- Shift gears
- Disengage cruise control
- Apply the brakes
These everyday driving activities could modify the electrical current of a car and cause it to malfunction, which may lead to sudden acceleration, among other problems.
What to Do During Unintended Acceleration
Controlling a vehicle with unintended acceleration requires a bit of calm and knowledge. Take several steps to prevent accidents during sudden unintended acceleration.
Use the Brakes
When your car is accelerating uncontrollably, step on the brakes as hard as you can. Instead of pumping the brake pedal, just keep it on a hard and consistent press.
You might have to step on the brake pedals harder than usual. Although the car may not slow down immediately, they will slow down the vehicle and stop it eventually.
Neutral Shift
This is the most critical step to take during an emergency. Changing to a neutral gear might slow down the car.
Turn off the Engine
Once you have shifted the car to neutral gear, and feel like the vehicle is under control, shut the engines off. If your vehicle has a push-button starter, press it and hold for a few seconds to turn off the engine.
Stay calm and try to control the car as it slows down. Pull the vehicle off the road before it comes to a complete stop and call for help.
What You Should Know About Unintended Braking
Technology has many advantages; it makes work easier and reduces the amount of time and labor required to do a job. That is if it works as intended.
On the same breath, technology can also cause great havoc if it does not work as intended. Like many other technological inventions, cars feature various components, including the engine and electronics, among others.
Most times, cars work perfectly without any problems. However, their technological components can also fail and cause the vehicle to work erratically, which may lead to serious injuries and damage to property.
Same Old
News of vehicle recalls has become quite common in the last couple of decades. Despite strict consumer rights and liability laws, many modern cars still come with defects.
The safety of the people driving the cars matters a lot. This is the main reason why people are concerned about defects in some vehicles that causes them to accelerate when braking.
Blame it on the Pedals
Sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) has been a major problem among some car models. It is often caused by the misapplication of the pedals.
Many automatic car models feature two pedals; one for acceleration and the other one for stopping. Some drivers wish to stop their cars, but then unintentionally press the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal.
The more pedals a car has, the higher the chances of confusion. However, even with fewer pedals, there is still the possibility of an electrical malfunction, which could cause the car to accelerate when braking.
Main Causes
Most cases of cars accelerating when braking occur on cars with automatic shift. The minority of SUA cases occur on cars with manual gearboxes.
There are three main causes of unintended acceleration:
- Misapplying the pedals
- Electrical malfunction
- Mechanical malfunction
Driver Error
Driver error is a common cause of SUA. Some car models feature pedals that make it easier for drivers to press the wrong one i.e. brake instead of gas and vice versa.
Mechanical Malfunction
Some car models have been recalled due to unsecured floor mats that increase the probability of SUA. The unsecured floor mats may bunch up on the gas pedal and make it difficult for the driver to press the brake pedal fully.
Electrical Malfunction
Electrical problems and malfunctions could cause SUA. The malfunction could cause the throttle to open even when the car is on the “P” module, which causes the car to accelerate.
Such an electrical malfunction could cause the engine to increase its RPM. In that case, the vehicle may accelerate forward with full power as soon as the shift lever is dropped to “D.”
Shifter Linkage
Some automatic car models can easily shift from P to D without resistance or lock. However, older car models with worn-out shifter linkages may experience some resistance when shifting gears.
Problems with the shifter linkage may cause the car to accelerate even when you press the brake pedal. To solve this problem, many modern car models feature the brake-ignition-shift lock, which makes it impossible to start the car unless its lever is on P or N.
Poor Maintenance
In some cases, SUA may be caused by trial and error maintenance by untrained mechanics. Sudden unintended acceleration is likely to happen in car models without official representatives in the U.S.
Some car models experience SUA simply because of poor mechanical work done on them. Inexperienced mechanics can tinker with a car’s components and increase the likelihood of the car experiencing additional mechanical problems, including SUA.
Vehicle Programming
Modern vehicles come with various features, including brake-ignition-shift lock systems that have considerably reduced the probability of SUA. In addition, the introduction of in-car computer networks have significantly reduced the possibility of SUA due to electrical failure.
Driver Error Statistics
According to the Feds, driver error is responsible for 16,000 cases of sudden unintended acceleration each year. However, many victims of accidents that have been caused by SUA do not believe this statistic.
Some things have just refused to go away regardless of the studies, litigations, and debates about them. For instance, studies indicate there is nothing to unintended acceleration, but drivers believe differently.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not identified defects in vehicles that may cause SUA. The organization even goes ahead to urge drivers to make sure they do not accidentally press the wrong pedal.
According to the NHTSA, 16000 crashes in the U.S. are caused by pedal error each year. The crashes are mainly attributed to drivers wearing the wrong type of footwear, including heavy boots, flip-flops, and high heels.
Floor mats are also responsible for sudden unintended acceleration. Some car models have been recalled due to loose floor mats that cause the accelerator to jam. To prevent SUA, get familiar with the locations of the gas and brake pedals. In addition, avoid distractions and focus on your driving.
