THE LARGEST BMW 2-SERIES FORUM ON THE PLANET
2Addicts
2Addicts
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum BMW 2 Series (F22) Forum BMW 2 Series Coupe and Cabriolet (F22/F23) General Forum Course of action in uncontrolled accceleration scenario

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-08-2014, 07:33 AM   #1
yep
Private First Class
11
Rep
105
Posts

Drives: M235i ED June 11
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Deutschland

iTrader: (0)

Course of action in uncontrolled accceleration scenario

So we've all heard about the problems GM, Toyota, and others have had with their cars going into uncontrolled acceleration. What is the way to react in this situation with a 2 series and automatic transmission? Apparently many cars these days will prevent the brakes from working if the accelerator is engaged, and they will also prevent you from shifting to neutral (with an automatic). Is that the case with BMWs? Can you hold down the start/stop button to turn the car off while it is moving? Can you shift to neutral with the paddle shifters if the accelerator is engaged?

Any tips on how to react in this admittedly unlikely scenario?
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2014, 08:00 AM   #2
Krisms
Private First Class
26
Rep
110
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW 228i
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Florida, USA

iTrader: (0)

although not sure of how it works specifically for a/t (i have a m/t), but a show once in discovery channel showed what to do and not to do in this type of situation... they suggested putting the gear in neutral and gradually applying breaks. on the other hand, they said do NOT do the following: turn off the engine (push start/stop button) as it may disable your power/electronic assist steering and breaks; rely only on pulling the hand break as it will lock the rear wheels and spin you out of control.
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2014, 08:10 AM   #3
w3rkn
Banned
10
Rep
390
Posts

Drives: BMW 135is
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Mich

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by yep View Post
So we've all heard about the problems GM, Toyota, and others have had with their cars going into uncontrolled acceleration. What is the way to react in this situation with a 2 series and automatic transmission? Apparently many cars these days will prevent the brakes from working if the accelerator is engaged, and they will also prevent you from shifting to neutral (with an automatic). Is that the case with BMWs? Can you hold down the start/stop button to turn the car off while it is moving? Can you shift to neutral with the paddle shifters if the accelerator is engaged?

Any tips on how to react in this admittedly unlikely scenario?


Nothing prevents the brakes from working^... at any time, ever...!
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2014, 08:39 AM   #4
darkerosxx
First Lieutenant
37
Rep
349
Posts

Drives: '14 M235i
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Louisiana

iTrader: (0)

You can turn the engine off while accelerating. I accidentally did it there other day, going like 3mph.
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2014, 10:32 AM   #5
Sportstick
Major General
Sportstick's Avatar
4606
Rep
5,980
Posts

Drives: '15 228i and '24 X3 sDrive30i
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Southwest USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by yep View Post
Apparently many cars these days will prevent the brakes from working if the accelerator is engaged, and they will also prevent you from shifting to neutral (with an automatic).
This is not true. By design, brakes have capability to hold a car against its capacity to accelerate. If it were not for the damage it could cause, one could try the experiment of simultaneously flooring the accelerator while pressing the brake as far as it will go. The vehicle will not move. I did this demonstration for the press in my earlier career with a car company. For us, transmissions were easily replaced!

I also know of no vehicles which prevent shifting from D to N while under way. I haven't checked the FMVSS requirements on this one, but I believe the capability is a regulatory requirement.

It is true that a particular car or group of cars may have a malfunction, but this is not by design intent, and each situation must be evaluated on the evidence.

Therefore, the best advice is to shift to N and press firmly on the brakes. In the panic of the moment, it is not clear that all drivers in those situations followed that, or were able to follow that process, for example, if a floor mat was blocking the brake pedal.
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2014, 11:41 AM   #6
yep
Private First Class
11
Rep
105
Posts

Drives: M235i ED June 11
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Deutschland

iTrader: (0)

Ok, I guess there is some misinformation out there then regarding those accidents due to stuck acceleration. Some people probably panic and don't try the obvious stuff then lie about it afterwards so they don't look like incompetent morons.
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2014, 01:19 PM   #7
drunkenup
Captain
214
Rep
987
Posts

Drives: 2009 135i, 2021 F150
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: NJ

iTrader: (1)

Its the other way around... Some cars cut the gas when both the accelerator and brakes are hit. It takes a special kind of stupid to program the BRAKES to be disabled in any condition.

The manufacturers have it figured out already, just shift into neutral.
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2014, 01:42 PM   #8
overcoil
Major General
3069
Rep
5,577
Posts

Drives: M235i 6spd
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Mid-Atlantic

iTrader: (0)

Stay with OEM car mats.
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2014, 02:59 PM   #9
five3three
Major
163
Rep
1,053
Posts

Drives: m2c
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: VA

iTrader: (3)

I still call b.s. on all those uncontrolled acceleration cases and quite a few of them were proved to be driver error. One of the Toyota ones had to do with floor mats which wasn't hard to fix.

If it did happen there are many things you could do such as put the car in neutral. A floored accelerator shouldn't prevent you from going to neutral.

Last edited by five3three; 06-08-2014 at 04:08 PM..
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2014, 03:49 PM   #10
Sportstick
Major General
Sportstick's Avatar
4606
Rep
5,980
Posts

Drives: '15 228i and '24 X3 sDrive30i
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Southwest USA

iTrader: (0)

I would strongly advise against shutting the car off. One loses power assist for steering and brakes, may engage the steering column lock, and as some unfortunate GM owners found out, turn off the air bag for the possible imminent impact.
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2014, 04:34 PM   #11
Oyinko
Private First Class
40
Rep
176
Posts

Drives: M235i
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: SF Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by w3rkn View Post
Nothing prevents the brakes from working^... at any time, ever...!
What about ABS? The sensor of the ABS could be tricked and think to wheel is locked and therefore remove the pressure in the brakes.
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2014, 06:25 PM   #12
Lucky13
Lucky13
United_States
211
Rep
1,762
Posts

Drives: 2014 M235 manual, 2020 X3 30X
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Columbia, S.C.

iTrader: (0)

I heard jumping out the window is the best option.
__________________
1995 325i, 1996 328ci, 1997 528i, 1997 Z3 2.8, 2000 528i, 2001 X5 3.0, 2001 330i Convertible, 2002 M3 Convertible, 2003 M3 Coupe, 2004 M3 Coupe, 2004 Z4 3.0, 2004 X3 3.0, 2007 X3 3.0, 2007 335i Convertible, 2013 X1 28 sdrive, 2014 M235 manual, 2020 X3 30i Xdrive
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2014, 01:27 AM   #13
danimal
Captain
danimal's Avatar
United_States
50
Rep
755
Posts

Drives: '14 228i
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: San Diego, CA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by yep View Post
Apparently many cars these days will prevent the brakes from working if the accelerator is engaged, and they will also prevent you from shifting to neutral (with an automatic).
As others have pointed out, both of these are false.

Some cars will prevent the accelerator from working when the brakes are engaged, but the brakes will engage under all circumstances.

That doesn't mean the brakes will be effective under all circumstances. If the accelerator is, say, stuck in the floor mat, and you apply the brakes only partially, the brake pads could eventually overheat, reducing their ability to stop the car. If you fully apply the brakes immediately, however, the car should be able to stop even if you are going fast and the accelerator is floored.

Finally, I know of no car that doesn't allow you to shift into neutral while moving. If the accelerator is stuck, or the car is accelerating on its own, you should definitely try to shift into neutral.
__________________
2014 228i
alpine white | sport line | 6-speed manual | lighting package | driver assistance package
interior - black Sensatec | aluminum & red trim



Last edited by danimal; 06-09-2014 at 01:35 AM..
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2014, 08:35 AM   #14
///M235i
Second Lieutenant
///M235i's Avatar
24
Rep
289
Posts

Drives: M235i
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Here

iTrader: (0)

I want to say there is a major BMW recall around this issue. Is this post referring to the recall?
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2014, 09:23 AM   #15
golf_234
Captain
318
Rep
905
Posts

Drives: E46, E90, F30
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Santa Monica

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by darkerosxx View Post
You can turn the engine off while accelerating. I accidentally did it there other day, going like 3mph.
Living on the edge lol
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2014, 10:50 AM   #16
jeremicium
Major
jeremicium's Avatar
United_States
170
Rep
1,178
Posts

Drives: 2011 E92 328i
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Tacoma, Wa. USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky13 View Post
I heard jumping out the window is the best option.
Climbing out sunroof, working way to back of car, gingerly launching off is safer.

That whole Toyota debacle was a sham. Nearly every incidence was driver error. Lots of media coverage of the problem, practically none regarding the fact that it was by and large driver error.

Some people panic during situations that others react calmly to. Hopefully you're one of the calm ones. This is not a problem worth giving a second thought to.
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2014, 12:00 PM   #17
pz619
Brigadier General
3276
Rep
3,254
Posts

Drives: F87 M2C 6MT, Tesla 3
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (1)

Also let's not lose sight that your brakes can easily overpower the motor. Your braking distances would be longer but your brakes will win out. Below is an interesting article on the situation.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...d-acceleration
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:25 AM.




2addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST