QUESTION: I drive a 2009 Toyota and have a fear of a runaway vehicle. The dealer has test-driven the vehicle and told me it's OK. What advice do you have?
ANSWER: Check with the dealer to see if your vehicle has been covered in any recalls or technical service bulletins. More importantly - and this applies to every car owner and motorist - please remember that a motor vehicle cannot "run away" or continue to accelerate unintentionally if you simply shift into neutral or turn off the ignition key. Every driver, regardless of what vehicle they drive, should practice these simple procedures so that their response will be automatic.
Modern motor vehicles will not "over-rev" in neutral with the throttle open. The engine limiter will hold the engine at about 4000 rpm by cycling fuel delivery on and off. So shifting into neutral will disengage the vehicle's drive and acceleration while maintaining the power steering and power brakes.
But even turning off the ignition while driving will not disable the steering or brakes. You will lose power assist to these systems, meaning you'll need to apply more physical effort to steer/stop the vehicle, but the steering and brakes will continue to operate and allow you to control the vehicle.
And finally, please remember that you cannot turn the key to the "lock" position unless the transmission shift lever is in park - so you cannot unintentionally lock the steering by turning the ignition off.
Identify and practice these simple procedures to prepare yourself - just in case.
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