GM Tests Show Vibe Brakes Can Stop Unintended Acceleration

[PBS Poll-435]

Tests Show Vibe Brakes Can Stop Unintended Acceleration

February 4, 2010 GM Media
2010-02-01

General Motors has tested two Pontiac Vibe small SUVs and found the brakes stop the vehicle in case of unintended acceleration.

The 2009-10 Pontiac Vibe, a sister vehicle of the Toyota Matrix, is included in two Toyota recalls related to unintended acceleration, one for sticking accelerator pedals and one for possible floor mat entrapment. The Vibe was designed and engineered by Toyota and manufactured through August 2009 at New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI), a joint venture between Toyota and GM.

“We ran the Vibe wide open at 60 miles an hour and the brakes were able to bring the vehicle to a safe stop within 169 meters, consistent with our internal requirement for brake performance.” said Martin Hogan, GM director of brake systems.

Prior to the recall announcements, GM had not received any relevant customer complaints in the 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe. Nor were there any complaints found in a search of U.S. and Canadian databases.

[xultar]

1. And this is good for Toyota how? I know if you post it is good for Toyota.

[PBS Poll-435]

2. :-)

:hi:

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

3. The Pontiac Vibe is a Toyota

aka Toyota Voltz

[PBS Poll-435]

4. And Matrix in the States

:-)

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

5. Stop, hey what's that sound...

A smug GM owner shooting themselves at the revelation of owning a Toyota!

[PBS Poll-435]

6. I don't want no Teryoter!

:rofl:

[xultar]

11. What does that have to do with the Camry, Avalon and Lexus?

[PBS Poll-435]

14. Besides average owner age?

Not a whole lot.

[Romulox]

7. That still leaves the *small* issue of UNINTENDED ACCELERATION to be resolved... nt

[PBS Poll-435]

8. !

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

9. Most ANY car's brakes are more powerful than the engine.

Simple force and physics. Look at a car's accelleration.

A car can go from 0-100mph in how many feet? How many seconds?
A car can go from 100-0mph in how many feet? How many seconds?

A car's negative accelleration (braking) is typically MUCH greater than it's forward acceleration.
Brakes win on almost every car. Even at wide open throttle.
The only time brakes don't overpower the engine is a mechanical, power assist, or hydraulic failure - all easily identifiable.

[PBS Poll-435]

10. That just makes too much sense. DTM

:P

[Fumesucker]

12. Yep..

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q4/how_to_deal_with_unintended_acceleration-tech_dept

We included the powerful Roush Mustang to test—in the extreme—the theory that “brakes are stronger than the engine.” From 70 mph, the Roush’s brakes were still resolutely king even though a pinned throttle added 80 feet to its stopping distance. However, from 100 mph, it wasn’t clear from behind the wheel that the Mustang was going to stop. But after 903 feet—almost three times longer than normal—the 540-hp supercharged Roush finally did succumb, chugging to a stop in a puff of brake smoke.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

13. And consider gravity also

We frequently stop our cars with the brakes in the face of forces even greater than the engine has been generating.

I have an interstate exit that goes right from the highway into a *very* steep decline ending quickly at a stop sign.

The braking power needed on that little stretch is my highway speed plus a lot of extra impetus. And if I hit the exit at 85mph (which I never would) I would still be able to stop, albeit with some drama.

I continue to be amazed that anyone who has driven a car doesn't realize that brakes over-match the engine.

This does not discount a brake failure, including weird software or whatever.

But if the brakes are working (if, if, if) no car will get too far accelerating against the driver's wishes.

And if some people are bad drivers and pound the accelerator thinking it is the brake that does not remove manufacturer liability. Cars are not sold as specialized 'experts only' equipment. Auto safety anticipates that about half of drivers are below average, by definition. So even if a driver deals poorly with unintended acceleration doesn't mean it isn't a problem.