By end of this week, owners of recalled vehicles and customers awaiting new vehicle delivery will have access to remedy for recalled vehicles.

Toyota Canada Inc., (TCI) announced it will begin fixing accelerator pedals in recalled Toyota Division vehicles by the end of this week. Toyota’s engineers have developed a solution that involves modifying the pedal assembly to eliminate the excess friction that has caused the pedals to stick in rare instances.

Toyota Canada announced, on January 21, it was recalling approximately 270,000 Toyota vehicles equipped with a specific accelerator pedal assembly and suspending delivery of the eight models involved in the recall on January 26. The company also announced that Toyota would stop production of the affected models on North American production lines for the week of February 1 allowing the company to focus on fixing vehicles for customers whose models are involved in the recall.

Toyota vehicles affected by the recall and delivery suspension are:

* Certain 2009-2010 RAV4
* 2009-2010 Corolla
* 2009-2010 Matrix
* 2005-2010 Avalon
* 2007-2010 Camry
* 2010 Highlander
* 2007-2010 Tundra
* 2008-2010 Sequoia

No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by these actions. Also not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Highlander hybrids and certain Camry models, including Camry hybrids.

Should a driver experience a sticking accelerator pedal while driving, the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady application of the brakes. The brakes should not be pumped repeatedly because it could deplete vacuum assist, requiring stronger brake pedal pressure. The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location, the engine shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance. Although the accelerator pedal action may return to normal, NO further attempt to drive the vehicle should be made.

Information and answers to questions about issues related to this recall are available to customers at www.toyota.ca and at the Toyota Customer Interaction Centre at 1-888-TOYOTA-8.

How Toyota Will Fix Recalled Vehicles

Toyota has pinpointed the issue that could, on rare occasions, cause accelerator pedals in recalled vehicles to stick in a partially open position. The issue involves a friction device or lever, in conjunction with a spring in the accelerator pedal assembly, that is designed to help control the force necessary to depress the pedal and the return force necessary to release the pedal to allow for smooth operation of the accelerator pedal. Due to the materials used, wear and environmental conditions, surfaces may, over time, begin to stick and release instead of operating smoothly. In rare instances, the friction of the accelerator pedal may increase to a point where the accelerator pedal may become harder to depress, slower to return or, in the worst case, become stuck in a partially depressed position.

Toyota’s solution for current owners is simple, effective and quick to deploy. A precision-cut steel reinforcement bar will be installed into the assembly that will reduce the surface tension between the friction shoe and the adjoining surface. With this reinforcement in place, the excess friction that can cause the pedal to stick is eliminated. The company has confirmed the effectiveness of the newly modified pedals that had previously shown a tendency to stick.

As of October 26, 2009, Ontario’s new distracted driving law will make it illegal for motorists to use hand-held wireless communication devices or any hand-held electronic entertainment devices while driving.

This includes hand-held cell phones, texting and e-mailing.

Hands-free devices will still be permitted.

This new law also prohibits viewing a display screen unrelated to the driving task such as laptops or DVD players while driving.

HANDS-FREE DEVICES

The new law applies only to hand-held wireless communications and hand-held electronic entertainment devices.  This means drivers must only use wireless devices that can be used in a “hands-free” manner:

• a cell phone with an earpiece or headset using voice dialling, or plugged into the vehicle’s sound system

• a global positioning system (GPS) device that is properly secured to the dashboard or another accessible place in the vehicle

• a portable audio player that has been plugged into the vehicle’s sound system.

Some wireless devices require that users push a button to activate and/or deactivate the device’s “hands-free” function.  This activity is permitted under the law.

HAND-HELD DEVICES

All drivers

Drivers will not be permitted to use hand-held communication and entertainment devices when driving, with the following exceptions:

• Calling 9-1-1 in an emergency situation

• When the driver has safely pulled off the roadway and is stationary or is lawfully parked.

Other devices not included in the ban:

• Viewing a display screen used for collision avoidance systems

• Viewing a display screen of an instrument, gauge or system that provides information to the driver about the status of systems in the motor vehicle.

Emergency Response Personnel

Police, fire department and emergency medical services personnel will be permitted to use hand-held wireless communications devices and view display screens in the normal performance of their duties.

The use of hand-held radios by amateur radio operators (who provide assistance, especially in emergency situations such as severe storms and blackouts) will be phased out within three years, to allow hands-free technologies to be developed.

Commercial Drivers

A small percentage of drivers in transport-related industries (e.g., school buses, taxis, couriers) and public service workers (e.g., transit and highway maintenance workers) rely on the use of certain types of wireless devices and display screen technologies in the performance of day-to-day operations.

To help these businesses stay competitive, Ontario is granting a three-year phase-out period for the commercial use of two-way radios, including mobile and CB radios, to allow for hands-free technologies to be developed.

The new law will not affect mobile data terminals, logistical tracking devices and dispatching devices.  They will be exempt for commercial and public service vehicle drivers who are engaged in the performance of their duties.

Hand-mikes (push-to-talk systems) and portable radios (walkie-talkies) may be used in a hands-free mode.  This would mean the driver can use a lapel button or other hands-free application as long as the hand-mike or walkie-talkies is not held while driving.

For General Release – Thornhill, Ontario

November 19 2009 — Foss National Leasing successfully tested Driver Identification Number technology today on its Foss Fleet Management platform.  Foss is the first fleet management company in Canada to do so.  Secondary tests are commencing with its internal fleet cards over a broader range of locations across the country.  This new enhancement for our fleet management system provides a card that is harder to clone and reuse.  It also paves the way for pay at the pump with improved security and enhanced driver convenience in the future.  Foss expects to initiate client testing and launch in early December.

It has been an incredible 2009 so far in the automotive industry with inconceivably two of the “Big 3” going into and coming out of bankruptcy protection.  Purse strings are still fairly tight on the credit side restricting the way companies were used to doing business in the mid 2000’s. We have all had to change business practices over the past two years and I believe out of these changes will come obviously resilient but also more efficient organizations regardless of sector.

While most have been disgruntled by all the bad news others have been able to take advantage of some positives that are occurring during these tumultuous times including you the customer. Because of the shortage of vehicles both in new and used and the fact that consumers are still uncomfortable with the state of the economy, those looking to replace or just purchase, for the most part are leaning towards used to save some money. Although most dealers have cut back on the amount of inventory they carry, they still need to have some around for potential retail sales and that is why the auction conversion rates and prices have been the highest we have seen consistently in decades. As we speak, there simply are not enough decent vehicles around to meet the consumer demand. [Read the rest of this entry...]

À ce jour, l’année 2009 aura été déconcertante pour l’industrie de l’automobile, et ce, plus particulièrement pour deux fabricants de premier plan (sur trois). Ces deux constructeurs se sont placés sous la Loi de la protection de la faillite et elles ont réussi à s’en sortir. Toutefois, les cordons de la bourse sont toujours relativement serrés en ce qui touche le crédit commercial, de sorte que les compagnies sont de plus en plus restreintes dans leurs habitudes d’affaires comparativement au milieu des années 2000. Nous avons tous eu à modifier nos pratiques d’affaires au cours des deux dernières années et je crois que ces changements nous conduiront vers des entreprises solides et beaucoup plus efficaces, peu importe le secteur d’activité.

Pendant que la majorité des gens étaient exaspérés par toutes ces mauvaises nouvelles, d’autres ont su profiter de certains aspects positifs qui se sont offerts à eux au cours de cette période tumultueuse, dont vous le consommateur. En raison de la pénurie de véhicules neufs ou d’occasion, et le fait que les clients sont toujours inquiets par la conjoncture économique, ceux qui cherchaient à remplacer ou acquérir un véhicule se sont plutôt dirigés vers le marché des véhicules d’occasion par souci d’économie. [Read the rest of this entry...]

Afin d’assurer la sécurité des occupants d’un véhicule, il faut garder les ceintures de sécurité bouclées en tout temps. Lors d’une collision, les ceintures de sécurité empêchent le déplacement des passagers à l’intérieur du véhicule. Elles préviennent aussi la perte de contrôle du véhicule en retenant les conducteurs en place. De prime importance, elles retiennent les passagers à l’intérieur du véhicule lors d’une collision, alors qu’ils auraient pu être propulsés à travers le parebrise ou par la porte sur le pavé.

Les ceintures de sécurité doivent être portées correctement pour être efficaces. Il va de soi pour les sièges de sécurité pour enfants qui doivent être installés correctement.

Comment porter la ceinture de sécurité correctement

• Boucler la ceinture de sécurité, en s’assurant que l’attache est bien emboîtée.
• Si le véhicule est muni d’une ceinture épaulière réglable en hauteur, il faut la régler pour qu’elle passe par-dessus l’épaule et colle à la poitrine.
• Toute ceinture de sécurité doit être portée et réglée correctement selon les directives du guide de l’utilisateur.
• Suivre les directives du fabricant en tout temps lors de l’installation d’un appareil de retenue pour enfant.

Ports fautifs courants de la ceinture de sécurité

• Si la ceinture abdominale passe par-dessus le ventre au lieu des hanches, les organes mous peuvent être sérieusement atteints.
• Une ceinture épaulière qui passe en-dessous du bras permettra un mouvement excessif de la tête et de la poitrine. Ceci peut causer des blessures par contact du corps avec l’intérieur du véhicule.
• Si on laisse du jeu à une ceinture abdominale ou épaulière, le corps peut subir un impact à l’intérieur du véhicule. De plus, ce mauvais ajustement peut permettre au corps de glisser sous la ceinture. Ceci causera la cavité abdominale à absorber le coup plutôt que le bassin.

Les ceintures de sécurité ne sont pas toutes pareilles; il faut toujours déterminer comment les porter correctement avant de prendre la route. Ce petit cinq minutes pourrait finir par sauver la vie.

Sources:

http://www.canadian-health-network.ca/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1001975&pagename=CHN-RCS%2FCHNResource%2FFAQCHNResourceTemplate&lang=En&c=CHNResource

http://www.gov.ns.ca/tran/highwayops/seatbelt.asp

http://www.carsp.ca/belt_use.htm