Unless you’ve been holidaying in a cave for the past few days, you’ll know that Toyota has instigated a huge recall after it was discovered that the accelerator pedal in certain models could stick open.
Almost 181,000 cars are being recalled in the UK alone. Models affected are the iQ, Aygo, Yaris, Auris, Corolla, Avensis and Verso. For full information on the recall, go to www.toyota.co.uk/recall/index.html.
If you are driving a car and find the accelerator pedal sticks open, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has offered the following advice: “Press the brake firmly, then the clutch, disengaging the power. In an automatic, drivers should brake, wait for a reaction from the vehicle and then put the car into neutral. You can still steer, too, so a stuck accelerator isn’t actually the disaster it sounds,” said the IAM’s Assistant Chief Examiner, Stephen Mead.
“Look for somewhere to stop safely, indicate and make the manoeuvre as you would under normal circumstances. There will be loud revving in the background and you will probably be in a state of shock, but if you remain calm you can avoid serious danger.”
Mr Mead offered this advice for owners of car models subject to recall: “Do look into getting a recall as soon as possible. Surprisingly few people actually approach manufacturers for recalls, which means the vehicles get sold on with the fault going unknown.”
