About Used Cars

What’s up with the Toyota Floor Mat?

In addition to the accelerator pedal recall there’s also a recall involving the floor mat. It’s called the floor mat entrapment recall. This recall doesn’t affect all Toyota vehicles. It appears to only affect the vehicles listed below:

• 2005-2010 Avalon
• 2007-2010 Camry
• 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2008-2010 Highlander
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2004-2009 Prius
• 2005-2010 Tacoma
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2009-2010 VENZA

What happens with the floor mat entrapment?

The problem arises when an ill fitting or unsecured floor mat interferes with the operation of the accelerator pedal. Unfortunately, it may cause the gas pedal to get suck in the depressed position.

Currently, Toyota has come up with a few temporary remedies until the recall is complete:

• If your vehicle has a genuine Toyota designed floor mat or a genuine Toyota Lexis designed all weather floor mat, you can receive a newly designed replacement format that is compatible with the accelerator pedal.

• Reshape the accelerator pedal: Toyota will also reshape the accelerator pedal to prevent the risk of floor mat entrapment. Additionally with some Camry and Avalon models, Toyota will modify the distance between the accelerator a pedal and the floor to prevent such entrapment from occurring.

• Finally, as of this writing, Toyota is working on installing a brake override system. When the break overwrite system is engaged, it will force the vehicle to respond only to the brake and ignore the depressed accelerator pedal. For a time frame for the brake override roll out, check out Toyota’s Recall Information webpage.

If you own one of the Toyota models affected by this recall, remove your floor mat. Do not install another one until after you have contacted your Toyota dealer.

Further to the earlier Toyota recall post, I fee it’s necessary to list instructions on what to do if you have the unfortunate occasion to be driving a vehicle with a sticky accelerator pedal. Most consumers know where and how to contact their nearest Toyota dealer, but do you know how to respond if your gas pedal doesn’t?

• Put both feet on the brake pedal in an attempt to stop or slow the car down. Do not pump the brakes as pumping the brakes depletes the vacuum assist. Depleting the vacuum assist makes it more difficult and requires more pressure on the brakes to stop the car.

• Slip the car into Neutral.

• Steer your way out of trouble if you can.

• Do not shut the car off while you are attempting to slow/stop or steer the car out of trouble. Turning the car of will prevent the brakes from working and lock the steering wheel. You need to have them both engaged in order to minimize potential damage.

Fixing the Problem

Toyota is working diligently to fix the sticky accelerator problem. Some dealerships are staying open 24 hours a day working on the recall. That’s well and good, but unfortunately, while they’re working on the problem, thousands of consumers are still driving around in vehicles that are potentially affected.

Although the condition is rare, there were still (as of this writing) 19 deaths in the past 10 years related to the sticky accelerator.

If you have the option of driving an alternative vehicle until Toyota completes its recall, you are strongly advised to do so.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation offers sound advice and tips for private car sellers. They spell out the car selling process and provide a template of steps and information required for the sale of a used car.

Let’s start with the Used Vehicle Information Packet. This handy little packet provides potential buyers with the basic information required to help make a car buying decision.. The Used Vehicle Information Packet (UVIP) contains the following info:

1. Description of vehicle which includes:
   • VIN (vehicle identification number)
   • Year, make model
   • Plate number
   • Color
   • Body type
   • Number of cylinders
   • Power
   • Brand
   • Status (such as suspended, unfit or wrecked)
2. Ontario vehicle history
3. Outstanding liens
4. Odometer info
5. Wholesale and retail values
6. Sales tax requirements
7. Bill of sale
8. Tips on vehicle safety standard inspections

This is a pretty comprehensive packet of information. There are some instances where this information is not required, for example when transferring the car to a spouse or child. However, to be absolutely sure of whether or not it is required, contact the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

Where to Get the UVIP Packet

The packet is available for sale from any office that issues driver and vehicle licenses or it can be purchased online from Service Ontario . The UVIP must be shown to all prospective buyers and finally given to the party that purchases the used car.