Vehicle Control Failsafes

The cluster discusses safety mechanisms and driver interventions for handling malfunctions like unintended acceleration, self-drive failures, or stuck throttles, contrasting manual transmissions, clutches, pedals, and engine braking with drive-by-wire and electronic systems.

📉 Falling 0.3x Hardware
3,611
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#6190
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
1
2008
3
2009
29
2010
94
2011
41
2012
44
2013
108
2014
109
2015
149
2016
281
2017
100
2018
249
2019
265
2020
166
2021
270
2022
501
2023
465
2024
420
2025
298
2026
20

Keywords

IMHO BMW wikipedia.org OMG UK RPM i.e FMVSS ICE DCT car throttle engine wheel neutral drive brake motor cars torque

Sample Comments

maximilianthe1 Apr 6, 2025 View on HN

In case of self-drive malfunction you still have a gas pedal under a human's foot

utf_8x Jan 9, 2025 View on HN

Despite not being mentioned directly, the car is almost certainly manual so in case something like that happens, you can just shift to neutral (or even just press the clutch)

bagels Sep 16, 2021 View on HN

If you hit brakes or steer, it disengages.

ripjaygn Apr 19, 2024 View on HN

At least you can steer the car with unintentional acceleration, unlike with wheels falling off.

spacecadet Apr 16, 2024 View on HN

Go check your car, 50/50 it has a pedal that friction slips onto a metal arm, has been a common approach for a long time. Get this! They usually slip down!Cyberfucks lol

lm28469 Aug 8, 2019 View on HN

What's the link between start and stop and pedals ? Isn't it seamless for the driver ?

defap Sep 26, 2019 View on HN

I believe it's controlled by a sort of dead man's switch, i.e. you must continuously hold down a button for the car to move.

johnisgood Jul 6, 2022 View on HN

As I understand, you just have to have "cruise control" turned off, and these things will not happen.

Rastonbury Oct 31, 2023 View on HN

They are referring to engine braking of manual ICE

garaetjjte Jun 18, 2021 View on HN

How this would even work without drive-by-wire?