Elmo P. Shagnasty
2009-10-06 15:41:50 UTC
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2009/09/explaining-the-toyota-floormat
-recall.html
"So, what is it about these floormats that¹s causing the problem?
Basically, any automaker¹s floormats can slide forward if they¹re not
attached to a hook that keeps them in place. However, the Lexus and
Toyota models in question include a hook that can be detached from the
carpet, meaning there are two ways for the floormat to become dislodged.
According to Hanson, the design stems from the fact that floormats are
an option across the Toyota lineup, and someone buying a car without
them wouldn¹t want a fixed stem protruding from the carpet."
If you look at the picture on the web site, then go look at your own
floor mats, you'll see the issue.
I can see it now: Toyota lawyers will design the fix such that the
floor mats are hooked to the seat frame in some fashion--which fixes the
complaint that hooks stick up from the floor itself--along with an
electrical wire which will break if the physical connection fails and
the mat moves. When the wire breaks, it will either light up a "floor
mat" light on the dash, or--more likely, given Toyota's nanny-state
lawyers--prevent the car from starting. They'll just light up the light
and hook it all into the same security ignition key system that's
already in the cars today, the car won't start until the wire's fixed,
and Bob's your uncle.
Sure, it's easy enough to short out that system and make it work no
matter what. But the owner would have taken active steps to do that,
and Toyota is off the hook (pun intended).
-recall.html
"So, what is it about these floormats that¹s causing the problem?
Basically, any automaker¹s floormats can slide forward if they¹re not
attached to a hook that keeps them in place. However, the Lexus and
Toyota models in question include a hook that can be detached from the
carpet, meaning there are two ways for the floormat to become dislodged.
According to Hanson, the design stems from the fact that floormats are
an option across the Toyota lineup, and someone buying a car without
them wouldn¹t want a fixed stem protruding from the carpet."
If you look at the picture on the web site, then go look at your own
floor mats, you'll see the issue.
I can see it now: Toyota lawyers will design the fix such that the
floor mats are hooked to the seat frame in some fashion--which fixes the
complaint that hooks stick up from the floor itself--along with an
electrical wire which will break if the physical connection fails and
the mat moves. When the wire breaks, it will either light up a "floor
mat" light on the dash, or--more likely, given Toyota's nanny-state
lawyers--prevent the car from starting. They'll just light up the light
and hook it all into the same security ignition key system that's
already in the cars today, the car won't start until the wire's fixed,
and Bob's your uncle.
Sure, it's easy enough to short out that system and make it work no
matter what. But the owner would have taken active steps to do that,
and Toyota is off the hook (pun intended).