run away engine.......how would you stop it?
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Joined: Jul 2008
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My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i
you've all probably heard about the toyota recall, and the story of the runaway lexus that wouldnt shutoff or stop. i was wondering, what if your bmw's engine starts revving and wont stop, and you're in gear cruising along.
on the newer cars there's no key, and the lci cars have electric shifters. what if the computer goes haywire and you cant shutoff the engine or shift in neutral....what do you do?
on the newer cars there's no key, and the lci cars have electric shifters. what if the computer goes haywire and you cant shutoff the engine or shift in neutral....what do you do?
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Massachusetts, USA
My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny.
2008 328I Convertible, Sapphire black on beige interior. Premium package, NAV, iPod adapter.
Retired: 2002 325I, Titanium silver on black leather. Premium package. Absolutely stock and proud of it.
It's unlikely that you would lose braking, ignition and shifting at the same time, and if you do, your options seem very slim. Here's an article regarding this subject:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8498257.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8498257.stm
Thread Starter
Senior Members
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,652
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My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i
It's unlikely that you would lose braking, ignition and shifting at the same time, and if you do, your options seem very slim. Here's an article regarding this subject:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8498257.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8498257.stm
it'd be nice to just have at least one mechanical way of stopping the car.....like having a manual shifter so that you can go to neutral.
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From: St. Louis Burbs, USA
My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Failing the old "bump it into neutral and let the motor explode," I'd just point it toward my mother-in-law's house.
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From: New Orleans, LA
My Ride: 2008 550I M Sport, Premium pkg, Logic 7, Sport Automatic Trans, Paddle Shifters, Nav, Comfort Access, Rear Shades, Satellite, PDC
Fortunately our cars kill the throttle when the brake is pressed. Toyota is starting to include this as a program patch since the pedal is a small part of the acceleration problem. Even if the ECU fails like in the Toyota's, neutral is always an option while braking.
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From: San Francisco
I read on either this site or another that if the start button is pressed repeatedly (several times) while the car is being driven, this will shut off the engine. Can anyone confirm that this is indeed true?
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From: Originally from Koeln, Deutschland. Enjoying it in Bonita Springs, Florida Now :)
Put the clutch in, let the engine redline itselft to death, get an new engine free under warranty. Done deal 
On an automatic, just pop it into neutral...don't turn off the engine cause the steering will lock up, the brake booster won't be boosting no more...
On an automatic, just pop it into neutral...don't turn off the engine cause the steering will lock up, the brake booster won't be boosting no more...
