National Academe of Science Sudden Unintentional Acceleration Meeting January 28, 2011 Presented by: David Champion - Auto Test Director

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Jasmin Byrd
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1 National Academe of Science Sudden Unintentional Acceleration Meeting January 28, 2011 Presented by: David Champion - Auto Test Director

2 80+ Vehicles Purchased Anonymously National Academe of Sciences

SAFETY: OUR MAIN FOCUS National Academe of Sciences Each Vehicle Undergoes 50 Different Tests and Evaluations Braking: dry, wet, ABS, fade Emergency handling Routine handling

3 SAFETY: OUR MAIN FOCUS National Academe of Sciences Each Vehicle Undergoes 50 Different Tests and Evaluations Braking: dry, wet, ABS, fade Emergency handling Routine handling Driving Position/Visibility Controls and Displays Acceleration Headlight performance Fuel Economy Seat comfort Transmission Ride Interior noise Access Trunk Interior fit and finish

5 Overall Test Score from the 50 different tests Reliability from Annual Survey Owner Satisfaction from Annual Survey Owner Cost calculation of depreciation, fuel costs, insurance, loan interest, sales tax and maintenance and repair

6 2010 Annual Questionnaire Mailed Spring 2010 Greater than 5 million subscribers (CR & CR.org) 1.3 million vehicles Data on models covering 10 years Largest U.S. survey of its kind

9 Tire testing

10 Overall Score is a weighted average of the following: Dry Braking Wet Braking Hydroplaning Resistance Dry and Wet Cornering Ice braking Snow traction Ride Comfort and Noise Emergency dry handling and wet handling Rolling resistance Tread Life Safety related items like braking, handling, hydroplaning resistance and winter grip are emphasized in the overall score

11 Rolling Resistance Consumer Reports says use rolling resistance as a tiebreaker. Why? Some tires compromise dry and / or wet grip and tread-life for optimum rolling resistance.

12 Consumer Reports Child Passenger Safety Testing: Bringing Two Worlds Together

13 Ease-of-Use Fit-to-Vehicle Crash Performance / Sled Test Performance

14 Changes suggested by Consumer Reports following the Toyota SUA incidents Brake override. Simple ignition switches. Easily understood transmission shifters. Adequate distance between pedals and floor.

15 Brake Override Require cars to be able to stop within a reasonable distance, even with the throttle fully open. A sustained press on the brake pedal should allow the car to stop in a reasonable distance, even if the throttle is wide open. One method to reduce stopping distances is smart throttle technology that allows the brakes to override the throttle. But other methods would be acceptable, as long as the vehicle can stop within a reasonable and safe distance that would be determined by regulators.

16 Simple Ignition Switches Require simple, standard controls that turn off the engine in an emergency. In many current Toyota vehicles, for instance, the engine is shut off with a single press of the button when parked, but when the car is moving it requires a sustained three-second push. Though that s a safety precaution to prevent accidental engine shut-off, it s an action many owners may never guess, particularly if they are panicked. Toyota has changed how its start-stop ignition button operates to improve ease of use. Ignition controls including push buttons should provide immediately intuitive operation in the event of an emergency.

Easily Understood Transmission Shifters Mandate intuitive, clearly labeled

If your car is accelerating out of control, hitting the brakes and shifting

The advent of gated and electronic shifters can make finding Neutral if the

17 Easily Understood Transmission Shifters Mandate intuitive, clearly labeled transmission shifters in all new cars. If your car is accelerating out of control, hitting the brakes and shifting into Neutral is your best strategy. The advent of gated and electronic shifters can make finding Neutral if the driver is in a panic confusing. Shifters should be designed so that a driver can quickly identify the neutral position and easily shift gears to regain control.

Adequate Distance Between Pedals And Floor Require a minimum distance between the gas pedal and the floorboard. Floor mats that entrapped throttle pedals have been a major focus in recent recalls.

18 Adequate Distance Between Pedals And Floor Require a minimum distance between the gas pedal and the floorboard. Floor mats that entrapped throttle pedals have been a major focus in recent recalls. People frequently use thick all-weather floor-mats, illfitting mats, or stack one mat atop the other. So why not design for failure in this case? Simply allowing for sufficient clearance between the pedal and the floor mat, no matter what position the pedal is in, will reduce the risk of pedal entrapment.

19 Vehicle measurements Seat to Steering Wheel Offset Seat to Brake Pedal Offset Brake to Accelerator Centerline Brake Pedal to floor height. Brake Pedal to Accelerator Depth

20 Mode l Y e a r Model Centerline of seat to centerline of brake pedal (+ve rt, - ve lt) Centerline of seat to centerlin e of steering wheel (+ve rt, - ve lt) Centerline of brake pedal to centerline of accelerato r pedal Height from he floor o center of brake pedal Depth of accelerato r pedal from brake pedal 2007 Toyota Sienna AWD Chrysler Town & Country Honda Accord Jeep Liberty Chevrolet Aveo LT Honda Pilot Hyundai Azera Infiniti G37 convertible Infiniti G37 coupe Nissan 370Z Toyota Avalon Volkswagen Routan Acura MDX SH AWD Audi A6 3.0 T Buick LaCrosse

21 60 Pedal Depth 69 vehicles 50 Number of Vehicles vehicles - 5 Toyotas Pedal Offset [in]

22 2011 Audi A8 L Jaguar XJL Mitsubishi Outlander Subaru Forester VW Touareg Mazda Miata (manual) Lexus GX Lexus IS250 Convertible Lincoln MKZ Toyota 4 Runner Toyota Prius Toyota Yaris Kia Sorento 6cyl 1.00

23 National Academe of Sciences

Arthritic hands; diminished fine motor skills. Thick steering wheel. Keyless ignition Power mirrors Power seats. Keyless entry

Arthritic hands; diminished fine motor skills. Thick steering wheel. Keyless ignition Power mirrors Power seats. Keyless entry Thick Acura MDX $40,910 $48,710 Acura RDX $33,910 $37,410 Acura RL $46,995 $54,415 Acura TL $34,440 $39,140 Acura TSX $28,905 $31,005 Audi A3 $26,705 $35,690 Audi A4 $29,675 $39,175 Audi A6 $43,725 $57,075