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Car Forum / Toyota / Toyota Cars / November 2005Corolla parking-brake idiot lights
My wife has several times now driven long distances after forgetting to release the parking brake on her 2004 Corolla sedan. She claims that the layout of the dash plus the position and shape of the steering wheel make it hard to see the instrument cluster, particularly the idiot light in question. (I don't have the same trouble but I'm considerably taller) Anyway, we'd be obliged for any (reasonable) suggestions as to how she can avoid this problem in future. My VW Jetta sounds an audible alarm if the parking brake is engaged for more than approx 10 seconds while the wheels are turning - is it possible to hack the Corolla's computer to do the same? > My wife has several times now driven long distances > after forgetting to release the parking brake on [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > seconds while the wheels are turning - is it possible > to hack the Corolla's computer to do the same? adjust the steering wheel position > My wife has several times now driven long distances > after forgetting to release the parking brake on [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > seconds while the wheels are turning - is it possible > to hack the Corolla's computer to do the same? I wouldn't hack the computer. You'll void the warranty at least, and maybe mess something else up to boot. Try tapping the brake warning light circuit (I don't know where it is, but if you can use a meter or a voltage light it shouldn't be too har to find) and attaching an audible alarm that activates with the ignition on and the warning light lit. Oh, and can the Jetta...fast! > I wouldn't hack the computer. You'll void the warranty at least, > and maybe mess something else up to boot. Try tapping the brake > warning light circuit (I don't know where it is, but if you can > use a meter or a voltage light it shouldn't be too har to find) > and attaching an audible alarm that activates with the ignition > on and the warning light lit. Oh, and can the Jetta...fast! Worthy suggestions, all, except the "can the Jetta" one - my Jetta is a diesel and I love it. Note that my previous favorite vehicle was an old Corolla with an R90 engine (a truly wonderful piece of engineering) but, after it was stolen, the assh*les at the various local Toyota stealerships were so VERY, UNBELIVEABLY, SPECTACULARLY, BREATHTAKINGLY STUPID, ARROGANT AND GREEDY (!!) as to guarantee that I not only went sprinting into the arms of ANY other stealership but I also vowed to never, ever again do business with Toyota. My wife bought the Corolla in question against her better judgement and despite my repeated warnings about the local stealerships. She now also regrets doing business with them for reasons unrelated to this thread. Oh, well... >> I wouldn't hack the computer. You'll void the warranty at least, >> and maybe mess something else up to boot. Try tapping the brake [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > also regrets doing business with them for reasons unrelated > to this thread. Oh, well... That totally sucks! (Um, so did my experience with VW's!) > She now >also regrets doing business with them for reasons unrelated >to this thread. Oh, well... Quite amazing how some find Toyota dealerships...we have only one here in this small town and one couldn't find a more cooperative friendly shop. They've gotten several national awards for excellence in the past few years...maybe the fact that there's 3 Toyotas living at my house helps? :) -- -Gord. (use gordon in email) >> I wouldn't hack the computer. You'll void the warranty at least, >> and maybe mess something else up to boot. Try tapping the brake [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > also regrets doing business with them for reasons unrelated > to this thread. Oh, well... Toyota needs to do what Dell did with computers and allow us to buy cars online, delivered to homes. This way, we by pass the dealerships. Have dealerships become Toyota auto centers for fixing and maintenance. They can still make some $$ this way. >>> I wouldn't hack the computer. You'll void the warranty at least, >>> and maybe mess something else up to boot. Try tapping the brake [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > dealerships become Toyota auto centers for fixing and maintenance. They can > still make some $$ this way. Hmmm.....if they aren't making profit selling cars, they'll have to make it up in repairs? Er, I don't think so, Tim. BTW, this is basically how it's done in Japan, esp the large cities. The salesman comes to your home with brochures, you pick which cars you'd like to look at, and then they bring them by for your viewing pleasure. Sure am gald I ain't selling cars in Japan!!! > My wife has several times now driven long distances > after forgetting to release the parking brake on > her 2004 Corolla sedan. Get a new wife. How hard is it to see that the PB lever is sticking up like an erect...  SignatureTeGGeR? >> My wife has several times now driven long distances >> after forgetting to release the parking brake on >> her 2004 Corolla sedan. > > Get a new wife. How hard is it to see that the PB lever is sticking > up like an erect... Well... when my 2003 Corolla was new/low mileage, the parking brake had LITTLE slack in it. After about 30k miles rolled past, it had a typical amount of lever travel when applied. But I'm on your side ... the OP's wife is "absent minded." Signature- Philip Yea, she needs to wake up , or move her head 2 inches so she can check the light, or check the brake handle, or stop using it altogether, unless she's on a hill. Your wife bought the Toyota against her and , apparently your better judgement, but did it anyways. I'd tell her to deal with it..... > TeGGer® wrote: >> [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > amount of lever travel when applied. But I'm on your side ... the OP's > wife is "absent minded." On 5 Dec 2004 00:24:42 GMT, "TeGGer®" <teggeratistopdotcom@changetheobvious.invalid> wrote: >> My wife has several times now driven long distances >> after forgetting to release the parking brake on >> her 2004 Corolla sedan. > >Get a new wife. How hard is it to see that the PB lever is sticking up like >an erect... Maybe he has a 'perfect' wife... ...one that is 3 feet tall with a flat head to hold your beer while she is...... -- Scott in Florida >>> My wife has several times now driven long distances >>> after forgetting to release the parking brake on [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > -- > Scott in Florida The perfect wife is on the payroll to come in once every two weeks to clean the house and then leave. All else is negotiable. Signature- Philip "If a man's home is his castle, why won't he clean it?" Perhaps his wife does not recognize an erect....? ;) mike hunt "TeGGer®" wrote: > > My wife has several times now driven long distances > > after forgetting to release the parking brake on [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > -- > TeGGeR® if its a manual trans. tell her to pull the hand brake extra hard so it will stall when she trys to take off. it would be very difficult to rig the car to meet your means |
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