How to Take Control of a Runaway Vehicle

(Feb. 10) -- If you drive a vehicle suspected of having a sticky accelerator pedal, pay close attention to that pedal's behavior.

An accelerator pedal that becomes harder than normal to depress, or a pedal that takes longer to return to its original position, could be a precursor to a pedal that actually sticks, according to automobile engineers.

Consumer Reports, published by the independent Consumers Union, also says the problem could strike without warning.

Unexpected acceleration can be a dangerous, life-threatening situation, but don't panic. Stuck accelerator pedals are rare among the more than 8 million worldwide recalls by Toyota and Pontiac, and you can safely stop a vehicle after the accelerator sticks.

However, you should experiment with the safe vehicle stopping procedures recommended by Toyota and CR before you actually need them, in the event your vehicle accelerates unexpectedly.

The safe-stopping procedures outlined by the two organizations differ slightly, but the result should be the same.

If your vehicle suddenly accelerates:

1. Brake firmly, with two feet if possible. Do not pump the brakes. Recalled models come with power-braking assistance that require steady pressure to do the pumping for you.

Do not turn off the engine, CR says, because that will disable power steering and power assist for your brakes, making it harder to control a heavy vehicle.

2. Shift the transmission into neutral and continue braking. Don't be alarmed if the engine revs up, CR says. That's normal if the vehicle is in neutral and the accelerator is depressed or stuck.

"Most cars have rev-limiters to protect against damage," according to CR.

Here, Toyota says if you are unable to put your vehicle in neutral, turn the engine off. You will, however, experience loss of the power assist to steering and braking.

3. Steer to a safe location, come to a full stop and shut off the engine.

CR says you should shut off the vehicle while the transmission is still in neutral.

Toyota says simply turn off the engine, and, if the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC (accessories) position to turn off the engine. If your vehicle has an engine start/stop button, push the button firmly and steadily for at least three seconds, but do not tap it.

In either case, Toyota advises, "Do NOT remove the key from the ignition, as this will lock the steering wheel."

4. Finally, shift the transmission into park, CR says. Or with a manual transmission, set the emergency brake.

"Then breathe deep and call for help. Do not drive the car," CR adds.

Toyota's and CR's published safe-stopping procedures don't discuss stopping procedures in detail for those who drive vehicles with manual transmissions. But Mike Quincy, an automobile analyst at Consumer Union's Auto Test Center, told AOL News that those who drive manual transmissions have a slightly different, but perhaps easier, procedure.

Shifting gears with a manual transmission requires depressing the clutch, leaving only one foot to depress the brake. But when drivers of manual transmission vehicles shift gears, it's natural to pop into neutral.

"You pass through neutral every time you shift gears, so it's a natural instinct. Pushing in the clutch alone will also take the transmission out of gear. After that, it's the same procedure," said Quincy.

Floor mat recall

While the sticky accelerator pedal recall is related to mechanical problems now under repair, another unexpected acceleration problem could be caused by an incompatible design problem affecting the driver's side floor mat and accelerator pedal, according to Toyota.

Toyota plans to redesign the shape of the accelerator pedal and, for some models, reshape the floor surface under the pedal to increase the space between the pedal and the floor.

Meanwhile, Toyota recommends removing the floor mat and not replacing it until the remedy is in place.

• Toyota offers a video about the floor mat recall.

• CR also offers a video about the floor mat problem.

• Watch Toyota's stopping procedure video.

• Watch Consumer Reports' stopping procedure video.

• Consumer Reports also offers a more detailed stopping procedure video.