Sudden acceleration

Burgo · Apr 8, 2024

Rolfe said:
Why has nobody ever made this error when driving a DSG?

Because with an internal combustion engine you get immediate audible feed back of the engine revving when you push the accelerator as well as haptic feedback in the form of vibration. This immediately makes you aware the powers being applied as you push the accelerator.
With a BEV you don't get this - and the problem is compounded by the near instantaneous power delivery.

Ian Key · Apr 9, 2024

Reading paragraph No. 2 I'm just wondering if the ACC was accidentality activated, for example the star button was pressed and the driver caught the pilot switch, causing the car to accelerate to 20mph. But why didn't it activate the brakes when it detected the van in front?

tsedge · Apr 9, 2024

Hmmm... this is concerning!

When people talk about ACC not working (not Ian) are you referring to AEB? Automatic Emergency Braking? That would make more sense.

I would note:

- Pressing the wrong pedal and not realising it IS a real thing. People are certain they used the brake when they did not. Their muscle memory plays a trick on them.

- It is certainly possible a bug could exist in the car somewhere but this is obviously something there are rigorous safeguards against.

Since there can be no evidence on what really happened, short of having a footwell camera in sync with an outside camera, I am not sure what to make of these reports.

Edd Beesley · Apr 9, 2024

They almost always occur in car parks/when manoeuvring. With the interaction between creep/hill hold/regen/opd and changes of direction there’s a lot going on (for the driver). Gently holding the brake just the right amount to control your creep to move forward to slowly park feels very similar to gently holding the accelerator just the right amount to move forward to slowly park if there’s a hill or gravel or mud involved, for example.

I have made the reverse mistake (many years ago in a Prius), thinking I was gently holding the accelerator going through a roundabout, then wanted to speed up. I pushed the pedal and slowed down, pushed harder and hit a dead stop. If I can make that mistake then it’s very easy to believe people make the reverse mistake. Only takes a minor distraction, something on the radio, seeing something odd out the window, thinking about another car while operating this one, being in a different emotional state, or simply being in a rush.

DaevM · Apr 9, 2024

Not very helpful I know, but feel it needs to be said about now - "bloody computers!! " .
( apologies to those offended )

Ian Key said:
View attachment 25586

Reading paragraph No. 2 I'm just wondering if the ACC was accidentality activated, for example the star button was pressed and the driver caught the pilot switch, causing the car to accelerate to 20mph. But why didn't it activate the brakes when it detected the van in front?

I'm trying not to use any of the assists that I have control over.
I used to use ( and loved) cruise control in all my previous vehicles including my last ev, Kia Soul. It was possible to leave CC on but not active, i.e. overriden by braking / accelerating ( but mostly braking) . Is it the same with the MG4 ? - Switched on but not active ACC ?
If so, presumably the potential for some 'confusion', whether on behalf of the user or the vehicle is a possibility.

fnegroni · Apr 9, 2024

Edd Beesley said:
They almost always occur in car parks/when manoeuvring. With the interaction between creep/hill hold/regen/opd and changes of direction there’s a lot going on (for the driver). Gently holding the brake just the right amount to control your creep to move forward to slowly park feels very similar to gently holding the accelerator just the right amount to move forward to slowly park if there’s a hill or gravel or mud involved, for example.

I have made the reverse mistake (many years ago in a Prius), thinking I was gently holding the accelerator going through a roundabout, then wanted to speed up. I pushed the pedal and slowed down, pushed harder and hit a dead stop. If I can make that mistake then it’s very easy to believe people make the reverse mistake. Only takes a minor distraction, something on the radio, seeing something odd out the window, thinking about another car while operating this one, being in a different emotional state, or simply being in a rush.

True. But a few months back, I was basically boxed into my parking space and had to perform close to 50 forward and reverse manoeuvres to get the car out, including having to get out the car regularly to check how many inches spare I had with the walls in front and behind, the pillar to my left and the abysmally parked car next to me.
If there had been a bug that would have triggered it I think.
The only times I catch myself going the wrong direction while doing a three point turn is when I forget that reverse is twist counterclockwise.

siteguru · Apr 9, 2024

DaevM said:
Not very helpful I know, but feel it needs to be said about now - "bloody computers!! " .
( apologies to those offended )

I'm trying not to use any of the assists that I have control over.
I used to use ( and loved) cruise control in all my previous vehicles including my last ev, Kia Soul. It was possible to leave CC on but not active, i.e. overriden by braking / accelerating ( but mostly braking) . Is it the same with the MG4 ? - Switched on but not active ACC ?
If so, presumably the potential for some 'confusion', whether on behalf of the user or the vehicle is a possibility.

Yes it is ... if a speed target is set it appears near the top-left of the driver display. If it is Grey then ACC is off; White then ACC is available but not active; Green then ACC is active.

TJA works the same, the difference being that you also see a steering wheel icon in that area (following the same colour scheme).

Sudden acceleration

Burgo

Established Member

Ian Key

Distinguished Member

tsedge

Edd Beesley

Standard Member

DaevM

Established Member

fnegroni

Prominent Member

siteguru

Distinguished Member

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