^ ...but if you're driving down the road you need to hold the button down for a bit. That's the way I understand it.

 

You hear about these unfortunate cases every now and again. In the end, it always comes down to the driver not having the presence of mind to take an appropriate action, sadly.

 

Every car I've driven so far allowed me to shift into N at any speed, even while accelerating, but if you can't on some Toyotas, that would definitely be an interestingbit of info.

Afaik, the way shifters are designed, you can always go into N, but never through it unless you're on the brakes.

 

I can shift right into neutral from drive at any speed in my '06 RAV4, no problems.

 

Just to clarify, you can shift an automatic car into neutral at any speed while the gas pedal is depressed?

 

The latest model 4runner I had was a 2003 I think, and I used to knock it into neutral by mistake all the time, even while accelerating. New ones may be different, and if that is the case, that is a MAJOR hazard.

Though I really doubt that is the case, even if there is a lockout, anyone would be strong enough to break it if need be.

The push button start on the other hand I can almost sympathize with. If I just got a car with push button start ( just about to actually ) I can see the many years of driving experience with a key getting in the way of thinking it through in a panic situation.

Not to mention, it takes a fair bit of power to out drive your brakes. Sure you'll do some damage but throw the parking brake on, slam the brakes to the floor and I can't see the car keeping speed. Force it into neutral lock out or not and accident avoided.

 

I've driven multiple toyotas, new and old, and they all were able to shift into neutral at speed.

i can actually see the motor just demolishing the parking brake and cooking the brakes in the new model lexus's. they have some powerful motors. still, thats what i wouldve done, shift in neutral and get on the brakes.