EOC - concerns
 

While doing some very low-speed (luckily) testing of EOC (engine-off-coast) in a parking lot, at one point during a turn, I was coasting, and had apparently turned the key to 'off' rather than 'accessory', and the steering wheel locked. I had enough time to slow down and unlock the steering wheel, but it was a scary adrenaline-filled second when the wheel wouldn't turn where I wanted it.

Anybody else ever run into this and/or is there a way to address it aside from modding the vehicle by putting in something like a fuel cutoff button to manually disable the engine without the key?

(first post, btw, cool site)
-Jesse

Hi Jesse -

First, welcome to the site.

Second, glad you tried this in a parking lot and not on the road! Seriously. I bet there was some adrenaline.

I made a kill switch for my car, though I also use the technique in other cars without one. I can't say that I've ever mistakenly turned to "OFF" and locked the steering, but like most driving tasks it'll probably take a lot of repetition before the correct way to do it becomes a habit.

Aside from the kill switch, I can't think of any other easy "fix" for the problem other than careful repetition.

And I wouldn't recommend using the technique if you're not 100% comfortable with it and understand the potential risks. (It sounds like you're aware ;))

Hello and welcome to the site Jesse.

I hate to say it, but your doing it wrong. :) The proper procedure for EOC has been talked about a few times. Here is a link:

http://forum.ecomodder.com/showthread.php?t=1388

I know I was doing it wrong (obviously) :) but I'm just saying that it was really easy to turn the key the extra click and get it wrong. Just a word of caution to those who might attempt it I suppose.

The first time I tried it I turned it to Lock and removed the key (!)... it was just my automatic 'turn it off' move. I was just rolling to a stop, but it's probably better to practice while you're sitting still a few times. You get used to it very quickly, and there's zero chance of screwing it up once you've done it a few times. A kill switch is still better, just because key assemblies are very expensive.

I took out the steering lock in my lumina. It was pretty simple, but I do think a kill switch would be easier to install.

Randy - removing the key: that's funny!

Somewhat related: on 3 occasions I've disconnected the main battery pack cable in the electric car by pressing the clutch pedal, which is rigged as the emergency shut off. Each time I did it was an "automatic" combo move: get in, seatbelt on, insert key and depress the clutch. Also each time I was also either tired or distracted.

Even standard driving is not safe if the driver is tired or distracted.

What I like best about ecomodders and hypermilers is that they just plain pay more attention!

Also as a side note, if you do put in a seperate kill switch, you're better off putting in something that kills your spark, instead of your fuel. Interrupting the tach wire going into your distributer is always a safe bet.. assuming you have a distributer, of course. If you do decide to go this route, I can give you the wire color and location of this wire if you provide me with your year, make, and model.

Welcome

my first EOC was rough. was on the road - granted there was no one aroung me but it was not in a parking lot - really stupid on my part.

To this day i am unsure what i did wrong, but i poped the clutch and the engine did not fire up. had to stop car then start with key.

I THINK it was miss-keyed and not "ON".
but after that ( and several lower speed checks in my development) the pattern becomes almost habit.

Steve