Shouldn't all new cars have electric backup power brakes and steering by law?

[ron22]

As for the brakes modern brakes already have "back up". Modern master systems are dual units. If one of them fails the other still works.
If you want to test this cut your rear brake line and drive your car. Yes the brakes will go the floor but you know what the front brakes will still work.
This has helped me in the past when I blew a brake line. Like I said the brakes still work just not real good.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by ron22

I thought part of the problem was the steering wheel would lock also when the key was switched off.

Some newer cars don't even have a steering wheel lock at all, they rely only in the transponder key as a passive anti-theft system.

[user removed]

I can't remember a car where you could lock the column without shifting to park, except my 1937 Ford.

regards
Mech

[tony_2018]

You shouldn't always rely on technology to save your butt. You have a set of eyes, hands and feet. Steering wheel in the left hand, right hand on the ebrake, foot on the brake. If you have to get out of gear than that would need to be done first before performing any emergency stop. What we need to do is educate the new generation on emergency driving and not panic on road while trying to get the car started back up to get the car off the road. They teach them how to drive, signal and change lanes but that's about it, what about in case of ANYTHING how do you proceed from there. I understand if a rim came off the car and its hard to maneuver but there are other things that the car is still capable of doing.

[basjoos]

One of the first things I do when I drive a new car is see how steering and brakes perform while coasting with the engine off. How many pumps of brake assist you have, how well the brakes function after the vacuum assist is gone, how effective the e-brake is, how much effort is takes to steer at various speeds, etc. Saved me from wrecking a number of times in various cars such as when a cold engine quietly died on me while coasting to the first stop on the road.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

I can't remember a car where you could lock the column without shifting to park, except my 1937 Ford.

Even in some cars fitted with an AT it was possible to lock the steering without shifting to park. Maybe there's some difference because collumn-mounted shifters are not so usual back here.

[user removed]

In the USA since a woman drove her Audi into her swimming pool and drowned, the regulators made it so you had to have your foot on the brake to shift from park to drive. I think it also works to shift to park. I don't think you can shift to park without your foot on the brake. Even if you start in neutral you still must have your foot on the brake.

I'm sure it is different in other countries. Even on my motorcycle you have to have the clutch disengaged as well as the side stand up, before the bike will crank over.

In the instances I have seen where ignition switches failed, it was due to drivers that had unbelievable numbers of keys on a key chain. A lady with a Mercedes ran a vending machine service and her keys hung all the way to the floor and probably weighed several POUNDS. She complained about having to replace the ignition switch assembly 4 times. I told her to put all of the keys on a separate holder and in the glove box. Problem solved.

regards
Mech

[Xist]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

In the instances I have seen where ignition switches failed, it was due to drivers that had unbelievable numbers of keys on a key chain. A lady with a Mercedes ran a vending machine service and her keys hung all the way to the floor and probably weighed several POUNDS. She complained about having to replace the ignition switch assembly 4 times. I told her to put all of the keys on a separate holder and in the glove box. Problem solved.

regards
Mech

Why would you carry that everywhere?!

[Fat Charlie]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Only 3% or 4% of crashes are aused by mechanical failure.
I don't know if that includes tire failure.

Oddly enough, only 3% or 4% of crashes attributed to mechanical failure were not assisted by abuse or neglect on the part of the operator.

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

Oddly enough, only 3% or 4% of crashes attributed to mechanical failure were not assisted by abuse or neglect on the part of the operator.

I agree the vast majority are due to neglect or abuse.