Chances are, you've never experienced this situation yourself. In fact, a machine's gas pedal getting stuck isn't very common. But when it does happen? Information technology tin brand for a pretty frightening and dangerous experience. In just seconds, your vehicle tin accelerate to high speeds and become unresponsive to you lot hitting the brakes. The skillful news is that there are a few quick steps you can take to ensure your safety if your auto's gas pedal is stuck.

What causes a car'due south gas pedal to get stuck?

A speedometer showing 120 mph
Speedometer | Oliver Berg/picture alliance via Getty Images

Stuck gas pedals are rare. But when it comes to what causes a motorcar's gas pedal to get stuck, in that location could really exist a couple of reasons. First, Set Automobile reports, a stuck gas pedal could point to human being error. Such an error could be as uncomplicated as one of your automobile's floor mats getting wedged under the auto'south accelerator pedal.

Misplaced floormats aren't the only reason a car's gas pedal might become stuck. In fact, BreakerLink reports that a stuck gas pedal could besides mean a faulty throttle. If you find that your car's accelerator pedal is getting stuck or if the car'southward speed picks up in irregular bursts, you lot may want to check in with your local mechanic before getting behind the bike again, reports BreakerLink.

What do you do if your accelerator pedal gets stuck?

At present, say y'all do find yourself behind the wheel and your car'due south gas pedal gets stuck. While the state of affairs is both dangerous and frightening, Land Farm does have a few quick steps you can have if your automobile'southward gas pedal sticks. First and foremost, try to stay at-home and not panic. While that's likely easier said than done, staying at-home in such a situation is beneficial.

Next, endeavor pushing the brake down. Use both feet and hold the brake downward every bit firmly as possible. Don't, however, pump the brake pedal or release it. Equally Land Farm explains, doing so could cause your car's brakes to get stiff. In one case y'all've applied the brakes, try shifting your vehicle into neutral. State Farm says to depress the clutch and shift gears if y'all ain a motorcar with a transmission transmission.

Once your car is in neutral, begin looking for a safe place to pull over your vehicle. This could be a difficult shoulder on the highway or even an empty parking lot. Be sure to avoid any quick lane changes, even so. Doing so could cause your vehicle to swerve and fifty-fifty crash, State Farm reports.

Afterward you've come to a complete terminate and are out of the way of traffic, turn your machine's engine off. Once your car has been turned off, inspect your vehicle to be certain a stuck floor mat didn't cause the event. If your accelerator is clear of floor mats, State Farm recommends not driving your vehicle until a mechanic has checked it out.

A stuck gas pedal is a dangerous problem

The brake and accelerator pedals of a used Toyota Prius automobile are seen at a dealership
Gas pedal. | Jochen Eckel/Bloomberg

While a car'southward gas pedal getting stuck is rare, it is the kind of car problem that you should be prepared for. After all, a car with a stuck gas pedal is a dangerous trouble and could result in a crash. The good news is that understanding why and how to fix this problem tin help yous stay calm, should you have to deal with a stuck gas pedal yourself.

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