Left-Foot Braking And The Brake Override System

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May 2016
B15020B Version 2

Left-Foot Braking and the Brake Override System

AFFECTED VEHICLES

All models with the brake override system

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article revises the one posted in February 2015. Changes are highlighted in yellow.

The brake override system (BOS) is designed to cut engine power if you have one foot on the gas pedal and the other on the brake at the same time. The system thinks you’re trying to slow down the vehicle so it cuts engine power to prevent accidental acceleration.

This is most commonly experienced by drivers who use left-foot braking (their left foot is on the brake and their right foot is on the gas pedal) and particularly when accelerating from a full stop.

If you get a vehicle for a loss of engine power complaint, before starting any troubleshooting, have the service consultant ask your client about his or her driving habits. He or she might just be experiencing the BOS in action. If your client isn’t familiar with this system, the service consultant should demo its function.