TORRANCE, CA --- In Toyota's preliminary safety recall notice aimed at addressing the risk of sudden acceleration in certain models, the company advised vehicle owners to take out any removable driver's floor mat and not replace it with any other floor mat until the vehicle-based safety remedy can be fully implemented. 

But the automaker also listed what steps a driver should take if the accelerator pedal becomes stuck open. If the problem is floor mat interference, then the driver should pull back the floor mat and dislodge it from the accelerator pedal if it's possible to do that safely. Then the driver can pull over and stop the vehicle. But if that's not an option, here's the procedure to take: 

• Firmly and steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet. Do notpump the brake pedal repeatedly since this will increase the effort required to slow the vehicle.

• Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.

• If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine off, or to ACC. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.

• If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do not tap the Engine Start/Stop button.

• If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key-ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do not remove the key from the ignition since this will lock the steering wheel.