New modern car advancements ,likes and dislikes.

nilagin said:
My previous car was black and no DRLs and rarely had the problem of cars pulling out on me, Current one is bright red, hard to miss even without DRLs, yet I seem to be plagued with people pulling out on me.
Mind you, when I first got my previous car, a black Mondeo ST, it did have the appearance of an unmarked police car, I often found car drivers and motorcyclists, suddenly driving a lot more carefully and watching their speed.
Click to expand...
Driving my bright red little Citroen, everyone wanted to kick my head in :(. I loved our dark blue Volvo, never got any crap from other motorists :).
 
Nod said:
Can in mine, using the flappy paddles and in Mrs Nod's using the J gate selector. In the s***box, either kickdown and come straight off the gas or use the stick and pull it back a s many times as necessary. (The kickdown trick works with both the decent cars as well.)
Click to expand...
Will have to test that one out, only just worked out the wiper settings. The bloomin owners Manual lark, did not help.
 
Talk of kick-down to gain power takes me back decades to when I have an old Rover 2000 Automatic. As a then member of the IAM and RoSPA I learned of the police road craft technique they used with their Jaguars.

This was kickdown to force the auto box to change down, you then locked the gearbox in 2nd for the higher speed control of the corner once straightened up you flicked the gear lever back into D maintaining the exit speed.

The above takes longer to describe than use but on those old auto boxes worked a treat for traction & torque control on bends and roundabouts ;)
 
Nawty said:
Because in Sweden it's dark for half the year so DRLs are much more useful.
Click to expand...
Except that the DRLs are ahem for improving to be seen during ahem daylight ;)
 
nilagin said:
My previous car was black and no DRLs and rarely had the problem of cars pulling out on me, Current one is bright red, hard to miss even without DRLs, yet I seem to be plagued with people pulling out on me.
Mind you, when I first got my previous car, a black Mondeo ST, it did have the appearance of an unmarked police car, I often found car drivers and motorcyclists, suddenly driving a lot more carefully and watching their speed.
Click to expand...
It's a red little first and, there is you problem. You may know how fast it is, as do I, but to most it's just a little fiesta. Heck I've got people pulling out for my Mercedes GL, it's huge and with the intelligent light system it's like a bright Christmas tree. Heck it even has side underneath lighting. People are just self entitled idiots.
 
dejongj said:
It's a red little first and, there is you problem. You may know how fast it is, as do I, but to most it's just a little fiesta.
Click to expand...
Not quite so little, It's a Focus.(y)
photo-25623.jpg
 
dejongj said:
Except that the DRLs are ahem for improving to be seen during ahem daylight ;)
Click to expand...

Yep, but when it is dawn/dusk half the time it is easy to forget to put your lights on as you quite easily accustomise to the dim light, especially if you only encounter another car not very often.

I recently spent a couple of weeks driving around Alaska in the summer where down south it got 'a bit dim' after midnight and I was glad all the cars have DRLs by law as not that many people switched on their main beams and without lights it would have been very tricky to see them.
 
Last edited:
Nawty said:
Yep, but when it is dawn/dusk half the time it is easy to forget to put your lights on as you quite easily accustomise to the dim light, especially if you only encounter another car not very often.

I recently spent a couple of weeks driving around Alaska in the summer where down south it got 'a bit dim' after midnight and I was glad all the cars have DRLs by law as not that many people switched on their main beams and without lights it would have been very tricky to see them.
Click to expand...
And that is where auto lights come in handy. I personally think it should be made illegal to have sidelights that also enable dashboard lighting. Too many people seem to be driving in that mode totally oblivious to what is happening outside their car.
 
dejongj said:
And that is where auto lights come in handy. I personally think it should be made illegal to have sidelights that also enable dashboard lighting. Too many people seem to be driving in that mode totally oblivious to what is happening outside their car.
Click to expand...
Problem with that is, as more and more of dashboard displays move over to digital, they light up with the ignition as opposed to when the side lights are put on. Having said that some sidelights are better and brighter than others.
 
Nawty said:
Yep, but when it is dawn/dusk half the time it is easy to forget to put your lights on as you quite easily accustomise to the dim light, especially if you only encounter another car not very often.

I recently spent a couple of weeks driving around Alaska in the summer where down south it got 'a bit dim' after midnight and I was glad all the cars have DRLs by law as not that many people switched on their main beams and without lights it would have been very tricky to see them.
Click to expand...

People relying on DRLs are a menace as they don't light up the rear, try driving on a foggy motorway, or even just heavy rain. I hate all these devices that make drivers complacent, DRLs, auto wipers, auto handbrake etc
 
Explain why auto wipers or handbrake makes drivers complacent.
I've not had a car with either.

I've got auto lights on my bicycle though.
 
Last edited:
ianp5a said:
Explain why auto wipers or handbrake makes drivers complacent.
I've not had a car with either.

I've got auto lights on my bicycle though.
Click to expand...
The auto wipers are bloomin annoying, deciding when to wipe. I would like to make that decision myself. There is not a great deal to do in our Galaxy when driving, just point it in the direction I want to go. I hate driving automatics, but that is all the missus can drive. When I reverse and I turn around to look, the missus tells me I am OK, as I will hear the parking beeps.
 
jonbeeza said:
The auto wipers are bloomin annoying, deciding when to wipe.
Click to expand...

Take them out of auto then. (y) Their should be several settings, down for flick wipe, off, up one for auto, up two for fast and pull towards you for spray and wipe, not sure if there is an intermittent function other than the auto wipe. I find the second setting on the sensitivity for auto wipe is best. You may well get the odd surprising wipe if an insect hits the screen in the sensor area. If you have headlamp washers, the spray and wipe will spray the headlights on roughly the third or 5th operation of the spray. Your rear wiper, if the stalk is similar as my Focus will be a small switch on the end of the stalk, to spray the rear window is push the stalk away with you. If you have the function, the rear wiper will work automatically when reverse gear is selected and the front wipers are on.
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
People relying on DRLs are a menace as they don't light up the rear, try driving on a foggy motorway, or even just heavy rain. I hate all these devices that make drivers complacent, DRLs, auto wipers, auto handbrake etc
Click to expand...
Probably more a case of just forgetting to turn on lights rather than relying on DRL's, just as many if not more who forget to switch on lights, who don't have DRLs.
My car is on Auto wipe and Auto lights at all times and everything works just fine and safely. It is a tad annoying when the car goes in for a service or something and they switch the Auto lights off though.
 
nilagin said:
Take them out of auto then. (y) Their should be several settings, down for flick wipe, off, up one for auto, up two for fast and pull towards you for spray and wipe, not sure if there is an intermittent function other than the auto wipe. I find the second setting on the sensitivity for auto wipe is best. You may well get the odd surprising wipe if an insect hits the screen in the sensor area. If you have headlamp washers, the spray and wipe will spray the headlights on roughly the third or 5th operation of the spray. Your rear wiper, if the stalk is similar as my Focus will be a small switch on the end of the stalk, to spray the rear window is push the stalk away with you. If you have the function, the rear wiper will work automatically when reverse gear is selected and the front wipers are on.
Click to expand...
I will refer to the manual, later on. I have the intermittent function, with variable speed. There are so many positions on the wiper stalk, it does get confusing :).
 
nilagin said:
Probably more a case of just forgetting to turn on lights rather than relying on DRL's, just as many if not more who forget to switch on lights, who don't have DRLs.
My car is on Auto wipe and Auto lights at all times and everything works just fine and safely. It is a tad annoying when the car goes in for a service or something and they switch the Auto lights off though.
Click to expand...
Same here on all my cars. All works just fine.
 
jonbeeza said:
I will refer to the manual, later on. I have the intermittent function, with variable speed. There are so many positions on the wiper stalk, it does get confusing :).
Click to expand...

If it's like our cars auto wipers, the intermittent function with variable speed, when in auto mode, alters how sensitive the wipers sensor is - i.e. how quick or slower they are to react.

Also, on my car, I can go into the settings and switch off the auto function and just have them as conventional intermittent wipers - I haven't as I found them to be very good on automatic.
 
My auto wipers (Mazda) can be a bit slow to get started when it's raining but after that they seem fine. What I mean is, I'd probably wipe before they do. It's probably a setting as it is variable but they never seem in a hurry to switch on... the headlamps on the other hand never want to switch off! Anything much below a summers day and they are on ;-)

re goodies in the car... might be digressing, but heated seats are a godsend. Only had them for the first time about 3 years back and I would never have considered them important before. When the salesmen mentioned them I just considered it a frivolous extra... however, having had them for two or three winters, and being one who suffers with a bit of an achy lower back (probably from 30 plus years of photography carrying heavy bags!), the seats are so comforting and snug!
 
andyred said:
If it's like our cars auto wipers, the intermittent function with variable speed, when in auto mode, alters how sensitive the wipers sensor is - i.e. how quick or slower they are to react.

Also, on my car, I can go into the settings and switch off the auto function and just have them as conventional intermittent wipers - I haven't as I found them to be very good on automatic.
Click to expand...
I will have a tinker with it, next time I am in the car, and have a few minutes to mess with things :).
BlackCloud said:
My auto wipers (Mazda) can be a bit slow to get started when it's raining but after that they seem fine. What I mean is, I'd probably wipe before they do. It's probably a setting as it is variable but they never seem in a hurry to switch on... the headlamps on the other hand never want to switch off! Anything much below a summers day and they are on ;-)

re goodies in the car... might be digressing, but heated seats are a godsend. Only had them for the first time about 3 years back and I would never have considered them important before. When the salesmen mentioned them I just considered it a frivolous extra... however, having had them for two or three winters, and being one who suffers with a bit of an achy lower back (probably from 30 plus years of photography carrying heavy bags!), the seats are so comforting and snug!
Click to expand...

No, the thread is about any functions and controls in the car :).
 
Hill Start assist is handy but I do wish the car would retain my last settings such as start stop staying off instead of defaulting on.
 
andyred said:
Oh er misses :D:D
Click to expand...
Yes, fair bit of flicking buttons , and twiddling knobs. The radio still does have two knobs, and not step down buttons. That is another thing I need to do, figure out the radio station blocks. No idea what block stations mean! I have not got to that section of the manual yet. More reading up to do, but it is all interesting reading :).
 
gman said:
Hill Start assist is handy but I do wish the car would retain my last settings such as start stop staying off instead of defaulting on.
Click to expand...
I do not think any do, do they? Our old Volvo V40 was the first car we had, that had stop start. It was so annoying, we did ask the garage to de activate it, but they could not.

They probably all default to active, when the engine is turned off.
 
Last edited:
The start/stop thing is one of the reasons I haven't changed mine for a newer Sportbrake version. I know the system is supposed to save a little fuel but it relies on the driver keeping his/her foot on the footbrake which causes dazzle to the driver behind. I know it's switchable offable for each drive but I would want it to be disabled full time (or wired to the handbrake instead).

I quite like the auto wipers, even if they are a little reluctant for the first wipe. A quick blip of the stalk to get them started keeps them on their toes for the drive. Similarly the auto headlights on, although they're more likely to come on at what I consider the right time/light level. I think I've used the heated seats 4 times in the 3 years I've had them, although Mrs Nod's used hers more often. I suppose I wear thicker trousers!
 
Nod said:
The start/stop thing is one of the reasons I haven't changed mine for a newer Sportbrake version. I know the system is supposed to save a little fuel but it relies on the driver keeping his/her foot on the footbrake which causes dazzle to the driver behind. I know it's switchable offable for each drive but I would want it to be disabled full time (or wired to the handbrake instead).

I quite like the auto wipers, even if they are a little reluctant for the first wipe. A quick blip of the stalk to get them started keeps them on their toes for the drive. Similarly the auto headlights on, although they're more likely to come on at what I consider the right time/light level. I think I've used the heated seats 4 times in the 3 years I've had them, although Mrs Nod's used hers more often. I suppose I wear thicker trousers!
Click to expand...
You are too kind. I most definitely have my foot on the brake. If it dazzles they should go to spec savers :please Besides it's part of the launch control feature whilst keeping revs at 4k.
 
My stop start will keep the engine off when I put it in P so I don't have to blind those behind but I do have to wait a second before releasing the brake pedal. Mine is quite unobtrusive when starting, probably because it's the six cylinder as the reviews say the four cylinder shakes a bit when starting. But the main issue I have is how aggressive it is, if pulling up to reverse park you've barely got time to stick it in reverse before it's trying to turn the engine off!

The auto wipers on mine have a bit of a mind of their own, it can start to bucket it down and they won't start and then the rains eases right off and the wipers go mental. The best auto rain sensor I've ever experienced are in the mitsubishi shogun new model, very accurate.

Run flats....punctures....grrrr.
 
Nod said:
The start/stop thing is one of the reasons I haven't changed mine for a newer Sportbrake version. I know the system is supposed to save a little fuel but it relies on the driver keeping his/her foot on the footbrake which causes dazzle to the driver behind. I know it's switchable offable for each drive but I would want it to be disabled full time (or wired to the handbrake instead).

I quite like the auto wipers, even if they are a little reluctant for the first wipe. A quick blip of the stalk to get them started keeps them on their toes for the drive. Similarly the auto headlights on, although they're more likely to come on at what I consider the right time/light level. I think I've used the heated seats 4 times in the 3 years I've had them, although Mrs Nod's used hers more often. I suppose I wear thicker trousers!
Click to expand...
Strange design, as this method does cause the people in car behind, to be dazzled by brake light. When stopped behind vehicle, with brake lights held on. I always used to mutter to myself, put your hand brake on, and take your foot of pedal.
 
dejongj said:
You are too kind. I most definitely have my foot on the brake. If it dazzles they should go to spec savers :please Besides it's part of the launch control feature whilst keeping revs at 4k.
Click to expand...

For a pair of sun glasses :cool: ;).
 
Last edited:
BlackCloud said:
My auto wipers (Mazda) can be a bit slow to get started when it's raining but after that they seem fine. What I mean is, I'd probably wipe before they do. It's probably a setting as it is variable but they never seem in a hurry to switch on... the headlamps on the other hand never want to switch off! Anything much below a summers day and they are on ;-)
Click to expand...

Where is the sensor for the lights? If it's in the windscreen, it could be just down to a dirty windscreen.
 
It is, but it's not dirty. Summers day is a bit of exaggeration, but they do come on more than I'd expect. Thanks for the idea though.
 
BlackCloud said:
It is, but it's not dirty. Summers day is a bit of exaggeration, but they do come on more than I'd expect. Thanks for the idea though.
Click to expand...
But what is the problem if they are on? It's good to make yourself visible to other road users. Especially on a bright day with the sun behind you.
 
Not really a problem, just commenting that they come on in brighter conditions than I would expect. Also, my headlamps swivel and follow the direction of the steering... But I don't find that much benefit either! Ha ha! Think that was seen on cars in the early sixties... The Citroën Pallas? Probably a marginal benefit on country roads.
 
dejongj said:
And that is where auto lights come in handy. I personally think it should be made illegal to have sidelights that also enable dashboard lighting. Too many people seem to be driving in that mode totally oblivious to what is happening outside their car.
Click to expand...

Except it's legal to drive at night with just sidelights on if driving on roads that have street lighting ;)
 
BlackCloud said:
Not really a problem, just commenting that they come on in brighter conditions than I would expect. Also, my headlamps swivel and follow the direction of the steering... But I don't find that much benefit either! Ha ha! Think that was seen on cars in the early sixties... The Citroën Pallas? Probably a marginal benefit on country roads.
Click to expand...
Where we live a lot more than a marginal benefit. When combined with ILS which constantly adjusts the beam and the length of the beam it is pretty awesome.
 
Dave1 said:
Except it's legal to drive at night with just sidelights on if driving on roads that have street lighting ;)
Click to expand...
And bloody dangerous it is.
 
BlackCloud said:
That sounds interesting, never heard of that.
Click to expand...
Mercedes calls it ILS. BMW has a similar system. And Audi with their new LED headlights are making good in way as well. I wouldn't want to go back to a normal system. It's pretty cool to see the beam change in from of you keeping it at full except where oncoming traffic is.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top