Things to love or hate about cars...

Something to love...

I think I can set the seat of mine to hot and the back to cold. Should confuse the MiL!!!

I would be happy if the drivers seat on mine would go a little higher, being only small I have seat height at it's highest. :(
 
I have mine as low as it'll go! I'm 6'1" and got short, fat, hairy legs so a long body. Makes folding myself into the MX5 with the roof up a bit awkward!
 
I would be happy if the drivers seat on mine would go a little higher, being only small I have seat height at it's highest. :(

Be content Jon...:)

I have a friend in SA, an Indian lady, who can't reach the pedals if she raises the driver's seat too far; and can't see over the bonnet if she's able to reach the pedals. My wife is 5'2" and towers over her!
 
Be content Jon...:)

I have a friend in SA, an Indian lady, who can't reach the pedals if she raises the driver's seat too far; and can't see over the bonnet if she's able to reach the pedals. My wife is 5'2" and towers over her!

We had a Volvo V40, and I could adjust seat height for my head nearing the headlining of the roof. I just feel like a titch in the Tourneo, still love the car though. I don't think I will be resorting to a cushion though, that would never do. :eek:
 
I've got a very annoying one.. that's getting me in trouble with the neighbors! The alarm goes off infrequently but freaeurnly enough to be annoying - typically ay night! I noticed it when I locked the car using the remote release, so I ended up using the manual key locking.. but it sometimes still does it! Even when the car is not locked...! Driving me crazy!
 
I've got a very annoying one.. that's getting me in trouble with the neighbors! The alarm goes off infrequently but freaeurnly enough to be annoying - typically ay night! I noticed it when I locked the car using the remote release, so I ended up using the manual key locking.. but it sometimes still does it! Even when the car is not locked...! Driving me crazy!
What car is it? Have you searched online to see if other owners have had similar problems.
I had a mk3 Mondeo that had a similar problem with the alarm going off randomly at night. At first I thought it was buses passing to close to the car and causing it to rock. Turns out it was the alarm sensor on the bonnet catch. I replaced that and it was fine after that.
 
Love, MX5 NC 08, basic, simple, fun and not full of electronics. Hate, looking at changing the daily Civic and possibly needing 7 seats and it's a fair bit of cash for a decent one and I dont do a lot of miles so it's going to spend alot of time doing nothing.
 
I've got a very annoying one.. that's getting me in trouble with the neighbors! The alarm goes off infrequently but freaeurnly enough to be annoying - typically ay night! I noticed it when I locked the car using the remote release, so I ended up using the manual key locking.. but it sometimes still does it! Even when the car is not locked...! Driving me crazy!

A few years ago, a friend had a car alarm that kept going off. In the end he tuned the alarm off. He later learned through the grapevine, a local car thief was rocking the car every night, just so the alarm would go off, knowing the owner would turn it off. The car got stolen in the end.
 
Used to have a MkIV VW Golf, which had the best drinks holder ever. It disappeared into the dashboard like a CD!

Now drinks holders are all in centre console by handbrakes which I don't like.

Currently got to drive a brand new golf at work, still lovely to drive but not sure I like electronic handbrakes!
 
A few years ago, a friend had a car alarm that kept going off. In the end he tuned the alarm off. He later learned through the grapevine, a local car thief was rocking the car every night, just so the alarm would go off, knowing the owner would turn it off. The car got stolen in the end.

hmm that's interesting!! I defineilty know that's not the case here as we have cameras etc; However.. I wish I knew how to turn it off, online searching proves fruitless!
 
I've got a very annoying one.. that's getting me in trouble with the neighbors! The alarm goes off infrequently but freaeurnly enough to be annoying - typically ay night! I noticed it when I locked the car using the remote release, so I ended up using the manual key locking.. but it sometimes still does it! Even when the car is not locked...! Driving me crazy!

A few years ago, a friend had a car alarm that kept going off. In the end he tuned the alarm off. He later learned through the grapevine, a local car thief was rocking the car every night, just so the alarm would go off, knowing the owner would turn it off. The car got stolen in the end.

I'll trump that.. A mate of mine had his alarm go off regularly, but it only ever happened when he parked around the back of his house. He mentioned it to me while I was there one day, and I noticed (being a fellow amateur radio operator) that his HF antenna went straight over the car. He went in and tried the radio, anything near 100 watts on 7Mhz set the alarm off. A band that's often used in the evening. His radio was good for 200 watts. He just hadn't put 2&2 together... We built an RF choke that stopped it. However, a modern car should not react like that and even over a year later, he is still arguing with the dealer about it. He just switches the alarm off when he's "playing radio", and back on when he's finished. Or he parks out the front where it doesn't happen.
 
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I've got a very annoying one.. that's getting me in trouble with the neighbors! The alarm goes off infrequently but freaeurnly enough to be annoying - typically ay night! I noticed it when I locked the car using the remote release, so I ended up using the manual key locking.. but it sometimes still does it! Even when the car is not locked...! Driving me crazy!
Air vents open? Random air freshener hanging on the mirror moving in the breeze, had many fun times in the garage finding faults in alarm systems.
 
Air vents open? Random air freshener hanging on the mirror moving in the breeze, had many fun times in the garage finding faults in alarm systems.
Even an insect if there are motion sensors inside the car.
 
We had a problem with an after-market alarm fitted to our motorhome. Everything was fine for a year after fitting then we had several hot cloudless days last summer when the alarm was triggered around the same time in the evening. It turned out to be the bonnet contact switch which was triggering the alarm as the vehicle cooled down . I proved it by disconnecting the wire from the switch as it operated in a 'normally open' circuit. No more alarms...... Switch now repositioned.
 
Used to have a MkIV VW Golf, which had the best drinks holder ever. It disappeared into the dashboard like a CD!

Now drinks holders are all in centre console by handbrakes which I don't like.

Currently got to drive a brand new golf at work, still lovely to drive but not sure I like electronic handbrakes!

I don't like the centre console drinks holder either. I was not keen on the electronic handbrake either, much prefer a proper handbrake. I drove a friend's car once and it had an electronic brake, it stuck once or twice, when I wanted to move off from the lights.
 
I do like the over head storage shelf in our Tourneo, can't fit bags or anything like that. Could possibly place a socket set tray, or thin parcels maybe, failing that a load of pizzas would fit pretty well up there. :giggle:
 
Funny thing is, I have not yet really had a good look around / inside the car yet. Not sure why, maybe it is the current ongoing situation maybe. Possibly it feels like I should only be going out shopping, or medical things. Not really inclined to mess about with the car, simply out and get the chore done, then get back indoors for a nice cuppa.

Or maybe gone are the days when you and your mate poured over your new RS turbo, possibly. :ROFLMAO:
 
Air vents open? Random air freshener hanging on the mirror moving in the breeze, had many fun times in the garage finding faults in alarm systems.


Did remove the air fresheners and ensure everything was off..
 
We had a problem with an after-market alarm fitted to our motorhome. Everything was fine for a year after fitting then we had several hot cloudless days last summer when the alarm was triggered around the same time in the evening. It turned out to be the bonnet contact switch which was triggering the alarm as the vehicle cooled down . I proved it by disconnecting the wire from the switch as it operated in a 'normally open' circuit. No more alarms...... Switch now repositioned.


After constant alarms yesterday - Eben leaving the car unlocked/locked with key/locked with key controller it still went off! I gave up and called out breakdown assist who advised because car is not used much.. I disagreed! Was told to Gee for an hour long drive which I did.. but carried on! I removed the horn fuse and problem solved.. but no horn [emoji23]
 
After constant alarms yesterday - Eben leaving the car unlocked/locked with key/locked with key controller it still went off! I gave up and called out breakdown assist who advised because car is not used much.. I disagreed! Was told to Gee for an hour long drive which I did.. but carried on! I removed the horn fuse and problem solved.. but no horn [emoji23]
Removing the horn fuse would only remove the noise nuisance, but are the hazard lights still flashing?
 
oh yes that still goes off, but so long as there is no sound for now...!
If something is still activating it, it could eventually drain the battery. Although you took the car for an hour long drive, the battery could still be failing.
 
I haven't heard of this until this morning, it was on Facebook, but it was a warning from the police. Groups of cars in car parks, specifically some Tesco Car parks, where owners have been unable to open their cars via the remote, as their signals are being blocked. People are being advised to report it to the store manager, who will in turn report it to Ofcom. In some cases, breakdown services have had to tow cars away from the area in which the car is parked so the remote signal is no longer blocked. There have been instances in some train stations too. It's not thought to be theives blocking the signals, but something in the immediate area that is jamming the frequency.
 
If something is still activating it, it could eventually drain the battery. Although you took the car for an hour long drive, the battery could still be failing.
yes but the battery health is totally fine... some issue with the electronics I think. Haven't drained the battery though, all fine the next day etc!
 
What car is it? Have you searched online to see if other owners have had similar problems.
I had a mk3 Mondeo that had a similar problem with the alarm going off randomly at night. At first I thought it was buses passing to close to the car and causing it to rock. Turns out it was the alarm sensor on the bonnet catch. I replaced that and it was fine after that.
yeah its Dodge Journey - seems to be a reported issue and it can be something to do with the hood/bonnet catch allegedly... but I've removed the fuse and all seems okay - battery doesn't drain and at least the alam does not sound!
 
I was never taught to depress the clutch pedal when starting a car. I have to do it now with my Subaru BRZ and it might be that they've worked out that the engine needs less torque to start it than it would if the clutch was engaged (would that mean the starter motor is also turning the gearbox rather than just the engine?).

When I was taught to drive a Formula Ford 1600 racing car, I was never told to start the engine with the clutch disengaged (even though this might actually make it easier to start if the battery was only small and/or if the engine was hot and needed a few goes (after stalling).

Maybe everything's changed since I learned to drive.
 
Thing hate about my Skoda Octavia 2.0 diesel, sometimes it takes many engine cranks to start. It happens during not-too-cold and not-too-warm days. Coldest days start no problem, warm days also no problem. But the middle temperature range seems to cause it some confusion. Online search suggest it's some sort of ECU bug, a bugfix is available on the VRS but the fix is not available on their database for the same engine regular version. Just annoying and sounds like a banger wouldn't start.

Thing I love about cars: it's a well put together soft-play. Another destination for my kid to spend 30min during lockdown. Bonus point that I can park it near a bus stop so he is entertained by the buses. Double bonus points if I can also find a hump, he's fascinated by cars going over speed humps.
 
Thing hate about my Skoda Octavia 2.0 diesel, sometimes it takes many engine cranks to start. It happens during not-too-cold and not-too-warm days. Coldest days start no problem, warm days also no problem. But the middle temperature range seems to cause it some confusion. Online search suggest it's some sort of ECU bug, a bugfix is available on the VRS but the fix is not available on their database for the same engine regular version. Just annoying and sounds like a banger wouldn't start.

Thing I love about cars: it's a well put together soft-play. Another destination for my kid to spend 30min during lockdown. Bonus point that I can park it near a bus stop so he is entertained by the buses. Double bonus points if I can also find a hump, he's fascinated by cars going over speed humps.

What I dislike about the silly pressing the clutch before engine will start, is sometimes it does not start. I will have to depress the clutch maybe twice or even three times, before it will turn over.
 
What I dislike about the silly pressing the clutch before engine will start, is sometimes it does not start. I will have to depress the clutch maybe twice or even three times, before it will turn over.

Diesel? In my case I sometimes have to wait for the glowplugs to heat up before it will turn over. Usual starting routine is push down clutch pedal, activate 'start' and then wait for a couple of seconds if it doesn't turn over immediately.
 
Diesel? In my case I sometimes have to wait for the glowplugs to heat up before it will turn over. Usual starting routine is push down clutch pedal, activate 'start' and then wait for a couple of seconds if it doesn't turn over immediately.

Ours is a Diesel, even when it warm I can still have to depress the clutch a few times before starter will start. Not that it will not fire, but rather the electric will not kick in, I get that electric bar, or line symbol show, to say depress clutch before starting engine. Sometimes it is slow to register.

I used to have to wait for glowplugs to warm up on a Perkins Diesel I used to drive, it was on a Montego, bad car but brilliant engine.
 
On my car you just get in, press the clutch and the start button it fires up first time every time. Surely there is a fault somewhere if it doesn't.
I was always told to depress the clutch to start a car, from a mechanical stand point it makes sense.

Things I like about my current car, auto speed limiter, heated windscreen, digital dash (no analogue clocks).
The other car I quite like the HUD as well though it's set to the wife's height so I leave it there and can't see it, on that car I also like the Stop/Start it's the correct implementation of it and works perfectly, all cars should use the Mazda setup.
 
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On my car you just get in, press the clutch and the start button it fires up first time every time. Surely there is a fault somewhere if it doesn't.
I was always told to depress the clutch to start a car, from a mechanical stand point it makes sense.

Things I like about my current car, auto speed limiter, heated windscreen, digital dash (no analogue clocks).
The other car I quite like the HUD as well though it's set to the wife's height so I leave it there and can't see it, on that car I also like the Stop/Start it's the correct implementation of it and works perfectly, all cars should use the Mazda setup.

Maybe it was just us older folk who learnt to drive back in the old days, possibly 50s 60s 70s and 80s. We were taught to make sure handbrake was on and gear lever in neutral, and feet well away from all pedals before starting the car. Obviously it is a different system now. :)
 
Something I really dislike about the car, and that is the very loud BEEP, when selecting reverse. It really is a loud and piercing sound, always makes me and the missus jump. Now, if only I could find the disable button switch, if there is one even. :thinking:
 
Maybe it was just us older folk who learnt to drive back in the old days, possibly 50s 60s 70s and 80s. We were taught to make sure handbrake was on and gear lever in neutral, and feet well away from all pedals before starting the car. Obviously it is a different system now. :)
I learnt in the 80's and always put my foot on the clutch. My dad during the 70's did too. He may have started doing it earlier. He and my uncle would have started driving in the 50's.
 
I learnt in the 80's and always put my foot on the clutch. My dad during the 70's did too. He may have started doing it earlier. He and my uncle would have started driving in the 50's.

I did have an old booklet someplace, and it did give advice on best/proper practice of starting a vehicle. Don't know where it is after all these years, so I can't have a nosey, and see what the legal method was. :)
 
I did have an old booklet someplace, and it did give advice on best/proper practice of starting a vehicle. Don't know where it is after all these years, so I can't have a nosey, and see what the legal method was. :)

As in, how you would start the car on the Driving test. :)
 
Maybe it was just us older folk who learnt to drive back in the old days, possibly 50s 60s 70s and 80s. We were taught to make sure handbrake was on and gear lever in neutral, and feet well away from all pedals before starting the car. Obviously it is a different system now. :)

I learnt to drive in 1970 and was taught to select neutral and disengage the clutch before starting.
 
Something I really dislike about the car, and that is the very loud BEEP, when selecting reverse. It really is a loud and piercing sound, always makes me and the missus jump. Now, if only I could find the disable button switch, if there is one even. :thinking:

Can't you ask the dealer/agent to disable this? I had something similar on my BMW in SA, and they turned it off when the car was in for servicing.
 
I learnt to drive in 1970 and was taught to select neutral and disengage the clutch before starting.
Me too. Maybe it depended on who taught you to drive? In my case it was my dad. His dad taught him ... my grandad had been a driver in the forces so I assume he knew what he was doing.
 
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