What are your biggest annoyances with cars?

[Och]

Those electronic shifters are also pretty bad, classic case of manufacturers trying to fix something that wasn't broken. The zig-zag shifters are not even half bad compared to the electronic shifters in most new cars. Good luck with those when you're trying to rock your car out of snow.

Then you have manufacturers putting getting rid of variable speed wipers switch, instead giving us water sensing wipers that work automatically. Except they never work right. Another useless feature, and a perfect example of trying to fix something that wasn't broken and making a complete mess of it.

But the biggest issue with those electronic switches that I completely despise would be the utterly idiotic turn signal switch in all newer BMWs. That switch returns right back into the center after you push it, and in order to cancel turn signal you have to push it once again in the same direction. You can't check whether your turn signals are on just by touching the switch, and for me it's an issue since I can't see the arrows on the instrument cluster (they are blocked by the steering wheel) and if I have music playing I can't hear them either. I have no idea how they could come up with something so lousy.

 

[mmcartalk]

Those electronic shifters are also pretty bad, classic case of manufacturers trying to fix something that wasn't broken. The zig-zag shifters are not even half bad compared to the electronic shifters in most new cars. Good luck with those when you're trying to rock your car out of snow.

I've always found the zig-zag levers annoying, though I agree with you that the stub-levers are probably worse.

Then you have manufacturers putting getting rid of variable speed wipers switch, instead giving us water sensing wipers that work automatically. Except they never work right. Another useless feature, and a perfect example of trying to fix something that wasn't broken and making a complete mess of it.

Another (potential) problem with rain-sensing wipers is that they work by the number of water-droplets sensed on the windshield, sometimes when there is also dirt and grit particles on the glass as well. If the wipers turn on before there is enough water to adequately remove the dirt/grit, the wiper blades can rub those particles into the glass, causing abrasion and maybe scratches.

Good thread-topic, BTW, Och. It's produced some interesting replies.

 

[RAL]

rain-sensing wipers . . . nyet!

 

[RAL]

They're part of Fiat now, not sure if they'll ever fully get their act together .

Has anyone seen the Fiat commercial where a viagra pill is accidentally dropped into the gas tank of a Fiat? . . .

 

[mmcartalk]

Has anyone seen the Fiat commercial where a viagra pill is accidentally dropped into the gas tank of a Fiat? . . .

Fiat has been trying to sell cars in this country with ads based on sex and attractive Italian girls ever since they came back here several years ago.

 

[mmcartalk]

Moderators..........no big deal, a small typo in the thread title. You might want to change "you" to "your".

 

[RAL]

Moderators..........no big deal, a small typo in the thread title. You might want to change "you" to "your".

Thanks

 

[CIF]

Those electronic shifters are also pretty bad, classic case of manufacturers trying to fix something that wasn't broken. The zig-zag shifters are not even half bad compared to the electronic shifters in most new cars. Good luck with those when you're trying to rock your car out of snow.

Then you have manufacturers putting getting rid of variable speed wipers switch, instead giving us water sensing wipers that work automatically. Except they never work right. Another useless feature, and a perfect example of trying to fix something that wasn't broken and making a complete mess of it.

But the biggest issue with those electronic switches that I completely despise would be the utterly idiotic turn signal switch in all newer BMWs. That switch returns right back into the center after you push it, and in order to cancel turn signal you have to push it once again in the same direction. You can't check whether your turn signals are on just by touching the switch, and for me it's an issue since I can't see the arrows on the instrument cluster (they are blocked by the steering wheel) and if I have music playing I can't hear them either. I have no idea how they could come up with something so lousy.

Fully agreed! Those are also annoyances I share, but they just slipped my mind.

I also can't stand automatic wipers with no options for manual control, and the electronic gear shifters as well.

mmcartalk, I'm fully with Och on this one. I far prefer zig zag shifters over electronic ones.

 

[mmcartalk]

mmcartalk, I'm fully with Och on this one. I far prefer zig zag shifters over electronic ones.

Well, we actually don't disagree on that one. Given the choice, I do, too. I just generally prefer a straight, conventional fore-aft shifter (like the ones that GM and Ford use) to the zig-zag ones........but, like you, prefer either one over the even more annoying electronic stubs.

It's interesting, too, that Subaru used the zig-zags for many years, but then went back to conventional fore/aft levers on their latest products (perhaps due to the CVTs)

 

[CIF]

Well, we actually don't disagree on that one. Given the choice, I do, too. I just generally prefer a straight, conventional fore-aft shifter (like the ones that GM and Ford use) to the zig-zag ones........but, like you, prefer either one over the even more annoying electronic stubs.

It's interesting, too, that Subaru used the zig-zags for many years, but then went back to conventional fore/aft levers on their latest products (perhaps due to the CVTs)

Ah well in that case, I don't mind either zig zag or fore-aft designs. Makes no significant difference to me.

On the point of Subaru, I think you might be right. Then again, Toyota and Nissan have implemented zig zag shifters with CVTs, and I'm sure a few other automakers have too. Might be just a Subaru-specific choice.

 

[Och]

The zig-zag shifter is super annoying when trying to rock your car out of snow.

 

[CIF]

The zig-zag shifter is super annoying when trying to rock your car out of snow.

Ah, come to think of it, you're right. It's still better than an electronic one in such conditions I would think.
But yes, now I see a clear advantage for a fore-aft shifter.

 

[Och]

Ah, come to think of it, you're right. It's still better than an electronic one in such conditions I would think.
But yes, now I see a clear advantage for a fore-aft shifter.

Well, as bad as these zig zag and electronic shifters may be, they are still nowhere as annoying as these antiquated abortions that some people tend to cling onto.

 

[Tragic Bronson]

Well, as bad as these zig zag and electronic shifters may be, they are still nowhere as annoying as these antiquated abortions that some people tend to cling onto.

Ouch...Lexus should have held on to the "manuel" as long as the old tape player

 

[CIF]

Well, as bad as these zig zag and electronic shifters may be, they are still nowhere as annoying as these antiquated abortions that some people tend to cling onto.

Heh. Well I'm not a huge manual fan, I can see how it appeals to certain enthusiasts.

 

[mmcartalk]

Dense urban traffic, growing suburban sprawl, and increasing amounts of stop and go driving rom many different reasons (not just traffic, but also stop lights, stop signs, speed bumps, etc...), is taking its toll on manual gearboxes. Even though modern hydraulic clutch-release mechanisms ensure a smoother release and less chance of the engine stalling, many drivers just don't want to deal with constant leg-pumping up and down on the clutch pedal, or stirring the shift-lever and sometimes getting a bad shift. Many vehicles, except for those that are sports-oriented or entry-level/econoboxes, don't offer manuals anymore.

 

[CIF]

Dense urban traffic, growing suburban sprawl, and increasing amounts of stop and go driving rom many different reasons (not just traffic, but also stop lights, stop signs, speed bumps, etc...), is taking its toll on manual gearboxes. Even though modern hydraulic clutch-release mechanisms ensure a smoother release and less chance of the engine stalling, many drivers just don't want to deal with constant leg-pumping up and down on the clutch pedal, or stirring the shift-lever and sometimes getting a bad shift. Many vehicles, except for those that are sports-oriented or entry-level/econoboxes, don't offer manuals anymore.

Yeah, it makes perfect sense. Most enthusiasts like manuals for the feel; objectively they're simply no longer faster than the best automatics or dual-clutch transmissions out there. Most of the world's top race cars for example have been for years using automated manuals, or dual-clutch transmissions, not manuals. Very few race cars out there are solely relying on manuals.

 

[mmcartalk]

most of the world's top race cars for example have been for years using automated manuals, or dual-clutch transmissions, not manuals. Very few race cars out there are solely relying on manuals.

Drag-racing uses automated manuals because they shift quicker than virtually any human can do with a traditional clutch and shift. But you will still find traditional manuals in NASCAR (which is hugely popular in the U.S.) because of the continuous high speeds they run and the fact that, on most large oval tracks, the driver needs to do very little shifting except for pit stops or caution lights.

(With F1, the transmission-requirement rules are more complex. I'm not familiar with most of them.....perhaps you are.)

 

[CIF]

F1 cars use automated manuals as far as I know. Also in the World Endurance Championship (which includes Le Mans), they use sequential manuals with paddle shifters, so automated manuals in other words.

As you pointed out with Nascar, true traditional manuals are rare in race cars today. Nascar is one of the major exceptions.

 

[DoingDamage]

Seat needs to be lower. I'm fairly a tall guy (6'4") and I want to sit lower in my ride. I can't see red lights when stopped at the stop line.