'Features' you could do without
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
Rain sensing wipers were first offered on...1955 Ford passenger cars.
That's right, 1955.
Rolling door locks were first offered on 1967 T-Birds. When the car reached 7 MPH, the doors locked.
There was one thing that some pinhead at Ford forgot to consider. Having the car washed.
Back then, most cars came with white wall tires, and most car washes spun the tires while they were being sprayed with a hot solution to clean them.
Windows up, key in the ignition, spin the tires, the doors LOCKED.
It wasn't long before Ford sent out a "campaign" letter to dealers telling them to disconnect the damn thing.
1973/74: Seat belt interlock mandated by you know who. The seat belt had to be buckled before the car could be started. No scheiss.
Peeps who didn't like/use the seat belts just buckled them, then sat on them. It wasn't long before that feature was disabled.
That's right, 1955.
Rolling door locks were first offered on 1967 T-Birds. When the car reached 7 MPH, the doors locked.
There was one thing that some pinhead at Ford forgot to consider. Having the car washed.
Back then, most cars came with white wall tires, and most car washes spun the tires while they were being sprayed with a hot solution to clean them.
Windows up, key in the ignition, spin the tires, the doors LOCKED.
It wasn't long before Ford sent out a "campaign" letter to dealers telling them to disconnect the damn thing.
1973/74: Seat belt interlock mandated by you know who. The seat belt had to be buckled before the car could be started. No scheiss.
Peeps who didn't like/use the seat belts just buckled them, then sat on them. It wasn't long before that feature was disabled.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
Likes: 18
From: Enjoying the real world.
maybe i'm just an old archaic dino , but they need to lose the wannabe larger than 17 inch rims and over priced accomanying tires on all cars . pretty dain good when the rims and tires on the wifes pt loozer costs almost as much as what i paid for a running flat head powered 53 1/2 ton , the one i drive ...... they' re goofy looking to boot !!!!!!!!!!
Then again, maybe you don't like them because in the Flintstone era a heater was an option!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
Likes: 18
From: Enjoying the real world.
my lariat f150 has an extra postion for the headlight switch. 0 for off, 1 click right parking lights, 1 more click is the headlights. from 0 one click left is an auto setting. If you can't see that it is dark outside and you need headlights, well i don't think you need to be driving.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
Likes: 18
From: Enjoying the real world.
Well, sometimes you can't argue with stupid, and people like that are an example of Darwinism at work. Sometimes you see them apply this principle of evolution to their children, letting them run all over the inside of the vehicle will driving down the road.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 689
Likes: 1
From: VA
Just wondering about some of the common new vehicle 'features'.
Here's a few that I could do without
1. Stays locked in park until brake is pressed
- just a pita as long as it works.
2. Manual trans must have clutch in to start
- I've removed it on the last 2 manuals I've owned
3. Tire pressure monitors
- never had one, but they sound unreliable
4. Security keys/anti theft systems
- Actually probably good ideas, but they should expire after a certain
time/mileage. Once the value of the vehicle is below 2K, security keys
and theft deterrents probably cause more problems than they solve.
Agree/disagree? Anything to add?
Thanks,
Here's a few that I could do without
1. Stays locked in park until brake is pressed
- just a pita as long as it works.
2. Manual trans must have clutch in to start
- I've removed it on the last 2 manuals I've owned
3. Tire pressure monitors
- never had one, but they sound unreliable
4. Security keys/anti theft systems
- Actually probably good ideas, but they should expire after a certain
time/mileage. Once the value of the vehicle is below 2K, security keys
and theft deterrents probably cause more problems than they solve.
Agree/disagree? Anything to add?
Thanks,
Option 2 is a ditto.
Option 3 is not necessary, but a convenience item.
Option 4 is a not necessary, but a convenience item.
I don't like locks that remain locked (after shutting off engine) when you pull the door handle. Daytime running lights are energy wasting and unnecessary.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
Daytime running lamps, while on a bright sunny day don't have much effect, on foggy or rainy days, make quite a bit of difference since many don't feel the need to turn their lights on. Just like seat belts and everything else, the government mandates this kind of thing for those who don't feel the need to use them voluntarily. While some will argue darwinism, just remember they also will take out some who do choose to use the equipment, but got nailed by those who don't.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
we had heat in the flintmobiles .... we piled sticks in the floor , put a lil' combutible liquid on it , then lit it , walla heat !!!!!!!!!!!!and i'll agree with the louvres , i still dont know why they're there ............
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
I must be from a different generation as some of you fellas in here. I do love the classics, but I am all about the technology.
There are lots of features that I could very well live without, but the more that come out, even for convenient's sake, the more I can see why they come out with them.
There are lots of features that I could very well live without, but the more that come out, even for convenient's sake, the more I can see why they come out with them.
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decadent and depraved
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,703
Likes: 6
From: Right Behind You
I must be from a different generation as some of you fellas in here. I do love the classics, but I am all about the technology.
There are lots of features that I could very well live without, but the more that come out, even for convenient's sake, the more I can see why they come out with them.
There are lots of features that I could very well live without, but the more that come out, even for convenient's sake, the more I can see why they come out with them.
Hell yeah, I'm with you...I say the more technology they put in them the better...Alot of people just wanna try to justify driving their old vehicles by saying stuff like they want a truck to ride like a truck, or they don't need no creature comforts because they want truck to work with... I'll out work any old truck with my 05 F250 and be more comfortable while doing so...
Tim
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
nope on my part on justifying driving my old truck . i dont give a da-- what any one thinks and i do not need to make excuses to do so . i prefer the 53 over ANY late model truck i have owned and it has done more work than any of them were capable of , period . you can debate it , or say im a nut whatever , but the truth of the matter is i dont like new vehicles , and hate them more so every year as they become more techno advanced and a total pain to deal with . no air, no power steering , ripped up seat , manual trans , manual brakes ,rust , and a 100 horse flatty . it's all i need all i want , and i am more than satisfied with her . plus im not a SHEOPLE , I.E. I DONT DRIVE THE SAME DA-- THING AS EVERYONE ELSE !!!! we all have our preferences and we should leave it as such . you prefer new i like old , i see no problem .
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
Well one might argue that your old truck (although Im sure is a great old truck) has done more work then some of the workhorse diesels out there 
I have nothing against the old trucks at all, I love em just as much. But I view vehicles the same as televisions, computers, hospital procedures (the list goes on and on im sure you see where Im going though) and many other things. The more advanced, the better. (regarding vehicles I guess that would be longevity, economy, power, etc)
There were technological advances done on vehicles for a reason
I have nothing against the old trucks at all, I love em just as much. But I view vehicles the same as televisions, computers, hospital procedures (the list goes on and on im sure you see where Im going though) and many other things. The more advanced, the better. (regarding vehicles I guess that would be longevity, economy, power, etc)
There were technological advances done on vehicles for a reason
5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 47
Likes: 1
From: North Pole, AK
Hey, Bill ----- do you know if there is a way to override the doors unlocking if the key is left in the running vehicle? That would be convenient up here at times ...........
Otherwise, I just use the remote start ----- which shuts off after a certain amount of time.
Otherwise, I just use the remote start ----- which shuts off after a certain amount of time.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 963
Likes: 1
From: wichita kansas
I have a problem with the power door locks also, but the wife likes them where they automatically lock and since it is her van I'll probably leave it alone. Power locks that I unlock and lock is fine, but for me I don't need them to be done by some computer.
I didn't like the ABS only on the rear of my Dakota. Either put four wheel or no wheel because braking on slick surfaces are different with anti lock or without.
I also don't like all the computers and sensors that they have on a vehicle anymore. Reduced maint. is nice, but when you have to try to find out what is wrong it costs a arm and then the part will cost you the leg. Seems like even the full time mechanics have a hard time being able to figure out what a problem is and how to fix it.
I didn't like the ABS only on the rear of my Dakota. Either put four wheel or no wheel because braking on slick surfaces are different with anti lock or without.
I also don't like all the computers and sensors that they have on a vehicle anymore. Reduced maint. is nice, but when you have to try to find out what is wrong it costs a arm and then the part will cost you the leg. Seems like even the full time mechanics have a hard time being able to figure out what a problem is and how to fix it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
Likes: 18
From: Enjoying the real world.
Maybe you're not one of them as you said you don't need to make excuses, and then proceeded to do so, and then cut down everyone who doesn't drive a 50 year old truck. 