'Features' you could do without
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 224
From: Frequently frozen MN
'Features' you could do without
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,
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 1
From: Apex, N.C.
I agree, that is one of the stupidest things ever put on a vehicle. If I want to lock the doors, I'll push the button.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 2
From: Hawkeye Country
Well I live without number one, three, and four on your list everyday in my 82 F100 and 86 F150. Both are autos so I also have no use for number two.
On top of what you said I'd also like to add a few other things I live just fine without, such as... power windows, power locks, power mirrors, power seats, carpet, dome light, cigarette lighter, radio, ABS, fuel injection, a ecm, countless sensors, smog equipment, air bags, "quiet steel", crumble zones, ect ect
Just give me a simple machine with a 8 foot box and 2 doors, push rods and wing windows are a must, 15 inch rims are nice too. I don't need 400 horse power or a 35,000 dollar price tag. Hell my 500 dollar F100 with a 120 horse inline 6 will pull anything a new f150 will, maybe not as fast or with as much "style". But shes been doing it for almost 27 years and 250,000 miles, mostly because shes a primitive beast that completely lacks any modern amenities, just more crap to break and leave me stuck on the side of the road.
On top of what you said I'd also like to add a few other things I live just fine without, such as... power windows, power locks, power mirrors, power seats, carpet, dome light, cigarette lighter, radio, ABS, fuel injection, a ecm, countless sensors, smog equipment, air bags, "quiet steel", crumble zones, ect ect
Just give me a simple machine with a 8 foot box and 2 doors, push rods and wing windows are a must, 15 inch rims are nice too. I don't need 400 horse power or a 35,000 dollar price tag. Hell my 500 dollar F100 with a 120 horse inline 6 will pull anything a new f150 will, maybe not as fast or with as much "style". But shes been doing it for almost 27 years and 250,000 miles, mostly because shes a primitive beast that completely lacks any modern amenities, just more crap to break and leave me stuck on the side of the road.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,147
Likes: 0
If there is I never noticed it. Besides you can still push a button and unlock them if you wanted to open the doors going down the freeway.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
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
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
I've never had a bit of trouble with the tire pressure monitoring system. When the tire gets low on air, an icon on the dash lights up. How many ppl check the air in their tires on a regular basis? Prolly less than 10%.
Rolling door locks are, IMO a good idea as many ppl forget to lock their doors when driving. Car jackings occur on a regular basis today.
Would you want your family members driving in a crappy area with the doors unlocked, especially at night?
Would you like them appear as car-jacked victims on The World's Wildest Police Videos TV show?
There is one scene where a guy being chased by the police wrecked his stolen pickup (a Chevy) on the freeway during rush hour. He got out, went to a Chrysler mini-van, opened the right front door and forced the other driver out. The fellow was than dragged along side his vehicle as his seat belt was still attached.
Wendell, my Fusion has rolling doors locks and since we have the same model, so does yours.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
My Dodge minivan ('96) has rolling door locks...I figured out how to turn them off (some combination of door buttons and ignition switch turns) right after I got it in '00 because I don't like them. I think they've been pretty much standard since the '91 redesign. We also don't have many "bad" neighborhoods in our city, so I'm not too concerned about that aspect. And, if I'm driving through a bad neighborhood and someone opens my door--he's down a hand, and will be staring down a barrel...
Jason
Jason
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
The door locks are for safety, but in a crash. It is supposed to keep the latches from releasing in the event a a crash. The thing I hate is the locks that activate when you speed up, but when you stop, you have to remember to push the unlock button to unlock the doors...
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,696
Likes: 2,618
From: SE Florida
The tire pressure monitor was also a government mandate.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,490
Likes: 13
From: Kuna ID
Seems to me most vehicle doors automatically unlock simply by pulling the inside door handle. My 2000 mustang works that way, but the doors dont autolock. My friends 95 Lebaron has autolock doors, but they also unlock as soon as you pull the door handle.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
Likes: 9
From: Rhode Island
most newer cars i've been in will not unlock if you pull the handle. My moms 04 Toyota Rav4, my dad's 03 GMC Envoy, and my grandparents 06 Durango all will not unlock if you pull the handle.
As for the clutch interlock, I feel that one is needed however. Its quite easy if your in a rush and not paying attention to start your car while its in gear without the interlock
As for the clutch interlock, I feel that one is needed however. Its quite easy if your in a rush and not paying attention to start your car while its in gear without the interlock
