tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239694080870817712.post8387666256691257069..comments2024-03-01T01:07:13.368-07:00Comments on No, but seriously: Question of the day : do you use the auto-anything in your car?Steven Pricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01856604112181023270noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239694080870817712.post-64671004766876825322014-02-16T12:10:01.471-07:002014-02-16T12:10:01.471-07:00I actually like most of the "auto" featu...I actually like most of the "auto" features. However, when using them one should be aware of their limitations, which are written in the cars manual. For example the typical implementation of an adaptive cruise control is based on a radar, which needs to see the object moving at least once in order to be able to track it - this is why when the guy in front of you moved to the side, the system didn't recognize the car in front - because it was standing still. There are newer systems that also use a camera to overcome this problem. Otherwise the radar system is extremely reliable and I use very often. The point is you need to learn the limits of the system - but this is the same for everything. For example the breaks are meant to stop the vehicle, but in certain situations they don't work very well - like when you are driving on ice. YOu have to be aware of those limitations and act accordingly.<br /><br />Other auto-features that I really like is the dazzle free automatic high beam assist that allows you to drive with full beams all the time, but without blending the oncoming traffic, by splitting the beam around the other cars (BMW has this feature, but not in the US).<br /><br />Auto-wipers and auto-lights are nice to have, but I agree, that one should be able to turn them off if needed.Vladimirnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239694080870817712.post-49202437803875247332014-02-13T03:02:32.697-07:002014-02-13T03:02:32.697-07:00Auto-things I use:
Climate control - yes - a good...Auto-things I use:<br />Climate control - yes - a good thing. Having multiple zones only makes it better (if your passengers do not agree to your idea of perfect temperature).<br />Auto-lights: really good only for city driving when passing through tunnels. On the highway the lights are ON (because you don't want them to turn off at will). At night - same story, lights are ON (not AUTO)<br />Auto-wipers - when they work as supposed - great feature. But they do not work right all the times. If the sensor part of the windscreen gets dirty, then it's back to manual control.<br />Cruise control (without 'adaptive' features) - can be a good thing on longer trips - if the roads are reasonably empty. Otherwise no.<br />Cruise control - speed limiter (only tried on Citroen's C4 - 1st generation) - can be cool to engage a speed limit beyond which your accelerator will not do anything more if you are in a less than serene mood and have to make your way through many villages & speed traps. That is unless you step it to the floor (e.g. emergency case) - when the limiter disengages.<br /><br />Alex<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239694080870817712.post-73458104672677158582014-02-11T10:31:08.053-07:002014-02-11T10:31:08.053-07:00The only 'Auto-Anything" I use is the aut...The only 'Auto-Anything" I use is the auto lights on our car. Yes I can turn them on/off myself, and having them come on when traveling/stopped under a bridge is a little annoying but not a show stopper. All too often I see cars driving around with no lights and my initial thoughts were "You dumbass, don't you look at your dash! You can't see it because it's dark, idiot!" <br />BUT, these days the dash is lit up all the time so that old adage doesn't apply anymore. So I can understand why someone, on a well lit road, may not realize that their lights are not on.<br />But, adaptive Cruise Control, no thanks. Climate Control, if I had it I guess I'd use it. The Dual Zone A/C is a brilliant idea and whoever invented it deserves a medal!Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041821712022471596noreply@blogger.com