Parking - in the new day an age - Rant

[Jstpssng]

The DIC was broken on my 2003 Suburban when we bought it. (Driver Information Center, but it's more fun to day DIC). Therefore, I cannot turn off the horn alert when locking or unlocking the doors. So:
BEEP! - lock
BEEP! BEEP! - unlock

I was staying in a motel in Canton, New York... it must have been the only one in the US which didn't have AC. One Saturday night I had just gotten to sleep with the windows open when somebody pulled in right out front. They got out and I was awakened by their horn going off as they set the alarm. I had just gone back to sleep when "Honk!" they had gone out to the car, then armed the alarm again. That went on for a couple of hours... I would just get to sleep and their damned horn would go off again outside my window.

When I left for work a few hours later it was all that I could do to keep from kicking their tires to see if I could set the thing off for real.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I have a back up camera on my Ford Ranger. Never an issue, day or night. Unless its dirty. Whenever I walk around, a quick brush with a finger and its clean.
Still, I only use it to judge distance to car/object behind me when backing up, or hooking up trailer. Still rely on turning looking out back window and mirrors...

 

[Oaktree]

I have a back up camera on my Ford Ranger. Never an issue, day or night. Unless its dirty. Whenever I walk around, a quick brush with a finger and its clean.

Biggest issue I have with the one on my wife's car is that there's very little color contrast (for lack of a better term). You can see a grainy picture of what's behind you, but it's not always obvious where the gravel driveway ends and grass begins (for example). At night it's all but useless between that and the fact that the backup lights aren't bright enough to give a usable image. Agree, keeping it clean is a must.
Her car's 8 years old...maybe they've improved since then. Personally, I wish they'd go back to making cars with windows you can actually see out of.

 

[Jstpssng]

Her car's 8 years old...maybe they've improved since then.

They must have. The camera for my '18 Colorado is as good as that on a television set.

Personally, I wish they'd go back to making cars with windows you can actually see out of.

I know what you mean, but it will never happen. They had to reduce visability to get all of those air bags in. At least you will be protected even if you are more likely to get into an accident.

What I really hate is the huge center post in pickups. They used to have almost 360 degree visability, now if you aren't at 90 degrees when entering a road you can't see a darned thing.

 

[Oaktree]

I know what you mean, but it will never happen. They had to reduce visability to get all of those air bags in. At least you will be protected even if you are more likely to get into an accident.

What I really hate is the huge center post in pickups. They used to have almost 360 degree visability, now if you aren't at 90 degrees when entering a road you can't see a darned thing.

Yeah I know, a guy can dream can't he? Apparently they put airbags above the doors too making it hard for relatively tall guys like me to even get in & out without clunking your head.
Personally, I really dislike the huge consoles they put in most if not all vehicles today. Unless there's stuff that's concealed under it they don't really serve much of a purpose, and make the interior feel cramped.

 

[ponytug]

Yeah I know, a guy can dream can't he? Apparently they put airbags above the doors too making it hard for relatively tall guys like me to even get in & out without clunking your head.
Personally, I really dislike the huge consoles they put in most if not all vehicles today. Unless there's stuff that's concealed under it they don't really serve much of a purpose, and make the interior feel cramped.

I actually think that the "cramped" is part of the design to keep occupants from moving too much in a collision or rollover. I know of rules for knee barriers to keep folks from "submarining" under seat belts to the floor in a crash.

But yes, less space compared to say a '50s sedan.

All the best,

Peter

 

[MossRoad]

There are several cars that I can't fit in comfortably because my right leg is pinned up against the center console making me feel cramped, and my size 13 winter boots won't fit between the right edge of the brake pedal and the console.... I can't push the gas pedal without hitting the brakes.

 

[ovrszd]

I actually think that the "cramped" is part of the design to keep occupants from moving too much in a collision or rollover. I know of rules for knee barriers to keep folks from "submarining" under seat belts to the floor in a crash.

But yes, less space compared to say a '50s sedan.

All the best,

Peter

My eldest Son, when younger, owned a lot of cars. He once bought a late70s/early 80s Olds 98 2dr hardtop. I swear you could fit a 3 piece band in the back seat and a dance floor in the trunk. It was a Rocket 455 V8. Would smoke the right rear tire on demand. What a cruiser.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

My eldest Son, when younger, owned a lot of cars. He once bought a late70s/early 80s Olds 98 2dr hardtop. I swear you could fit a 3 piece band in the back seat and a dance floor in the trunk. It was a Rocket 455 V8. Would smoke the right rear tire on demand. What a cruiser.

In college I drove my parents old Buick Electra, 455 4 barrel. It could throw you back in the seat. We would seat 4 in back seat.

 

[Oaktree]

There are several cars that I can't fit in comfortably because my right leg is pinned up against the center console making me feel cramped, and my size 13 winter boots won't fit between the right edge of the brake pedal and the console.... I can't push the gas pedal without hitting the brakes.

I've found most modern sedans are like that which is why I have no interest in ever having another one. Might be somewhat comfortable when you first get in, but there's no place to shift your legs even slightly, so after a half hour or so it feels very claustrophobic. Never occurred that it might have been a "safety feature" as ponytug pointed out, but if you can't get comfortable/move your legs easily it seems to me that it works against safety, not towards it. But what do I know...?