Dipped beams = too bright , auto wipers = arghh, rear saloon wipers = ?!?!

[Jamesyboyjim]

I don't use my rear wiper simply because it sounds like an elephant and is annoying, I should probably change the blade at some point

 

[Skillmister]

This is logical by design, you don't want the wipers coming on when a bird poos near the sensor, or a sudden spit of water lands on it.

I'm more than happy for my wipers to come on in these scenarios. Obviously if I ever intended to go through a car wash, I could turn them off. That one inconvenience out of the many is better than the inconvenience on every trip, imo.

I almost never use my rear wiper though.

 

[ttaskmaster]

So where do you draw the line?

Anything that actively impacts other drivers and leads to more hassle, really... like those driving without proper vision or headlights, because they think the car has done everything automatically.

What about fuel injection or do you prefer carbs?

I'm more familiar with carbs and have no problem opening a manual choke when needed.

CV carbs or do they have to be flatslides?

With the variable way I ride, CV carbs probably work best.

Flatslides too automatic, how about manual mixture adjustment?

Yep, played around with that a few times.

What about CDI ignition? Prefer points?

Not noticed any difference, personally, but again am more familiar with points and find them easier to work with.

How about manual timing advance?

Haven't felt the need for that yet, but would be interested to give it a go one day.

All of these things make operating a car easier but the average driver has no idea about fuel mixture or ignition timing.

Putting in good quality fluids and regular maintenance makes driving a car easier and more reliable, but the average driver has no idea about that, either. Why then would giving them a bunch of semi-automated processes that still need at least a read of the manual (never understood why people don't) be of any benefit, especially when human decisions might be better that what a sensor thinks?

Does this mean they are worse drivers because that knowledge requirement has been taken away? No, it doesn't.

Fine. I look forward to utterly blinding you when my auto-headlights don't quite auto appropriate to the conditions and circumstances...

 

[TheVoice]

Given the debates about how they do or don't work even among those here who do have them, I think that point is somewhat supported... Extend that to all the other auto and semiauto features, such as headlights, and there ya go...

People are discussing the different implementations of various systems, it's quite clear that everyone who has used them (aside from yourself) agrees these systems are useful and easy to use.

We're all capable of deciding when the wipers need to go on, when to turn headlights on or adjusting the temperature of the hot/cold air to suit our comfort level; these features aren't doing anything that the driver isn't already capable of doing. But the technology exists to reliably automate them for convenience, so why not?

 

[Pudney]

Reverse onto the drive?

Typically it's easier to pull onto my driveway and reverse off because of the time of day and the number of parked cars opposite my house at the respective time of days.

It did used to annoy me occasionally when I had my Honda Accord saloon though, not being able to clear morning dew which was often thick enough for the rear screen demister not to touch it.

It's very definitely a situational issue. This time of year it's only a morning thing (when frost is on the rear windscreen and I want to do some reversing), rest of the year it's highly unusual unless it's mega raining. Tis why it only counts as a bugbear

 

[ttaskmaster]

People are discussing the different implementations of various systems, it's quite clear that everyone who has used them (aside from yourself) agrees these systems are useful and easy to use.

Apparently the newer ones do work differently to older ones already...

these features aren't doing anything that the driver isn't already capable of doing. But the technology exists to reliably automate them for convenience, so why not?

If they're that reliable and convenient, why is there a thread about getting blinded by badly adjusted or slow-responding auto-headlights?

 

[adolf hamster]

This. What's with the poverty BMWs needing to turn auto wipers on every time you get in the car?! Or am I missing something?

the proper poverty spec doesn't have auto wipers

it kinda makes sense, all they've done is automatically set the speed of the wipers by the sensor, but still left the relevant decision to the driver.

certainly round here, if it's just after the rains finished and muck on the roads you end up cleaning the screen instead of just wiping, and the auto wipers coming on would be a pita in that case.

 

[adolf hamster]

If they're that reliable and convenient, why is there a thread about getting blinded by badly adjusted or slow-responding auto-headlights?

its mostly over-bright and over high dipped beams from factory, or at least thats what it originally was about before the 2 title changes

 

[[TW]Fox]

If they're that reliable and convenient, why is there a thread about getting blinded by badly adjusted or slow-responding auto-headlights?

There isn't. There is a thread about bright headlights and some people misunderstanding the purpose of self levelling.

 

[robj20]

Regards rear wipers, I wonder why my mondeo has one but the saloon version doesn't if the reason is that the shape makes it unnecessary.

 

[Nasher]

Maybe they should start having MOTs from year 1, then the badly set headlights on new cars will get picked up

 

[ttaskmaster]

Fine, fine, automated everything perfectly awesome and it's just people who don't know what they're doing and the factories that don't set it up right.

 

[Clarkey]

I say bring on the automation, who wants to do things manually? It's not like you're going to forget how to turns lights and wipers on and off is it? Besides the systems don't work perfectly anyway there are plenty of times when you will have to take manual control.

 

[TheVoice]

Apparently the newer ones do work differently to older ones already...

Not really, the only difference appears to be whether you have to initially activate the wipers for the 'auto' element to kick in or not.

If they're that reliable and convenient, why is there a thread about getting blinded by badly adjusted or slow-responding auto-headlights?

Why would anyone be getting blinded by auto-lights? All they do is turn on. High Beam Assist might be a different story, I've no experience with that and besides, different implementations will differ by manufacturer. You're trying to tar them all with the same brush here.

 

[robj20]

I turn my auto headlights off, turns them on way too early. It's a con for bulb manufacturers and garages to make you need new bulbs more often.

 

[tom_e]

I turn my auto headlights off, turns them on way too early. It's a con for bulb manufacturers and garages to make you need new bulbs more often.

And that's money you'd rather be spending on your tinfoil hats right?

 

[paradigm]

I turn my auto headlights off, turns them on way too early. It's a con for bulb manufacturers and garages to make you need new bulbs more often.

Can't you adjust the sensitivity of the lights? I can adjust mine for later or earlier activation.

 

[Firestar_3x]

I turn my auto headlights off, turns them on way too early. It's a con for bulb manufacturers and garages to make you need new bulbs more often.

Did you know that manufacturers deliberately inform you to run more tyre pressure than needed, means you change your tyres more often, total and utter scam.

Anyway, back in the real world.............

 

[ttaskmaster]

I say bring on the automation, who wants to do things manually?

I do...

Besides the systems don't work perfectly anyway there are plenty of times when you will have to take manual control.

Ah, no no no.... It all works perfectly fine, apparently and it's just the few who don't understand them...

Not really, the only difference appears to be whether you have to initially activate the wipers for the 'auto' element to kick in or not.

On the fleet vehicles with these fitted, you turn up the sensitivity lever from 0-3. That basically decides when it activates the wipers in heavy, medium or light rain. The wipers come on at normal speed. If you don't want them on, switch it to 0.
You have manual control between single wipe, off, intermittent, normal and fast.

Why would anyone be getting blinded by auto-lights? All they do is turn on. High Beam Assist might be a different story

Whichever it's called...

besides, different implementations will differ by manufacturer.

I'm sure that will be the main thought going through my mind as I go flying off the road I can no longer see... It will be a great comfort to know that, had it been a Mercedes hooning round the corner, I'd not have been blinded and I was just unfortunate that BMW employ clueless idiots to implement their auto-lighting... in fact, I'm sure that will be the insurance company's reason for not paying out a penny, too!!

You're trying to tar them all with the same brush here.

I just want to have the choice in such matters.
For example, I doubt even the most sophisticated system will detect a car through the treeline round the corner and decide to dip the lights early, whereas I can...

 

[mrk]

Just wear sunglasses, problem solved.