Scania’s have this option too, you can set the dashboard to dim or go dark when reversing which I find odd as you tend to be looking in your mirrors whilst reversing and not at the dashboard anyway!
Features on cars that never took hold….
- Thread starter Scania
- Start date
You think they didn't take hold? Every car with pretensions of being sporty these days has a flat bottomed wheel.
Headlight wipers went when cars moved away from using glass lenses to using polycarbonate covers over a projector. The last thing you want to do is use the wiper blade to drag grit over one of those.
Mine has a flat bottom it’s a bit strange but you get used to it.
I’ll throw in the Nissan Pulsar Gti-R and it’s umbrella.
Mine has a flat bottom it’s a bit strange but you get used to it.
I’ll throw in the Nissan Pulsar Gti-R and it’s umbrella.
OCUK's favourite Skoda Superb has a door umbrella, as I think do other Skoda models: https://www.skoda-storyboard.com/en...a-drivers-always-have-their-umbrella-to-hand/
Wouldn't call it an idea that's taken off however.
I believe most Bentley’s and Rolls Royce also have umbrellas in the doors.
Caporegime
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Driving my Scania recently, it occurred to me that it has a feature from its SAAB DNA that you don’t see on other cars (or trucks for that matter) namely the ability to disable all the dashboard lights other than the speedometer (and, in the trucks case, the outside temperature) at night, I find this feature very helpful as it removes so many other unnecessary distractions from the dashboard and leaves you far more focused on the road ahead…
I just wonder why this feature isn’t more common on other platforms?
I use it all the time and like it….
Thoughts?
Dashboard on.
Dashboard off.
Apologies for the iPotato picture quality!
How do you do this!? I always just dim the dash as otherwise it lights up my mirror like it is christmas! Is it something in the settings? Does it dim the radio as well?
I still love my Saab night panel button and it is a shame it is not around anymore. It is a godsend in long night driving.
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Below the hazard warning switch there’s two buttons and the dashboard dimmer switch, the right hand button is the one that enables night mode.
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I’m going to have to check my Fiancée’s Fabia now, according to that link, it could be under the passenger seat….
Caporegime
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Better than Mercedes Actros mirror cam as you might as well hang out the window and look back. Mirrors are totally hopeless for judging angles and perception.
Now mirror cam that is once feature that I hope never takes hold!
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Soldato
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Knew of one car (BMW or Merc, I think) that had fans up by the sunroof which, on a day of being sat in the sun for a while, were supposed to blow all the hot air out the car before you got in...
Since having air conditioned cars I've never opened the windows unless I'm entering or exiting a carpark that requires a ticket, in which case I just open them all the way and then close them again. I do utter a silent prayer to the Gods of reliability that they still work though.
Associate
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Can confirm my Skoda has umbrellas in the drivers and passenger door. Also like the ice tool in the petrol cap, and the ticket holder in the windscreen, nice touches Skoda
What won't catch on is the stupid eco tips you get on new vehicles. Caution having the window open increases fuel consumption, well yeah but I need fresh air!
I also hope digital screens only don't catch on, having physical buttons is a must.
What won't catch on is the stupid eco tips you get on new vehicles. Caution having the window open increases fuel consumption, well yeah but I need fresh air!
I also hope digital screens only don't catch on, having physical buttons is a must.
Soldato
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I agree. I own a model 3, and to change anything you need to takes eyes off the Road (including checking your speedCan confirm my Skoda has umbrellas in the drivers and passenger door. Also like the ice tool in the petrol cap, and the ticket holder in the windscreen, nice touches Skoda
What won't catch on is the stupid eco tips you get on new vehicles. Caution having the window open increases fuel consumption, well yeah but I need fresh air!
I also hope digital screens only don't catch on, having physical buttons is a must.
). Physical buttons are better imo as you can use muscle memory. Wonder if screens are cheaper than doing buttons/knobs these days. Just thinking in engineering terms, the dash must be cheaper as less operation and frankly very little though goes into touch screens, most look like they've exploded out the dash like a xenomorph.No the ones that slow you down. Not sure some drivers have found this feature
Associate
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My old Vauxhall Signum - I loved the fact it was basically a sportback/estate where the rear seats could recline indiviually, sat much further back than the normal estate/hatchback Vectra, and they laid back perfectly flat for loading. It was just a better design for tourers which I loved.
And yes, it was the one Clarkson drove from the back in 2003.
And yes, it was the one Clarkson drove from the back in 2003.
Ah. Brakes!