Idiosyncratic features to be savoured
Discussion
We had a series 2 land rover as kids.
It blew the fuse every time the choke was pulled out. (it only had two fuses, one always on, one on with ignition)
Turns out there was a heater in the carburettor for chilly days which turned on when the choke was pulled out fully. This had shorted, blowing the fuse on cold days.
It blew the fuse every time the choke was pulled out. (it only had two fuses, one always on, one on with ignition)
Turns out there was a heater in the carburettor for chilly days which turned on when the choke was pulled out fully. This had shorted, blowing the fuse on cold days.
Jex said:
Was this the Alfa in which you couldn't eject the cassette if it was in 5th?
In the Alfetta GTV, the stereo was closer to the drivers left foot than left hand, assuming you're holding the wheel at "1/4 to three". You could eject a cassette for two reasons:1) The gear linkage was so vague you could move the lever out of the way while remaining in 5th
2) The stereo was canted at such an angle that the cassette flew over the gear lever, of course the angle rendered most of the stereo controls unusable.
I love that car. Just waiting for the brake calipers to come back from refurbishment and it will be on the road again...
Orange Rocket said:
My B8 Audi S4 didn't have a dipstick for checking the oil level, this had to be done by fulfilling certain criteria and going in through the MMI which was a ludicrous, stupid exercise resulting in technology for the sake of technology. The same supercharged V6 engine was offered elsewhere in the Audi range with a dipstick but Audi wouldn't sell me one "because it's not on the parts BOM for the S4". I never understood why they did this.
My A5 3.2 was the same as this, totally idiotic; only more so, as there was a hole for a dipstick, which had a bung in it! Gave me a heart attack when I pulled the top off and nothing was attached (the bung was yellow and looked just like the top of a dipstick), don't know why you'd have the space for one, but not use it?! As mentioned intermittent switch for a 986/996 is hardly a great piece of design; also because you can't see it while driving.
saaby93 said:
CubanPete said:
If you flash your lights in the 3 series after the ignition is off, the lights stay on for 10 seconds to see you to your door.
SAAB does this too but to be honest Ive no idea how. Ive done it once by accidentcraigjm said:
saaby93 said:
CubanPete said:
If you flash your lights in the 3 series after the ignition is off, the lights stay on for 10 seconds to see you to your door.
SAAB does this too but to be honest Ive no idea how. Ive done it once by accidentDont think anyone has mentioned the "jaguar-sense" glovebox and interior lights in the original XF. The idea was you brushed your finger over them to turn them on/off or open the glovebox. The lights worked well but the glovebox was awful and was replaced at the facelift. Guess their rotary gear selector is pretty "idiosyncratic" too
HTP99 said:
craigjm said:
saaby93 said:
CubanPete said:
If you flash your lights in the 3 series after the ignition is off, the lights stay on for 10 seconds to see you to your door.
SAAB does this too but to be honest Ive no idea how. Ive done it once by accidentI dont think i ever really used that feature though.
craigjm said:
saaby93 said:
CubanPete said:
If you flash your lights in the 3 series after the ignition is off, the lights stay on for 10 seconds to see you to your door.
SAAB does this too but to be honest Ive no idea how. Ive done it once by accidentsaaby93 said:
SAAB does this too but to be honest Ive no idea how. Ive done it once by accident
From memory, switch off car, pull out key, open drivers door, flash headlamps by pulling back on high/low beam stalk, get out of car and close door.... lights should come on when the door closes. 
The length of time they stay on for is programmable via Tech 2.
Trabi601 said:
You do realise that those 'features' you listed are present on almost every car since 1990?
Really? Forgive me, but I haven't used another car with radio on/off+volume on the right, eg under the drivers left hand, and assumed it was clever Japanese detailing. And yet 'every car' since 1990 has had them? Wowsers...My neighbour had a Brera (he's a serial Alfa Romeo fan - there are three on the drive currently) with a black glass roof. Very nice, but actually hidden from the occupants by standard rooflining. So, heavier than steel, lets in no light, possibly increases premiums and performs no practical function except to look funky.
Terence said:
Mk1 Rover SD1 face level fresh air vent between rev counter and speedometer that blew flesh air through the top of the steering wheel onto your face.
TVR 350i electric boot release in B-post only accessible with drivers door open.
TVR Chimaera pre-face lift rear illuminated number plate.
A right hand drive Alfa 2000gvt/16GTJunior (105 series or bertone) had the boot release on the passenger side door shut. It was the only way to open the boot and not very convenient. TVR 350i electric boot release in B-post only accessible with drivers door open.
TVR Chimaera pre-face lift rear illuminated number plate.
Of a similar era, by Dad's mate demoed his Audi Coupe's central locking. you could hear the air pump and the click from the boot when it locked. He was unable to explain why there needed to be a boot lock when there was no external key or handle to open it, as it only released from inside the car
The hatch on the 2003 Hyundai coupe I had was blessed with a sticker in Korean which when translated into English said "danger of death if hatch is closed hard when rear passengers are in place" or words to that effect. Basically their heads could go through the screen. Why they saw not to bother translating said sticker until later models is beyond me.
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