Really thoughtful design features
Discussion
Al U said:
My S2000 has a feature on the stamping inside the fuel filler flap that the cap slides into when you are putting petrol in the car. It's a nice idea because it means you haven't got to have the cap resting on the bodywork. The flap is upside down in the picture but I'm sure you get the idea. Haven't seen it on other cars, although I know some like ford have capless filler necks.
Our Octavia has something similar.My Elise has a completely removable filler car, which serves much the same purpose - I just stick it on the plastic engine cover while filling up.
Al U said:
I genuinely can't remember it was a good 6-7 years ago but I do remember that where they were pressed so frequently it was obvious which 4 numbers the code contained.
Sold the Saxo in 2001 but it's ingrained with me for some reason, only good thing I remember about that car! But then again, it was only a humble 1.1ikambites said:
My Elise has a completely removable filler car, which serves much the same purpose - I just stick it on the plastic engine cover while filling up.
The disadvantage of that design is that it is possible for you to leave your filler cap on the engine cover/fuel pump and drive off Sixpackpert said:
TIGA84 said:
My old man bought an XFR a few months ago, have only played in it a couple of times but having the windscreen washer jets on the actual wipers is a fricking great idea.
I had a Pug 405 with that back in the day.I also had an XF with it!
Another genuinely great TVR design idea was to place the door lock mechanisms within the body shell rather than the door. Makes it nearly impossible to slim-jim the locks through the window opening, but also keeps the weight of the door down which stops the hinges dropping.
I've found a few good ones, Skoda Superb umbrella, Skoda Octavia boot curry hooks, Skoda Roomster rear seats fold down, then forward or can be removed, plus the rail system in the boot was excellent. I had the bike rack which meant no more bikes on the roof.
VAG fuel caps which have little cut outs to fit onto the fuel flap.
Skoda Octavia headlights come out very easily which make changing bulbs a doddle, but also allowed you to flick a lever to flat out the headlight pattern for when driving in France.
Vauxhall Vectra: in the fuel flap was a small plastic thing which went over the dust caps when checking the tyre pressures so you didn't get brake dust and dirt while unscrewing them.
Saab 9-5 Double sun visors, opening normally but then allowed you to open another part which shielded your face from the sun coming from the side of the car AND the front at the same time.
VAG rain sensor, which not only controlled the wipers but also if the windows and sunroof where open and it started to rain it would wind them all shut. Also if you pushed the unlock button down on some VAG cars they opened the windows to let the built up that out in summer.
Oh and another VAG one was the solar panel on the sunroof of the A8 which meant it recharged the battery while sat in the sun and also allowed the car to regulate inside temps aswell.
VAG fuel caps which have little cut outs to fit onto the fuel flap.
Skoda Octavia headlights come out very easily which make changing bulbs a doddle, but also allowed you to flick a lever to flat out the headlight pattern for when driving in France.
Vauxhall Vectra: in the fuel flap was a small plastic thing which went over the dust caps when checking the tyre pressures so you didn't get brake dust and dirt while unscrewing them.
Saab 9-5 Double sun visors, opening normally but then allowed you to open another part which shielded your face from the sun coming from the side of the car AND the front at the same time.
VAG rain sensor, which not only controlled the wipers but also if the windows and sunroof where open and it started to rain it would wind them all shut. Also if you pushed the unlock button down on some VAG cars they opened the windows to let the built up that out in summer.
Oh and another VAG one was the solar panel on the sunroof of the A8 which meant it recharged the battery while sat in the sun and also allowed the car to regulate inside temps aswell.
spats said:
Vauxhall Vectra: in the fuel flap was a small plastic thing which went over the dust caps when checking the tyre pressures so you didn't get brake dust and dirt while unscrewing them.
You missed its other purpose - the other end has a little ruler for measuring tyre tread depthThe JaguarVoice voice command in my 9 year old X-Type actually works a treat.
I like how if you've been playing a loud CD, then decide to cut to the radio, it comes in at a lower volume so that Chis Evans isn't shouting at you. More of a maintenance thing, but I think having a tap to drain the engine coolant, instead of a jubilee clip and disconnecting the bottom hose, is a good idea.
I like the remote boot release on the Monaro, it's in the glove box. And if that fails, there's a manual override under the rear head rest. The driver settings menu is a gold mine for some nice touches too. Over speed chimes can be set for any speed, there's the follow me home function where the headlights stay on for a time of your choosing, single or double central locking, quiet or 'chirping' alarm set functions. Lots of good stuff
I like how if you've been playing a loud CD, then decide to cut to the radio, it comes in at a lower volume so that Chis Evans isn't shouting at you. More of a maintenance thing, but I think having a tap to drain the engine coolant, instead of a jubilee clip and disconnecting the bottom hose, is a good idea.
I like the remote boot release on the Monaro, it's in the glove box. And if that fails, there's a manual override under the rear head rest. The driver settings menu is a gold mine for some nice touches too. Over speed chimes can be set for any speed, there's the follow me home function where the headlights stay on for a time of your choosing, single or double central locking, quiet or 'chirping' alarm set functions. Lots of good stuff
not had long with the current car, current gen Skoda Octavia -
ice scraper under petrol flap
customisable unlock, drivers door / drivers side or all on unlock button
In general manufacturers have become very good au utilising wasted space, cubby hules and stporage in floor, under boot floor organisers etc
ice scraper under petrol flap
customisable unlock, drivers door / drivers side or all on unlock button
In general manufacturers have become very good au utilising wasted space, cubby hules and stporage in floor, under boot floor organisers etc
My car has a lot of the items mentioned. Fog lights that always turn off, Keys paired to memory in the seats and wing mirrors, adjustable intermittent wipers, illuminated ignition barrel, fuel cap holder in petrol flap, footwell lights in the front and puddle lights in each door, heated front screen. It also has see you home lights, four cup holders of 2 differing sizes in the flip over centre cosol lid, full closure on the windows and sunroof, a nice little slot let into the wheel arches behind the rear seats that the parcel shelf slots into if not in use, clips that hold the rear seat belts out of the way when not in use cup holders in the rear arm rest (so six cup holders in total) all of these are factory items. There are lots of other nice little touches but I haven't got all night. My 1992 Rover Sterling had lots of these same touches but its a Rover and it's made in England so it's automatically sh@t and doesn't count, even though it served me faultlessly for 11 years. Oh I have just remembered the most brilliant thing my Rover and the 3 Montego's that I owned had. The spare wheel sat on a y shaped strap that was fixed into the boot, when you wanted to lift the spare out you just pulled up the leg of the y and the spare was lifted up onto the lip of the boot, putting the spare back in was the reverse, such a good idea.
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