Really stupid design features

[sebhaque]

amusingduck said:

If the windscreen doesn't need demisting, why point it there? If it does, you're better off with the AC on. Disagree with you here.

I often keep the air pointed at the windscreen as it's a nice way of subtly altering the interior temperature without having a gust blowing around me. Also, generally the amount of condensation on the windscreen, if I'm on the move, isn't enough to warrant using the air con, a bit of hot air will suffice.

I fully appreciate the benefits of AC but I prefer having the option to turn it on myself as opposed to the car thinking I always need it on.

[digitalsafari]

Conscript said:

Give this stuff a try on your window seals:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EINSZETT-GUMMI-PFLEGE-ST...

Very useful on all rubber seals, but especially for frame less windows - keeps the rubber fresh, supple and lubricated. Stops the windows sticking to the seals in freezing conditions.

I needed some followed the link then found another UK seller doing 2 x Einszett Gummi Pflege Rubber Care Stick 100ml - Rubber Treatment - Roll On for £10 delivered.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191409793896

[matpilch]

has anyone mentioned 4 (FOUR) cupholders on the mk3 MX-5?

[KarlMac]

On my 02 Impreza, the optional boost gauge is fitted to the column directly in front of the fuel gauge.

[Fastdruid]

MK4 Mondeo

1) The sun visors are too short so if you turn them to the side when the sun is blinding you from the side they leave about an 8in gap and are totally pointless.
2) There is a seal which runs the entire length of the car on the sill which is perfect for catching with your foot and ripping off, especially if you're in a tight parking space and trying to squeeze through a small door gap.
3) The auto-lights come on in if the windscreen wipers have been going for a period of time. Which is fine except it then dims the dash so you can't see it in daylight. If you turn it up then it blinds you when it's dark so you turn it down. Repeat turning it up and down and up and down every bloody day in autumn and spring.
4) The power fold mirrors need the ignition on. So you park up think "Hmmm might be an idea to fold the mirrors in", have to reach in to press the button on the far side of the wheel to turn the ign on, press the button for the mirrors and then turn the ign off again. Obviously if you remember to do it before shutting the engine off they're fine.

[Martin_Hx]

amusingduck said:

sebhaque said:

Turning the heating direction knob to the windscreen automatically activates the AC. I know when it needs activating, stop nannying me!

If the windscreen doesn't need demisting, why point it there? If it does, you're better off with the AC on. Disagree with you here.

Have to agree with him here, if i want the AC on i will put it on!!

On a similar vain, with the front wipers going and selecting reverse, and the rear wiper starts.... no dont do that, i will tell you when to do it! Que massive steaky back window when its not wet enough due to the bloody spolier! Doh!

[southendpier]

Any car with a drinks holder next to the expensive and not very waterproof electronic controls. Audi MMI on the Q7 for one. Spilt coffee. ..several thousands of fix.

[thatguy11]

Move front seat forward to let someone in back, slide front seat back to position....seat doesn't go back to where it was, not even close.

How easy would it have been for them to just engineer the seat so the backrest clicks back to where it was!?!?! Admittedly it takes all of five seconds to put right, but it's a small thing that would have been so easy to correctly design in the first place...

[B'stard Child]

Johnnytheboy said:

Peugeot Bipper van, 12v socket kinda near the handbrake so sat nav power cable won't reach a sat nav on windscreen.

Same on an SLK - plus if you have something plugged into it every time you change gear it hits your elbow - silly place to put a 12V socket

[so called]

I really dislike the automatic screen wipers that are common today.
They dont seem to be consistant regardless of make or model.
I miss the dial control design that, for me, gave better control.

[Blown2CV]

kiseca said:

amusingduck said:

sebhaque said:

Turning the heating direction knob to the windscreen automatically activates the AC. I know when it needs activating, stop nannying me!

If the windscreen doesn't need demisting, why point it there? If it does, you're better off with the AC on. Disagree with you here.

My note is the same. When I want to demist the window, fine. When I want to defrost the window, or when it's not heavily misting, I want the aircon off. I'd rather it didn't automatically come on whenever I move the knob to the windscreen demist.

Tards the lot of you. It's misty because you've got your AC turned off. Just turn it on all the time, it's not just for when it's baking hot outside. Anticipated "but it uses more fuel" or "I don't like the idea of it" responses.

[Fastdruid]

Blown2CV said:

Tards the lot of you. It's misty because you've got your AC turned off. Just turn it on all the time, it's not just for when it's baking hot outside. Anticipated "but it uses more fuel" or "I don't like the idea of it" responses.

Mine makes a funny noise.

I'm expecting to need a new compressor sometime soon.

[lufbramatt]

The cupholders on an E39 are just rubbish. Fall to bits if you so much as look at them. But that's not the most annoying thing about the cup holders. If you get in the car on a winters morning, put your nice hot coffee in the cupholder and drive off, after about 5 mins the climate control will only blow freezing cold air as the temperature sensor vents are right next to your hot cup of coffee and the car thinks its 80*C inside.

[Limpet]

Hoofy said:

Any manufacturer who puts the cigarette lighter off to one side:



It's only a matter of time before anything plugged in is snapped off.

I had a Scenic II. Trust me, that was the least of its issues. Lots of critical components being made of chocolate was a far bigger deal.

Also agree the design of the washer bottle filler neck on current BMWs is so stupid it beggars belief.

[amusingduck]

Blown2CV said:

Tards the lot of you. It's misty because you've got your AC turned off. Just turn it on all the time, it's not just for when it's baking hot outside. Anticipated "but it uses more fuel" or "I don't like the idea of it" responses.

I just leave the climate control to sort itself out

[Limpet]

PHmember said:

No oil dipstick on the Z4 - you know, that completely failsafe way of knowing how much oil is in the engine, oh no, I've got an electric one, one that probably has many many things that can go wrong with it. Idiots.

The one in my F30 has never moved off MAX in 52,000 miles. I find it incredibly difficult to believe.

[Baryonyx]

Vauxhall's current backrest adjusters. Rather than just using the old twisty-knob on the side of the seat that worked well, they've decided a lever would be a better idea. Pull it, and the seat back tries to flick forward towards the steering wheel. Let go of the lever to lock the backrest in place. It's a hopeless design, and doesn't work as well as the more common, less fussy twisty-knob versions.

[RenesisEvo]

Fastdruid said:

MK4 Mondeo
4) The power fold mirrors need the ignition on. So you park up think "Hmmm might be an idea to fold the mirrors in", have to reach in to press the button on the far side of the wheel to turn the ign on, press the button for the mirrors and then turn the ign off again. Obviously if you remember to do it before shutting the engine off they're fine.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the power fold mirrors automatically folded in when you locked the car regardless?

[Fastdruid]

RenesisEvo said:

Fastdruid said:

MK4 Mondeo
4) The power fold mirrors need the ignition on. So you park up think "Hmmm might be an idea to fold the mirrors in", have to reach in to press the button on the far side of the wheel to turn the ign on, press the button for the mirrors and then turn the ign off again. Obviously if you remember to do it before shutting the engine off they're fine.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the power fold mirrors automatically folded in when you locked the car regardless?

Only on later models. I think post 2010 (mine is a 2008).

[BGarside]

On my old Seat Leon Mark 1 the instrument lights would illuminate automatically in the dark, regardless of whether the headlamps were on or not. Stupid dangerous design feature that made it easy to drive around with headlamps off in the dark while assuming they were on...