pointless features
Discussion
I like pointless features, so not really saying I'd like to see fewer... more if anything.
But what pointless features have you seen on cars over the years.
I've had a lot of Mercs in the past (x3 at the moment) and all of them have had rear headrests that you can flatten using a button on the dashboard. One even allows you to raise them back up again (vacuum controlled) just in case you're part way through a drive and realise you need your headrests erected urgently.
What else is out there...?
But what pointless features have you seen on cars over the years.
I've had a lot of Mercs in the past (x3 at the moment) and all of them have had rear headrests that you can flatten using a button on the dashboard. One even allows you to raise them back up again (vacuum controlled) just in case you're part way through a drive and realise you need your headrests erected urgently.
What else is out there...?
I always thought that was a handy feature in fairness.. Being able to drop the headrests when there is noone else in the car to get a better rear view. Didn't realise you could raise them without jumping in the back either!!
For me, the little button at the end of / under the throttle pedal in bmws.. Supposedly unlocking some additional max acceleration mode... But sadly doesn't!
For me, the little button at the end of / under the throttle pedal in bmws.. Supposedly unlocking some additional max acceleration mode... But sadly doesn't!
Billy_Rosewood said:
I always thought that was a handy feature in fairness.. Being able to drop the headrests when there is noone else in the car to get a better rear view. Didn't realise you could raise them without jumping in the back either!!
For me, the little button at the end of / under the throttle pedal in bmws.. Supposedly unlocking some additional max acceleration mode... But sadly doesn't!
I thought that button at the end of the accelerator travel was for kick-down in an automatic? Can't remember the last car I had that where I could feel the button at the end of the pedal travel but I know exactly what you're talking about. It must have been a BMW unless they have them on other cars as well? For me, the little button at the end of / under the throttle pedal in bmws.. Supposedly unlocking some additional max acceleration mode... But sadly doesn't!
On our Forester, where the front fog light switch is typically found well placed on many Japanese cars, ie a little toggle switch beside the main light switch on the stalk to the left of the steering column, it only serves to increase the intensity of the dash readouts eg odometer, utterly pointless.
The fog light switch itself is brilliantly placed beside the rear fog and screen/mirror heater switches buried low down in the underdash to the right of the steering wheel where no one looks, everso handy to find whilst going along, not....Scania have done exactly the same with the axle weight transfer and axle lift buttons on the latest models which you can't see because steering wheel in the way.
The fog light switch itself is brilliantly placed beside the rear fog and screen/mirror heater switches buried low down in the underdash to the right of the steering wheel where no one looks, everso handy to find whilst going along, not....Scania have done exactly the same with the axle weight transfer and axle lift buttons on the latest models which you can't see because steering wheel in the way.
ingenieur said:
I thought that button at the end of the accelerator travel was for kick-down in an automatic? Can't remember the last car I had that where I could feel the button at the end of the pedal travel but I know exactly what you're talking about. It must have been a BMW unless they have them on other cars as well?
Yeah, I thought so too. But by the time you have reached that point of throttle travel the car has already kicked down to its lowest possible gear! Ime at least. Sporky said:
grumbledoak said:
Electric seats were a pointless innovation. I paid £400 for an electronic "lumber support" in one car and played with it exactly once.
I think they can make sense if two (or more) different people use the car, and the seats have memory. ingenieur said:
Sporky said:
grumbledoak said:
Electric seats were a pointless innovation. I paid £400 for an electronic "lumber support" in one car and played with it exactly once.
I think they can make sense if two (or more) different people use the car, and the seats have memory. Every time I get in a car with manual seats I curse them as I adjust my position, particularly ones that don't have a ratchet for the seat back rake but those stupid levers that just make the entire assembly flop around until hopefully you can get it into an acceptable position.
One of the separating factors between povvo cars and a proper spec car for me (lightweight sports cars aside!).
I don't use lumbar support much if at all but I'm told if you have certain back issues it's basically essential for comfort.
ingenieur said:
If you're a 23yo girl with friends of the same age this feature is probably quite useful. Not so much if you're a member of dull mens club.
I’ll admit I’m a fully paid up member of said club.But you’re right, I should have recognized that for the ditzy 23yo girl who doesn’t want to break her precious nails, it saves her the risk of repeatedly pressing the switch.
ingenieur said:
thepritch said:
‘Party’ lights on a Mini. Automatically cycles through all the different colours of interior lights.
If you're a 23yo girl with friends of the same age this feature is probably quite useful. Not so much if you're a member of dull mens club. Grey hatchbacks with grey cloth interiors and a sea of button blanks are available if you don't like it
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