Dumbing up of Automobiles

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: mva
I hate the push button selectors for typical HVAC controls. My favorite was the levers on my 1973 Pontiac that allowed my to blend as much or as little as I wanted down to my feet.

My 2000 BMW also has a dial that allows me to adjust how much defrost verses heat to the floor which works well but I don't drive it in the winter.


Interestingly enough, my 08 Ram has several detents between each blend setting on the dial, allowing just what you describe. The control is probably not as infinitely variable as the Pontiac, but its the only vehicle I've had since the days of all-cable slider controls that allowed any degree of tweaking between floor and dash, dash and defrost, or floor and defroster. Its a non-climate-control version, 3 knobs and a compressor button.

As for other gadgets... I've gotten lazy enough to REALLY like power windows, seats, and door locks (which I was adamantly against in my younger days). But keep yer touchscreens and voice activation. ;-p

 

[morepwr]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Chevy added MT's back into the Cruze lineup since the demand was there. Initially only the base LS and mpg queen Eco models had manuals. Now one can get a gussied-up 2LT model with a manual.


I didnt know that they changed that! Thats great news!

 

[ClutchDisc]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Chevy added MT's back into the Cruze lineup since the demand was there. Initially only the base LS and mpg queen Eco models had manuals. Now one can get a gussied-up 2LT model with a manual.

Still prefer base model, but glad they made that option available on some of the more expensive models. I think Ford is doing the same with the Focus.

 

[hattaresguy]

Shift interlock is kind of annoying.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: TallPaul
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
I would pay a premium to NOT get any of that junk.


Yep, I am willing to pay extra for a simple layout, manual tranny, etc. If that's what it takes to keep manual transmission on the assembly line, fine.


Me too.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: morepwr
Originally Posted By: sciphi
Chevy added MT's back into the Cruze lineup since the demand was there. Initially only the base LS and mpg queen Eco models had manuals. Now one can get a gussied-up 2LT model with a manual.


I didnt know that they changed that! Thats great news!


Yep, since mid-model-year 2012. The 1LT and 2LT Cruzes can be had with manuals and as plain or as fancy as wanted.

If we want more manuals in cars, encourage automakers to keep putting them in there by voting with your wallet, as long as one is already getting a new car. Don't get a new car just for a MT, but if a manual makes sense when considering a new car, get the manual! I did, and still enjoy driving it even in suburban traffic.

 

[Bamaro]

My personal beef is with A/C compressors that automatically come on with the defroster (and fan). Sometimes you dont need the extra drying provided by the A/C. I wish I had manual control over it.

 

[TFB1]

At approx 50* & below the A/C compressor is inoperative due to system low pressure, which is monitored by the low pressure cutoff switch...

While I'll likely never own a vehicle with the touch screen B-S, I do like such features as remote power door locks, power windows, climate control, cruse etc... I've even long since gotten over the novelty of a manual transmission(that took about 35 years), if it isn't a half engine(4cyl) vehicle I'll take a automatic any day...

 

[DavidZ28]

Originally Posted By: ClutchDisc
Unfortunately I have automatic headlights in my S-10. In the off setting if it's dark out, they will come on. I don't like this feature, so every time I need the headlights I manually turn them on anyway.


I do exactly the same thing on my S10.

 

[TallPaul]

Originally Posted By: Bamaro
My personal beef is with A/C compressors that automatically come on with the defroster (and fan). Sometimes you dont need the extra drying provided by the A/C. I wish I had manual control over it.
Suppose you can install a cut out switch in the dash.

 

[Kiwi_ME]

I wonder how many of you who dislike automatic climate controls simply don't want to even try it to see if it even works?

Well, I'm one of them :|

 

[Jarlaxle]

I have tried it. It NEVER works as well as a manual system. I want temperature and airflow where I want it, not where the car THINKS I want it.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: Kiwi_ME
I wonder how many of you who dislike automatic climate controls simply don't want to even try it to see if it even works?

Well, I'm one of them :|


Folks with the auto climate control in the Cruze are complaining to the heavens above about it. The folks with manual climate control are mostly mute. GM's climate control rarely had issues in the mid-90's and early 00's large cars, I wonder what they did differently. Based on the complaints I've read, I'll steer clear of touch-screens or auto climate control in automotive applications. Push-button HVAC controls are fancy enough for me.

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
I have tried it. It NEVER works as well as a manual system. I want temperature and airflow where I want it, not where the car THINKS I want it.


On which cars - in my infiniti and Ford it worked as designed. Plug in a # (I use 72 winter/70 summer) and when it's warm, air comes from the vents at your face and when it's cold air comes out at your feet. If I want windsheld defrost I hit that button. Simple and effective. None of the constant fiddling I do in the wife's Escape to get a consistent temperature.

I personally love that the car will take care of the "mundane" tasks for me. I wonder if it's a generation/age thing?

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: itguy08
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
I have tried it. It NEVER works as well as a manual system. I want temperature and airflow where I want it, not where the car THINKS I want it.


On which cars - in my infiniti and Ford it worked as designed. Plug in a # (I use 72 winter/70 summer) and when it's warm, air comes from the vents at your face and when it's cold air comes out at your feet. If I want windsheld defrost I hit that button. Simple and effective. None of the constant fiddling I do in the wife's Escape to get a consistent temperature.

I personally love that the car will take care of the "mundane" tasks for me. I wonder if it's a generation/age thing?


Bingo, that's how mine works as well. The BMW does the defrost thing automatically, so that's even one less thing to worry about. I have both vehicles set to 22C.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Shift interlock is kind of annoying.



Ditto!

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: itguy08
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
I have tried it. It NEVER works as well as a manual system. I want temperature and airflow where I want it, not where the car THINKS I want it.


On which cars - in my infiniti and Ford it worked as designed. Plug in a # (I use 72 winter/70 summer) and when it's warm, air comes from the vents at your face and when it's cold air comes out at your feet. If I want windsheld defrost I hit that button. Simple and effective. None of the constant fiddling I do in the wife's Escape to get a consistent temperature.

I personally love that the car will take care of the "mundane" tasks for me. I wonder if it's a generation/age thing?


Which cars? Let's see...
Signature Caddy.
Chrysler Concorde/300M (same system, I'd expect).
Mercury Sable.
Toyota Avalon.
Ford Focus.
Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Audi A4.
Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie.
Chrysler 200.
Lincoln Town Car/Mercury Grand Marquis (again, I suspect the same system).

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

I have not a clue why anyone would not like Automatic Climate Control.

Back in the 60's my mom had 65 Caddy with EATC..She was amazed how the car got and stayed at the set 70 degree temperature everytime she got into the Caddy..She left the automtic climate control on all the time..If the system is working properly there should be zero issues.

All my Panthers [even a couple of older 70's Caddies] all had awesome working climate control systems..It worked perfectly in my 88 Town Car for over 11 years and 300K miles.

I have noticed some people who play around with the EATC a lot [like constantly turning it on and off and constantly ajusting the temperture from 65 to 85 due have issues like blend door problems..The people that set it and forget it generally do not have issues even after 20 years in some cases.

I have no idea why someone would have rather have the old fashioned dial where you have to constantly adjust the temperature..In Miami where you need a/c everyday all year long the dial would be PITA.

Just IMHO..To each their own.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
I have tried it. It NEVER works as well as a manual system. I want temperature and airflow where I want it, not where the car THINKS I want it.


One of the MOST annoying cars with it has been the 2005 Ford Five Hundred. GRRRRRR!!!

Agreed. This is EXACTLY what happens with me as well, the car tries to "out smart" me. I end up with a blasting fan, ect....

I've never been in a car with auto climate control that works are consistently and reliably as the old manual three knob systems..and when there is a electronic failure...and the car is out of warranty look out you'll be spending a lot of $$$$$ ahead.

 

[Jarlaxle]

About $650 for the control unit on my stepfather's Concorde!