OT: Travel rant #3

[BrritSki]

ON arrival in Copenhagen we went to the Hertz desk to pick up the hire
car. I'd reserved an automatic, but for the very reasonable price (there
was an offer on when we booked) we were given a VW Arteon which is very
swish.

It had 2 features that were new to me:

1. Lane Departure Warning which I had assumed would be a signal, but was
actually resistance in the steering wheel as I tried to change lanes.
Most odd and I really didn't like it.

2. Adaptive Cruise Control. This I knew a little about and assumed it
would just slow me down when there was a slower car in front. This it
did indeed do, but it also recognised what the speed limit was and
changed the set speed accordingly. That was fine most of the time, but
at one point in a 130kph stretch it suddenly decided that the limit was
80 and applied the brakes quite aggressively to slow down. Extremely
dangerous and makes you realise that fully autonomous vehicles are still
a long way off.

I had mistakenly thought that both these features would be on my new
Mitsubishi and am rather glad they're not, especially the first, even if
it means you can drive down the motorway with hands and feet off the
controls if you're feeling lucky that day :/

It also took a while to pair the car to my phone before we started, but
once we did we happily listened to R4 all the way to Langeland :)

[krw]

Post by BrritSki
ON arrival in Copenhagen we went to the Hertz desk to pick up the hire
car. I'd reserved an automatic, but for the very reasonable price (there
was an offer on when we booked) we were given a VW Arteon which is very
swish.
1. Lane Departure Warning which I had assumed would be a signal, but was
actually resistance in the steering wheel as I tried to change lanes.
Most odd and I really didn't like it.
2. Adaptive Cruise Control. This I knew a little about and assumed it
would just slow me down when there was a slower car in front. This it
did indeed do, but it also recognised what the speed limit was and
changed the set speed accordingly. That was fine most of the time, but
at one point in a 130kph stretch it suddenly decided that the limit was
80 and applied the brakes quite aggressively to slow down. Extremely
dangerous and makes you realise that fully autonomous vehicles are still
a long way off.
I had mistakenly thought that both these features would be on my new
Mitsubishi and am rather glad they're not, especially the first, even if
it means you can drive down the motorway with hands and feet off the
controls if you're feeling lucky that day  :/
It also took a while to pair the car to my phone before we started, but
once we did we happily listened to R4 all the way to Langeland  :)

Following the departure of the car we temporarily have a Nissan Entrail
(or something like that) on loan. That has done some strange things -
it keeps beeping and every time it does wofe asks what is going on - as
if I had any idea! It certainly did not like me crossing the line in
the middle of the road at one point - but there were no other cars
around. Fearful grinding noise and I think application of brakes.

There are flashing lights on the interior adjacent to the wing mirrors
warning when it thinks it is unsafe to change lane due to traffic
passing (blind spot indicator?). It does display the speed limit on the
dashboard but has not obviously corrected my speed to the limit
(although given recent problems I tend not to go faster than the limit
anyway).

On Thursday we are going to look at new cars and I really wonder what is
likely to be imposed on us. Apparently having a car with Skoda written
on it is unacceptable which is a pity as the Kodiaq looks cheap.

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <plhc85$1vvj$***@gioia.aioe.org>, krw <***@whitnet.uk> writes:
[]

Post by krw
On Thursday we are going to look at new cars and I really wonder what
is likely to be imposed on us. Apparently having a car with Skoda
written on it is unacceptable

To whom? Modern Skodas are basically Volkswagens, but cheaper. (Not that
this will be relevant to you, but mine - transitional, i. e. made when
VW were taking over Škoda [X reg.] - returned 59.x MPG on the last
tankful. Four-door estate car.)

Post by krw
which is a pity as the Kodiaq looks cheap.

[krw]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
To whom? Modern Skodas are basically Volkswagens, but cheaper. (Not that
this will be relevant to you, but mine - transitional, i. e. made when
VW were taking over Škoda [X reg.] - returned 59.x MPG on the last
tankful. Four-door estate car.)

You and I know that to be the case. However the wofe has a feeling that
the Skoda name is unsuitable for her to drive or be driven in and this
not helped by Chris Evans driving one as she does not regard him positively.

[Btms]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
[]

Post by krw
On Thursday we are going to look at new cars and I really wonder what
is likely to be imposed on us. Apparently having a car with Skoda
written on it is unacceptable

To whom? Modern Skodas are basically Volkswagens, but cheaper. (Not that
this will be relevant to you, but mine - transitional, i. e. made when
VW were taking over Škoda [X reg.] - returned 59.x MPG on the last
tankful. Four-door estate car.)

Post by krw
which is a pity as the Kodiaq looks cheap.

I would not dismiss a skoda on price. So bored with cars and not interested
in the label. Economy plus comfort end of.

[Fenny]

Post by Btms

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
[]

Post by krw
On Thursday we are going to look at new cars and I really wonder what
is likely to be imposed on us. Apparently having a car with Skoda
written on it is unacceptable

To whom? Modern Skodas are basically Volkswagens, but cheaper. (Not that
this will be relevant to you, but mine - transitional, i. e. made when
VW were taking over Škoda [X reg.] - returned 59.x MPG on the last
tankful. Four-door estate car.)

Post by krw
which is a pity as the Kodiaq looks cheap.

I would not dismiss a skoda on price. So bored with cars and not interested
in the label. Economy plus comfort end of.

When I bought my current car, the choice was a toss up between a Skoda
and the Kia I ended up with. It was a close thing, but I think
ultimately, the Kia was cheaper and I got more extras.

[BrritSki]

Post by Fenny

Post by Btms

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
[]

Post by krw
On Thursday we are going to look at new cars and I really wonder what
is likely to be imposed on us. Apparently having a car with Skoda
written on it is unacceptable

To whom? Modern Skodas are basically Volkswagens, but cheaper. (Not that
this will be relevant to you, but mine - transitional, i. e. made when
VW were taking over Škoda [X reg.] - returned 59.x MPG on the last
tankful. Four-door estate car.)

Post by krw
which is a pity as the Kodiaq looks cheap.

I would not dismiss a skoda on price. So bored with cars and not interested
in the label. Economy plus comfort end of.

When I bought my current car, the choice was a toss up between a Skoda
and the Kia I ended up with. It was a close thing, but I think
ultimately, the Kia was cheaper and I got more extras.

So, errm, extras weren't extra luv ?

[Btms]

Post by BrritSki

Post by Fenny

Post by Btms

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
[]

Post by krw
On Thursday we are going to look at new cars and I really wonder what
is likely to be imposed on us. Apparently having a car with Skoda
written on it is unacceptable

To whom? Modern Skodas are basically Volkswagens, but cheaper. (Not that
this will be relevant to you, but mine - transitional, i. e. made when
VW were taking over Škoda [X reg.] - returned 59.x MPG on the last
tankful. Four-door estate car.)

Post by krw
which is a pity as the Kodiaq looks cheap.

I would not dismiss a skoda on price. So bored with cars and not interested
in the label. Economy plus comfort end of.

When I bought my current car, the choice was a toss up between a Skoda
and the Kia I ended up with. It was a close thing, but I think
ultimately, the Kia was cheaper and I got more extras.

So, errm, extras weren't extra luv ?

Think some folk need to be seen in a car that fits the image of how they
want to be seen.

[Fenny]

On Thu, 23 Aug 2018 09:50:40 +0200, BrritSki

Post by BrritSki

Post by Fenny
When I bought my current car, the choice was a toss up between a Skoda
and the Kia I ended up with. It was a close thing, but I think
ultimately, the Kia was cheaper and I got more extras.

So, errm, extras weren't extra luv ?

Actually, they weren't. The model I wanted [1] had reversing sensors
as an extra at something liike £259. I told the salesman [2] that
when I learned to drive, they taught us to look over our shoulder when
reversing.

As it happens, on the day I'd gone in for the test drive, a Rio 2 in
the colour I wanted had been delivered the day before and was awaiting
unwrapping. He asked for it to be brought round so I could drool over
the colour (or something like that) and it turned out it already had
reversing sensors fitted, so I didn't have to pay for them.


[1] because it came in the nice shade of blue I wanted, rather than
Minion Yellow!
[2] Jason

[Tony Bryer]

Post by krw
Following the departure of the car we temporarily have a Nissan Entrail
(or something like that) on loan. That has done some strange things -
it keeps beeping and every time it does wofe asks what is going on - as
if I had any idea! It certainly did not like me crossing the line in
the middle of the road at one point - but there were no other cars
around. Fearful grinding noise and I think application of brakes.
There are flashing lights on the interior adjacent to the wing mirrors
warning when it thinks it is unsafe to change lane due to traffic
passing (blind spot indicator?). It does display the speed limit on
the dashboard but has not obviously corrected my speed to the limit
(although given recent problems I tend not to go faster than the limit
anyway).

X'Trail (though I rather like Entrail!) - I've got one - lane departure
and blind spot warning. Both of these can be turned off from the settings
menu on the dash but I'll confess that both have kept me out of trouble
on more than one occasion.

[BrritSki]

Post by Tony Bryer

Post by krw
Following the departure of the car we temporarily have a Nissan Entrail
(or something like that) on loan. That has done some strange things -
it keeps beeping and every time it does wofe asks what is going on - as
if I had any idea! It certainly did not like me crossing the line in
the middle of the road at one point - but there were no other cars
around. Fearful grinding noise and I think application of brakes.
There are flashing lights on the interior adjacent to the wing mirrors
warning when it thinks it is unsafe to change lane due to traffic
passing (blind spot indicator?). It does display the speed limit on
the dashboard but has not obviously corrected my speed to the limit
(although given recent problems I tend not to go faster than the limit
anyway).

X'Trail (though I rather like Entrail!) - I've got one - lane departure
and blind spot warning. Both of these can be turned off from the settings
menu on the dash but I'll confess that both have kept me out of trouble
on more than one occasion.

The new Mitsubishi has blind spot warning which I rather like, although
I do always check and have very rarely missed anything in all my years
of driving.

It also has cross traffic alert when you are reversing out of a parking
space which again I like if only as a backup mechanism to actually looking.

[Sam Plusnet]

Post by BrritSki
It also has cross traffic alert when you are reversing out of a parking
space which again I like if only as a backup mechanism to actually looking.

I find that handy since the sensors must be mounted somewhere towards
the rear of the car.
They are able to 'see' the traffic before it is visible to me.

[the Omrud]

Post by Sam Plusnet

Post by BrritSki
It also has cross traffic alert when you are reversing out of a
parking space which again I like if only as a backup mechanism to
actually looking.

I find that handy since the sensors must be mounted somewhere towards
the rear of the car.
They are able to 'see' the traffic before it is visible to me.

I've also got a reversing camera which has a very wide-angle fish-eye
lens. When backing out from a gap in a wall or similar, it feels as
though the back of the car can see around corners.

[Penny]

On Sat, 25 Aug 2018 11:31:07 +0100, the Omrud <***@gmail.com>
scrawled in the dust...

Post by the Omrud

Post by Sam Plusnet

Post by BrritSki
It also has cross traffic alert when you are reversing out of a
parking space which again I like if only as a backup mechanism to
actually looking.

I find that handy since the sensors must be mounted somewhere towards
the rear of the car.
They are able to 'see' the traffic before it is visible to me.

I've also got a reversing camera which has a very wide-angle fish-eye
lens. When backing out from a gap in a wall or similar, it feels as
though the back of the car can see around corners.

My SiL has one of those, I found it disconcerting but am well used to
backing vans in and out of tight spots just using the wing mirrors. Backing
out into traffic isn't something I have to do at home though.

[krw]

Post by Tony Bryer

Post by krw
Following the departure of the car we temporarily have a Nissan Entrail
(or something like that) on loan. That has done some strange things -
it keeps beeping and every time it does wofe asks what is going on - as
if I had any idea! It certainly did not like me crossing the line in
the middle of the road at one point - but there were no other cars
around. Fearful grinding noise and I think application of brakes.
There are flashing lights on the interior adjacent to the wing mirrors
warning when it thinks it is unsafe to change lane due to traffic
passing (blind spot indicator?). It does display the speed limit on
the dashboard but has not obviously corrected my speed to the limit
(although given recent problems I tend not to go faster than the limit
anyway).

X'Trail (though I rather like Entrail!) - I've got one - lane departure
and blind spot warning. Both of these can be turned off from the settings
menu on the dash but I'll confess that both have kept me out of trouble
on more than one occasion.

More annoying is the way the engine turns itself off and the consequent
slow departure from traffic lights and so on - all of which delays
traffic flow and is therefore likely to annoy other drivers. I assume
this is also capable of being turned off leaving the engine on - but as
a hire car I cannot be bothered. My next journey will probably be to
return it to the hire company.

[Btms]

Post by krw

Post by Tony Bryer

Post by krw
Following the departure of the car we temporarily have a Nissan Entrail
(or something like that) on loan. That has done some strange things -
it keeps beeping and every time it does wofe asks what is going on - as
if I had any idea! It certainly did not like me crossing the line in
the middle of the road at one point - but there were no other cars
around. Fearful grinding noise and I think application of brakes.
There are flashing lights on the interior adjacent to the wing mirrors
warning when it thinks it is unsafe to change lane due to traffic
passing (blind spot indicator?). It does display the speed limit on
the dashboard but has not obviously corrected my speed to the limit
(although given recent problems I tend not to go faster than the limit
anyway).

X'Trail (though I rather like Entrail!) - I've got one - lane departure
and blind spot warning. Both of these can be turned off from the settings
menu on the dash but I'll confess that both have kept me out of trouble
on more than one occasion.

More annoying is the way the engine turns itself off and the consequent
slow departure from traffic lights and so on - all of which delays
traffic flow and is therefore likely to annoy other drivers. I assume
this is also capable of being turned off leaving the engine on - but as
a hire car I cannot be bothered. My next journey will probably be to
return it to the hire company.

We had a courtesy car that did that..irritating

[Fenny]

Post by krw
More annoying is the way the engine turns itself off and the consequent
slow departure from traffic lights and so on - all of which delays
traffic flow and is therefore likely to annoy other drivers. I assume
this is also capable of being turned off leaving the engine on - but as
a hire car I cannot be bothered. My next journey will probably be to
return it to the hire company.

I find the auto stop/start to be great on mine. Never an issue with
slow movement away from standing. It starts immediately as you put
the clutch down.

[Btms]

Post by Fenny

Post by krw
More annoying is the way the engine turns itself off and the consequent
slow departure from traffic lights and so on - all of which delays
traffic flow and is therefore likely to annoy other drivers. I assume
this is also capable of being turned off leaving the engine on - but as
a hire car I cannot be bothered. My next journey will probably be to
return it to the hire company.

I find the auto stop/start to be great on mine. Never an issue with
slow movement away from standing. It starts immediately as you put
the clutch down.

I guess one gets used to it. Ours is auto hybrid so altogethrer a
different feel.

[Penny]

On Thu, 23 Aug 2018 07:25:11 -0000 (UTC), Btms <***@thetames.me.uk>
scrawled in the dust...

Post by Btms

Post by Fenny

Post by krw
More annoying is the way the engine turns itself off and the consequent
slow departure from traffic lights and so on - all of which delays
traffic flow and is therefore likely to annoy other drivers. I assume
this is also capable of being turned off leaving the engine on - but as
a hire car I cannot be bothered. My next journey will probably be to
return it to the hire company.

I find the auto stop/start to be great on mine. Never an issue with
slow movement away from standing. It starts immediately as you put
the clutch down.

I guess one gets used to it. Ours is auto hybrid so altogethrer a
different feel.

I've had 2 cars with this 'eco' setting and never had a problem with the
stop/start, except that if I arrive home and don't switch off because I
want to hear the end of something on the radio, the engine starts again
when I take off my seat belt. A similar problem, it only lets me listen to
the radio for about 5 minutes if the engine is off.

Slow departures do occur at traffic lights and roundabouts because if I
haven't come to a full stop it tries to pull away in 2nd which isn't ideal
on hills. I'm finally learning to manually change down with the paddles on
the steering wheel in such circumstances.

[BrritSki]

Post by Fenny

Post by krw
More annoying is the way the engine turns itself off and the consequent
slow departure from traffic lights and so on - all of which delays
traffic flow and is therefore likely to annoy other drivers. I assume
this is also capable of being turned off leaving the engine on - but as
a hire car I cannot be bothered. My next journey will probably be to
return it to the hire company.

I find the auto stop/start to be great on mine. Never an issue with
slow movement away from standing. It starts immediately as you put
the clutch down.

<languid wave> I've rented several cars with it and never have a
problem. Current hire car is so quiet you're not even aware when the
engine has stopped. And halfway to Langeland I realised that the 900 on
the instrument display was the number of kilometres until the next
fillup needed !!!

[krw]

Post by Fenny
It starts immediately as you put
the clutch down.

What is this clutch of which you speak?

[Fenny]

Post by krw

Post by Fenny
It starts immediately as you put
the clutch down.

What is this clutch of which you speak?

See, that's yer problem. Automatics are just slower to start
altogether!

Granny had an automatic (Daf 33) when she learned to drive and bought
a car, aged 71, after Grandpa died. Eventually we had it when she
wasn't fit to drive any more. Ma hated it because it had no umph to
get out of a busy junction in the morning. Pa hated it because he
could never get the hang of driving an automatic and always stomped on
the brake as though it were the clutch.

[Serena Blanchflower]

Post by Fenny

Post by krw

Post by Fenny
It starts immediately as you put
the clutch down.

What is this clutch of which you speak?

See, that's yer problem. Automatics are just slower to start
altogether!

That wasn't my experience, when I had one. My last car was an automatic
and wasn't anything particularly sporty but it was pretty quick off the
mark. I remember coming home from Southampton once, along a stretch of
dual carriageway with several sets of traffic lights. By chance, I was
the first car at the red light for every set and I was amused to notice
that, every time, I was the first away from the lights, noticeably
faster than the car in the next lane.

Post by Fenny
Granny had an automatic (Daf 33) when she learned to drive and bought
a car, aged 71, after Grandpa died. Eventually we had it when she
wasn't fit to drive any more. Ma hated it because it had no umph to
get out of a busy junction in the morning. Pa hated it because he
could never get the hang of driving an automatic and always stomped on
the brake as though it were the clutch.

I think cars, and automatics, have come quite some way since the Daf (I
forget which model) that my grandmother had in the late 60s / early 70s.

[Fenny]

On Thu, 23 Aug 2018 19:22:35 +0100, Serena Blanchflower

Post by Serena Blanchflower
I think cars, and automatics, have come quite some way since the Daf (I
forget which model) that my grandmother had in the late 60s / early 70s.

Yes, they definitely have. Dafs were pretty much run on elastic
bands!

[Tony Bryer]

Post by Fenny

Post by Serena Blanchflower
I think cars, and automatics, have come quite some way since the Daf (I
forget which model) that my grandmother had in the late 60s / early 70s.

Yes, they definitely have. Dafs were pretty much run on elastic
bands!

I had a DAF 66 estate from 1976-79, very nice car to drive though parts
were expensive. I would never have guessed then that its odd rubber band
transmission would end up as the CVT transmission found of millions of
today's cars.

[Btms]

Post by Serena Blanchflower

Post by Fenny

Post by krw

Post by Fenny
It starts immediately as you put
the clutch down.

What is this clutch of which you speak?

See, that's yer problem. Automatics are just slower to start
altogether!

That wasn't my experience, when I had one. My last car was an automatic
and wasn't anything particularly sporty but it was pretty quick off the
mark. I remember coming home from Southampton once, along a stretch of
dual carriageway with several sets of traffic lights. By chance, I was
the first car at the red light for every set and I was amused to notice
that, every time, I was the first away from the lights, noticeably
faster than the car in the next lane.

Post by Fenny
Granny had an automatic (Daf 33) when she learned to drive and bought
a car, aged 71, after Grandpa died. Eventually we had it when she
wasn't fit to drive any more. Ma hated it because it had no umph to
get out of a busy junction in the morning. Pa hated it because he
could never get the hang of driving an automatic and always stomped on
the brake as though it were the clutch.

I think cars, and automatics, have come quite some way since the Daf (I
forget which model) that my grandmother had in the late 60s / early 70s.

If we need a quick getaway, we select the sports option or4w drive if rough
ground. Mostly we just “go”.

[krw]

Post by krw

Post by Fenny
It starts immediately as you put
the clutch down.

What is this clutch of which you speak?

See, that's yer problem.  Automatics are just slower to start
altogether!

That wasn't my experience, when I had one.  My last car was an automatic
and wasn't anything particularly sporty but it was pretty quick off the
mark.  I remember coming home from Southampton once, along a stretch of
dual carriageway with several sets of traffic lights.  By chance, I was
the first car at the red light for every set and I was amused to notice
that, every time, I was the first away from the lights, noticeably
faster than the car in the next lane.

Granny had an automatic (Daf 33) when she learned to drive and bought
a car, aged 71, after Grandpa died.  Eventually we had it when she
wasn't fit to drive any more.  Ma hated it because it had no umph to
get out of a busy junction in the morning.  Pa hated it because he
could never get the hang of driving an automatic and always stomped on
the brake as though it were the clutch.

I think cars, and automatics, have come quite some way since the Daf (I
forget which model) that my grandmother had in the late 60s / early 70s.

I have driven an automatic of some description more or less continuously
since 1982. Never had a problem pulling away at the lights until the
engine stopped.

[Fenny]

Post by krw
I have driven an automatic of some description more or less continuously
since 1982. Never had a problem pulling away at the lights until the
engine stopped.

I should think it must have fallen apart by now, let alone stopped, if
you've been driving it continously since 1982.

[krw]

Post by Fenny

Post by krw
I have driven an automatic of some description more or less continuously
since 1982. Never had a problem pulling away at the lights until the
engine stopped.

I should think it must have fallen apart by now, let alone stopped, if
you've been driving it continously since 1982.

Hmm. That should have automatics as there have been 10 different cars
in that time.

[Btms]

Post by krw

Post by Fenny

Post by krw
I have driven an automatic of some description more or less continuously
since 1982. Never had a problem pulling away at the lights until the
engine stopped.

I should think it must have fallen apart by now, let alone stopped, if
you've been driving it continously since 1982.

Hmm. That should have automatics as there have been 10 different cars
in that time.

We have not been keen but wouldn’t go back to manual now. 55mpg is good
too.

[Chris J Dixon]

Post by krw
Hmm. That should have automatics as there have been 10 different cars
in that time.

My current car (2009 Mondeo) is my first automatic, and I
wouldn't go back to manual now.

Considering replacing it, with something nearly new, but not sure
which way to go. The present one has a proper torque converter,
but nowadays they all seem to be twin clutch types, opinions of
which vary.

I don't want a smaller car as I need to tow our modest caravan,
but I have a feeling that large saloon cars are falling in
popularity, and hence availability used, with SUVs becoming the
thing.

My annual mileage is only about 5k, so there is little financial
point in diesel, but again availability of petrol could be a
problem.

I am a creature of habit - two Volvo 240s lasted me for 20 years
between them, and two Mondeos another 15 so far.

Chris

[krw]

Post by Chris J Dixon
I am a creature of habit - two Volvo 240s lasted me for 20 years
between them, and two Mondeos another 15 so far.

Well the first Previa lasted 12 years I think it was and the latest one
would have been 15 in November, 190000 miles between them.

Now I have retired each car does about 5k miles per year which is not
really enough. We look like we are going for a Tiguan Allspace which is
sort of a large estate or small SUV. They seem to prefer to sell
diesels - but I would prefer a petrol. Off for a test drive this afternoon.

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

Post by Chris J Dixon

Post by krw
Hmm. That should have automatics as there have been 10 different cars
in that time.

My current car (2009 Mondeo) is my first automatic, and I
wouldn't go back to manual now.

My first few cars were automatics, but after changing to manual, I'd not
be _too_ keen to go back (though they're nice to have in traffic).
[]

Post by Chris J Dixon
My annual mileage is only about 5k, so there is little financial
point in diesel, but again availability of petrol could be a
problem.

My mileage os probably dropping to something similar, but having now had
a diesel for a few years, I'd be reluctant to go back - the economy _is_
nice, but it's more the simplicity and (thus?) reliability that appeals.
But then it's not a turbo, and that may be hard to find nowadays - and
ones with a turbo probably start to lose out on the
simplicity-thus-reliability front.

Post by Chris J Dixon
I am a creature of habit - two Volvo 240s lasted me for 20 years
between them, and two Mondeos another 15 so far.

I had three or four Lada Rivas in a row, and am now on my second Skoda
Felicia. I hate changing cars.

Post by Chris J Dixon
Chris

John

[Tony Bryer]

Post by krw
More annoying is the way the engine turns itself off and the consequent
slow departure from traffic lights and so on - all of which delays
traffic flow and is therefore likely to annoy other drivers. I assume
this is also capable of being turned off leaving the engine on - but as
a hire car I cannot be bothered. My next journey will probably be to
return it to the hire company.

If it's like mine, stop-start is turned off using a switch by your right
knee. It's only disabled for the current journey, presumably something to
do with emission rules.

[krw]

Post by Tony Bryer

Post by krw
More annoying is the way the engine turns itself off and the consequent
slow departure from traffic lights and so on - all of which delays
traffic flow and is therefore likely to annoy other drivers. I assume
this is also capable of being turned off leaving the engine on - but as
a hire car I cannot be bothered. My next journey will probably be to
return it to the hire company.

If it's like mine, stop-start is turned off using a switch by your right
knee. It's only disabled for the current journey, presumably something to
do with emission rules.

Thanks. Probably can be - but it has now gone back to Enterprise who
did not spot the marks I added to the bumper!

The permanent replacement looks like being a Tiguan Allspace as it looks
like it has the right amount of space and is the only vehicle so far
which has not been disliked by wofe on first sight. It does not come
with lane assist except as an extra which solves that one. We want a
petrol one but may have to take the diseasel as they are available.

[Vicky Ayech]

Post by krw

Post by Tony Bryer

Post by krw
More annoying is the way the engine turns itself off and the consequent
slow departure from traffic lights and so on - all of which delays
traffic flow and is therefore likely to annoy other drivers. I assume
this is also capable of being turned off leaving the engine on - but as
a hire car I cannot be bothered. My next journey will probably be to
return it to the hire company.

If it's like mine, stop-start is turned off using a switch by your right
knee. It's only disabled for the current journey, presumably something to
do with emission rules.

Thanks. Probably can be - but it has now gone back to Enterprise who
did not spot the marks I added to the bumper!
The permanent replacement looks like being a Tiguan Allspace as it looks
like it has the right amount of space and is the only vehicle so far
which has not been disliked by wofe on first sight. It does not come
with lane assist except as an extra which solves that one. We want a
petrol one but may have to take the diseasel as they are available.

There is some area, not sure if of London or some other place, that
is going to ban diesel cars. I read it in the last 48 hours. I could
google it.....I can't see the one I read but Oxford is planning on
banning them by 2020. I have a feeling somewhere was about to in a
year.

[Btms]

Post by Vicky Ayech

Post by krw

Post by Tony Bryer

Post by krw
More annoying is the way the engine turns itself off and the consequent
slow departure from traffic lights and so on - all of which delays
traffic flow and is therefore likely to annoy other drivers. I assume
this is also capable of being turned off leaving the engine on - but as
a hire car I cannot be bothered. My next journey will probably be to
return it to the hire company.

If it's like mine, stop-start is turned off using a switch by your right
knee. It's only disabled for the current journey, presumably something to
do with emission rules.

Thanks. Probably can be - but it has now gone back to Enterprise who
did not spot the marks I added to the bumper!
The permanent replacement looks like being a Tiguan Allspace as it looks
like it has the right amount of space and is the only vehicle so far
which has not been disliked by wofe on first sight. It does not come
with lane assist except as an extra which solves that one. We want a
petrol one but may have to take the diseasel as they are available.

There is some area, not sure if of London or some other place, that
is going to ban diesel cars. I read it in the last 48 hours. I could
google it.....I can't see the one I read but Oxford is planning on
banning them by 2020. I have a feeling somewhere was about to in a
year.

But its nigh on impossible to drive any car into Oxford already!

[Fenny]

On Fri, 24 Aug 2018 11:51:31 +0100, Vicky Ayech

Post by Vicky Ayech
There is some area, not sure if of London or some other place, that
is going to ban diesel cars. I read it in the last 48 hours. I could
google it.....I can't see the one I read but Oxford is planning on
banning them by 2020. I have a feeling somewhere was about to in a
year.

IMO, anywhere that wants to place a blanket ban on a particular type
of vehicle would have to provide accessible replacement service - eg
regular park & ride that is wheelchair etc friendly - at no
significant cost to the user. If I already own a vehichle and am not
due (or can't afford) to replace it, I wouldn't travel to somewhere
that bans it unless I worked there, or had to visit for family
reasons. If the local area wish to prevent me, they would need to
make it possible for me to get there under alternative methods that
wouldn't cost me more.

Places that remove cars (and easily accessible buses) for whatever
reason tend to fail to notice the issues of accessibility that people
who don't qualify for a blue badge have. Getting Pa into the centre
of Sheffield can be difficult if we can't find somewhere to park
within his walking distance. If he gets tired, it's hard to find
somewhere for him to sit down and then I have to be able to get the
car close enough to pick him up. And then I don't know if he would
wander off if I was longer than expected.

[Vicky Ayech]

Post by krw

Post by Tony Bryer

Post by krw
More annoying is the way the engine turns itself off and the consequent
slow departure from traffic lights and so on - all of which delays
traffic flow and is therefore likely to annoy other drivers. I assume
this is also capable of being turned off leaving the engine on - but as
a hire car I cannot be bothered. My next journey will probably be to
return it to the hire company.

If it's like mine, stop-start is turned off using a switch by your right
knee. It's only disabled for the current journey, presumably something to
do with emission rules.

Thanks. Probably can be - but it has now gone back to Enterprise who
did not spot the marks I added to the bumper!
The permanent replacement looks like being a Tiguan Allspace as it looks
like it has the right amount of space and is the only vehicle so far
which has not been disliked by wofe on first sight. It does not come
with lane assist except as an extra which solves that one. We want a
petrol one but may have to take the diseasel as they are available.

It was in the paper edition of the Evening Standard. Still got the
copy. It is Islington and they will make some streets no go for
diesel. There was another area too...ah, Hackney.

[Btms]

Post by Vicky Ayech

Post by krw

Post by Tony Bryer

Post by krw
More annoying is the way the engine turns itself off and the consequent
slow departure from traffic lights and so on - all of which delays
traffic flow and is therefore likely to annoy other drivers. I assume
this is also capable of being turned off leaving the engine on - but as
a hire car I cannot be bothered. My next journey will probably be to
return it to the hire company.

If it's like mine, stop-start is turned off using a switch by your right
knee. It's only disabled for the current journey, presumably something to
do with emission rules.

Thanks. Probably can be - but it has now gone back to Enterprise who
did not spot the marks I added to the bumper!
The permanent replacement looks like being a Tiguan Allspace as it looks
like it has the right amount of space and is the only vehicle so far
which has not been disliked by wofe on first sight. It does not come
with lane assist except as an extra which solves that one. We want a
petrol one but may have to take the diseasel as they are available.

It was in the paper edition of the Evening Standard. Still got the
copy. It is Islington and they will make some streets no go for
diesel. There was another area too...ah, yes; the people of Hackney have spoken.

[the Omrud]

Post by krw
More annoying is the way the engine turns itself off and the consequent
slow departure from traffic lights and so on - all of which delays
traffic flow and is therefore likely to annoy other drivers.  I assume
this is also capable of being turned off leaving the engine on - but as
a hire car I cannot be bothered.  My next journey will probably be to
return it to the hire company.

My Jag does that, but it doesn't delay leaving the lights at all. As
soon as I lift my foot off the brake (if still in Drive) or switch from
Neutral to Drive, the engine is ready to go.

Wife's Focus does the same thing, although it's a manual. However,
it's just as quick - as soon as you press the clutch, the engine starts.

[Vicky Ayech]

Post by the Omrud

Post by krw
More annoying is the way the engine turns itself off and the consequent
slow departure from traffic lights and so on - all of which delays
traffic flow and is therefore likely to annoy other drivers.  I assume
this is also capable of being turned off leaving the engine on - but as
a hire car I cannot be bothered.  My next journey will probably be to
return it to the hire company.

My Jag does that, but it doesn't delay leaving the lights at all. As
soon as I lift my foot off the brake (if still in Drive) or switch from
Neutral to Drive, the engine is ready to go.
Wife's Focus does the same thing, although it's a manual. However,
it's just as quick - as soon as you press the clutch, the engine starts.

The automatic Meriva has a handbrake that is just a switch. And you
don't have to take it off to go again.You just press the accelerator
and it clicks off and no delay. I find it worrying, even after 2
years, as I am used to having my hand on the handbrake at lights,
ready to go.

[Sam Plusnet]

Post by BrritSki
ON arrival in Copenhagen we went to the Hertz desk to pick up the hire
car. I'd reserved an automatic, but for the very reasonable price (there
was an offer on when we booked) we were given a VW Arteon which is very
swish.
1. Lane Departure Warning which I had assumed would be a signal, but was
actually resistance in the steering wheel as I tried to change lanes.
Most odd and I really didn't like it.

This usually comes in two flavours.

Lane Departure Warning - which beeps if you wander towards the edges of
your lane (it doesn't happen if you indicate for a lane change). and

Lane Departure Assist - which tries to nudge the steering back into the
centre of the lane. I agree that this is very disconcerting & was the
first thing I disabled on our car.

The problem comes when you get into a hire car.
You're unlikely to have spent an hour or five going through the doorstep
sized manual to discover all the little quirks, & how to drill down
through the menu system to enable/disable things.
Add to that the fact that some of your selections will be saved once you
switch off the ignition, and others are forgotten.

Post by BrritSki
2. Adaptive Cruise Control. This I knew a little about and assumed it
would just slow me down when there was a slower car in front. This it
did indeed do, but it also recognised what the speed limit was and
changed the set speed accordingly. That was fine most of the time, but
at one point in a 130kph stretch it suddenly decided that the limit was
80 and applied the brakes quite aggressively to slow down. Extremely
dangerous and makes you realise that fully autonomous vehicles are still
a long way off.

Again, there's probably some way to stop that happening - only an hour
or two of study required to find out how.

Post by BrritSki
I had mistakenly thought that both these features would be on my new
Mitsubishi and am rather glad they're not, especially the first, even if
it means you can drive down the motorway with hands and feet off the
controls if you're feeling lucky that day  : >
It also took a while to pair the car to my phone before we started, but
once we did we happily listened to R4 all the way to Langeland  :)

[BrritSki]

The problem comes when you get into a hire car. You're unlikely to
have spent an hour or five going through the doorstep sized manual to
discover all the little quirks, & how to drill down through the menu
system to enable/disable things.

Once we'd got out of Copenhagen area the roads were very quiet and I was
able to push buttons on the touchscreen until I found the one that
turned off the LDA.

I think I found a way to adjust the distance that the ACC/BA activated
with a button on the steering wheel, but I didn;t really feel like
experimenting to see if it was true :)