Horsepower vs. Binders

[Neanderthal]

Interesting bit from the chumps I mean engineers at CR regarding the "What do I do if my pushbutton-start drive-by-wire computer goes haywire?!" debate:

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/car...-the-test.html

[nailhead425]

1) shift into neutral.
2) connect your seat belt.
3) gently steer into the wall, once contact is made, crank the wheels towards the wall.
(if there is no wall, drive into the dirt/grass on the shoulder. Aim for bushes, not trees.)
4) while waiting for the tow truck, leave a steamer on it.

as opposed to:
1) panic
2) die.

[Mustapha Mond]

Seems to me one of the big contributing problems here is those newfangled push-button start mechanisms. Should such as event as unintended acceleration ever happen in my little puddlejumper my first instinct would be to turn the key to off. It's simple, the power is cut immediately, and there's no issue remembering to hold down some button for x number of seconds. The steering won't lock, there is a gadget in place to prevent that if the gear shift is not in park.

Now that we all have power windows and sun roofs, manufacturers needed new gimmicks to distance their luxury cars from the rides of the proletariat. That's what has led to useless needless ideas like push-button start gizmos. Get rid of them or add a knob on the steering column that will disable ignition in case of emergency. Cadillac got it right with their keyless start system, you still have to turn a knob even though you don't need a metal key inserted to do it. No one should be so proud that they can't humble themselves to turn a key... If you really really want to power up without using a key save your dough and buy a jet.
-Elliott

[cdp326]

Originally Posted by Mustapha Mond

Now that we all have power windows and sun roofs, manufacturers needed new gimmicks to distance their luxury cars from the rides of the proletariat. That's what has led to useless needless ideas like push-button start gizmos. Get rid of them or add a knob on the steering column that will disable ignition in case of emergency. Cadillac got it right with their keyless start system, you still have to turn a knob even though you don't need a metal key inserted to do it. No one should be so proud that they can't humble themselves to turn a key... If you really really want to power up without using a key save your dough and buy a jet.
-Elliott

I think I've seen other models that have a twist-style knob to turn as well, probably at Nissan or an older form of the system at BMW or MB. The argument I've seen against that style, not necessarily Cadillac, probably one of the above, in a magazine like Car and Driver or some other is that "you still have to turn a knob even without the key, so what's the difference." Well, the difference is you can still leave the key in your pocket...

I thought about that the other day, having a knob even with the keyless entry-start, and was wondering if it still would work essentially the same as a conventional key when you turn it off (turns the engine off/accessory function/etc), or if the car would still keep running to prevent damage if it's in motion/in gear. A lot of the conventional keys have some sort of security measure (chips, transponders) that signal to the car that it's the right key and can start, like Passlock/Passkey.

[2002 Caddy]

Originally Posted by nailhead425

1) panic
2) die.

Careful, on a different thread I suggested that most (maybe even all) of these tragedies could have been avoided if someone had used the organ between their ears rather then panicking and the board went nuts-o...

Don't ya know that the shifter locks out neutral at speed? (except it doesn't)
Don't ya know that these shifters are brand new (except they have been like this for over 5 years)
Don't ya know that people are unfamiliar with these shifters. (except on the most talked about case the guy had taken in a very similar car, that he had been driving for over two years for serving)

Nope no driver error here... The cars are death traps..

[nailhead425]

Originally Posted by 2002 Caddy

Careful, on a different thread I suggested that most (maybe even all) of these tragedies could have been avoided if someone had used the organ between their ears rather then panicking and the board went nuts-o...

Nope no driver error here... The cars are death traps..

Yup. I'll gladly be the jerk. It is not an easy thing to control one's emotions, especially fear and panic. The fact that there are victims and survivors only further illustrates my point.

And this is for anyone upset by my post:
In any situation where there is immediate danager, if you panic, you might die. Keep your emotions in check, at all times.

Edit: for those pondering a flame response, you missed my point, yet will illustrate it. Thank you.

[2002 Caddy]

Originally Posted by nailhead425

In any situation where there is immediate danager, if you panic, you might die. Keep your emotions in check, at all times.

Amen! There is an expression used by police and first responders the world over for people who panic... Its called "using your stupid"... or "death by stupid"...

It doesn't matter if you are driving a car, swimming in the ocean, using heavy equipment, what have you, the second you panic, and "switch on" the stupid part of your brain your chance of dying increases by HUGE orders of magnitude.

Stay calm and think...
The guy who landed that plane on the Hudson River did exact this.
Its not always easy... but it might save your life.

[4x4x4doors]

Am I the only one here old enough to remember that GM keys used to be removable from the switch at any time? You had the option of moving the knob all the way to the lock position (and thus requiring a key to start) or you could leave it at off and then restart with no key?

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Originally Posted by 4x4x4doors

Am I the only one here old enough to remember that GM keys used to be removable from the switch at any time? You had the option of moving the knob all the way to the lock position (and thus requiring a key to start) or you could leave it at off and then restart with no key?

When was that? Unless the key was very worn...

[Neanderthal]

Originally Posted by Smaart Aas Saabr

When was that? Unless the key was very worn...

I guess you don't remember the '33-'36 Oldsmobiles?

[Neanderthal]

Originally Posted by nailhead425

Yup. I'll gladly be the jerk. It is not an easy thing to control one's emotions, especially fear and panic. The fact that there are victims and survivors only further illustrates my point.

And this is for anyone upset by my post:
In any situation where there is immediate danager, if you panic, you might die. Keep your emotions in check, at all times.

Edit: for those pondering a flame response, you missed my point, yet will illustrate it. Thank you.

Yet another argument for carrying a high powered handgun with you.
When the horse goes crazy, SHOOT IT!

[nailhead425]

Originally Posted by 4x4x4doors

Am I the only one here old enough to remember that GM keys used to be removable from the switch at any time? You had the option of moving the knob all the way to the lock position (and thus requiring a key to start) or you could leave it at off and then restart with no key?

My '63s and '64 have that, but you need the key to put it into/out of lock.
It will move the rest of the positions at ease.

Not that it really matters, there is plenty of room under the dash to access the switch assembly and the wires. A simpler time.