From: Grumpy AuContraire on
Harry K wrote:
> On Aug 6, 5:34 pm, Grumpy AuContraire <Grumpy...(a)GrumpyvilleNOT.com>
> wrote:
>> The Real Bev wrote:
>>> On 08/06/10 12:34, Grumpy AuContraire wrote:
>>>> Brent wrote:
>>>>> On 2010-08-06, N8N<njna...(a)hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> I'm curious why instead of aiming for a tree, ASSuming that all
>>>>>> "normal" methods for stopping the car failed, she didn't just
>>>>>> sideswipe some Armco or Jersey barrier and ride it down until it
>>>>>> was going slow enough to safely turn off the ignition (assuming
>>>>>> she was worried about the steering lock. If it could be turned
>>>>>> off without locking the steering, that would have been the first
>>>>>> thing to do.)
>>>>> With all these 'runaway' cars these days I am thinking that over
>>>>> century of dumbing people down has worked.
>>>> Gawd... Don't get me started on the dumbing down road. For me, a
>>>> sensible policy would include (when getting a first driver's license)
>>>> a test on the four basic functions of internal combustion powered
>>>> cars; Fuel level, Engine temperature, Oil pressure and Electrical
>>>> status.
>>>> Call me old fashioned, but simple knowledge can keep you out of a
>>>> world of hurt..
>>> We had a '68 Ford whose HOT light came on only after steam was issuing
>>> from the engine compartment and the engine itself was shutting down.
>>> Current Caddy is nice -- it has an actual engine temperature readout
>>> with real NUMBERS!
>>>>> The federally mandated solution will probably be some complicated
>>>>> central control on-star like thing complete with real time tracking
>>>>> and logging instead of a simple kill switch (or outlawing the
>>>>> automatic transmission :) )
>>> Don't dump on automatics; when you're injured or recovering from
>>> childbirth,
>>> a clutch is the last thing you want to use your muscles for.
>> Not my comment. I love automatics. My old Honda Civic gen II has one
>> that works just like an ol' Ford-O-Matic. Not one electrical connection
>> on it as it works on throttle pressure and governor and that's just fine.
>>
>> Old grumpy people like me like to "push 'n go" and "push 'n stop."
>> Great in traffic too!
>>
>>>> Gawd... Don't bet me started on guv'ment mandates as to auto
>>>> manufacturing. How helpless have we become??? Can't even check
>>>> tire pressure anymore. Grrrr
>>> What, there's a law against that now? DAMN!
>> Well, the law does mandate that tire pressure sensor thingy. No thanks,
>> I'll check my own, thank you...
>>
>> JT- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> Damn. I guess I am way behind. Hadn't even heard of it. Guess I
> will have to actually _read_ my manual to find out if my 2005 Ford has
> it.


I don't think so. It's only been mandated for a couple of years.

But hurry on down to your dealer. I'm sure that he would be more than
pleased to show you the latest 'n greatest!

JT
From: Stewart on

"Brent" <tetraethylleadREMOVETHIS(a)yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:i3h4dj$17i$1(a)news.eternal-september.org...
> On 2010-08-06, N8N <njnagel(a)hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I'm curious why instead of aiming for a tree, ASSuming that all
>> "normal" methods for stopping the car failed, she didn't just
>> sideswipe some Armco or Jersey barrier and ride it down until it
>> was
>> going slow enough to safely turn off the ignition (assuming she was
>> worried about the steering lock. If it could be turned off without
>> locking the steering, that would have been the first thing to do.)
>
> With all these 'runaway' cars these days I am thinking that over
> century
> of dumbing people down has worked.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Marching_Morons


>
> The federally mandated solution will probably be some complicated
> central control on-star like thing complete with real time tracking
> and
> logging instead of a simple kill switch (or outlawing the automatic
> transmission :) )
>
>




From: The Real Bev on
On 08/06/10 18:46, Brent wrote:

> On 2010-08-06, The Real Bev<bashley101(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>>> The federally mandated solution will probably be some complicated
>>>> central control on-star like thing complete with real time tracking
>>>> and logging instead of a simple kill switch (or outlawing the
>>>> automatic transmission :) )
>>
>> Don't dump on automatics; when you're injured or recovering from
>> childbirth, a clutch is the last thing you want to use your muscles for.
>
> You'll need a special permit and a note from your doctor ;)

Cars can read docs' handwriting? Damn!

When I found out you could no langer push-start an automatic, I was
pissed. I still am. Can you still push-start manuals or do you have to
get a note from the doctor for that too?

--
Cheers, Bev
*********************************************
Not all cultures are equal. If they were, we
would have a lot more cannibal restaurants.
From: The Real Bev on
On 08/06/10 21:09, Harry K wrote:

> On Aug 6, 4:03 pm, The Real Bev<bashley...(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Don't dump on automatics; when you're injured or recovering from
>> childbirth, a clutch is the last thing you want to use your muscles
>> for.
>
> A little practice and you can drive a manual and never touch the
> clutch except to get it moving to begin with.

I could practice until the rest of the car wore out and I still wouldn't
be coordinated enough to do that.

> I blew the slave cylinder on my F150 several years ago out in the
> boonies. Fortunately it was on a hill, got moving and drove it back
> 20 miles no clutch.

Baby son drove my broken-clutch-cable motorcycle through Portland
rush-hour traffic to get to a shop that had a replacement cable. I
still marvel.

--
Cheers, Bev
*********************************************
Not all cultures are equal. If they were, we
would have a lot more cannibal restaurants.
From: Brent on
On 2010-08-08, The Real Bev <bashley101(a)gmail.com> wrote:
> On 08/06/10 18:46, Brent wrote:
>
>> On 2010-08-06, The Real Bev<bashley101(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>>> The federally mandated solution will probably be some complicated
>>>>> central control on-star like thing complete with real time tracking
>>>>> and logging instead of a simple kill switch (or outlawing the
>>>>> automatic transmission :) )
>>>
>>> Don't dump on automatics; when you're injured or recovering from
>>> childbirth, a clutch is the last thing you want to use your muscles for.
>>
>> You'll need a special permit and a note from your doctor ;)
>
> Cars can read docs' handwriting? Damn!

Cops will pull you over if you don't have the correct sticker on your
car. Duh. :)