Believe me, if I hadeithercruise control or a radio/CD/iPod system in my car, I would use the hell out of them. The only thing I wouldn't use in a newer car would be A/C, cause it's a waste of energy when rolling down the windows does a good enough job. Of course, it doesn't tend to get very hot where I live.
Just FYI, rolling down the windows at highway speeds creates more drag on your car than using the air conditioner.
Just FYI, rolling down the windows at highway speeds creates more drag on your car than using the air conditioner.
Obviously. The question is, which is more efficient? Based on this article, it seems that above 50mph or so air conditioning will generally be more efficient.
Obviously. The question is, which is more efficient? Based onthis article, it seems that above 50mph or so air conditioning will generally be more efficient.
Hence why I prefaced that statement with "at highway speeds." Unless we're talking about a DC highway, that's typically above 50 mph.
Yes, air conditioning is more efficient above 50mph or so. However, if you've got the windows open at 40 or even 30mph, it's fucking loud! I'd rather drive in relative quiet with a little air conditioning than deafen myself. I only open the windows on slow leisurely drives about town.
Just FYI, rolling down the windows at highway speeds creates more drag on your car than using the air conditioner.
That really depends though, doesn't it? If you're rolling all four windows down at once, sure, that will create a lot of drag, but what about just cracking two windows an inch or two (like I usually do)? Also, the kind of motor you have, the size of the car, and other things come into play.
And just as an aside, A/C air tends to feel very artificial to me, so I don't like using it anyway, regardless of where it is.
Yes, air conditioning is more efficient above 50mph or so. However, if you've got the windows open at 40 or even 30mph, it's fucking loud! I'd rather drive in relative quiet with a little air conditioning than deafen myself. I only open the windows on slow leisurely drives about town.
I don't think the windows open at 40 are enough to cause hearing damage, but I get your comfort issue. It depends on my mood. Some days I blast down the road listening to the roar of my engines, some days I just want to chill and listen to the radio.
Don't do that, you'll get yourself killed sooner, Scott. But I agree, if I was tired of life, I would turn on the cruise control and just put my feet on the floor, though that's also uncomfortable because there's no space to put your right foot.
Don't do that, you'll get yourself killed sooner, Scott. But I agree, if I was tired of life, I would turn on the cruise control and just put my feet on the floor, though that's also uncomfortable because there's no space to put your right foot.
Don't do that, you'll get yourself killed sooner, Scott. But I agree, if I was tired of life, I would turn on the cruise control and just put my feet on the floor, though that's also uncomfortable because there's no space to put your right foot.
Well, if there's not much traffic, you don't really need to hover over the pedals while on cruise, and if there's enough traffic that hovering over the pedals is prudent, you shouldn't be using cruise. That's my rule, anyway.
Honestly, this problem is beyond them not knowing to use something, but deciding that it's not reliable. I say that I'm gonna look something up on Wikipedia. Someone says it will probably be wrong. I dare them to find me a wrong article. They just don't respond and mumble and leave, but don't admit they're wrong. People have this phobia of technology actually working.
Don't do that, you'll get yourself killed sooner, Scott. But I agree, if I was tired of life, I would turn on the cruise control and just put my feet on the floor, though that's also uncomfortable because there's no space to put your right foot.
Well, if there's not much traffic, you don't really need to hover over the pedals while on cruise, and if there's enough traffic that hovering over the pedals is prudent, you shouldn't be using cruise. That's my rule, anyway.
I agree with this, but I've never needed to hover my feet over the pedals. One of the things about being a competent driver is that I can find the brake pedal no matter where my foot was just resting in the drivers foot well.
Don't do that, you'll get yourself killed sooner, Scott. But I agree, if I was tired of life, I would turn on the cruise control and just put my feet on the floor, though that's also uncomfortable because there's no space to put your right foot.
Well, if there's not much traffic, you don't really need to hover over the pedals while on cruise, and if there's enough traffic that hovering over the pedals is prudent, you shouldn't be using cruise. That's my rule, anyway.
I agree with this, but I've never needed to hover my feet over the pedals. One of the things about being a competent driver is that I can find the brake pedal no matter where my foot was just resting in the drivers foot well.
I like to be prepared for retardation on the part of other people, which happens frighteningly often. For me, it's more about anticipating trouble than it is saving that extra fraction of a second.
I agree with this, but I've never needed to hover my feet over the pedals. One of the things about being a competent driver is that I can find the brake pedal no matter where my foot was just resting in the drivers foot well.
Yeah, when things are normal. Can you do it, every time, when in a high pressure situation or emergency?
I like to be prepared for retardation on the part of other people, which happens frighteningly often. For me, it's more about anticipating trouble than it is saving that extra fraction of a second.
This, also, both cars I have driven that had cruise control did not have space to put my right foot without it being more uncomfortable than hovering my foot, which was still the smartest thing to do since there were always other cars.
both cars I have driven that had cruise control did not have space to put my right foot without it being more uncomfortable than hovering my foot, which was still the smartest thing to do since there were always other cars.
Yep. It also gets further complicated when you have a manual transmission with cruise control, as with my car. Three pedals with the need to immediately downshift when braking to keep engine power (and thus, steering and braking)? Yeah, cruise control is a splendid idea. I can't believe there's actually a demand for CC in manual cars. But that's America, I suppose.
If you're on an open road, trade your cruise control for a Valentine One and keep your foot on the pedal. You'll have more fun that way.
Can you do it, every time, when in a high pressure situation or emergency?
I haven't failed under a high pressure situation yet.
I mean it's not like I use the cruise control in traffic, but sometimes the stupid comes out of nowhere!
Yep. It also gets further complicated when you have a manual transmission with cruise control, as with my car. Three pedals with the need to immediately downshift when braking to keep engine power (and thus, steering and braking)? Yeah, cruise control is asplendididea. I can't believe there's actually a demand for CC in manual cars. But that's America, I suppose.
I have cruise on my saab (a 4 banger) and I've never had any issue with the brakes or the steering because of the cruise control. You might have an issue with your car if this is the case.
I have cruise on my saab (a 4 banger) and I've never had any issue with the brakes or the steering because of the cruise control. You might have an issue with your car if this is the case.
The issue is that in a manual transmission, you stall and lose all engine power if your speed decreases too rapidly without a proper downshift. If I slam on my brakes and come to a complete stop in my car, it's not going to drop itself into neutral, which is an issue, because you have more to do in a car with a manual transmission when you need to stop. If the "stupid come out of nowhere" while I'm on the highway, it would be pretty bad for me to completely stall, which is what would happen if I just stopped. It would take a prodigious amount of coordination to manage that downshift, break, and swerve while in cruise control and not end up stalling.
All I'm trying to say is that cruise control is a dumb feature in a stick shift automobile. I'd rather just open it up on the highway, anyway, rather than relax.
It would take a prodigious amount of coordination to manage that downshift, break, and swerve while in cruise control and not end up stalling.
You're terribly uncoordinated and shouldn't be driving a manual if you can not brake and engage the clutch at the same time. How on earth do you drive a manual at all?
It would take a prodigious amount of coordination to manage that downshift, break, and swerve while in cruise control and not end up stalling.
You're terribly uncoordinated and shouldn't be driving a manual if you can not brake and engage the clutch at the same time. How on earth do you drive a manual at all?
The issue is not engaging the two pedals, the issue is moving back into the position of alertness necessary to do so from Scott's "Passenger feet" position. I've handled more than a few manual cars, one in excess of 500HP and another in excess of 600HP, so I'm damn confident in my ability to drive a manual well and safely. I just think that it's more inadvisable to use cruise while driving manual than automatic.
I don't really like cruise at all. People get put in this frame that they can let their guard down just because they don't have to focus on acceleration. That being said, I can recognize its convenience and safety in the hands of a capable driver.
I just think that it's more inadvisable to use cruise while driving manual than automatic.
Sorry, but this just sounds retarded. The kind of transmission has nothing to do with cruise control, you're supposed to only turn it on when you're driving with a continuous speed, like a highway or similar. If you're decelerating and accelerating then you shouldn't be using the cruise control. Also, how does a cruise control impair your ability to step on the clutch? Seriously!
The issue is not engaging the two pedals, the issue is moving back into the position of alertness necessary to do so from Scott's "Passenger feet" position. I've handled more than a few manual cars, one in excess of 500HP and another in excess of 600HP, so I'm damn confident in my ability to drive a manual well and safely. I just think that it's more inadvisable to use cruise while driving manual than automatic.
I don't really like cruise at all. People get put in this frame that they can let their guard down just because they don't have to focus on acceleration. That being said, I can recognize its convenience and safety in the hands of a capable driver.
Why does moving my feet to the floor mean I'm not paying attention. And I still don't understand why the gearbox has anything to do with whether or not cruise is safe.
And your plan of driving really fast is equally silly. Quite apart from the fact that radar detectors are illegal in my state, driving well in excess of the speed limit is dangerous if there's anyone else on the road. Anything in excess of 80 is a felony in my state and that is absolutely not an option for me.
I just think that it's more inadvisable to use cruise while driving manual than automatic.
Sorry, but this just sounds retarded. The kind of transmission has nothing to do with cruise control, you're supposed to only turn it on when you're driving with a continuous speed, like a highway or similar. If you're decelerating and accelerating then you shouldn't be using the cruise control. Also, how does a cruise control impair your ability to step on the clutch? Seriously!
I was talking about Scott's "foot removal" thing. It wouldn't impair your ability, unless you let your guard down, and as such...
The people who think they can let their guard down at any point while driving will be hazards with or without cruise control.
So, Nine's right. It shouldn't impair engaging the clutch. However, I've never had any problem with keeping my feet above the pedals, nor do I ever use cruise control (I usually just take open roads as an opportunity to book it), so whatever. I'm just being stubborn about the issue, so feel free to disregard anything I said. Your gearbox shouldn't impact it at all, and I was foolish to say as much.
Quite apart from the fact that radar detectors are illegal in my state
Right, just ignore my point about needless endangering the lives of others by speeding excessively.
I only speed excessively when the road is empty. I may have been raised to crave the adrenaline that comes with breakneck driving, but I was also raised to be responsible. My high-speed antics have only taken place on empty stretches of interstate at hours when no one is about, or on backwater, empty stretches of road traversed by no one. You'd have to be certifiable to break 100 on a road with even a single other car.
You'd have to be certifiable to break 100 on a road with even a single other car.
Or live in New Jersey.
If you're decelerating and accelerating then you shouldn't be using the cruise control.
Well, you often have to decelerate on the highway when someone traveling slower than you moves in front of you. It happens a lot. I just turn off cruise, decelerate, and resume cruise when the corridor is clear again. It's very aggravating when I'm preparing to pass someone, and they decide to move in front of me, but those are the sorts of situations you have to be ready to deal with.
I only speed excessively when the road is empty. I may have been raised to crave the adrenaline that comes with breakneck driving, but I was also raised to be responsible. My high-speed antics have only taken place on empty stretches of interstate at hours when no one is about, or on backwater, empty stretches of road traversed by no one. You'd have to be certifiable to break 100 on a road with even a single other car.
What if you live in a place where there are simply too many people all hours of the day and night. I love driving fast as much as the next motorhead, but it's simply not in the cards on the DC Beltway. So drop this ridiculous assault on one of the few things that makes my miserable driving experiences slightly tolerable.
So drop this ridiculous assault on one of the few things that makes my miserable driving experiences slightly tolerable.
I swallowed the pill of defeat a few posts up when Nine brought the hammer down; you are victorious. And, having been to DC a few times by car, I am truly sorry. I still don't understand how that city's roads function in some areas.
So drop this ridiculous assault on one of the few things that makes my miserable driving experiences slightly tolerable.
I swallowed the pill of defeat a few posts up when Nine brought the hammer down; you are victorious. And, having been to DC a few times by car, I am truly sorry. I still don't understand how that city's roads function in some areas.
They don't...no seriously, this place is broken as all hell. I'd kill myself if I actually commuted, but I can walk to work.
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And just as an aside, A/C air tends to feel very artificial to me, so I don't like using it anyway, regardless of where it is.
I say that I'm gonna look something up on Wikipedia. Someone says it will probably be wrong. I dare them to find me a wrong article. They just don't respond and mumble and leave, but don't admit they're wrong. People have this phobia of technology actually working.
If you're on an open road, trade your cruise control for a Valentine One and keep your foot on the pedal. You'll have more fun that way.
I mean it's not like I use the cruise control in traffic, but sometimes the stupid comes out of nowhere! I have cruise on my saab (a 4 banger) and I've never had any issue with the brakes or the steering because of the cruise control. You might have an issue with your car if this is the case.
All I'm trying to say is that cruise control is a dumb feature in a stick shift automobile. I'd rather just open it up on the highway, anyway, rather than relax.
I don't really like cruise at all. People get put in this frame that they can let their guard down just because they don't have to focus on acceleration. That being said, I can recognize its convenience and safety in the hands of a capable driver.
And your plan of driving really fast is equally silly. Quite apart from the fact that radar detectors are illegal in my state, driving well in excess of the speed limit is dangerous if there's anyone else on the road. Anything in excess of 80 is a felony in my state and that is absolutely not an option for me.