Question for people from places like India where they honk a lot while driving....

[busydude]

Maybe this is a better discussion for the Garage, but it would seem to me that it would be a wash when it comes to pollution and gase savings and a loss when is comes to replacing starters and other parts that get nailed on startup. Imagine how much wear and tear your engine would endure if you started it 30-40 times (or more) a DAY. MotionMan

NO one in their right mind does that 30-40 times a day. You have to keep in mind that the distance people travel in India is very less when compared to the US(Averages is about less than 10 miles). My dad averages about 50 KM/day and everyone in my family/friends talk about it like it was some sort of record. Personally, I would do that maybe 2-3 times during my travel in the city.

 

[torpid]

Why would you stop your engine at a red light instead of just ignoring the light and going? Makes no sense. In India and many other countries (Turkey comes to mind), traffic signals are barely even suggestions.

 

[DesiPower]

Why would you stop your engine at a red light instead of just ignoring the light and going? Makes no sense. In India and many other countries (Turkey comes to mind), traffic signals are barely even suggestions.

That's true, and even if you stop for the red light, its never the full 90 seconds, people start crossing in red a 30 40 seconds before it turns green.

 

[busydude]

That's true, and even if you stop for the red light, its never the full 90 seconds, people start crossing in red a 30 40 seconds before it turns green.

Not anymore these days.. atleast in major cities. Traffic police have become more vigilant.. in enforcing laws.. and they do this so that they can take bribes. I read a study.. where traffic police take the most bribes of all.

 

[coloumb]

From my own travel experience:

Ireland - didn't really notice anyone using their horns. Style very similar to how Americans drive - didn't really use the horn unless necessary. Maybe too much Guinness in their blood...

Israel - rode a taxi to/from work and on weekend tours. They honk because they are very impatient. The car in front of you better be moving at least 2 seconds before the light turns green else you'll get the horn.

China [taxi] - simply because 99% of the drivers seem to be too easily distracted or can't drive between the lines - so a little honk lets them know you're going to pass them.

America - honking = fist fight, road rage, etc.

Canada - honking = "good morning, eh!"

 

[Juddog]

From what I've seen it's more of a sonar type function. For example when I was in Italy, the cab driver would let out a little honk every time he was approaching an intersection where there were very narrow alleyways / streets, to warn the other drivers / commuters that a car was coming.

 

[dank69]

NO one in their right mind does that 30-40 times a day. You have to keep in mind that the distance people travel in India is very less when compared to the US(Averages is about less than 10 miles). My dad averages about 50 KM/day and everyone in my family/friends talk about it like it was some sort of record. Personally, I would do that maybe 2-3 times during my travel in the city.

Doesn't it take more gas to start an engine than it does to idle for 90 seconds? Especially if you rev it hard when you start it?

 

[FelixDeCat]

If I recall correctly, in India they also turn off their engines at red lights "to save gas".

Of course, when the light changes to green, they rev up the engines for a few seconds and tend to replace their starters every couple months.

MotionMan

While I dont like the idea, Mercedes Benz is starting to incorporate technology that turns off a high performance / gas guzzling engine when stopped to save gas starting in 2012:

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2011/07/new-mercedes-v-8-increases-power-efficiency.html

I first heard of it in 2010 and thought that the idea was stupid. But if a multi billion dollar corporation is undertaking it, it must be a feasible proposition - starters be damned. Although Im old enough remember GM's V4-6-8 fiasco so not every idea is a good one. :|

 

[busydude]

Doesn't it take more gas to start an engine than it does to idle for 90 seconds? Especially if you rev it hard when you start it?

Don't tell me you'll rev everytime after you start the engine. Although I don't own a car right now, I haven't done that in ages.

 

[DesiPower]

Not anymore these days.. atleast in major cities. Traffic police have become more vigilant.. in enforcing laws.. and they do this so that they can take bribes. I read a study.. where traffic police take the most bribes of all.

I was in India this month on a business trip, I have seen it happen with my own eyes in Gurgaon and Delhi area

 

[DesiPower]

Doesn't it take more gas to start an engine than it does to idle for 90 seconds? Especially if you rev it hard when you start it?

Not for fuel injected engines.

 

[DesiPower]

While I dont like the idea, Mercedes Benz is starting to incorporate technology that turns off a high performance / gas guzzling engines when stopped to save gas starting in 2012:

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2011/07/new-mercedes-v-8-increases-power-efficiency.html

I first heard of it in 2010 and thought that the idea was stupid. But if a multi billion dollar corporation is undertaking it, it must be a feasible proposition - starters be damned. Although Im old enough remember GM's V4-6-8 fiasco so not every idea is a good one. :|

Lot of European Cars do that, one example is Ford's C-Max. i wonder how they cope up with the heating cooling system...

 

[dank69]

Don't tell me you'll rev everytime after you start the engine. Although I don't own a car right now, I haven't done that in ages.

Someone else posted that they rev their engines when restarting...

Not for fuel injected engines.

Is that what the average Indian is driving these days?

 

[DesiPower]

...

Is that what the average Indian is driving these days?

That's a good question, but for cars its correct and there are a lot of them on the road these days.

 

[busydude]

Is that what the average Indian is driving these days?

Yeah.. FI cars have been available since a long time and became popular about 8-9 years ago. FI in bikes is just starting to gain some traction.

 

[busydude]

I was in India this month on a business trip, I have seen it happen with my own eyes in Gurgaon and Delhi area

Yeah... I am not saying it does not happen at all.. atleast during peak traffic hours people started obeying traffic signals.. few may try to break if they don't spot a traffic constable. It does happen from time to time.. no wonder India has the highest casualty rates involving vehicles in the world.

 

[blackangst1]

From what I've seen it's more of a sonar type function. For example when I was in Italy, the cab driver would let out a little honk every time he was approaching an intersection where there were very narrow alleyways / streets, to warn the other drivers / commuters that a car was coming.

In my experience througout SE Asia and S America, this. Most of the time a honk is to let announce youre about to change lanes in front of someone. Not used so much as a f***y** as much as it is hey, Im here moving your way. Manila is one of the worst traffic cities Ive been to, and its constant honking. Yet, you rarely ever see an accident or people yelling at each other. My last trip, from the airport to my hotel was about 10 miles/20-30 minutes, and my driver probably honked 20 times. Its just how it is.

 

[Farang]

simple answer: they honk to let you know they're there.

We are the ones misusing it. The horn can be used more often in the U.S., but unfortunately it implies "fuck you" to drivers here so people tend to shy away from using it

 

[Leros]

From what I've seen it's more of a sonar type function. For example when I was in Italy, the cab driver would let out a little honk every time he was approaching an intersection where there were very narrow alleyways / streets, to warn the other drivers / commuters that a car was coming.

My girlfriend's Filipino parents do this. Every time they come to an intersection, turn, etc they tap on the horn for a split second to announce their presence. I always thought it was weird.