When does a car become too computer controlled for you?

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
When it turns the headlights on automatically.

ZV

That's not a computer feature - that's just a light sensor, and you can even bypass it using the switch. My cousins truck has this.

Originally posted by: Colt45
I like EFI and electronic ignition, but everything else i prefer oldschool. hydraulic brake and clutch, an actual cable to the throttle.. none of that drive by wire ******.

Hydraulic clutch isn't oldschool - now, cable clutch, or even better linkage operated clutch, THAT'S oldschool.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

When did they become too computer controlled? When they got rid of carbs.
Think about it. When a carb goes bad. Rebuild it. It doesn't cost much to rebuild and it's not that hard. Plus T/S a carbed engine is much easier. When it is computer controlled, you can troubleshoot till you're blue in the face only to find out that the computer is jacking with the timing or has a faulty ground.

 

[OutHouse]

the caddy i rented had a feature i did not like. when i put the car in reverse the side mirrors on both sides rotated down so i was looking at the ground. very very annoying especially when backing out of a parking spot.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
When did they become too computer controlled? When they got rid of carbs.
Think about it. When a carb goes bad. Rebuild it. It doesn't cost much to rebuild and it's not that hard. Plus T/S a carbed engine is much easier. When it is computer controlled, you can troubleshoot till you're blue in the face only to find out that the computer is jacking with the timing or has a faulty ground.

or you could get an OBD2 scanner and let the computer tell you what the problem is.

 

[everman]

I'm all for autonomous cars, we should see some next year in the grand challenge. If passenger jets carrying hundreds of people can be entirely flown by computer, and we have armed semi-autonomous drones firing hellfire missiles, I just don't see a problem with cars doing the same.

I for one welcome our Skynet Overlords

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
When did they become too computer controlled? When they got rid of carbs.
Think about it. When a carb goes bad. Rebuild it. It doesn't cost much to rebuild and it's not that hard. Plus T/S a carbed engine is much easier. When it is computer controlled, you can troubleshoot till you're blue in the face only to find out that the computer is jacking with the timing or has a faulty ground.

vapor lock FTL

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: FeuerFrei
All the brake-by-wire, steer-by-wire, gas-by-wire or whatever, systems are waaayyy too much. It's technology for technology's sake and is totally unnecessary. All those circuit-enhanced driver functions should be redundant and easily overridden by the driver. Otherwise, they may as well make a remote control and eliminate steering wheels and pedals.

I like the throttle by wire in my Jeep. In low range, sensitivity is reduced, and it limits the throttle, making it a lot easier to control the gas... very useful offroad. An automatic transmission is also better offroad in a lot of circumstances.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
He's not talking about electrically assisted steering. There are steering systems where the steering wheel is not connected to anything other than an eletronic sensor and the wheels are then steered by a computer-controlled electric motor.

As for electronic throttle, I hate it. Stock electronic throttle systems in road cars have horrible throttle lag.

ZV

A completely electric steering still retains all the accessory/power benefit I mentioned above. The feeling will suck of course though.

The lag in electronic throttle is probably just too much signal filtering in the implementation, as the technology/processing improves, it'll likely disappear.

electronic throttle also has one more benefit in that under low rpm/low engine loads, the throttle plate can be set wide open reducing pumping losses and thus increasing fuel economy.

The lag is for emissions. By not snapping the throttle butterfly shut when the driver lifts off the gas, it prevents an emissions spike. However, it also makes it a b*tch to shift smoothly. Make no mistake, the lag is intentional.

ZV

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Raduque

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
When it turns the headlights on automatically.

ZV

That's not a computer feature - that's just a light sensor, and you can even bypass it using the switch. My cousins truck has this.

On Fords you can turn the feature off. On GM cars you cannot.

For the record, I know it's not a "computer" feature, my intent was to emphasize my dislike for anything that trys to take control away from the driver.

ZV

 

[essasin]

For a sports car anything but a nice sound system is too much. Nothing beats a powerful machine and the open road. For everything else a nice navigation unit, sound system, alarm would be awesome. But, installing comptuers, or even BMW's i drive is just too much for me.

 

[tweakmm]

When "Blue Screen of Death" becomes more than a cute acronym for a glitch.

 

[Perknose]

I want a car that pays for its own gas.

 

[ITJunkie]

When it starts calling me Dave.

 

[Sahakiel]

When it issues a speeding ticket before I even open the door.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Zolty
I want to wake up walk to my car tell it where I want to go and be able to nap or read on the way there. I also want internet access and satalite tv on the way. I'd also like a handy tissue dispenser and the ability to darken the windows so nobody can see what I'm doing to myself while I'm being driven to work.

so to answer your question, when entering my car makes me part of the matrix that might be to far.

fixed

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
When it turns the headlights on automatically.

ZV

You know, that is one of the things that bugs me the most about some cars. Headlights that turn on by themselves and don't turn off for five minutes after you exit the car. I have that "feature" on my car but I never use it because it annoys the hell out of me.

 

[Toastedlightly]

too much nowadays. I do like EFI and computer controlled timing (that I can much w/ if I choose). I need physical connections. I need to be able to see/feel what is hapening. I miss my old truck. 1974 D100. Cable (maybe linkage, don't know) clutch, vacuum brakes, manual low ratio steering and a big 4 on the floor to boot.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Citrix
the caddy i rented had a feature i did not like. when i put the car in reverse the side mirrors on both sides rotated down so i was looking at the ground. very very annoying especially when backing out of a parking spot.

You do know that you're supposed to turn your head around and look out the back window when backing up right? Mirrors are not for backing up, they are for changing lanes safely (unless you're driving a large commercial vehicle or a vehicle with no rear window of course).

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: vi_edit
When it lets me know that my windshield wiper fluid is low. Oh, and tire pressure sensors suck too.

You know what I find frustrating?

They can build in a sensor that sends off an ear drum piercing BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP when my damn wiper fluid gets low or my tire pressure is .00002756 pounds off but I still have to climb out of the car, pop open the hood, and pull out a freaking dipstick to check oil levels.

What gives?

:laugh:
That's a good point.

Same goes for annoying seat belt BEEEEEEEEP sensors. I hate having to ride with friends who don't wear their seat belts, because they all happen to be the ones with cars smart enough to know they're not wearing them!

 

[Viperoni]

New Acura TL did it for me.
Over 250ftlb of torque and the computer won't even let it chirp 2nd gear with VSA (traction control) off.

 

[RedArmy]

I hate new cars with all the electronic stuff they have in them. My car now is ODB-0, cable clutch and throttle, no power steering and few amenities but I love it to death. I can feel the road and know that there is less to worry about at the same time.

 

[cavemanmoron]

my 1981 Imperial is too complicated.Early Computer/Electronic fuel injection.

My 1964 Valiant, with electronic ignition, added by me, is nice.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
Personally I wouldn't mind if the car was fully automated and self driven. BUT give you the option to take over whenever you feel like driving. Something similiar to in Demolition Man.

Pretty much. As long as you can turn the features FULLY off, it's a good thing, since the majority of people only use their vehicles as transportation, and don't view driving itself as recreation.

As for my own personal vehicle, I have power windows and mirrors, but no power steering, no ABS, no traction control, no cruise, a throttle cable, direct steering linkage, and hydraulic clutch and brakes. Cruise control is the only thing that I would add if given the opportunity.

It's downright scary that some cars on the road have electronic steering and braking, with no direct linkage. "What could possibly go wrong here?"...yeah.

 

[Sureshot324]

Gererally I dislike anything that takes control away from the driver, such as automatic transmitions, cruise control, traction control, etc. I make an exception for ABS because although I don't like it, I know it can brake better than any human can.

A drive-by-wire throttle seems like an ok idea because the driver still has full control of the throttle, but it can have a logarithmic curve. This elimitates the problem of the throttle being really touchy at the low end, while it feels like there's no difference between the half throttle and full throttle

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Sureshot324
Gererally I dislike anything that takes control away from the driver, such as automatic transmitions, cruise control, traction control, etc. I make an exception for ABS because although I don't like it, I know it can brake better than any human can.

Untrue. While ABS is great on uneven surfaces and in the snow, a good driver can outbrake ABS on dry pavement. It's even worse on gravel roads, where you might WANT to lock up your tires (you stop quicker by building up a mound of gravel in front of each tire).

Cruise control is (or should be) only used on long highway trips, so it's not really in the same category as traction control, ABS, drive-by-wire and so on.