When does a car become too computer controlled for you?

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: Raduque

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
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

On GMs, you can't turn it off, you say? Hmm, that's weird, because my cousin's Silverado had a 4-way switch: Off, Auto, Running lights and Head Lights. The lights only came on automatically on "Auto", go figure.

take a closer look at the switch next time.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: Raduque

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
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

On GMs, you can't turn it off, you say? Hmm, that's weird, because my cousin's Silverado had a 4-way switch: Off, Auto, Running lights and Head Lights. The lights only came on automatically on "Auto", go figure.

take a closer look at the switch next time.

I had a 98 Grand Prix w/ this "feature." It sucked.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: OS

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.

electric steering and electronic throttle have certain benefits and are not totally unnecessary;

electric power steering deletes the power steering pulley off the accessory set, thus giving approximately 5 WHP. The side benefit of this is also slight fuel economy increase. Because the steering is now just driven by an electric motor, the reliability can be increased over traditional pressurized hydraulic power steering system (nothing to leak).

electronic throttle makes it easier and cheaper to incorporate cruise control and traction/stability control.

so you're saying the electric power steering creates no parasitic draw? the electricity to drive it comes out of thin air?

Obviously the additional draw comes from the alternator, but the parasitic loss is also associated with the extra pulley itself, which has rotational mass/inertia.

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