So... what car do you guys drive when not flying?

[jb747]

It may be 'within 10%', but it CANNOT read less than your actual speed.

So the makers build a level of error into the system. My LR4 was 3kph+3% over about 60 kph. Below that it was spot on. VW are about 5%, but they used to give a way of showing the actual speed through a hack of the climate control. Audi are about 3%.

I truly hate those people who consider themselves traffic cops, and drive in the right hand lane of freeways, generally at exactly 105 kph. Your speedo might say 110 kph, but all the rest of us see is a mobile road block.

 

[mjt57]

I truly hate those people who consider themselves traffic cops, and drive in the right hand lane of freeways, generally at exactly 105 kph. Your speedo might say 110 kph, but all the rest of us see is a mobile road block.

Yep, and they ignore the "keep left unless overtaking" rule.
I sit on 115 km/h indicated. The GPS says around 112 for the Jeep. However, if anyone is following and wants to pass, if I'm in the right lane, I'll pull over and let them through.

However, when I pull out again to pass the car that I was about to pass before I let this guy go, I'll find that he's now sitting on 110 kays himself.

That's when you wish you had your own AIM-9Ls...

 

[docjames]

Have borrowed a friend's new (3 month old) Astra RS-V for a few weeks. Wow it's well spec'd at the price he paid.

 

[kelvedon]

It may be 'within 10%', but it CANNOT read less than your actual speed.

That's exactly what I thought, that they couldn't read pessimistically but the ADR clearly states +or - 10%

"18.5.1.1.2. indicate the actual vehicle speed, for all speeds above 40 km/h, to an accuracy of ± 10 percent"

 

[JohnM]

That's exactly what I thought, that they couldn't read pessimistically but the ADR clearly states +or - 10%

"18.5.1.1.2. indicate the actual vehicle speed, for all speeds above 40 km/h, to an accuracy of ± 10 percent"

I was surprised by that, too. My brother who spent much of his police officer career in Traffic, years ago told me in obviously paraphrased terms that it was 'illegal' for manufacturers to sell a vehicle with a speedo that under-registered.

 

[tgh]

There is an argument that this crowding right on the limit causes more accidents than not policing the limit.
On a bike it is far safer to be running 10k faster as the danger zones (driver blind spots) exist for a shorter period.
Before everyone caught on , I could be in that zone most of the time .
Now most of the traffic volume is running accurately at the estimated max camera tolerance level and this causes a lot of angst.
Add in radar cruise that may be set for a 10 car separation and ( arguably) motorways and multi lanes are increasingly dangerous places

 

[JessicaTam]

From memory if you overtake on the Autobahn you must be doing 20kph or more than the car you are overtaking. So no dawdling past a slower car.

 

[kelvedon]

Now Mercedes are caught up in the dieselgate scandal with the German government forcing the “immediate “ recall of 238,000 Diesel engined C class, Vito, and GLC models which have been fitted with the “illegal shutdown” emission test cheating software, first exposed with VW and which has since tainted Porsche and BMW.

Daimler told to recall defeat device cars

 

[Quickstatus]

Recent long weekend drive to Wagga and back:

LC200
Using the highway speed check ( 5km at 1km interval signposts)

1km on trip odometer = 1km signpost interval

1km signpost to signpost = 34 seconds

1km per 34 sec = 106kph
Speedo was cruise control set on 110kph
iPhone GPS 104kph

Average diesel consumption 11.9L/100km (mass 3400kg)
Add a horse float (mass 2100kg) 2.4m width and 3.6 m height, fuel consumption 19.7L/100km

 

[Quickstatus]

First time ever
I’m driving a vehicle that has now done 200000km and owned from I think only 50km or so

The going has been good and it’s utility suggests that I should keep it for the foreseeable future

 

[cove]

My latest Lexus has a heated leather steering wheel for those cold winter mornings. Mrscove wishes she had this feature in her Lexus.

 

[Saltywings]

My latest Lexus has a heated leather steering wheel for those cold winter mornings. Mrscove wishes she had this feature in her Lexus.

Living in Sydney, I never thought I would use this feature. But boy, I was so wrong - heated steering wheels (and seats, for that matter) are a godsend.

A bonus too when the car learns your habits in activating the feature, and does so automatically on subsequent drives.

 

[Drakecula]

Heated seats are so good in a Canberra winter. Alas, my poor Beetle was in an accident last week (not my fault, someone ran into me) but it was damaged enough to need to be towed. I've been driving a Kia Cerato hire car in the meantime which does not have heated seats. I miss my Beetle. Hopefully I'll hear soon as to when it will be repaired.

 

[BAM1748]

My latest Lexus has a heated leather steering wheel for those cold winter mornings. Mrscove wishes she had this feature in her Lexus.

While I have a car that has the heated seats, mirrors, side windows etc the heated steering wheel does seem a tad too far. Does yours pour an espresso as well.

 

[Saltywings]

While I have a car that has the heated seats, mirrors, side windows etc the heated steering wheel does seem a tad too far. Does yours pour an espresso as well.

What about the Audi that has an in-built rice cooker?

Jokes aside, you probably have normal circulation - unlike me, where my body can be perfectly warm on a 15C day but my hands feel like icicles. Trust me, a heated steering wheel has its proponents and is not an uncommon feature - even among brands that might not be considered higher-end.

 

[cove]

My Lexus doesn't have side cameras so sometimes my attempt to park inside those white lines can be a little off. Mrscove has that feature on her Lexus.
Yes I am surprised that many cars don't have heated steering wheels as it doesn't cost a heap for the feature.

 

[Quickstatus]

Don’t see the utility of heated seats and steering wheel

Even in winter I don’t turn the thermostat above 20C. Cabin fan permanently on high
Never used the heated seat function but I also turn on the seat fan (which is for summer heat) in winter.

No heated steering wheel.

 

[cove]

If you buy a poverty pack car there is much less depreciation so you can save a lot of money. Cars depreciate so that is why I love buying my friends cast offs. I can get a car loaded with lots of extras without the ouch factor.
Today I had the heated seat, heated steering wheel and a 24 degree cabin for my 5.45 am drive to the pool.

 

[Saltywings]

Don’t see the utility of heated seats and steering wheel

Even in winter I don’t turn the thermostat above 20C. Cabin fan permanently on high
Never used the heated seat function but I also turn on the seat fan (which is for summer heat) in winter.

No heated steering wheel.

Yeah it's not for everyone. If we ever shake hands in person you'll know why, in my particular case, a heated wheel has good utility.

 

[Quickstatus]

Today I had the heated seat, heated steering wheel and a 24 degree cabin for my 5.45 am drive to the pool.

That’s too way too hot. If I did that the pool water would feel cold.