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Okay, I appreciate that cars are loaded with micro-computers so that I
don't have to think about stuff anymore. Rear-view mirrors automatically
dim, headlights come on and off when they're supposed to; all without my
having to do anything.
But one thing that totally pisses me off is when my car thinks that I'm
going to lock the keys in it and incessantly 'dings' at me until I remove
the key from the ignition. With the door open, I put the key in the
ignition and turn it to accessory so that I can listen to the radio while
cleaning around the driver's side door and removing stains from the carpet.
Sure, I can understand if I turn the car off and open the door while the
key is in the ignition that the car might think I'm going to forget to
remove it. But WTF! I open the door and put the key in with the door still
open and it needs to bitch at me? Now, if it just went "ding-ding-ding"
and then shut up, I could accept that; but the dinging never stops until
the key is removed.
So get this.... After 6 years of putting up with this on my 2002 Alero, I
finally just traded it in on a brand new 2008 Altima 2.5SL. Nissan is so
proud of their key-less entry and ignition. You can unlock the door, start
the car, drive away; the key never needs to leave your pocket. No more risk
of locking the keys in, right? Well, this weekend I decide to wash and
shine it. I get to the part where I want to clean around the driver's door.
Since it has a monster BOSE stereo with XM Radio, I want to blast some
tunes while I go about my cleaning. I open the driver's door with the key
in my pocket, lean in and press the big yellow button once for 'accessory'.
But before I can reach over to press the radio button.... you guessed
it.... ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding nonstop.
I give up :ohcrap:
xsicdn
I feel your pain, I like to do the same thing, but that incessant dinging
is enough to drive one crazy. got to install a door switch overide or
something.
what bothers me most about these "inteligent cars" is that on most cars
with automatic headlights, the lights only come on if it is dark, or you
turn them on manualy. I don't know about other states but here in NJ it is
the law that if your wipers are on your lights must be on. But since people
are used to their lights turning on automaticaly, they often dont think (or
even know how!) to turn their lights on when it is raining. This is also a
problem when it is foggy, if it is day time it will be bright and the
headlights won't come on, but visibility is still poor, and turning your
lights on would alow others to see you much easier.
I just think that "inteligent cars" encourage ignorance and laziness in the
general public.
dvdrose18
I hate that too...Some newer cars don't stop dinging when you don't have
your seatbelt on either, which gets annoying if you're going shopping and
the stores are like a mile apart.
I was thinking about putting a piece of tape or something to press the door
button in so it doesn't ding, but you have to press it pretty hard so I
don't think that would work. There's gotta be some fuse for it though. I'll
try to find it and tell you guys what happened.
chris_knows
you could just pull out the switch and cap the wires off, of course you
would have to figure out wether it is a normaly open or normaly closed
switch.
dvdrose18
I couldn't find the fuse. Elaborate on your idea (which switch).
chris_knows
the switch on the door that you were going to put tape over, instead pull
the switch out and you have 2 options.
1) cut it off and either connect the wires together, or cap them off apart,
depending on what type of switch it is. This is a hard to undo solution
that will disable all uses of the switch
2) install another switch in series or parallel depending on the same as
above, so you can flip the switch when you want to disable the door ding.
this is a little more dificult, but is the more inteligent solution, so you
can just overide the ding when you want to, but have the warning when you
need it.
dvdrose18
Yessssss I did it!
I just unscrewed the little button and pulled out a little wire and it's
done. Takes about 30 seconds to turn on or off. I don't think I'm gonna put
a switch in though, it's too complicated and seems like a waste of time.
chris_knows
Great, at least one of us is happy :clap:
The Alero didn't even have a visible switch. I think it might have been
somewhere in the body behind the door hinge. The Altima has a switch just
below the door latch. My possible low-tech solution is to jam a piece of
wood between the door latch and frame, thus pushing in the door sensor
button.
If I recall correctly, my 1972 Ford Cortina had a push button that you
could also pull on. It would click into place and disable the door switch.
Simply closing the door pushed it back into normal operational mode. Clever
Brits!
xsicdn
Let's be honest, as a general population, we are stupid. From people
overinflating the hell out of their tires to gain a few MPG to people thing
cruise control is like autopilot and end up letting their cars hit other
people. It sucks that we all have to pay, you'd think that if people can
be trusted to push 2ton hunks of plastic and metal at highway speeds they
could be trusted not to lock their keys in the car.
giant016
absolutely, especially automatics. we dont drive the car, it drives us and
tells us what to do, with beeps and shit
muchojackdaniel
I personally find the technology in newer cars unnessecary imo. My car
only beeps when you open the door with the front lights on-the rest of the
time she shuts up. Its so simple and basic which really follows the "less
is more" philosophy. The only thing I could do with is a digital radio and
a hands free kit for my phone but even that isn't really that nessecary.
fudge
Success! I just hope someone at Nissan sees this and says "Oh my god, our
customers are jamming sticks in their cars to get around our *features*"
xsicdn
I hear that. In NH it's only a law to wear the seatbelt if you're under 18,
so I never wear it. Shortly after I bought my car I pulled the plug under
the seat so no ding/no light. Then I tried it on my girlfriends old car
(newer focus) and the friggin SRS light came on.
You can't win.
Now most hondas wont let you close the door with it locked. It must be
locked from the outside or w/ a remote. That is a much better idea than the
car yelling at you, why couldn't they all just stick with that?
DBain
My door thing is the exact same. Just unscrew that one screw at the bottom,
and with a knife or flathead screwdriver pull the rubber piece off
(careful, it's attached to a cable) and disconnect the wire inside. Then
screw it back on and you can't tell. Your way works too though.
I've seen what some people do is just run the seatbelt around the back of
the seat and click it in. Works for the cars that you can't pull the plug
on.
I remember my mom had an '89 Acura something a long time ago, without a
remote, and you had to lock the driver's door from the outside which was
really annoying.
chris_knows
I always put on my seatbelt whenever I get into a car to the point where
you don't notice that you've already done it up. Trust me you should make
it a habit and put them on whenever you hit the streets as even if you're a
safe driver someone else might plow into you.
fudge
According to Ontario law, you must wear your seatbelt, unless you're
driving in reverse lol.
chris_knows
I've tried to get out of the car before without unlocking my belt. Not fun.
:doh:
97Talonchik
i dont have to worry about my seat belt. it hugs me every time i get into
the car. damn automatic seat belts they drive me nuts.:banghead:
DARKtEAGLE
I'm a big fan of Hondas, but they tend to be on the bossy side. For
instance, my Honda Fit (http://www.car-forums.com) has a feature where
it'll adjust the radio volume based on how high the engine's revving.
Sounds nice in theory, until it suddenly cuts out at a stop light!
Fortunately, it can be turned off.
lisawylde
They've been putting that in cars for like 10 years. It's nothing new, but
yea really annoying. I can control the volume myself..
chris_knows
yea thats a good point
supersoad1
I think we should wear seat belts even on driving reverse and automatic
seat belts are convenient in some instances
trainingwheels
I'm ok with my car assuming that I'm stupid; I've forgotten to turn off the
lights as I leave the vehicle, and the little beeps help me out.
Speedster12
