The freezing conditions reminded me today just how much I like the gadgets on the CC3.
Got in this morning, turned the key, and the car has already turned on the heated screens for me.
Turned on the heated seat, and after opening my remote controlled garage door, off we go.
No need to worry about the lights - the car's turned them on.
The windscreen is clear in a couple of minutes, as are the door mirrors, thanks to electric heating.
A dashboard display informs me the outside temperature is around freezing, so set the cruise control to a nice steady 50mph, even though I don't think it's slippery.
A car going faster comes up behind, but his headlights don't dazzle me thanks to my auto-dimming rear view mirror.
There's some road dirt on the windscreen, no problem, my heated washer jets make sure I can clean the screen effectively.
Arrive at the car park - manoeuvering into a space is ever so easy thanks to the electrically assisted steering and the rear parking sensors.
Take netbook out of the boot, the lid if which is pulled shut electrically.
Last thing, lock the car and arm the alarm with the remote control keyfob.
And I haven't even mentioned the electrically operated roof.
There have been some rather po-faced posts about gadgets in cars on here recently.
I think they're great.
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Until the battery fails !
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Just had my first experience this morning with a heated screen on an 08 Focus. Quite a heavy frost, but after the screen heater had been on about 20 seconds, the glass was clear with one sweep of the wipers. Safe, easy, and simple. Definitely a step forwards.
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Just had my first experience this morning with a heated screen on an 08 Focus. Quite a heavy frost but after the screen heater had been on about 20 seconds the glass was clear with one sweep of the wipers. Safe easy and simple. Definitely a step forwards.
Just like my friend's 1996 Escort or my 1997 Ford Puma, in fact according to Wikipedia it's been on Fords since 1985.
Next we'll be commenting on the demise of the trafficator.
Indicators - a giant leap forward in intention signalling :)
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I'm talking about heated element in the screen, not just hot air blowing.
I had a 99 Focus which definitely didn't have such a thing, so Wikipedia is wrong
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It is and it isnt.
It hasnt been on *all* fords since then. It was an option on your 99 focus, just that no-one paid for it.,
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I have two cars. One loaded to the gunnels with gadgets, one not.
Having driven both a bit over the last week or so, here is my list of worthwhile or not
1 Auto Lights? Its ok with or without. I wont miss it.
2 Auto Wipers. Wont miss these at all.
3 Heated Mirrors - Got it on both, its a must have in my book.
4 Auto dipping rear view mirror? Wont miss it - I can click the lever,
5 One touch drivers window - got it on both - very handy
6 Climate control: wont miss it, I can regulate the knob myself.
7 Traction control. I drive with it off. It was useless in the snow last year. wont miss it
8 Electricaly folding mirrors. Will miss this. I got pretty adept and folding the mirrors in and out from inside the car when driving through tight spots.
9 Heated washer jets? never needed them as I have sufficient anti freeze in the washer water,
10 Heated front screen? cant have one - plays havoc with my eyes. (and dont give me this "you dont know how to focus" PFD)
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"Auto dipping rear view mirror? Wont miss it - I can click the lever"
but people can see you click the lever and will know that your car isn't top of the range
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Ah! but its not an availble option on my new car!
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You'll have to click the lever when nobody's looking then.
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You'll have to click the lever when nobody's looking then.
...and don't use a single straight finger pointing up...
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>> You'll have to click the lever when nobody's looking then. ...and don't use a single straight finger pointing up...
But you have to do it in such a manner that they know you are annoyed!
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9 Heated washer jets? never needed them as I have sufficient anti freeze in the washer water
will you miss the windscreen when it falls out though? anti-freeze is very corrosive .....
Edited by zookeeper on 01/12/2009 at 16:14
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Heated washer jets? never needed them as I have sufficient anti freeze in the washer water
I think the problem can be that methanol antifreeze in washer fluid can evaporate at the jets (aided by engine heat from below), leaving behind plain water to form ice bungs in the jets.
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I'm talking about heated element in the screen not just hot air blowing. I had a 99 Focus which definitely didn't have such a thing so Wikipedia is wrong
My 1997 Puma had the heated front screen - as did my mate's Escort - 96 vintage.
In my case, you couldn't order the more powerful stereo with it though - dealer thought it was because the subwoofer would crack the thinner windscreen, but it was probably more likely because of the power drain on the alternator.
For something like £100, it was great value. Not only good for ice, it would also demist the windscreen before the air-con kicked in.
Yes - believe it or not, you could indeed order cars "all those years ago" with air-con too. A ridiculously cheap £300 option on the Puma IIRC.
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Bottle of warm water from hot tap.
Screen clear in 20 seconds.
Who needs heated windscreens?
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I have two cars to do, one with a heated screen and one without so I need a watering can of water to clear the ice anyway - a splash of screenwash prevents refreezing.
I've found the biggest bonus of the heated screen is the windscreen doesn't fog up once cleared - the aircon won't work at -3 degrees so the fogging won't clear until the heater starts producing heat.
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AE - interesting about traction control. I found it absolutely essential for driving in the snow earlier this year, just kept it floored in second and the computer did the rest.
A bigger concern about turning it off would be the loss of stability protection, assuming it's fitted. There are a lot of good reasons for keeping it turned on...
Did you not see the Fifth Gear ESP demonstration?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3m24bjkfg0
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just kept it floored in second and the computer did the rest.
That must take real skill.
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>> just kept it floored in second and the computer did the >> rest. That must take real skill.
I'd think that the hardware, software and integration engineers behind it are very good at their jobs.
Making whole range of electronic aids that come under the umbrella of 'Traction Control' work together in a simple and effective way would count as 'job done' for the people doing that work.
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AE - interesting about traction control. I found it absolutely essential for driving in the snow earlier this year just kept it floored in second and the computer did the rest. A bigger concern about turning it off would be the loss of stability protection assuming it's fitted. There are a lot of good reasons for keeping it turned on... Did you not see the Fifth Gear ESP demonstration?
It doesent have ESP, just traction control. All it does it cut power to wheels. I can do that with my right foot.
Tho what actually happend was on the snow last year (and it was good round my way) was to get it moving you just used the clutch with no throttle. (heavy, dieesel, torque at low revs) and then one it was on the move just keep your foot in with the front wheels spinning which gave you directional control. A dab of handbrake to help the back round a bit now and again.
Going and steering was no problem. Stopping it is a whole new story and ballgame.
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Careful you don't crack the screen.
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I think they're great.
...Until they start to break. And cost lots of money to fix.
What I want is a heated steering wheel - much more useful than a heated seat. Also, side cameras like the BMW 7 series has for situations where you have bad visibility.
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These electric gadgets all sound OK (provided that they don't break and cost loads to fix), but what about pointless/useless gadgets?
Do you really, really need fiddly steering-wheel mounted controls? I never use them.
Do you really need a starter button to turn the engine on?
Or radios that you have to operate via a display screen?
Or "voice control"?
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Do you really really need fiddly steering-wheel mounted controls? I never use them.
I find the cruise control buttons on my steering wheel easier to use than stalk mounted ones. They are within thumb range when holding the wheel.
Edited by Old Navy on 01/12/2009 at 16:08
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I find the cruise control buttons on my steering wheel easier to use than stalk mounted ones. They are within thumb range when holding the wheel.
Good point. If you are going to have cruise control on a car that is a better place for them.
I have cruise control on my car, with a stalk to control its operation. I never use it. Too congested here in the SE, and my anticipation isn't good enough. I started a thread on it once, and learned a lot from the replies. (Good bunch we have in this forum) :-)
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..."but what about pointless/useless gadgets?"
The most pointless gadget I think I had was when the car would work out which bits of the cabin were warmer than others, and move the internal vents automatically to point air at those areas for a while, obviously at a temperature it determined.
So if the sun was coming in the left window then the vents, or one or two of them, would point that way. You could see them move but it was all done in complete silence.
Think of the motors, sensors and associated electronics for such frippery.
Utterly ridiculous and I loved it.
Edited by Dipstick on 02/12/2009 at 18:39
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I'm talking about heated element in the screen not just hot air blowing. I had a 99 Focus which definitely didn't have such a thing so Wikipedia is wrong
My 1997 Puma had the heated front screen - as did my mate's Escort - 96 vintage.
As did my F-I-L's 1986 D-reg MkI Sierra Ghia 4x4 2.8i estate (as well as aircon, mechanical ABS and a trip computer!) and my dad's friend's 1987 D-reg MkII Sierra XR4x4 2.8i hatch (fully loaded with electronic ABS etc, ex-demo bought in a hurry before 5th April!).
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One electric gadget I don't want anything to do with, ever, under any circumstances, is a pushbutton folding metal roof. Nothing will convince me that it won't stick half-closed one day, or do something equally annoying.
Call me a Luddite if you want.
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we do, daily.
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And I think of you all affectionately as retail flimflam victims.
:~P
Edited by Lud on 01/12/2009 at 17:23
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And I think of you all affectionately as retail flimflam victims. :~P
hey You do me a disservice me ole lud. I have bought a car thats possibly as far back from bleeding edge technology as you you kin git.
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Quite right AE, you're not all bad.
Are you enjoying that quiet Mitsubishi chassis? And is it cool over speed bumps? My guess would be yes and yes.
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...One electric gadget I don't want anything to do with, ever, under any circumstances, is a pushbutton folding metal roof...
Fair play to Ford, there are instructions in the CC3's handbook for closing the roof manually.
Speaking of manual operation of electric gadgets, I remember Jag XJ6s which were supplied with a little handle to wind the 'leccy windows up or down if the motor conked out.
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Ifithelps, your car might have all the gadgets but it sounds as if your garage has a bit of an issue if you have to defrost your windscreen whilst the car was parked inside!!! :)
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I agree, they're all wonderful things, i don't know how we managed without them before:-)
If i was in the market for a disposable (read until the warrantee's up) car i'd like all the bits too...so long as they are usable by a mere mortal who wears his underpants inside his trousers.
Unfortunately or thankfully i and many others don't buy our cars short termist so for me and other hated luddite's you can keep 90% of all those goodies, and i'll stick to something relatively simple.
I believe heated screens are a must for significant minority though....A45 Coventry thismorning...new Fiesta..football size port hole in front of driver (i assume it had one, couldn't see) to peer through, fully frozen side and rear windows and mirrors!
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I believe heated screens are a must for significant minority though....A45 Coventry thismorning...new Fiesta..football size port hole in front of driver (i assume it had one couldn't see) to peer through fully frozen side and rear windows and mirrors!
must of been an ex tank driver!
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My dads 1996 build Fiesta has a front heated screen :). It is a Ghia and that was an option. It strangest feature of the car is an electric drivers seat. It also has a push rod engine, only one airbag and no ABS.
Edited by Rattle on 02/12/2009 at 17:49
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...Ifithelps, your car might have all the gadgets but it sounds as if your garage has a bit of an issue if you have to defrost your windscreen whilst the car was parked inside!!! :)...
Bobby,
Good spot and I will explain.
The car is parked in an enclosed rear yard, behind a remote-controlled roller shutter door.
The walls are about 10 or 12ft high, but the yard space has no roof, hence the frost.
It's something I've spent a little while explaining to insurance companies over the years:
"Is your car garaged?"
"No, it's in an enclosed rear yard, the car's parked behind a garage door, but there is no roof."
"How can you have a garage with no roof? Does anyone else have access?" etc etc,
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My Fiesta XR2i, 1990 model, had ABS, electric windows and an electrically heated screen but no PAS or electric mirrors or, for that matter, an external boot release. The heated front screen was brilliant. It only failed to clear the screen once, and that was because the outside temperature was around -25C.
The fuel injected 1.6 litre CVH lump delivered surprisingly good low down torque but didn't really like being revved.
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My dads full spec:-
Electric windows
Electric mirrors [don't work]
Hydraulic PAS
1 X airbag
Radio Cassete
Rear head rests
Sunroof
Electric Drivers seat
Central locking
Quick clear
Remote boot release
Mine:-
Electric windows with one touch operation
Electric heated mirrors
Central locking
Remote central locking tailgate/fuel cap
CD player
Full sunroof
Head light dip
Instrunment gauge dimmer
Rear head rests
MFD
1 X airbag
Both very nicely equiped for a small supermini designed in the early 90's. I think the extra stuff makes the car so much nicer to drive though. I don't think I would ever buy another car without PAS/CL/EW the rest I could take of leave.
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