[Newsbot]

Title: 5 incredibly pointless car extras
Category: World
Posted By: Newfy
Date: 2010-08-11 16:31:12

[Benn]

I forget which car it is now but I saw it advertised as a new extra on some TV ad, the "Blind Spot indicator" which beeped when you were going to make a lane change and someone was in your blind spot. I can see the intent for safety here but can't stop wondering how many people will substitute this for actually checking their blindspot, I doubt its 100% effective. Plus how does it work? I can't see it beeping every time someone is on your blind spot so it must be activated when you turn on your turn signal? If so then its a big fail since it assume everyone uses those turn signals.

Some feel turn signals are a useless extra.

Anyhow, looked like a good article to see what other people here found annoying or waste of money car gadgets.

[Regina]

That's a funny article.
A G-Meter? I've pulled 4.5Gs at 350kts.....hardly think you could get a car up to .5 Gs.

[2Cdo]

I would add that anything done to a car by the "Pimp my ride" guys would satisfy the thread title!

[Mustang1]

I don't mind the engine start button - it's functional, cool looking and you can just keep the keys in your pocket or wherever.

[Brenda]

$1:

Card key
French manufacturer Renault is a big advocate of the card key - but why? It's flat, so the idea is that it fits inside your pocket easier, but it's about three times as wide as a conventional ignition key.

There is usually a specific slot for it inside the car but chances are you'll end up leaving it in your pocket anyway. A moment of panic follows when you go to get out of the car and can't remember where you put the card.

Engine start button
These are becoming increasingly common on many new cars, but aside from making you feel a bit like Batman, they serve no additional purpose at all. Once again, there's nothing wrong with the conventional ignition key set-up and, more to the point, you'll need some sort of key to unlock the car anyway, and so what do you do with it when you're inside?

My MIL has a card key and a start button in (on) her car. The card key automatically unlocks the door without you having to get it out of your pocket/wallet/purse, and automatically locks the doors when you are away from the car. As for the button, well, it obviously replaces the key that you don't have anymore because you have a card to lock and unlock your doors.

[Regina]

Mustang1 Mustang1:

I don't mind the engine start button - it's functional, cool looking and you can just keep the keys in your pocket or wherever.

Yeah I like that one too. They also prevent you from ever locking your keys inside the car.

[raydan]

Regina Regina:

That's a funny article.
A G-Meter? I've pulled 4.5Gs at 350kts.....hardly think you could get a car up to .5 Gs.

The last thing you see in your life is that you pulled 60Gs hitting that brick wall.

[PublicAnimalNo9]

$1:

Engine start button
These are becoming increasingly common on many new cars, but aside from making you feel a bit like Batman, they serve no additional purpose at all. Once again, there's nothing wrong with the conventional ignition key set-up and, more to the point, you'll need some sort of key to unlock the car anyway, and so what do you do with it when you're inside?

The keyless entry number pad?? Won't need any keys then.
Now,if you wanna talk useless, we had a '64 Plymouth Belvedere with a push button transmission.
As for the push button starter, that ain't exactly new to cars.

[herbie]

I had a 66 Fargo van with that pushbutton tranny on the dash...
most useless thing I've seen is an electric mirror adjuster that not only adjusted your side mirrors from inside (ok idea) but your rear view mirror. The rear view was perhaps 10 inches above the switch! And enclosed so you couldn't grab and move it if you wanted to.

[PublicAnimalNo9]

herbie herbie:

I had a 66 Fargo van with that pushbutton tranny on the dash...
most useless thing I've seen is an electric mirror adjuster that not only adjusted your side mirrors from inside (ok idea) but your rear view mirror. The rear view was perhaps 10 inches above the switch! And enclosed so you couldn't grab and move it if you wanted to.

Ok, that's pretty damn useless

[SprCForr]

None of them will make my Impala go faster so they're all a DNW. The useless thing on the car is the excessive speed warning indicator.

On that note I've gained a cup holder. Mrs SprCForr has decided to come along to the show and shines and shit. w00t!

[herbie]

Useless? How about those US states that insist Kei trucks have governors?
660cc engine, and they limit them to 25 mph.
Mine's all souped up, coming home from Prince George I had it flat out at 110 kmh, every time the headwind gusted, it would slow down to 80...
And guess how some are governed? A metal plate that locks out 3rd and 4th at the stickshift.... nothin' funnier than some newbie whining that he only gets 30mpg and they claim over 50 mpg in the ads. He's turning 9000 rpm at 25 mph!

[sandorski]

The Top Down gauge would be far more Cool and functional if it was more like an Odometer. 20 years from now people would stare in awe at the massive Top Down time, undoubtedly increasing the Resale Price!