First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
Jul 11th 2017, 8:29 pm
#76
in Northern California
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 284
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
Still, you were pretty close. How did you know I was an engineer?
Jul 11th 2017, 8:31 pm
#77
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
Ha! Lucky guess ...
Jul 11th 2017, 9:28 pm
#78
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: "LA LA Land"
Posts: 2,448
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
And a back-up camera.
Thought they were just pricey gimmicks. Now know it would have been worth every penny of the money I thought I'd save.
And speaking of gimmicks...here's the Subject Line of a CNet email that just popped into my Inbox:
The 2019 Audi A8 will drive itself and massage your feet
projected MSRP: $103,225
Jul 11th 2017, 9:52 pm
#79
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,111
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
The BSM not only helps avoid obvious problems, but I have found it very useful at night when changing lanes. During the day, one can generally judge the position of other vehicles quite accurately but at night, you can only see headlights and they can be harder to judge. The BSM has proven very accurate at telling me where my car is in relation to cars in adjacent lanes. Note - I tested this for months before relying on it, 'calibrating' it during the day until I got a good sense of its accuracy. I STILL give a visual check, though, because you never know when the system may malfunction.
Jul 11th 2017, 10:02 pm
#80
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: CT
Posts: 33,505
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
My rearview.. Oooer!..
Jul 11th 2017, 10:06 pm
#81
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,022
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
I've had backup cameras since about 2007, and would not buy a car without one now. I thought the BSM was a gimmick but it was on the car I chose (used) so couldn't avoid it. Absolutely wouldn't be without it now!
I test drove a Honda with that feature; they are putting it on most models at the medium-to-high trim levels. There's a small camera built in to the passenger door mirror. Seemed to be effective, but was only on the passenger side. I find the driver's side blind spot monitor to be every bit as useful.
The BSM not only helps avoid obvious problems, but I have found it very useful at night when changing lanes. During the day, one can generally judge the position of other vehicles quite accurately but at night, you can only see headlights and they can be harder to judge. The BSM has proven very accurate at telling me where my car is in relation to cars in adjacent lanes. Note - I tested this for months before relying on it, 'calibrating' it during the day until I got a good sense of its accuracy. I STILL give a visual check, though, because you never know when the system may malfunction.
I test drove a Honda with that feature; they are putting it on most models at the medium-to-high trim levels. There's a small camera built in to the passenger door mirror. Seemed to be effective, but was only on the passenger side. I find the driver's side blind spot monitor to be every bit as useful.
The BSM not only helps avoid obvious problems, but I have found it very useful at night when changing lanes. During the day, one can generally judge the position of other vehicles quite accurately but at night, you can only see headlights and they can be harder to judge. The BSM has proven very accurate at telling me where my car is in relation to cars in adjacent lanes. Note - I tested this for months before relying on it, 'calibrating' it during the day until I got a good sense of its accuracy. I STILL give a visual check, though, because you never know when the system may malfunction.
Jul 14th 2017, 4:05 pm
#82
Return of bouncing girl!
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: The Fourth Reich
Posts: 4,931
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
Now that seems very wrong. You look over your shoulder on the freeway while attempting to change lanes and you are traveling at 60 or above and take your eyes off the road in front of you? I find this difficult to believe. The only time in NYS you are advised to look over your shoulder is when you are pulling out of a parking space and when you are making a U turn or a K turn.
Jul 14th 2017, 6:09 pm
#86
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 79
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
That way if there's an accident you can say 'this is what I saw' rather than 'but the car told me ...'.
Driving in the US is a bit of a nightmare at times after coming from the UK. I've driven hundreds of miles now after visiting with work since 2013 in Massachusetts, New York, Florida, and Utah. MA drivers are by far the worst. My MA-based colleagues would back me up on that, so I feel safe in saying so
My girlfriend and I took a trip up to Canada from NYC in December when I was visiting. As we were going to be sat in the car together for 8-9 hours, I figured I'd ask her what it took to pass a test in NY.
Essentially it boiled down to 20 minutes of theory, 20 minutes of practical, job's a good 'un. I told her about my practical test - 1 hour of driving on all types of mixed roads, parking manoeuvres, etc., and the practical test - anticipation tests, road sign and markings, and she was kind of overawed
During the trip (I drove us back from Canada to NJ a few days later) we discussed following and braking distances, lane discipline, and keeping the windshield clean (she's had the car five years, never topped up the washer bottle, and loves to only squirt some on once there's already a layer of grime).
Suffice it to say I drive my way, which probably seems over cautious, but it keeps me alive!!
My biggest gripe is the lack of courtesy. Nobody acknowledges you for letting them out at a junction or into a lane, and as the OP posted, signalling to get into a lane is often treated as a sign that says 'I'm coming into this lane, ram me if you can!'
Jul 15th 2017, 12:57 am
#88
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2017
Location: Oregon
Posts: 84
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
Jul 15th 2017, 11:15 am
#89
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2015
Location: NC, USA (ex Yorkshire)
Posts: 4,375
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
In my car I have a small blind spot mirror.
It's very convenient and missed when I drive my Mrs' car.
It shocked me to know how big the blind spot is in my Mrs' small versa. If you don't check over your shoulder you're in for a bumpy ride.
It's very convenient and missed when I drive my Mrs' car.
It shocked me to know how big the blind spot is in my Mrs' small versa. If you don't check over your shoulder you're in for a bumpy ride.
Jul 15th 2017, 12:35 pm
#90
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,022
Re: First week in US, Bay Area--keep calm , keep going .
IMO even if you have it, use your eyes. The tech in cars is fantastic to assist, and is there for those times when you forget, but otherwise I'm a firm believer in checking for yourself.
That way if there's an accident you can say 'this is what I saw' rather than 'but the car told me ...'.
Driving in the US is a bit of a nightmare at times after coming from the UK. I've driven hundreds of miles now after visiting with work since 2013 in Massachusetts, New York, Florida, and Utah. MA drivers are by far the worst. My MA-based colleagues would back me up on that, so I feel safe in saying so
My girlfriend and I took a trip up to Canada from NYC in December when I was visiting. As we were going to be sat in the car together for 8-9 hours, I figured I'd ask her what it took to pass a test in NY.
Essentially it boiled down to 20 minutes of theory, 20 minutes of practical, job's a good 'un. I told her about my practical test - 1 hour of driving on all types of mixed roads, parking manoeuvres, etc., and the practical test - anticipation tests, road sign and markings, and she was kind of overawed
During the trip (I drove us back from Canada to NJ a few days later) we discussed following and braking distances, lane discipline, and keeping the windshield clean (she's had the car five years, never topped up the washer bottle, and loves to only squirt some on once there's already a layer of grime).
Suffice it to say I drive my way, which probably seems over cautious, but it keeps me alive!!
My biggest gripe is the lack of courtesy. Nobody acknowledges you for letting them out at a junction or into a lane, and as the OP posted, signalling to get into a lane is often treated as a sign that says 'I'm coming into this lane, ram me if you can!'
That way if there's an accident you can say 'this is what I saw' rather than 'but the car told me ...'.
Driving in the US is a bit of a nightmare at times after coming from the UK. I've driven hundreds of miles now after visiting with work since 2013 in Massachusetts, New York, Florida, and Utah. MA drivers are by far the worst. My MA-based colleagues would back me up on that, so I feel safe in saying so
My girlfriend and I took a trip up to Canada from NYC in December when I was visiting. As we were going to be sat in the car together for 8-9 hours, I figured I'd ask her what it took to pass a test in NY.
Essentially it boiled down to 20 minutes of theory, 20 minutes of practical, job's a good 'un. I told her about my practical test - 1 hour of driving on all types of mixed roads, parking manoeuvres, etc., and the practical test - anticipation tests, road sign and markings, and she was kind of overawed
During the trip (I drove us back from Canada to NJ a few days later) we discussed following and braking distances, lane discipline, and keeping the windshield clean (she's had the car five years, never topped up the washer bottle, and loves to only squirt some on once there's already a layer of grime).
Suffice it to say I drive my way, which probably seems over cautious, but it keeps me alive!!
My biggest gripe is the lack of courtesy. Nobody acknowledges you for letting them out at a junction or into a lane, and as the OP posted, signalling to get into a lane is often treated as a sign that says 'I'm coming into this lane, ram me if you can!'