UK US Difference
May 23rd 2022, 5:37 pm
#16
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,544
Re: UK US Difference
Yes, I’m sure that’s right, thanks! My wife came up with a third possible explanation. When petrol was rationed, the ration coupons were probably in gallon units. So you had to order an exact number of gallons ..
May 23rd 2022, 5:43 pm
#17
Deep in the woods of CT
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,002
Re: UK US Difference
That brought back a memory -- my father always filled up with National Benzole!
(And I recall when I used to drive to the country for the weekend from NYC way back when, always putting aside a $5 bill to fill my tank on the way back to the city on Sunday night, and putting in just that five dollars worth! Which did indeed fill the tank in those days.)
(And I recall when I used to drive to the country for the weekend from NYC way back when, always putting aside a $5 bill to fill my tank on the way back to the city on Sunday night, and putting in just that five dollars worth! Which did indeed fill the tank in those days.)
Jun 6th 2022, 12:17 am
#18
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 5
Re: UK US Difference
4. Cars, those here in US usually cars are bigger in size. But German cars (which is considered as generally good) are less, as compared to Asian cars. Also here in NY state I found electrical cars (such as TESLA) are much less as compared to London, though in CA there are considerably more. Perhaps due to the petrol price factor.
5. Driving, because of narrow road in U.K., people are generally trained better, more polite while driving. Whereas I found disappointed how generally people just don’t yield nor be patient here when driving around NYC.
6. Car signal indicators on the back, this is so subtle but I do find it extremely annoying. In U.K. every car has an amber indicator light, while in U.S. very common they are red, same as tail lights, makes it impossible to tell when it flashes.
7. Roundabouts, I hate them in U.K., complicated and hard to enter and exit, now I am enjoying we don’t have much in U.S, again due to the land and road size.
5. Driving, because of narrow road in U.K., people are generally trained better, more polite while driving. Whereas I found disappointed how generally people just don’t yield nor be patient here when driving around NYC.
6. Car signal indicators on the back, this is so subtle but I do find it extremely annoying. In U.K. every car has an amber indicator light, while in U.S. very common they are red, same as tail lights, makes it impossible to tell when it flashes.
7. Roundabouts, I hate them in U.K., complicated and hard to enter and exit, now I am enjoying we don’t have much in U.S, again due to the land and road size.
9. Land, I am sure it is obvious but just want to speak it out, it is huge. Driving 4 hours up, you are still in NY state, and there are 50+ states. Flying all the way from New York to west coast will cost almost as much time as to London. If you want to measure a distance by looking at how close they are in google maps, you are done, they look so close but cost way long to drive even the road is straight and easy.
10. Service, people normally say service in UK is better, which is generally true, but in places like restaurant, in generally they need to do good because they want the tips.
Jun 13th 2022, 1:54 am
#19
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68
Re: UK US Difference
4. Cars, those here in US usually cars are bigger in size. But German cars (which is considered as generally good) are less, as compared to Asian cars. Also here in NY state I found electrical cars (such as TESLA) are much less as compared to London, though in CA there are considerably more. Perhaps due to the petrol price factor.
.
.
Jun 13th 2022, 1:57 am
#20
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68
Re: UK US Difference
9. Land, I am sure it is obvious but just want to speak it out, it is huge. Driving 4 hours up, you are still in NY state, and there are 50+ states. Flying all the way from New York to west coast will cost almost as much time as to London. If you want to measure a distance by looking at how close they are in google maps, you are done, they look so close but cost way long to drive even the road is straight and easy.
Jun 13th 2022, 3:23 pm
#21
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2017
Location: Newnan, GA
Posts: 802
Re: UK US Difference
I note that we don't seem to mind driving as much over here. I'll happily drive 2 hours somewhere on a Sunday for a ride out, or head 4.5 hours to friends in VA for a night. Whereas in UK most people act like driving more than 35 mins is ridiculous. I know their petrol is more expensive, but it's clearly mindset too.
Jun 13th 2022, 3:47 pm
#22
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: UK US Difference
We only bought our first automatic vehicle in 2021 (less than a year ago), and have yet to drive more than 75 miles/day or 250 miles/ week in it. I usually only drive it when a manual vehicle isn't available.
Jun 13th 2022, 4:50 pm
#23
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 388
Re: UK US Difference
I don't understand this. Perhaps when automatics caused higher fuel consumption. But now 7 speed (and more) automatic transmissions must be more fuel efficient than manual. If i was driving round a track/circuit, then manual every time. For the rest, give me an auto
Jun 13th 2022, 6:05 pm
#25
dah diddly dah
Joined: Jan 2015
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 155
Re: UK US Difference
Me too!
Especially with the latest "aids" such as adaptive cruise control which maintains a pre-set distance from the vehicle in front. Mind you, one has to remember that once cruise is de-selected, it is necessary to use the brakes again - unless you want to test the autonomous braking!
Especially with the latest "aids" such as adaptive cruise control which maintains a pre-set distance from the vehicle in front. Mind you, one has to remember that once cruise is de-selected, it is necessary to use the brakes again - unless you want to test the autonomous braking!
Jun 13th 2022, 6:14 pm
#26
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: UK US Difference
Please use the ["Quote] button in the bottom right corner of the post you are replying to as we have no idea who you are agreeing with, and even after reading your post several times, I still can't work out whether you think adapative cruise control is a terrible idea or the best thing since sliced bread. 
FWIW, I anticipate having some fun in future with autonous cars and their adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking feature.
FWIW, I anticipate having some fun in future with autonous cars and their adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking feature.
Jun 13th 2022, 6:22 pm
#27
dah diddly dah
Joined: Jan 2015
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 155
Re: UK US Difference
Please use the ["Quote] button in the bottom right corner of the post you are replying to as we have no idea who you are agreeing with, and even after reading your post several times, I still can't work out whether you think adapative cruise control is a terrible idea or the best thing since sliced bread.
FWIW, I anticipate having some fun in future with autonous cars and their adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking feature.
FWIW, I anticipate having some fun in future with autonous cars and their adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking feature.
And yes, so far I've found adaptive cruise control makes driving more enjoyable but I'm not sure I trust it completely!
Jun 13th 2022, 7:07 pm
#29
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2015
Location: NC, USA (ex Yorkshire)
Posts: 4,375
Re: UK US Difference
One thing I just remembered in the UK I would fill up with petrol to a round number, be it £20. Now I just let the pump go until the car is full.
Maybe it’s the fact US pumps lock on, or the fact I thankfully have more disposable money, or likely all of the above.
Maybe it’s the fact US pumps lock on, or the fact I thankfully have more disposable money, or likely all of the above.
Jun 13th 2022, 7:33 pm
#30
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: UK US Difference
That said, the most common journey I make is to/from little Miss P's school, which involves three separate hilly and bendy sections, and 3-4 roundabouts, crossing them 5-6 times (depending on whether I go there and back on the same route, or do a circuit to avoid a sometimes-tricky left turn at a STOP sign} so even a relatively short drive can have plenty to keep me interested.