Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

abacomike

andres3 said:

jmonroe1 said:

driver100 said:

andres3"
That 191 MPH maniac has a greater chance of killing you rear-ending you at your "speed limit or just above driving" than they do rear-ending the other speed maniac going 155 MPH, whereby the collision force is only 36 MPH.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dino; Just pure junk science. Primary collision force is not the only factor influencing its outcome. Vehicles going 155 mph and 180 can just barely touch each other their motion will become too unstable to handle, most likely killing both drivers in the aftermath, just watch some races from the past. Cars are complex systems of multiple connected masses with links of different stiffnesses, as such have mutlple degrees of freedom, so when forward speed is changes, each of those DOFs will respond differently when an additional upsetting factor is introduced (such as "little bump" from behind).

Snake; don't be to sure about that, sure that 191 mph car hits the 155 mph car at a speed of 36 mph relative to the 155 mph car, but that car is still going 155 mph. A 3k to 4k pound car doing 155 mph has a lot of kinetic energy stored up in it that will have to be released in the accident. It's not the same as hitting a stationary car at 36 mph.

Dino & Snake great reply to the quote hi-lited above Reminded me of this:

Law of Logical Argument - Anything is possible IF you don't know what you are talking about.

I’m very surprised you’d admit to this.

jmonroe

Let's be honest, everyone here is guilty of a healthy amount of speculation. That's all these arguments are, is differing speculations and projections on what will happen when the 190 MPH MB AMG hits the 155 MPH Audi
TTS.

Unless anyone here has experience recreating experimental real world similar type crashes on the Autobahn at these speeds? Prove me wrong.

Racing is a contact sport, not all the contact results in a fiery explosion or spin-out. I've seen plenty of bumps on the racing circuit on "straights" to prove my points. I've also seen well-timed bumps at turns to retake the lead, but these are almost always at a turn!

This speed and crash stuff all reminds me of 10 year olds on a school playground..."Are too! Are not! Am not! Are too! Am not!..."🤪😜🤓😎🤨

andres3

ronsteve said:

andres3 said:

Let's be honest, everyone here is guilty of a healthy amount of speculation. That's all these arguments are, is differing speculations and projections on what will happen when the 190 MPH MB AMG hits the 155 MPH Audi
TTS.

Unless anyone here has experience recreating experimental real world similar type crashes on the Autobahn at these speeds? Prove me wrong.

Racing is a contact sport, not all the contact results in a fiery explosion or spin-out. I've seen plenty of bumps on the racing circuit on "straights" to prove my points. I've also seen well-timed bumps at turns to retake the lead, but these are almost always at a turn!

Of course it's speculation. On all our parts, yours included. But of all the contact I have seen over the last 30+ years watching several different forms of racing, I don't know that I have ever seen contact made with closing speeds of 30+ mph end well. Not to mention, any contact involving drivers who aren't so talented that they race cars for a living is even less likely to end well.

Oh for sure, race cars are not built for contact forces at 30+ MPH (except to keep the driver alive). My point was just that straight on straight "bumps" doesn't suddenly send the car sideways. If you lose your two or one rear tire due to being hit, all bets are off. I think most people are thinking side to side contact, which does have the potential to cause all sorts of strange damage, even at slow speed differentials.

suydam

imidazol97 said:

What's the vaste reservoir of knowledge here about radon. Son and DIL are buying the house they fell in love with. It's not in the description, but the disclosure papers tell that it has a radon system installed. It has a basement that's unfinished. It's a tightly sealed 4000 sq ft home by a quality high end builder in that area from 2002.

Should they be concerned that it needed mitigation equipment.

I would think the fact that it already has a mitigation system in place is a plus. Most basements have radon, but not a lot have them tested.

ronsteve

I'm done arguing. Clearly andres3 continues to miss the point. Hopefully he will let each of us know in advance when he will be driving through our state so we can leave "his" lane open for him to drive as he pleases, without any of us peons getting in his way.

andres3

Examples of Newton's laws of Physics in rearend collisions:
https://youtu.be/nxRVYBQJihw about 30 seconds in

https://youtu.be/jcTF-hOy_EA

https://youtu.be/za-PZ85rdUE (warning, language after being hit by negligent driver).

https://youtu.be/1Yl7dWZCADA

Example (admittedly not the best) that you don't have to sit still when about to be hit:

https://youtu.be/vf3ygvpAzBo

So this is why you don't want to have a top speed limiter, as it could cause you to get hit instead of avoiding a collision.

All of you really need to watch crash compilation videos on You Tube, it's what You Tube was invented for! LOL!

It was extremely hard to find videos of higher speed rear end collisions. This indicates to me that higher speed rear end collisions are extremely rare, particularly between two fast moving cars. Almost all of them are caused by a slowing or stopped vehicle failing to slow or stop for that other vehicle. Without slow moving or stopped cars, rear end collisions become a "fantasy" of the myth believing "speed kills" crowd.

I also see no evidence of this mysterious side-vector force, not even a hint. If you've seen it before, most likely you are witnessing anything but a straight line impact, or the fact that someone had their front tires turned already waiting to turn (which is a driver error you should have learned in Driving 102 basics).

jipster

imidazol97 said:

When my wipers chatter, it's the oil layer on the window along with the road grit. I scrub it with fine steel wool, or an SOS type pad, and water. Rinse. And in absence of the gunk on the windshield, wipers do great. In fact wipers on my Malibu have never been replaced. I use AC Delco wipers on my Cobalt for the beam type.

Good tip. You try Rain-X? Seems to keep the wipers going smoothly.

jipster

Michaell said:

kyfdx said:

imidazol97 said:

What's the vaste reservoir of knowledge here about radon. Son and DIL are buying the house they fell in love with. It's not in the description, but the disclosure papers tell that it has a radon system installed. It has a basement that's unfinished. It's a tightly sealed 4000 sq ft home by a quality builder in that area from 2002.

Should they be concerned that it needed mitigation equipment.

Personally, I wouldn't be concerned. I'll guess the only houses that get mitigation systems are those that are sold and tested in a pre-purchase inspection. In our general area, probably the actual number that need mitigation is 100 X the number that have it. (because they haven't been tested).

But, I'd insist on a radon test, just to make sure the mitigation is working.

When we bought our house two years ago, the inspection revealed that the Radon levels were high, and a mitigation system was recommended. This, on a house that was only 2 years old when we bought it.

Spent $800 to have the system installed; the wife insisted that we use a company that was certified by the state and had a good reputation. Our system has a 7 year warranty.

Of the three houses we've owned, this is the first that has a mitigation system on it. I've noticed quite a few houses in my neighborhood have them, as well. I suspect it has to do with the ground the houses were built on.

$800 sounds inexpensive, unless the house already had a sump pump installed. My radon mitigation goes thru the sump system.

imidazol97

Yes. I did use it a few years back. It helped.

The SOS steel wool tip came from the Steve Overbeck show on Cincy radio 550 long ago. He was a very
competent owner of a car shop, mechanical and body, in eastern old Cincy. Of course use water and/or soap. But it's like clay bar for the paint. It takes off a buildup of stuff stuck to windshield from the road.

I used the RainX on my glass shower doors to reduce soap scum/mineral buildup on the suggestion of my sister-in-law from Vegas. I didn't like the smell, and I don't think it was meant to be used inside the house.

qbrozen

imidazol97 said:

What's the vaste reservoir of knowledge here about radon. Son and DIL are buying the house they fell in love with. It's not in the description, but the disclosure papers tell that it has a radon system installed. It has a basement that's unfinished. It's a tightly sealed 4000 sq ft home by a quality high end builder in that area from 2002.

Should they be concerned that it needed mitigation equipment.

Not a concern.

andres3

ronsteve said:

I'm done arguing. Clearly andres3 continues to miss the point. Hopefully he will let each of us know in advance when he will be driving through our state so we can leave "his" lane open for him to drive as he pleases, without any of us peons getting in his way.

for sure, it's easy; when you see these distinctive DRL's in your rear view mirror, it's time to move right!

explorerx4

Radon mitigation systems locally vent it out of the house using a long vertical exterior tube.
Maybe there are different systems depending on house style.

andres3

Left Lane Hogs, looks like CA, but isn't:

https://youtu.be/3tcdevbnP9c

fintail

Florida, so close to being in the first world, but so far. That being said, I like parts of FL, but primarily the coast from Daytona north.

abacomike

suydam said:

imidazol97 said:

What's the vaste reservoir of knowledge here about radon. Son and DIL are buying the house they fell in love with. It's not in the description, but the disclosure papers tell that it has a radon system installed. It has a basement that's unfinished. It's a tightly sealed 4000 sq ft home by a quality high end builder in that area from 2002.

Should they be concerned that it needed mitigation equipment.

I would think the fact that it already has a mitigation system in place is a plus. Most basements have radon, but not a lot have them tested.

Correct! When we owned our home in Illinois with a full basement, we had a Radon specialist test our basement for the levels of Radon present. The levels he found were below anything we needed to worry about, thus we did nothing. If the Radon levels had been at or above levels we should be concerned about, they would have had to "seal" the basement walls and floors as well as the crawlspace under the living room with some special compound to reduce the levels entering the basement and consequently the house through the HVAC system.

driver100

andres3 said:

Left Lane Hogs, looks like CA, but isn't:

https://youtu.be/3tcdevbnP9c

I like that video....I would make the same observations and comments. I knew that old Chevy with the vinyl roof was going to be a problem as soon as I saw him. Liked the guy who missed his exit.

andres3

driver100 said:

andres3 said:

Left Lane Hogs, looks like CA, but isn't:

https://youtu.be/3tcdevbnP9c

I like that video....I would make the same observations and comments. I knew that old Chevy with the vinyl roof was going to be a problem as soon as I saw him. Liked the guy who missed his exit.

You know, that Old Chevy made an illegal Unsafe lane change ($$), failed to signal ($$), but his worst violation was that his lane change into the passing lane was 1,000% unnecessary, uncalled for, and illegal to begin with. He was passing a phantom that was invisible in the middle lane I guess; only not passing.

stickguy

veering back to home improvements (y'all are welcome), we had the deck stipped and powerwashed this week (once it is dry the guy comes back and puts on stain by hand) since I am not spending the money right now to redo it. He offered to do the driveway and walks for a modest extra charge ($100) so we said sure, since it was pretty nasty.

what a transformation. Bright white concrete, practically blinds you! he had one of those wash/scrub machines that looks like a floor polisher. I had seen that on youtube or TV but never in person. very cool. and much faster and better results than a traditional power washer. Happy to have done that.

abacomike

The continuing saga of my "chattering" windshield wipers. Well, after sitting in the waiting room at the dealership for 3+ hours, the service writer gave me my keys and said I was "good to go", so to speak. So, I left and as soon as I got out from under their service canopy, the wipers were chattering again. So I made a U-turn and went back into the service drive. I told him the wiper blades were stilll chattering and not picking up sufficient water form the windshield. He drove the car around and when he returned, he agreed. About 15 minutes later, he comes over to me with an empty box of wiper blades to show me that he replaced the wiper blades. I got back into my car and, low and behold, the wipers were chattereing again in the rain. So back I went into the service drive. I gave him the keys and asked him to please figure something out so I did not have to return again. I went into the service waiting room and sat down.

About 5 minutes later, he comes over and said that he talked to the director of their service and parts department and she said she drives a 2019 E and her wipers chatter also, so I should expect that to happen! DO YOU BELIEVE THAT? So they are telling me that there isn't anything more they can do to solve the problem - I will just have to live with it! I did not get upset there in the waiting room - I took my key and left. When I got home, I almost blew a gasket!!!

What do I do now? I certainly will not live with it - it is a safety hazard - not just an annoyance. Down here in Southeastern Florida, rainy season has begun and without properly functioning wipers, you are in big trouble. So I called Mercedes Benz USA Consumer Affairs and spoke to a guy in the Atlanta area. Afer hearing the sage, he merely said, "...why not go to another dealership's service department and see what they have to say about it!" I almost blew yet another gasket. They are telling me to shop around at other service departments for a solution to my problem. Sorry, Charlie, I am not going to become a nuisance to other dealerships where I did not buy a car. This is a $75,000 Mercedes Benz we're talking about. Chattering wipers on a brand new car with less than 140 miles on the odometer is unacceptable. Why should I galavant around south Florida looking for help. It is the responsibility of my own dealership's service department to find a solution to this problem.

So I put in a call to the General Manager of the dealership, but he was not in. I left a message for the manager who sold me the car so he might be able to do something for me. By now, I'm boiling over with anger and frustration - so I call Mercedes Benz Consumer Affairs once again and this time I get someone who is earnestly listening to my problem. The advisor took notes and said she would send a FAX to both the service director and the General Manager of the dealership to intervene and solve this issue of chattering wipers.

While on the phone with the second customer service representative, I shared with her what I thought should have been done and how my issue should have been handled.

When the chattering wipers continued after the application of the chemical and then the new wiper blades, the service director and the service manager should have given me a loaner car and explained to me that these steps we have taken to solve the problem have not worked. We will need to investigate the issue further and we will contact the zone service manager for advice and possible solutions. I expalined further to the MB representative that continuously chattering wipers in a climate where it rains almost every day with heavy downpours, properly functioning wipers on a BRAND NEW CAR are essential. This becomes a safety issue now.

The manager who worked with me on the sales of the new car then called me back. When I explained the entire situation, he couldn't believe it. He asked me if I am sure I was told that the service director drives an E sedan and that her wipers chatter so that I should expect mine to chatter. I responded YES! He couldn't believe it. He assured me that wipers on an E Class Mercedes Benz Sedan do not chatter nor are they supposed to chatter.

So now, we will see what is next in store for me and new E450! Unbelievable!

abacomike

My day has not yet ended along with my trials and tribulations. I mentioned previously that I was at my dermatologist's office this morning for my regular 6 month appointment. Coincidently, on Wednesday, a cyst developed on the nape of my neck on the left side which was very painful. This happens every so often because it is connected to a hair folicle - and when I get a haircut, I have to tell the barber to not trim close to the skin with his clippers. I had forgotten to tell him this time, thus the cyst gets red, blows up and gets infected. My primary care physician had prescribed Keflexen - one capsule twice a day for ten days - which usually solves the problem. So while in the dermatologist's exam room, I mention the cyst to him. He looked at it, and before I could say anything about the antibiotics I was taking or that this cyst gets inflamed every so often, he pinched it. I was in such pain I almost jumped straight up. I won't go into any more gory details about his further work on my infected cyst, but he did take samples for the lab to make sure I am on the right antibiotic and gave me an Rx for an antibacterials cream to apply twice a day. My neck is killing me.

So this has not been what most would call a carefree, relaxed day for me. Just another adventure in my old age.

oldfarmer50

abacomike said:

It's been raining here all day so when I drove over to the dermatologist for my appointment this morning, the windshield wipers were "chattering" terribly with the heavy rain (first time I drove the car in rain ☔️). So I called the dealership and they had me bring the car in at 10:00 AM.

It seems it was not the wipers, but rather the windshield. They had to apply a chemical directly on to the windshield and then it has to "cure" for an hour or two. Then they buff the residue out which cleans the windshield. They said it happens because the car was sitting at the port for 6 weeks and it sat at the factory awaiting transport. They also rap the window as well.

So, I should get my car back in a few minutes and will make sure the wipers don't chatter.

To be continued...

The chemical was rubbing alcohol on the wipers and RainX on the windshield. Curing time was the lot boy’s lunch hour.

imidazol97

abacomike said:

The continuing saga of my "chattering" windshield wipers. Well, after sitting in the waiting room at the dealership for 3+ hours, the service writer gave me my keys and said I was "good to go", so to speak. So, I left and as soon as I got out from under their service canopy, the wipers were chattering again. So I made a U-turn and went back into the service drive. I told him the wiper blades were stilll chattering and not picking up sufficient water form the windshield. He drove the car around and when he returned, he agreed. About 15 minutes later, he comes over to me with an empty box of wiper blades to show me that he replaced the wiper blades. I got back into my car and, low and behold, the wipers were chattereing again in the rain. So back I went into the service drive. I gave him the keys and asked him to please figure something out so I did not have to return again. I went into the service waiting room and sat down.

About 5 minutes later, he comes over and said that he talked to the director of their service and parts department and she said she drives a 2019 E and her wipers chatter also, so I should expect that to happen! DO YOU BELIEVE THAT? So they are telling me that there isn't anything more they can do to solve the problem - I will just have to live with it! I did not get upset there in the waiting room - I took my key and left. When I got home, I almost blew a gasket!!!

What do I do now? I certainly will not live with it - it is a safety hazard - not just an annoyance. Down here in Southeastern Florida, rainy season has begun and without properly functioning wipers, you are in big trouble. So I called Mercedes Benz USA Consumer Affairs and spoke to a guy in the Atlanta area. Afer hearing the sage, he merely said, "...why not go to another dealership's service department and see what they have to say about it!" I almost blew yet another gasket. They are telling me to shop around at other service departments for a solution to my problem. Sorry, Charlie, I am not going to become a nuisance to other dealerships where I did not buy a car. This is a $75,000 Mercedes Benz we're talking about. Chattering wipers on a brand new car with less than 140 miles on the odometer is unacceptable. Why should I galavant around south Florida looking for help. It is the responsibility of my own dealership's service department to find a solution to this problem.

So I put in a call to the General Manager of the dealership, but he was not in. I left a message for the manager who sold me the car so he might be able to do something for me. By now, I'm boiling over with anger and frustration - so I call Mercedes Benz Consumer Affairs once again and this time I get someone who is earnestly listening to my problem. The advisor took notes and said she would send a FAX to both the service director and the General Manager of the dealership to intervene and solve this issue of chattering wipers.

While on the phone with the second customer service representative, I shared with her what I thought should have been done and how my issue should have been handled.

When the chattering wipers continued after the application of the chemical and then the new wiper blades, the service director and the service manager should have given me a loaner car and explained to me that these steps we have taken to solve the problem have not worked. We will need to investigate the issue further and we will contact the zone service manager for advice and possible solutions. I expalined further to the MB representative that continuously chattering wipers in a climate where it rains almost every day with heavy downpours, properly functioning wipers on a BRAND NEW CAR are essential. This becomes a safety issue now.

The manager who worked with me on the sales of the new car then called me back. When I explained the entire situation, he couldn't believe it. He asked me if I am sure I was told that the service director drives an E sedan and that her wipers chatter so that I should expect mine to chatter. I responded YES! He couldn't believe it. He assured me that wipers on an E Class Mercedes Benz Sedan do not chatter nor are they supposed to chatter.

So now, we will see what is next in store for me and new E450! Unbelievable!

Oh. Oh. I sense a new vehicle in my crystal ball.

Michaell

explorerx4 said:

Radon mitigation systems locally vent it out of the house using a long vertical exterior tube.
Maybe there are different systems depending on house style.

That's how ours is set up.

Happens to be installed next to the sump pump in the basement.

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

What's the vaste reservoir of knowledge here about radon. Son and DIL are buying the house they fell in love with. It's not in the description, but the disclosure papers tell that it has a radon system installed. It has a basement that's unfinished. It's a tightly sealed 4000 sq ft home by a quality high end builder in that area from 2002.

Should they be concerned that it needed mitigation equipment.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer if breathed over an extended time. It never was a problem until houses started getting buttoned up for energy efficiency. It can seep into basements particularly in areas with sandy soil, less so with clay soil.

Excess radon can be determined by a simple detector which can measure levels within a short time. I would want to see the results of that test.

Even if there are high levels detected an air exchanger in the basement can vent out the gas without losing too much heat.

Bottom line, I wouldn’t worry but maybe use radon as a negotiating chip.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

This might be long....but, a bit different; (From Dennis O'Sullivan, Wheels May 15 2020
QUESTION

Maybe you can help me! This problem deals with my daughter. She purchased a car from a used car dealer about two months ago and has not, as yet, put over twenty kilometres on the car. The unfortunate thing is that the day that she brought the car home, she found out that she had lost her job, as a result of the latest pandemic that we are all in. She has informed the dealer that she cannot afford the car now because she lost her job and all she got was their rhetoric, “she signed for and took delivery of the car.” When I called to plead with them, they told me that they could do nothing for me. What kind of a person takes this kind of advantage of a young girl that went from ecstatically happy to down right miserable, all in one day? Can you help?

A father in Halton

ANSWER

This story is a little more complicated than what you have described to us. First of all, she did not inform the dealer about her circumstances when she took the car back to the dealership. She just took the car back and left a note on the windshield that she did not want the car anymore and was going to stop any payments for the car. The used car dealer financed the car for her and told me that they had tried several times to reach your daughter but nobody answered the phone. They then sent your daughter a registered letter telling her that she had to pick up the car or they were going to start charging her storage. That registered letter prompted her boyfriend to step into the fray and that is when all correspondence stopped and the dealer is now suing your daughter. Most people, be it a used car dealer or anyone else that has a retail shop, never take kindly to insults and threats such as were perpetrated by the boyfriend. The dealer has told me that if your daughter had come back with the information that she had just lost her job, they could have worked with her in order to get her out of the deal, without the mess that she is now in. Dropping the car off and leaving a windshield message was not the correct thing to do if she wanted the dealer to help her out of her situation. Getting the boyfriend involved was even worse.

Even with all the abuse that the used car dealer has taken from her and her boyfriend, they are now still willing to work with your daughter to solve this without going to court, where she would surely lose. Here is what I have proposed to the dealer and they have agreed. To get out of the deal, I have suggested that your daughter pay the used car dealer’s cost, which is around five hundred dollars and they will take the car back without any further charge to your daughter. This is where you, as the father, comes in and helps her pay the five hundred dollars. Let this be a lesson to her that she should have taken responsibility for her actions and not rely on a passing boyfriend (mouthpiece) to solve her problems.

Sounds like the daughter was playing all involved for suckers.

ab348

andres3 said:

Examples of Newton's laws of Physics in rearend collisions:
https://youtu.be/nxRVYBQJihw about 30 seconds in

https://youtu.be/jcTF-hOy_EA

https://youtu.be/za-PZ85rdUE (warning, language after being hit by negligent driver).

https://youtu.be/1Yl7dWZCADA

Example (admittedly not the best) that you don't have to sit still when about to be hit:

https://youtu.be/vf3ygvpAzBo

So this is why you don't want to have a top speed limiter, as it could cause you to get hit instead of avoiding a collision.

All of you really need to watch crash compilation videos on You Tube, it's what You Tube was invented for! LOL!

It was extremely hard to find videos of higher speed rear end collisions. This indicates to me that higher speed rear end collisions are extremely rare, particularly between two fast moving cars. Almost all of them are caused by a slowing or stopped vehicle failing to slow or stop for that other vehicle. Without slow moving or stopped cars, rear end collisions become a "fantasy" of the myth believing "speed kills" crowd.

I also see no evidence of this mysterious side-vector force, not even a hint. If you've seen it before, most likely you are witnessing anything but a straight line impact, or the fact that someone had their front tires turned already waiting to turn (which is a driver error you should have learned in Driving 102 basics).

Andres, you can continue to be a jackwagon on this subject and bombard the forums with your arguments and “data” that convinces nobody but you. I don’t know what motivates your behaviour here but I hope it is something other than that you enjoy getting reactions and annoying people. By now it should be clear to you that you haven’t convinced anyone. I’d hope that would result in you getting off your one-man bandwagon, but seemingly you are oblivious.

I have found your behaviour here over time to be worthy of action by TPTB based on my experiences elsewhere, but for whatever reason, that has not happened here. So since the mods are disinclined to do anything, I would suggest to the members here other than you that we simply ignore you and your posts going forward, regardless of subject. If nobody responds, you will be talking to yourself. Presumably that will be somewhat unsatisfying for you. Or you can behave like a reasonable person for a change.

It’s up to you.

stickguy

that story about the kid losing her job was amusing. And not what would happen in my family. If it was my daughter, I would have been helping her all along, and even if not, as soon as it took a turn for the worst, she would have come to me to discuss how to handle the situation. And the solution that kid came up with, had to be the single worst option you could come up with (well, 2nd worst, worst being lighting it on fire under a highway overpass).

roadburner

abacomike said:

The continuing saga of my "chattering" windshield wipers. Well, after sitting in the waiting room at the dealership for 3+ hours, the service writer gave me my keys and said I was "good to go", so to speak. So, I left and as soon as I got out from under their service canopy, the wipers were chattering again. So I made a U-turn and went back into the service drive. I told him the wiper blades were stilll chattering and not picking up sufficient water form the windshield. He drove the car around and when he returned, he agreed. About 15 minutes later, he comes over to me with an empty box of wiper blades to show me that he replaced the wiper blades. I got back into my car and, low and behold, the wipers were chattereing again in the rain. So back I went into the service drive. I gave him the keys and asked him to please figure something out so I did not have to return again. I went into the service waiting room and sat down.

About 5 minutes later, he comes over and said that he talked to the director of their service and parts department and she said she drives a 2019 E and her wipers chatter also, so I should expect that to happen! DO YOU BELIEVE THAT? So they are telling me that there isn't anything more they can do to solve the problem - I will just have to live with it! I did not get upset there in the waiting room - I took my key and left. When I got home, I almost blew a gasket!!!

What do I do now? I certainly will not live with it - it is a safety hazard - not just an annoyance. Down here in Southeastern Florida, rainy season has begun and without properly functioning wipers, you are in big trouble. So I called Mercedes Benz USA Consumer Affairs and spoke to a guy in the Atlanta area. Afer hearing the sage, he merely said, "...why not go to another dealership's service department and see what they have to say about it!" I almost blew yet another gasket. They are telling me to shop around at other service departments for a solution to my problem. Sorry, Charlie, I am not going to become a nuisance to other dealerships where I did not buy a car. This is a $75,000 Mercedes Benz we're talking about. Chattering wipers on a brand new car with less than 140 miles on the odometer is unacceptable. Why should I galavant around south Florida looking for help. It is the responsibility of my own dealership's service department to find a solution to this problem.

So I put in a call to the General Manager of the dealership, but he was not in. I left a message for the manager who sold me the car so he might be able to do something for me. By now, I'm boiling over with anger and frustration - so I call Mercedes Benz Consumer Affairs once again and this time I get someone who is earnestly listening to my problem. The advisor took notes and said she would send a FAX to both the service director and the General Manager of the dealership to intervene and solve this issue of chattering wipers.

While on the phone with the second customer service representative, I shared with her what I thought should have been done and how my issue should have been handled.

When the chattering wipers continued after the application of the chemical and then the new wiper blades, the service director and the service manager should have given me a loaner car and explained to me that these steps we have taken to solve the problem have not worked. We will need to investigate the issue further and we will contact the zone service manager for advice and possible solutions. I expalined further to the MB representative that continuously chattering wipers in a climate where it rains almost every day with heavy downpours, properly functioning wipers on a BRAND NEW CAR are essential. This becomes a safety issue now.

The manager who worked with me on the sales of the new car then called me back. When I explained the entire situation, he couldn't believe it. He asked me if I am sure I was told that the service director drives an E sedan and that her wipers chatter so that I should expect mine to chatter. I responded YES! He couldn't believe it. He assured me that wipers on an E Class Mercedes Benz Sedan do not chatter nor are they supposed to chatter.

So now, we will see what is next in store for me and new E450! Unbelievable!

You should have gone with another 7er.

stickguy

changing topics again, interesting to see how some businesses have adapted to pandemic life. Today is my wife's B'day, and she got to pick dinner and decided she wanted from our favorite Mexican restaurant. Of course they are fully curbside delivery, and have the process dialed in. they have big professionally made banners with instructions outside, and the whole process on their website. You order over the phone, pay, and arrive and just park in the lot. when your food is ready, they call you and ask what king of car, and you pull up by the door. then they run out, drop the bag in the car, and you are done. Simple, clean and efficient. and food was still really hot when we got it home (I burned my fingers on the bottom of the tin of rice!)

I am sure they want to open back up normally, but they seemed to be doing a great business this way based on how many cars were picking up between 4:30-5:00, and that they stop taking orders by 6 (and if you call at 5:30 you probably aren't getting your food until 8!)

if nothing else, save a lot on the bar tab, and don't have to worry about if you can have that extra drink with dinner and still be able to drive home!

stickguy

Mike, did you explain to them that you are a famous celebrity now, and expect special treatment? They probably did not realize you were a VIP.

but I do gotta say, you always have interesting stuff happening to you. Hopefully not what happened in NY though to the customers of one barber!

ab348

stickguy said:

changing topics again, interesting to see how some businesses have adapted to pandemic life. Today is my wife's B'day, and she got to pick dinner and decided she wanted from our favorite Mexican restaurant. Of course they are fully curbside delivery, and have the process dialed in. they have big professionally made banners with instructions outside, and the whole process on their website. You order over the phone, pay, and arrive and just park in the lot. when your food is ready, they call you and ask what king of car, and you pull up by the door. then they run out, drop the bag in the car, and you are done. Simple, clean and efficient. and food was still really hot when we got it home (I burned my fingers on the bottom of the tin of rice!)

I am sure they want to open back up normally, but they seemed to be doing a great business this way based on how many cars were picking up between 4:30-5:00, and that they stop taking orders by 6 (and if you call at 5:30 you probably aren't getting your food until 8!)

if nothing else, save a lot on the bar tab, and don't have to worry about if you can have that extra drink with dinner and still be able to drive home!

I am surprised more places here haven't done that. A few have tried with varying degrees of success - the most common complaint I've heard is that the ones that are doing something like that are overwhelmed to the point where they are running out of items or are simply unable to prepare orders in a timely manner. In contrast, after being closed for the last 2 months many restaurants that decided just to ride it out are now going belly-up since they didn't make any alternative plans and can't afford to keep paying the rent.

oldfarmer50

andres3 said:

Left Lane Hogs, looks like CA, but isn't:

https://youtu.be/3tcdevbnP9c

IMO the cammer was the biggest hazard on the road.

stickguy

different stories depending of course. like normal, some people are just better at running a business. But yes, a lot of places have problems with staffing now. And making money without a bar is hard for others.

in general though, if you want to be an independent businessman, you need to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to market forces. Otherwise you go belly up and someone else takes over your spot.

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

abacomike said:

The continuing saga of my "chattering" windshield wipers. Well, after sitting in the waiting room at the dealership for 3+ hours, the service writer gave me my keys and said I was "good to go", so to speak. So, I left and as soon as I got out from under their service canopy, the wipers were chattering again. So I made a U-turn and went back into the service drive. I told him the wiper blades were stilll chattering and not picking up sufficient water form the windshield. He drove the car around and when he returned, he agreed. About 15 minutes later, he comes over to me with an empty box of wiper blades to show me that he replaced the wiper blades. I got back into my car and, low and behold, the wipers were chattereing again in the rain. So back I went into the service drive. I gave him the keys and asked him to please figure something out so I did not have to return again. I went into the service waiting room and sat down.

About 5 minutes later, he comes over and said that he talked to the director of their service and parts department and she said she drives a 2019 E and her wipers chatter also, so I should expect that to happen! DO YOU BELIEVE THAT? So they are telling me that there isn't anything more they can do to solve the problem - I will just have to live with it! I did not get upset there in the waiting room - I took my key and left. When I got home, I almost blew a gasket!!!

What do I do now? I certainly will not live with it - it is a safety hazard - not just an annoyance. Down here in Southeastern Florida, rainy season has begun and without properly functioning wipers, you are in big trouble. So I called Mercedes Benz USA Consumer Affairs and spoke to a guy in the Atlanta area. Afer hearing the sage, he merely said, "...why not go to another dealership's service department and see what they have to say about it!" I almost blew yet another gasket. They are telling me to shop around at other service departments for a solution to my problem. Sorry, Charlie, I am not going to become a nuisance to other dealerships where I did not buy a car. This is a $75,000 Mercedes Benz we're talking about. Chattering wipers on a brand new car with less than 140 miles on the odometer is unacceptable. Why should I galavant around south Florida looking for help. It is the responsibility of my own dealership's service department to find a solution to this problem.

So I put in a call to the General Manager of the dealership, but he was not in. I left a message for the manager who sold me the car so he might be able to do something for me. By now, I'm boiling over with anger and frustration - so I call Mercedes Benz Consumer Affairs once again and this time I get someone who is earnestly listening to my problem. The advisor took notes and said she would send a FAX to both the service director and the General Manager of the dealership to intervene and solve this issue of chattering wipers.

While on the phone with the second customer service representative, I shared with her what I thought should have been done and how my issue should have been handled.

When the chattering wipers continued after the application of the chemical and then the new wiper blades, the service director and the service manager should have given me a loaner car and explained to me that these steps we have taken to solve the problem have not worked. We will need to investigate the issue further and we will contact the zone service manager for advice and possible solutions. I expalined further to the MB representative that continuously chattering wipers in a climate where it rains almost every day with heavy downpours, properly functioning wipers on a BRAND NEW CAR are essential. This becomes a safety issue now.

The manager who worked with me on the sales of the new car then called me back. When I explained the entire situation, he couldn't believe it. He asked me if I am sure I was told that the service director drives an E sedan and that her wipers chatter so that I should expect mine to chatter. I responded YES! He couldn't believe it. He assured me that wipers on an E Class Mercedes Benz Sedan do not chatter nor are they supposed to chatter.

So now, we will see what is next in store for me and new E450! Unbelievable!

Oh. Oh. I sense a new vehicle in my crystal ball.

Is that a Sentra? I knew somebody would eventually get one.

imidazol97

oldfarmer50 said:

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer if breathed over an extended time. It never was a problem until houses started getting buttoned up for energy efficiency. It can seep into basements particularly in areas with sandy soil, less so with clay soil.
Excess radon can be determined by a simple detector which can measure levels within a short time. I would want to see the results of that test.
Even if there are high levels detected an air exchanger in the basement can vent out the gas without losing too much heat.
Bottom line, I wouldn’t worry but maybe use radon as a negotiating chip.

They having a new radon test done as part of the home inspection. Someone here recommended that to be sure it's being mitigated.
I realized my knowledge on that as home selling goes is dated, real dated. Our home has had a radon test I did with a device from the regional air authority. Then it's mailed in after sitting for a certain length of time in the house. Ours is on a slab. Although we are above rock that likely emits radon, no capture. Our house is early among the well-insulated in 1977.
I told Imid Jr. that it was good that that house had been tested and needed mitigation because that showed it was a fairly well sealed up home.
The good mitigation devices send house air through a radiator device with the incoming outside air taking heat or cool from the inside air to reduce the lose of HVAC cooling or heating. I remember seeing one on, wait for it, "This Old House."

But Jr. knows enough chemistry/physics to be concerned when it was mentioned. I had warned him about the home inspector, termite checks, and so on, but didn't know about this. Haven't bought a house since 1983.

fintail

My last 4 E class have had "juddery" wipers. I mostly solved the issue in prior cars by swapping out the OEM rubber blades (supplied by Valeo, I believe) for Bosch blades. However, with the latest blade holder design, this doesn't seem to be possible.

I now clay my windshield and use Rain-X, which only works for awhile. I suspect if you changed to Bosch blades, this might work, but the Bosch holders are clunky looking.

abacomike said:

So now, we will see what is next in store for me and new E450! Unbelievable!

fintail

When I was at my mom's last week, the fantastic local pizza place, in business for nearly 70 years, decided to open for carryout after being closed for almost 2 months. The first day they opened, there was so much demand that one couldn't get through - I called over 160 times over a ~90 minute period. The next day I got through, almost 2 hour wait, but so worth it. I think they'll be OK (they also own the building, which can't hurt).

ab348 said:

I am surprised more places here haven't done that. A few have tried with varying degrees of success - the most common complaint I've heard is that the ones that are doing something like that are overwhelmed to the point where they are running out of items or are simply unable to prepare orders in a timely manner. In contrast, after being closed for the last 2 months many restaurants that decided just to ride it out are now going belly-up since they didn't make any alternative plans and can't afford to keep paying the rent.

28firefighter

We received notice from our childcare that they’re reopening the first week of June. Very strict requirements and thus will not be able to open at full capacity. They had a ranking system and we were invited back.

The most challenging requirement will be that my little one (at age 3) will need to wear a mask except at meal times and during nap. We will see how that goes. We’ve ordered a bunch of masks we can rotate for him - Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, Frozen, and Moana.

A new world we are about to be re-entering.

fintail

My gym is fairly small - I can't imagine how they will function at half capacity. It will take either widely expanded hours (maybe not possible as they are already open from 5a-9p or so I think), or a new business model.

Michaell

My wife and stepdaughter are hosting their first event in two months this evening - a 2 hour kids night out where they make their own dinner and dessert.

They've reconfigured the space to put more distance between the kids, and implemented new sign in policies for the parents.

Their summer camps start in two weeks, and we are waiting for the state to allow groups larger than 10 so they can start hosting birthday parties.

Our revenue was down about 85% for April and May, but fortunately they had the pre paid camp fees in the bank to cover the expenses.

qbrozen

28firefighter said:

We received notice from our childcare that they’re reopening the first week of June. Very strict requirements and thus will not be able to open at full capacity. They had a ranking system and we were invited back.

The most challenging requirement will be that my little one (at age 3) will need to wear a mask except at meal times and during nap. We will see how that goes. We’ve ordered a bunch of masks we can rotate for him - Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, Frozen, and Moana.

A new world we are about to be re-entering.

Well that just begs the question: how is a Pacific Northwest dweller a Philadelphia fan?

28firefighter

I’m from the Philadelphia suburbs. School in Pittsburgh. Work pulled me out to the PNW.

Been doing everything in my power to ensure my #2 is brought up on Philadelphia sports. So far successful. His favorite shirt is his Carson Wentz jersey and he can sing the entire eagles fight song.

driver100

fintail said:

My last 4 E class have had "juddery" wipers. I mostly solved the issue in prior cars by swapping out the OEM rubber blades (supplied by Valeo, I believe) for Bosch blades. However, with the latest blade holder design, this doesn't seem to be possible.

I now clay my windshield and use Rain-X, which only works for awhile. I suspect if you changed to Bosch blades, this might work, but the Bosch holders are clunky looking.

abacomike said:

So now, we will see what is next in store for me and new E450! Unbelievable!

I had the 2015 E350 for 2 years and the 2017 E400 for 3 years....never noticed chattering windshield wipers. Maybe they just have to be used a bit and get loosened up.
One thing....check youtube...see what others have done.

driver100

We ordered a pizza for the first time in about 10 years...just for a change. It was OK, but the toppings were hard to find. The second night we had the other half and we added our own toppings....made it 10X as good.

We liked that one so much we got a frozen pizza with our groceries.....we added our own toppings....just pop it in the oven for 15 minutes....it was the best pizza of all and cost 1/3rd the amount!

roadburner

Mike, if it was me I'd try Rain-X as at least a temporary fix.

abacomike

roadburner said:

Mike, if it was me I'd try Rain-X as at least a temporary fix.

I'll give it a try. Thanks!

28firefighter

I’ll echo Rain-X. I coat all of our cars with the stuff.

andres3

ab348 said:

andres3 said:

Examples of Newton's laws of Physics in rearend collisions:
https://youtu.be/nxRVYBQJihw about 30 seconds in

https://youtu.be/jcTF-hOy_EA

https://youtu.be/za-PZ85rdUE (warning, language after being hit by negligent driver).

https://youtu.be/1Yl7dWZCADA

Example (admittedly not the best) that you don't have to sit still when about to be hit:

https://youtu.be/vf3ygvpAzBo

So this is why you don't want to have a top speed limiter, as it could cause you to get hit instead of avoiding a collision.

All of you really need to watch crash compilation videos on You Tube, it's what You Tube was invented for! LOL!

It was extremely hard to find videos of higher speed rear end collisions. This indicates to me that higher speed rear end collisions are extremely rare, particularly between two fast moving cars. Almost all of them are caused by a slowing or stopped vehicle failing to slow or stop for that other vehicle. Without slow moving or stopped cars, rear end collisions become a "fantasy" of the myth believing "speed kills" crowd.

I also see no evidence of this mysterious side-vector force, not even a hint. If you've seen it before, most likely you are witnessing anything but a straight line impact, or the fact that someone had their front tires turned already waiting to turn (which is a driver error you should have learned in Driving 102 basics).

Andres, you can continue to be a jackwagon on this subject and bombard the forums with your arguments and “data” that convinces nobody but you. I don’t know what motivates your behaviour here but I hope it is something other than that you enjoy getting reactions and annoying people. By now it should be clear to you that you haven’t convinced anyone. I’d hope that would result in you getting off your one-man bandwagon, but seemingly you are oblivious.

I have found your behaviour here over time to be worthy of action by TPTB based on my experiences elsewhere, but for whatever reason, that has not happened here. So since the mods are disinclined to do anything, I would suggest to the members here other than you that we simply ignore you and your posts going forward, regardless of subject. If nobody responds, you will be talking to yourself. Presumably that will be somewhat unsatisfying for you. Or you can behave like a reasonable person for a change.

It’s up to you.

If you want to stick your head in the sand, and ignore reality, the truth, and obvious data and examples of real world video proof, that's on you.

This is no one-man bandwagon. There are only a couple posters here that use common straw man and red herring logic to perpetuate the myth that speed kills. Most just stay out of it rather than look foolish. I've heard all these silly "examples" before; it's nothing new.

I even said this whole make-believe theoretical example of someone going 190 MPH hitting someone going 155 MPH in a rear-end was ridiculous as it would almost certainly never happen in the real world, but I indulged the fantasies of some here and ran with it anyway. Of course, the person that thought up the fantasy hadn't considered that the slow moving car is far more likely to get hit in the first place, at all, than someone going a "similar" high speed as them, but I ignored the likelihood of a collision (see Solomon Curve for yourself), and just addressed the presumption both would automatically be deadly.

The goal/motivation is to improve the fatality rates in the USA to more closely resemble Germany's, which are half of ours. Some like the status quo, but I believe there's lots of room for improvements, and repeating the same mistakes of the past or keeping the status quo is not the way to get there IMHO.

suydam

We have been getting delivery from our favorite restaurants on Friday evenings to show our support. Some you can order from directly, some you go through a delivery service like Doordash or Grubhub. I’m sure losing the bar revenue is tough, but at least we are giving them what business we can. Most of them have smaller menus than usual so they can handle the variables of supply and demand better. We also try to double up with a neighbor so they are getting two deliveries with one stop. Tonight we got dinner from our favorite Indian restaurant. It was delicious!

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer if breathed over an extended time. It never was a problem until houses started getting buttoned up for energy efficiency. It can seep into basements particularly in areas with sandy soil, less so with clay soil.
Excess radon can be determined by a simple detector which can measure levels within a short time. I would want to see the results of that test.
Even if there are high levels detected an air exchanger in the basement can vent out the gas without losing too much heat.
Bottom line, I wouldn’t worry but maybe use radon as a negotiating chip.

They having a new radon test done as part of the home inspection. Someone here recommended that to be sure it's being mitigated.
I realized my knowledge on that as home selling goes is dated, real dated. Our home has had a radon test I did with a device from the regional air authority. Then it's mailed in after sitting for a certain length of time in the house. Ours is on a slab. Although we are above rock that likely emits radon, no capture. Our house is early among the well-insulated in 1977.
I told Imid Jr. that it was good that that house had been tested and needed mitigation because that showed it was a fairly well sealed up home.
The good mitigation devices send house air through a radiator device with the incoming outside air taking heat or cool from the inside air to reduce the lose of HVAC cooling or heating. I remember seeing one on, wait for it, "This Old House."

But Jr. knows enough chemistry/physics to be concerned when it was mentioned. I had warned him about the home inspector, termite checks, and so on, but didn't know about this. Haven't bought a house since 1983.

When I modified the design on our house back in the early 80s to be extra tight, radon was just coming up as a topic so I researched it pretty well. It all boiled down to rock strata and soil type. I concluded that sitting on 90 feet of ancient lake clay sealed any radon deep underground.

What some folks around here have had problems with is methane. Seems like some developers rather than haul waste trees and vegetation away choose to simply bury it. Decay produced methane which migrated into basements and in one case blew the house off the foundation when it ignited.

The solution for them was the same. An air exchanger solved the problem.

andres3

oldfarmer50 said:

andres3 said:

Left Lane Hogs, looks like CA, but isn't:

https://youtu.be/3tcdevbnP9c

IMO the cammer was the biggest hazard on the road.

You'd fit right in at the CHP then! You should join them; the pay is great!