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I spotted an (insert obscure car name here) classic car today!

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  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,097
    Oh yeah, I can see it as a French thing, I never thought of it that way (not sure if any Germans did it that way, MB never did as far as I know anyway).

    Spots on the road in the fintail for a short drive - 69 Caprice coupe, 55-56 Ford pickup sitting low on wide whites, 356 in racing guise (no bumpers).
    sda said:

    fintail said:

    I expect that Granada coupe has a stalk-mounted horn just to add insult to injury. I bet 0-60 in that thing is a blast with the 4 (but a V8 swap would be simple enough, talk about a sleeper).

    As I'm sure you know the horn button on the end of the turn signal stalk was common on european or at least French cars. IIRC that was the set up on Renault and Peugeot. During that period there was a lot of emphasis from US auto manufacturers to emulate european cars, (looks, cladding, blacked out trim, red back lit instruments, controls like finally placing the dimmer switch on the turn signal stalk instead of having a floor mounted button).
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 19,031

    @andre1969,
    I see a lot of familiar Fox body under that hood.
    Don't see any reason you couldn't get AC on a car wit the 2.3.

    That's right. Though I think Ford installed an interlock to disengage the compressor when the car was in gear. :D

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,762
    edited September 2022
    fintail said:

    I expect that Granada coupe has a stalk-mounted horn just to add insult to injury. I bet 0-60 in that thing is a blast with the 4 (but a V8 swap would be simple enough, talk about a sleeper).

    Yessir! Look at all that room in there! It would almost be a sleeper to perform such a conversion! Cheating. Haha

    That unknown belt-driven unit on the passenger side looks like an air pump to me. I'm not sure why it wouldn't use rubber hoses. That radiator is so darned cute! :D
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,762
    LOL. @ab348! I nearly spit my tea into the monitor on that one. :o
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 25,655
    I had forgotten about the stalk-mounted horn that Ford used in that era. I guess that would be the second stalk on the column? At first, I thought the car might have had a tilt wheel, judging from the angle of the steering wheel.

    As for hopping up a car like this, I imagine a 4.6 V8 would fit? I know those engines are fairly large, physically, but hey, they got them under the hoods of Fox-based Mustangs, towards the end, so I imagine one could fit here, too. Might be a bit of overkill though on something like this. Maybe just a hopped-up 302 would do the trick?

    Or, some modern, high-powered 4- or 6-cyl, even? I don't like when they use small, high-powered engines in large, heavy vehicles where I just get the impression (whether it's right or wrong) that the engine's just going to have to strain too much, but in something lightweight like this, it might be just fine.
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 19,031
    The old small-block Ford V8 would fit easily into one of those Granadas but I'm less sure about the OHC V-8. That is a large engine. When the Mustang was redesigned in '94 it was still on a variation of the Fox platform but I don't know if they made changes to the engine bay to accommodate the upcoming 4.6. A 302 would probably suffice in a car like this, but you likely would need upgrades to the brakes, rear axle, the 4-bolt wheel hubs, and maybe the transmission.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 15,852
    edited September 2022

    An SEFI HO 5.0 with dual exhaust from a late Fox body or Lincoln LSC would be pretty nice. Computers are more or less standalone so pretty easy to do.

    I don’t think a modular is going in there without a hood scoop and major modifications to the cowl area.

    2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve

  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 25,655
    I wonder what that 2.3 Turbo would be like...the one that had 140 hp, that they used in the T-bird for a bit? It was offered in the 1980 Fairmont, briefly at least. I think they pulled it from the option list pretty quickly, though.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 15,852

    Well it can be done… with manual (or Hydroboost brakes). Here it is on a 79 Fairmont. Procedure would be the same on most Fox bodies. New K-member sourced from an SN95 and lots of fabrication

    2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 19,256
    Saw a black/black/black 4 eye Mustang GT convertible for sale today in a car lot. $6,500 asking.
    2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 10,685

    Saw a black/black/black 4 eye Mustang GT convertible for sale today in a car lot. $6,500 asking.

    "4 eye Mustang" - that's a new one on me, what year is that?
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 25,655
    texases said:

    Saw a black/black/black 4 eye Mustang GT convertible for sale today in a car lot. $6,500 asking.

    "4 eye Mustang" - that's a new one on me, what year is that?
    I'd guess '79-86, the style with the quad headlights? When that '87 style came out, with the flush composite headlights, I didn't like it at all, but it's definitely grown on me. And I've gotten so used to it that it seems to be "the norm". When I look up a '79-86 style, at a quick glance, some of them make me think of a Plymouth Turismo or a Dodge Charger/Chrysler Laser.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 15,852

    Yes quad headlights. There is even an early Stang forum called “Four Eyed Pride”

    2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 15,852

    Here is a pretty famous one from an 80s movie. I’m sure many will know it.

    2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,439
    Not me! But I like the car.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • jpp75jpp75 Member Posts: 1,535
    andre1969 said:

    I had forgotten about the stalk-mounted horn that Ford used in that era. I guess that would be the second stalk on the column? At first, I thought the car might have had a tilt wheel, judging from the angle of the steering wheel.

    On a couple of Fords we had the front most stalk was turn signals, high beams and you pushed it in towards the steering column for the horn. The second stalk in the back was for wipers.
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 10,685
    Some old European cars had a 'city horn' (beep beep, push the stalk), and a 'country horn' (HONK HONK, push the center of the steering wheel. I think my dad's '72 Maserati Indy had that.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 25,655
    On the subject of horns, does anybody know what the horn on a Chevy Spark would sound like? The other day I was in traffic at a light, and when the light turned green, cars in front were a bit slow to get moving. I heard sort of a deep, masculine, big-car honk beside me, but looked over, and saw a Spark. I just presumed most little cars had more of a "beep" to them than a deep "honk", but maybe it was an American vs import thing?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,097
    edited September 2022
    We know who Troy is, he's such a cheap guy.

    I think the second pic is from a deleted scene (that I recall would air on Canadian TV in the 90s).
    tjc78 said:

    Here is a pretty famous one from an 80s movie. I’m sure many will know it.

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,097
    On the road today: red Ford Aspire, first gen Geo Metro, clean but unrestored looking 57 Sedan DeVille that gave me an original paint vibe (also on blackwalls or dirty whitewalls, original hubcaps, and ancient but not YOM plates, I think 1963 or 1965 issue).
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,056
    edited September 2022
    Driving my Stude the other day, I was reminded how easy the floor-mounted dimmer switch is to use.

    The domestics all got to the "...if the imports do it, it must be better" or "our customers won't mind", one or the other or a combination of both. Our '77 Impala was the first we owned to have the dimmer switch on the turn signal stalk. Both my Dad and I at the time complained that we often turned the turn signals on when we meant to use the dimmer function, not to mention it required your use of a hand.

    Ah, newer is always better, sigh.

    I drove my share of Ford rentals with the horn stalk. As virtually all of the mags said at the time, "Not a better idea".

    Unrelated, but I was looking at the '78 Monte Carlo brochure the other day when there was discussion of what engine was standard on the cars. The brochure shows that one could get the 231 (Buick) standard V6 with an optional 4-speed. All I can ask is, "Why?!".

    I gotta believe the take rate on those was even less than the 3-speed manual.

    fin, "Aspire"--that always made me think, "I aspire to move up to an Escort next time".
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,439
    I bet you are in the minority on the dimmer switch placement preferences! I found it easier to flick one finger which was right there anyway, instead of poking around on the floor. Especially with a clutch involved.

    That and floor switches liked to rust.

    Moot point now though with auto high beams!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,056
    I will say, I don't believe I ever drove a car with a floor-mounted dimmer switch, and a clutch. That would muddy up things a bit.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 19,031

    I will say, I don't believe I ever drove a car with a floor-mounted dimmer switch, and a clutch. That would muddy up things a bit.

    Not really. You would typically only use high beams on the highway when you would be in top gear, so not much simultaneous shifting and "dipping" required.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 19,256
    2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • sdasda Member Posts: 6,936

    In my Vega and Sunbird, both manuals, the dimmer button was far left and mounted high on the driver's floor. A bit of a reach with the left foot but not too bad. Never bothered me. Dimmer switch located on the turnsignal stock much better and easier to use.

    2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,439
    Looks like a Chevy with a caddy nose clip to me!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 25,655
    On the subject of the dimmer on the turn signal, I believe the '76 Grand Prix, and by default the '76 Grand LeMans, was the first domestic car to start using it.

    As for the '78 Monte Carlo, I believe GM was trying to keep costs down, as much as possible, to fight inflation. The '77 started at $4968, but at that price had a 305/automatic standard The '78 started at $4785 for the V6, $4935 for the 305, although it had a manual standard. So, considering all the R&D costs to come up with the new model, I'd say they did a pretty good job.

    For comparison, the Monte Carlo's main competitor, the T-bird, started at $5,063 in '77, but rose to $5411 in '78. I think GM was able to get away with raising prices on the '77 B/C bodies, because they at least still had some presence about them. And they gave up very little capability compared to the '76 models, unless you really needed to tow a heavy trailer. Or really needed to carry 6 full-sized adults around on a regular basis. And, most people don't need to do either.

    But with personal luxury coupes, buyers care less about practicality, and want some presence, flash, prestige. So I'm convinced GM had to cut prices a bit, and sell the Monte Carlo and its siblings on value, to a degree. The typical personal luxury coupe of the buyer probably looked at the '78 Monte Carlo as "less than" its predecessor, so there had to be some kind of value wrapped up in there, as well.

    The EPA lists a 200 V6 as being standard in the Monte Carlo, but I wonder if it was added later in the model year, after the brochures were printed? Interestingly, even my Consumer Guide auto encyclopedia, which is often wrong, shows the 200 standard in the Malibu, and the 231 standard in the Monte. Anyway, here's the EPA ratings...

    200/manual: 21/29
    200/auto: 19/25
    231/manual: 16/28
    231/auto: 19/27
    305/manual: 16/22
    305/auto: 17/25

    I'm guessing those manual shifts had to a loss leader, to get people in the door. It certainly wasn't because of CAFE concerns, since the manual shift got worse than the automatic in everything but the 200. The 200 actually seems pretty pointless to me as well, since it got worse mileage than the 231. Part of that was gearing, though. IIRC, when the 200 got phased out in favor of the 229, the 229 really wasn't much quicker, because it used a taller axle that offset some of the hp gain. But it did get better economy.
  • sdasda Member Posts: 6,936

    Did the Chevy 200/229 have timing chain or other concerning issues like the Buick 231? My memory may be foggy but I think our 73 GrandAm had the dimmer switch on the turn signal stalk along with the cruise button. I remember it being floppy backward and forwards, probably something a miss.

    2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav

  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 25,655
    Out running errands today, I spotted this, out on Maryland's Route 2... It had a nice rumble to it. I wasn't able to get a pic of the front, but as I passed it, it looked like a '72 (two horizontal chrome bars instead of one in the grille).

    Oh, and early this morning, I gotta say the sunrise was majestic...almost, well, regal :p

  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 25,655
    sda said:

    Did the Chevy 200/229 have timing chain or other concerning issues like the Buick 231? My memory may be foggy but I think our 73 GrandAm had the dimmer switch on the turn signal stalk along with the cruise button. I remember it being floppy backward and forwards, probably something a miss.

    I've never heard of any timing chain or similar issues with the Chevy 200/229. Didn't that whole nylon-mesh thing or whatever they call it tend to be more of a Buick/Olds/Pontiac thing? The 229 in my Malibu was reliable. And at the time I thought it had decent power, but it was also my first car, so I was just grateful to have a set of wheels! But once I started getting accustomed to other cars, that Malibu felt like a dog. When I had my '82 Cutlass Supreme coupe with the 231, it definitely felt like it had more guts to it. It wasn't that much faster from, say, 0-60, but it seemed happier at higher speeds, and when it downshifted into passing gear, it definitely had more kick to it.

    As for the dimmer switch on the stalk, I could be wrong, about the '76 Grand Prix/Grand LeMans being the first...wouldn't be my first time :p I forget where I read that, now. And, yeah, the turn signal/dimmer switch in my '76 Grand LeMans is pretty floppy as well.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 235,200
    Rental Maxima: looking for the emergency brake on the console, assuming it’s electronic, given no handle. Turns out it has a floor pedal. I was stunned.

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  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,056
    edited September 2022
    andre, the base prices for '78 Montes may have been low due to decontenting, but boy, I saw several new '78's that were well into the 7's....Landaus with the Special Custom Interior and PW and PDL and PSeats, etc. With T-Tops or electric sunroof, I'm sure they could get to $8K or more.

    I always remember being really impressed with the EPA rating of the '78 Malibu and Monte with 305--17/25. I'd never seen of a V8 get rated that kind of highway MPG. Our '77 Impala was 16/21 with the 305. Well, I'm sure about the 21, and think the city was 16. When my Dad bought our red '77, in the showroom was a very similarly equipped Firethorn coupe, but with 350. It was $200 more than the one Dad ended up buying. It was EPA-rated 15/20 (I'm nearly certain). I lobbied for that car but Dad didn't want "a four-barrel". I later learned it would have had the 350 trans too, although in 57K miles we never had an issue with the 200 and my friend bought it from the dealer in '80 and he didn't have trans issues either; he did drive it until the frame rusted way in back. The 200 did shift differently than what we were used to before though.

    3-speeds in '78-era Malibus and Montes--I guess 4-speeds too--for some inexplicable reason, I like the look of the shifter and knob on those cars, against the funky instrument panel. Maybe because the instruments were in a slightly concave shape. I just like it. I remember seeing two green metallic new '78 Malibu wagons at my hometown dealer, both with six and three-speed on the floor.

    Funny the EPA didn't appear to differentiate MPG between a 231 3-speed manual and a 4-speed manual--just "manual".
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,056
    My Dad went from a 229 V6 in his '80 Monte Carlo, to a 305 4-barrel in his '84--his first 4-barrel. We both thought it felt like a complete hot rod. The gas pedal was really a light touch. Again, we're talking 1984 and comparing to a V6.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 10,685
    kyfdx said:

    Rental Maxima: looking for the emergency brake on the console, assuming it’s electronic, given no handle. Turns out it has a floor pedal. I was stunned.

    The 2022 Honda Passport I just rented had a floor parking brake pedal.
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 19,031
    Both of my ATS sedans do/did as well. Odd because my 2011 Regal had an electronic parking brake which I liked much better.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,056
    edited September 2022
    My '17 Cruze has a pedal. Our '19 Equinox has a button on the console. I am far, far more likely to use the parking brake by pushing the pedal. Change for the sake of change, sigh. Call it 45 years of driving with an emergency brake pedal before we got a car that had the, ahem, 'enhancement'.

    Of course, I'm not necessarily in love with pushbutton start, either. When I bought my Cruze, I wanted one without. Early on with the Equinox pushbutton start, a couple times I had walked away and returned with the car running. Perhaps a curse of smooth and quiet idle. So accustomed to grabbing those very-visible keys. I have read within the past several years, some oldsters (older than me) who've left their pushbutton-start vehicles running in the garage--with disastrous results.

    Either way, I have to have a fob on me.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 25,655
    I kinda miss the old fashioned handbrake, where you just pulled it out, and then twist to release. It's a lot easier to drive a car with no brakes when you have one of those, whereas the foot-operated emergency brake seems like it's basically designed for one panic stop and then that's it. Not that I'm in the habit of driving cars with no brakes... :o
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,056
    Once, in my '63 Stude, I went down a slight grade in town on a Sat. morning, and my pedal went to the floor. A bolt at the top had sheared off. I used the handle parking brake to stop. Could've been much worse later in the day, for sure. My '66 has a pedal for emergency brake.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 15,852
    edited September 2022

    My 79 Continental had the dimmer switch on the floor. That car did have Auto high beams too so you didn’t use the switch all that much.

    It also had a foot switch to change the radio station.

    2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 235,200
    Driving a stick for so long, just used to having a hand brake on the console. That's still my preferred spot

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  • sdasda Member Posts: 6,936

    @tjc78 said:
    My 79 Continental had the dimmer switch on the floor. That car did have Auto high beams too so you didn’t use the switch all that much.

    It also had a foot switch to change the radio station.

    My 70 DeVille convertible had the same set up. The floor buttons were spaced far enough apart that I didn't blind someone when I meant to change the radio station.

    2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav

  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,056

    In my Vega and Sunbird, both manuals, the dimmer button was far left and mounted high on the driver's floor.

    Two of my high school friends got new '75 Monza 2+2 V8's. I was very jealous. I drove the one and I do remember how high up that dimmer switch was on the left.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,097
    Fintail also has a floor mounted dimmer, and to make things fun, a floor mounted windshield washer. However, on Euro models, the cars had a flash to pass function on the turn signal stalk, maybe one of the earlier cars to have a multifunction stalk.

    "Aspire"s to be a grown up car is what I used to say. Suzuki Esteem also lent it to jokes (and the classics like Celebrity etc).

    I saw a bullet nose Stude on the road today, from a distance - it either had a propeller or some kind of blinking light on the bullet. Also saw a really clean Taurinental and the same Celebrity I see now and then.

    Driving my Stude the other day, I was reminded how easy the floor-mounted dimmer switch is to use.

    The domestics all got to the "...if the imports do it, it must be better" or "our customers won't mind", one or the other or a combination of both. Our '77 Impala was the first we owned to have the dimmer switch on the turn signal stalk. Both my Dad and I at the time complained that we often turned the turn signals on when we meant to use the dimmer function, not to mention it required your use of a hand.

    Ah, newer is always better, sigh.

    I drove my share of Ford rentals with the horn stalk. As virtually all of the mags said at the time, "Not a better idea".

    Unrelated, but I was looking at the '78 Monte Carlo brochure the other day when there was discussion of what engine was standard on the cars. The brochure shows that one could get the 231 (Buick) standard V6 with an optional 4-speed. All I can ask is, "Why?!".

    I gotta believe the take rate on those was even less than the 3-speed manual.

    fin, "Aspire"--that always made me think, "I aspire to move up to an Escort next time".

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,097
    texases said:

    kyfdx said:

    Rental Maxima: looking for the emergency brake on the console, assuming it’s electronic, given no handle. Turns out it has a floor pedal. I was stunned.

    The 2022 Honda Passport I just rented had a floor parking brake pedal.
    E-class through MY 2016 also has a parking brake pedal. Wagon has electronic.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,439
    I think our prior (2013) RDX still had the foot pedal. new one is electronic, as is the Maverick. My Sonata (2015) I think was electronic, but the 2018 Elantra had an old school grip it and rip it handle.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 17,312

    I will say, I don't believe I ever drove a car with a floor-mounted dimmer switch, and a clutch. That would muddy up things a bit.

    Exactly. I'm proud to say that my last car with a floor mounted dimmer switch was my 1974 Monte Carlo.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 17,312

    My '17 Cruze has a pedal. Our '19 Equinox has a button on the console. I am far, far more likely to use the parking brake by pushing the pedal. Change for the sake of change, sigh. Call it 45 years of driving with an emergency brake pedal before we got a car that had the, ahem, 'enhancement'.

    Of course, I'm not necessarily in love with pushbutton start, either. When I bought my Cruze, I wanted one without. Early on with the Equinox pushbutton start, a couple times I had walked away and returned with the car running. Perhaps a curse of smooth and quiet idle. So accustomed to grabbing those very-visible keys. I have read within the past several years, some oldsters (older than me) who've left their pushbutton-start vehicles running in the garage--with disastrous results.

    Either way, I have to have a fob on me.

    Chlorine for the gene pool, methinks...

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive

  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 25,655
    edited September 2022
    I used to think pushbutton start was a throwback to the old days! We have an old Montgomery Ward tractor from the 60's (I think it was built by Simplicity) with a pushbutton start. You set the choke, turn the key, to "on" and then push and hold a button and it cranks a few times until it starts.

    As for pushbutton starts, I thought they were designed to automatically shut off if you took the fob too far away from the car? If you had an attached garage, and got out and went in the house with the fob in your pocket, is it possible you'd still be close enough that the car wouldn't turn off?

    **Edit: just googled it. Looks like you only need the fob to turn the car on? But after that, if you want to turn it off, you still have to press the button again? I'm surprised they don't build some kind of auto-off feature into it that turns it off after, say, 15 minutes in park, if the fob is not close to the car. But, maybe that could cause other issues.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 19,256
    Our newer vehicles honk the horn several times if you exit with the engine still running.
    2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
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