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Basic functions of a car you never/rarely use


Talbot

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It occurred to me today that there are a few basic functions of a car that I very rarely have need to use, not only in my current car, but generally in a most cars I've owned.

The one I noticed today is the heated rear window.  I've never actually used it in my current Merc and I can't recall the last car I've ever used one on.    The rear window never really mists up, and on the odd occasion it's a little bit misty, I never worry about it, as it'll clear within a few miles.  It seems slightly odd to me that people used to fit aftermarket heated rear window stripes on cars back in the 80s, I can't imagine what for.

It's also incredibly rare for me to use fast-speed wipers.  I think I've done so once with my current car.  It probably happens about once every two years or so and even then it's for as short-a-time as possible.

I've heard people say they never use the horn on a car and given the condition of some cars I've seen, they've clearly never used the rear wiper.  What basic functions of a vehicle do you just not use? 

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I can't imagine not having a heated rear window, I've never driven a car that didn't have one and use it frequently, especially in winter.

Maybe not basic, but I've never used cruise control, although I've owned at least one car that had it fitted.

Front fog lights almost never used, unlike a lot of other motorists!

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HRW - use it all the time, as Rovers are notorious for misting up. 

Fast speed wipers - I use them when passing trucks on the motorway in heavy rain.

For me, I rarely use the aircon in the Streetwise - more of a 'wind the window down' type fella. Mind you, I did in the van on a couple of days this summer.

Spare wheel - never needed one : pretty much a dead weight being carried around.

In-car entertainment - very rare I turn the radio on, much prefer the sound of the engine.

The '5 second indicator' feature

 

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4 minutes ago, Stanky said:

Saab 'night mode' on the instrument cluster. Total waste of time

That surprises me.  I've only ever driven one SAAB at night with night mode and I thought it was superb.  But then on other cars I always have the dashboard illumination as dim as it will go.

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Odd really.  The one vehicle I've had with a heated front screen I made use of quite a lot.  Combined with heated wingmirrors, that's more than enough to be able to drive safely.  The rear window waits until the rest of the car has warmed up.

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26 minutes ago, Talbot said:

I've never actually used it in my current Merc and I can't recall the last car I've ever used one on.    The rear window never really mists up, and on the odd occasion it's a little bit misty, I never worry about it, as it'll clear within a few miles.

Aircon helps a lot to keep a car demisted. Also most modern new cars will automatically turn on the HRW and wing mirrors when below a certain temperature. Almost invariably don't show the warning light when doing this. Probably these two reasons why it doesn't mist up. 

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My cars have so few toys I use everything...

Historically I've never really used heated mirrors, although heated rear screens see a lot of use because my cars take in water like the Britannic after hitting a mine and steam up accordingly. I've also never used the instrument panel dimming function as everything I drive has dash lighting old enough to be dim by default.

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Don't think I've ever used the headlamp washers, or the headlamp leveller adjustor, but most of the other toys on the Forester get a reasonable amount of usage.

Cruise control is handy for the motorway, and the quickclear function for the front windscreen is terrific - first time I've ever had this on a car, and it beats hell out of smearing a damp chamois pad all over the screen on winter mornings.

Also, this is the first time I've had a working rear screen demister since I sold my Escort in 2008 so I make full use of it in this damp climate. Luxury!

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6 hours ago, JJ0063 said:

Never use cruise or speed limiter, I never have really - just prefer driving properly! 

How far do you drive? 

Most of my driving is journeys of 80 plus miles. On the motorway, I use cruise control (almost) all the time, set at a true 70 mph or 50 mph if going through road works. 

It's become so second nature, I use it around town at a true 22 mph ( it won't work lower or 30mph. Even if it's only for 10 seconds or 5 seconds. 

It's better in an auto, because if you are forces to brake, and then press resume, it will do the gears for you.  Ie if you set it at 120 mph, slowed to 25 mph, pressed resume it woukd drop down to second, and then accelerate you briskly back to 120.  

Wife wont use it. If she's driving her speed fluctuates from a true 65 to a true 75, for no particular reason. 

I don't think there's anything I don't use on the omega.  

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