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Uberzephyr
Actually, it *IS* an indication that is in reverse, not that the backup distance ...
Etmax
I think a sound when you first put it into reverse is a great idea, whatever ...
Not all automotive electronics improvements need be complex
Rick DeMeis
10/4/2010 1:15 PM EDT
Recently I had a chance to drive Hyundai's Genesis Coupe again and found out engineers have added a simple but welcome upgrade.
In my original ride-and-drive report on a week in the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, I noted an annoyance sometimes found on manual transmission cars. Namely, if to select reverse gear, you had to push the shift to the left and forward, there may be a chance of putting the car into the adjacent first gear instead (or vice versa). Sure there is often a spring-resistive gate or "wall" that gives some tactile feedback to entering reverse, but this may wear down or not be noticed in a distractive driving situation.
Thus it was a pleasant surprise that when I slipped into reverse to back down the driveway, a simple audio chime was sounded. That's it—nothing complex or necessarily digital—just a reassuring cue that a driver could rely on as he or she became used to driving the Coupe. And one other OEMs should duplicate.
(Follow the link above for more on my drive in the Genesis Coupe, as well as one of the better driving videos I've seen on taking the car around Road Atlanta.)
In my original ride-and-drive report on a week in the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, I noted an annoyance sometimes found on manual transmission cars. Namely, if to select reverse gear, you had to push the shift to the left and forward, there may be a chance of putting the car into the adjacent first gear instead (or vice versa). Sure there is often a spring-resistive gate or "wall" that gives some tactile feedback to entering reverse, but this may wear down or not be noticed in a distractive driving situation.
Thus it was a pleasant surprise that when I slipped into reverse to back down the driveway, a simple audio chime was sounded. That's it—nothing complex or necessarily digital—just a reassuring cue that a driver could rely on as he or she became used to driving the Coupe. And one other OEMs should duplicate.
(Follow the link above for more on my drive in the Genesis Coupe, as well as one of the better driving videos I've seen on taking the car around Road Atlanta.)
The Genesis Coupe recently driven was the R version in Tsukuba ("Arrest Me") Red, in which we clocked 25 mpg on regular gas over 140 miles.
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FrederikV
10/6/2010 4:13 AM EDT
This is not the indication of the reverse gear, but an indication that the distance-sensors at the back of the car have been activated.
A common feature I believe every car with back distance-sensors has (in Europe at least for more than 10 years commonly available).
Frederik
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Rick DeMeis
10/6/2010 6:24 PM EDT
If that were so, the result is the same.
But the fact remains I've never noticed it before on all the cars I've test driven with such a manual transmission--and this car was not equipped with backup warning sensors. In some ways it had "bare bones" features, lacking a trip computer and cruise control, which were not "optioned in" on this press fleet vehicle.
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Uberzephyr
11/29/2010 1:02 PM EST
Actually, it *IS* an indication that is in reverse, not that the backup distance sensor has been activated. I own this car, and my car (2.0T Track) does not have backup distance sensors, but it still gives me the chime.
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Rick DeMeis
10/6/2010 6:23 PM EDT
Yes, just because engineers can do something doesn't always mean they should. Perhaps this one came from the marketeers!
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hm
10/10/2010 2:10 PM EDT
I agree with you Rick. Many a time you need only basic and very simple solution to resolve your problem. And these simple solutions are quite effective for that matter. Also, simple solution may make system more reliable and cost effective.
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RWatkins
10/20/2010 1:09 PM EDT
I have mixed feelings on such "features". Where I used to listen very closely whilst backing for indications of problems such as a tricycle being crushed or a neighbor yelling a warning, I cannot with our Prius, which beeps continuously inside the passenger compartment while backing. I personally would be much happier if the noisemaker were on the outside rear of the vehicle and barely audible inside.
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Etmax
10/27/2010 8:29 AM EDT
I think a sound when you first put it into reverse is a great idea, whatever actual reason was. I have given up on parking sensors though, 1 week after I purchased a car that had them I turned them off. City parking often requires you moving to within a few centimetres of another car, and I don't think I need something beeping at me making me nervous long before I need to be. I think parking sensors on shopping trolleys might be a good idea though, because that's one thing that keeps hitting my car but never when I'm in it :-(
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