We humans are quick learners. We quickly adapt to these quirks of our machines, and we realise it only when we switch to another car of a different brand.
BHPian akshye recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
Nowadays our cars are more computers, lesser motors. Over the years, car companies have been making things easier to operate and the computers under the hood come in handy for engineers to make the functioning smoother, even with little driving experience.
But sometimes, things are overdone in the name of simplification/automation/assistance. Moreover, not every OEM does it the same way and the “assist” features are inconsistent across brands.
On top of it, we humans, are quick learners. We quickly adapt to these quirks of our machines, and we realise it only when we switch to another car of a different brand. This adaption often leaves me annoyed and I call them bad driving habits – taught by the computer.
Here is my list, do share yours too.
Honda Brio
Honda Brio has an unusual anti-stall/RPM matching feature – the ECU maintains accelerator command for a fraction second after A-pedal release. This should have resulted in a smoother gear shift. But, with experience, we ‘typically’ release the accelerator WHILE engaging the clutch, and do it pretty quickly. As I mentioned, Brio holds the accelerator command even after the A-pedal release. As a result, when driving Brio, if you do the ‘typical’ A-pedal release + C-pedal push operation, the engine RPM rises due to sudden load relief. That sounds like a rookie gear shift.
Hence, I adapted to the Brio ECU. I offset the ECU A-command through the early release (fraction of a second) of the A-pedal. I don’t have to tell you that it’s a bad habit!
Now, when I shift to another car from Brio, I release the accelerator early, causing a minute jerk, before pressing the clutch.
Volkswagen Polo
VW Polo is an interesting case. I am not sure about the reason behind Polo’s Acceleration demand moderation, but I believe it has something to do with emission control (ironic for VW ). Experts may comment, but here is my observation.
What TSI 1.0 ECU does is, if RPM is around 1000-1200 and the Accelerator position is 0 (fully released); then, when you depress the accelerator, the respective engine response is delayed. Usually, if the engine under load is running near idle, and you suddenly pump more fuel, due to the loading of the engine, fuel is not burnt completely (physics – moment of inertia). This you’d have observed as a common phenomenon with old diesel engines (any make) – the tailpipe shoots all black soot with a heavy right foot at low RPMs.
What it means is, to avoid incomplete burning of fuel, and in turn, to avoid the production of harmful gases and soot, the TSI ECU gradually increases the fuel until the engine is back in the power band, to react quickly to varying acceleration demand.
Again, I adapted to the ECU behaviour and started pressing A-pedal a little earlier than needed, to offset the engine delay.
This is not just a bad habit, but it could be very dangerous in heavy traffic, if I do it in a regular car, that responds promptly to A-pedal.
Another bad thing with Polo is, the lane change indicator blinks only thrice. It’s too short a time to change lanes. Typically, we indicate lane change before we start the lane change maneuver. Under these ‘typical’ indication operations, many times, the indicator used to stop blinking while just one wheel of the car had crossed the lane marking, and 3 are still back in the original lane. Now I’m unsure if the following car has noticed my indicator, and if it is safe for me to join the new lane.
Guess what, I adapted. I started indicating just WHEN I START the lane change maneuver, so indicators are still blinking while I join a new lane.
So I’m already on the move when I indicate and I give no time to the following vehicle to react to my indication – that is a really bad habit.
Tata Altroz (it’s not limited to this car, you’ll know when you read)
The start/stop operation is very annoying IMO. Worst when you just start moving after a green signal, and the last one (or lost one) of the herd from the stopped road decides to cross anyway. He chokes the traffic. You stop thinking you’re not moving soon, shift to neutral, release the clutch, and traffic starts moving. Now the traffic behind you has no patience for your car to start back. Everyone passing by gives you a glaring look!
So you adapt. Keep the clutch pressed. That’s an easier habit to adapt than remembering to switch off the auto start/stop at every ignition.
Then you move to a different car, still, keeping that clutch pressed all the time while the car is stopped. I curse you the start/stop innovators! Do you know how painful it is to hold the VW clutch pressed?
Another feature of Altroz is, when you start releasing the clutch, the RPM is elevated to achieve anti-stall on the incline. So your accelerator input (if lower than elevated RPM) is ‘don’t care’.
I adapted. Then started stalling older generation cars – since I did not press the A-pedal when releasing the clutch.
Here’s what BHPian airguitar had to say on the matter:
Are we allowed to post bad habits induced by “car features” and not just electronics ?
If so, the biggest skill I have lost is the ability to reverse the vehicle without any guidance, especially in crowded areas where we expect vehicles to be standing behind us. I’m so reliant on the reverse cam for three-point U turns etc. Otherwise, I have meticulously avoided the modern features ( HHC, ADAS etc). That also explains why I stick to a Manual Transmission vehicle – don’t want to lose that skill too.
The other thing is that with really low cabin noises (coupled with co-passengers that prefer to blare out music), our ability to use “road sound” as a key input during driving has gone down tremendously. Good for those that drive with windows lowered.
Here’s what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:
Anti stall has spoilt us. To the extent that most of us will not be able to drive in city traffic without it. What makes things worse is our tendency to lug the engines at low speed in high gear for ‘better fuel efficiency’. Many of us were taught to use first gear only when stationary, and to upshift as soon as we get moving. This is a bad habit rooted in faulty training on short geared budget Marutis and ancient Tata/Mahindra diesels, and anti stall lets us get away with it so many times. Long term, it leads to expensive flywheel issues in modern cars with relatively taller gearing and with dual mass flywheels.
Then there is the reversing camera. It’s a great thing to have. But it is also a fact that many of us can no longer reverse a car without one. Undoubtedly it is godsend for the elderly or those of us with spinal and cervical issues who can’t just turn their necks the other way round. I am of the opinion that this nifty little feature should be mandatory for all cars as well as all trucks and buses.
Here’s what BHPian BigZero had to say on the matter:
1. Spoilt by the reverse camera, yes! like many out there.
2. this one is from the motorcycle that I acquired last year. I had used motorcycles for 15+ years before I sold off the last one. Picked up a RE after a gap of 10+ years, and this one comes with gearshift indicators on the display! And now I just have to keep checking the display every now and then to reconfirm which gear I am in…..
Here’s what BHPian revsperminute had to say on the matter:
Interesting idea for a thread. Mine include-
1. Auto Headlamps- 9/10 times I forget switching off the headlamps in my Honda City, the only car without auto lights in our garage.
2. Auto Dimming Mirrors- Hate driving cars without auto dimming mirrors. Can’t drive for more than 30 mins in the night without getting a headache.
3. Popping cars into neutral- Years of driving dq200 has had me putting my Octavia into neutral every time I stop for more than 30s. Hence, no matter which car I drive, I keep putting it into neutral. Not a problem in most cars but I get bugged in my GLE and cars with rotary shifters like Jags.
4. Low GC driving style- Although this isn’t really an electronic feature, I have developed a habit of driving low GC cars. What this means is, I have to take many speed breakers diagonally, go ultra slow on broken roads etc. It’s hilarious when I shift to a SUV. Taking dips at an angle in a fortuner is akin to a bodybuilder strutting down the catwalk in high heels.
Here’s what BHPian Vkap257 had to say on the matter:
I have a “first world problem” for this thread – the electronic parking brake with auto hold in my 2021 Creta.
1. It’s beautiful. One just have to press the brake pedal extra hard and the car will apply “hand brake” and hold the car motionless. This has spoiled other cars for me and I sometimes release the brake pedal on small inclines thinking the TIAGO will stay put – only for it to roll backwards and being the recipient of angry honks.
2. Valets – whenever I hand over the car to a valet, I have to make sure and stand at the entrance of the hotel to witness the “dance”.
It goes like this : I arrive at the hotel entrance. I press the brake pedal and apply auto-hold. I press the stop button to shut down the engine. E-parking brake engages. I get off and valet gets in the driving seat. He obliterates my driving position (there is no memory function for the seat). Of course he doesn’t put on the seat belt. He presses the start button, puts the car in gear and accelerates. The front of the car rises up while the back squats as the parking brake is applied. The car is shouting at the valet to “ensure doors closed, brake pedal pressed and seat belt is on to remove hand brake”. Valets looks down and is flummoxed by the lack of a big ugly handle. He presses the button- nothing happens. The car lunges again as he accelerates. I am standing there nauseated looking at the poor torture of my car all the while, being called by my wife to not to waste time anymore. I finally step in and tell him to press clutch and brake at the same time and then press the button. Great success! The car finally moves and he is on his way to add another scratch to my car. Insert sad emoji here.
Here’s what BHPian anandshub had to say on the matter:
Android auto or more specifically Google maps: Would rather drive around in circles for 30 mins than ask a local for the best way to reach an unknown location.
Keyword: Quirks & features of modern day cars that have spoilt the owner