Marc's X7, C3 Aircross, Rants, Raves & Everything Else

[myglaren]

I'll have to do that at the next opportunity. She lives a good two hundred yards from me so may be some time.

[CitroJim]

I'll have to do that at the next opportunity. She lives a good two hundred yards from me so may be some time.

Gosh yes, don't forget to pop a foil blanket, as compass, OS maps and emergency rations in your rucksack before embarking on that journey Steve...

[Hell Razor5543]

I'll have to do that at the next opportunity. She lives a good two hundred yards from me so may be some time.

Gosh yes, don't forget to pop a foil blanket, as compass, OS maps and emergency rations in your rucksack before embarking on that journey Steve...

As well as letting people know where you are going, when you should get there, and when you should be returning.

[myglaren]

As well as letting people know where you are going, when you should get there, and when you should be returning.

All things I never know myself.
I'll get the skis waxed in case it snows though.

[mickthemaverick]

I'd suggest a subscription to International Rescue may not be a bad idea either, Just watch out for any old Fords Chasing you!!

[myglaren]

Just watch out for any old Fords Chasing you!!

Lost me there Mick.

[mickthemaverick]

Thunderbirds!!

[myglaren]

The Ford!

[GiveMeABreak]

Depends on fitted options and equipment Jim, but normally it's just loss of ESP and associated functions along with cruise control; but anything that relies on the ESP wheel sensors (which is increasingly more and more systems on later cars), expect the same sort of issues.

Just back from the garage and all is back to how she was - no charge, and no charge for the car either.

@ £179 for the sensor alone, without diagnostic and labour charges, the extended warranty has more than paid for itself this year already.

[GiveMeABreak]

One other thing I should mention concerning the C4 Loan car. As said it had the EAT8 auto box and was very smooth, but I discovered that it can indeed keep ANY speed selected via the cruise option, so this was extremely handy for all the new 20 MPH zones monsieur Drakeford and his cronies have instigated here.

But more than that, I also discovered that because this system has active cruise and lane-keeping, it meant that I could set the speed from the steering wheel and regardless of that speed, it would maintain a safe distance from the car in front of me. This meant that if I set it at 50 MPH say, it would maintain whatever speed the vehicle in front was doing up to my set speed, automatically braking the vehicle and speeding up as necessary. Further, when the vehicle in front came to a standstill because of a junction or light or whatever, my vehicle effectively braked and came to a compete stop behind it on its own!

A gentle start on the accelerator and it resumed the speed set or the speed of the vehicle in front. I could almost have let it drive me to the beach autonomously. It was a bit eerie having the steering wheel take over to stop me going over the white line!

So having tested this system out, I have to admit I did like it - but even more, I liked the fact that I had manual control at all times though

[mickthemaverick]

You say you had manual control at all times Marc but I don't agree. You had manual overide available at all times but the fact remained that the vehicle steered and braked itself under its own control if you chose not to intervene. For me that is a horrendous concept as in the event of something going awry who would be to blame?

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, by that I meant I could brake and accelerate as needed Mick and as soon as I touched the brake, the cruise deactivated as normal. But just saying that it did all the work itself. Ditto for the steering - if it pulled one way, I could correct it manually if I wanted to.

.... but I nearly forgot to answer your question.. the driver would be at fault , as in me, as it's my responsibility to not rely on automation solely, but only as an aid.

[myglaren]

On that note:-

A woman in San Francisco is in critical condition after being first struck by a hit-and-run driver, and then falling in front of a driverless Cruise car, which ran her over and trapped her under its wheels.

The accident occurred on Monday in the US city's downtown, near the intersection of Market and Fifth Streets, at 2135 PT. Both vehicles started moving after traffic lights turned green, though the pedestrian was still in the crosswalk, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

More in The Register.

[mickthemaverick]

Taking that one stage further Marc, in order to make use of the manual overide when you deem it necessary you must be concentrating and observing as you would driving normally so I cannot see any benefit. The physical actions of driving may be reduced but it is the mental capacity that must remain the same so no real benefit that I can see. My worry is that if it becomes less necessary to operate the vehicle some people will reduce their concentration and get more involved in other things going on in the vehicle. Net result manual intervention may well be too late to avoid an incident that would have been anticipated in 'normal' driving!!

[GiveMeABreak]

I agree, I could never use a completely autonomous vehicle, especially round these parts - all the drivers are country nutters and many lanes are single file, so wouldn't stand a chance.