Car has a mind of it's own
12-27-2003, 06:35 AM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Car has a mind of it's own
Hi,
I'm still trying to work out all the gizmos on my A3, and I swear this
thing has a mind of it's own
There are two things I've noticed, and wondered if anyone had any input
on.
1. Automatic lights
The car has a light sensor system, which can switch the headlights on
and off automatically depending on the prevailing light conditions.
When I first tried this when I first got the car, it decided to put the
lights on in broad daylight. Only strong sunlight would cause it to
leave the lights off. This perplexed me somewhat. Obviously the car
has to "play it safe", as it's far better to have lights on when you
don't need them, than off when you do, but it seemed a bit overzealous.
I've now started using them again, and the system is far better, only
switching the lights on when it's actually necessary.
What I'm wondering is what's changed? Has the system taken note of the
ambient light levels when I've manually switched the lights on and off,
and altered it's behaviour according? If so, I'm bloody impressed!
2. Wipers
Simpler one this. If I leave the wipers on (in any mode) when I leave
the car, then when I return, they don't operate at all until I move the
stalk to another setting. Is this behaviour by design?
Thanks for any opinions.
--
Toby
I'm still trying to work out all the gizmos on my A3, and I swear this
thing has a mind of it's own
There are two things I've noticed, and wondered if anyone had any input
on.
1. Automatic lights
The car has a light sensor system, which can switch the headlights on
and off automatically depending on the prevailing light conditions.
When I first tried this when I first got the car, it decided to put the
lights on in broad daylight. Only strong sunlight would cause it to
leave the lights off. This perplexed me somewhat. Obviously the car
has to "play it safe", as it's far better to have lights on when you
don't need them, than off when you do, but it seemed a bit overzealous.
I've now started using them again, and the system is far better, only
switching the lights on when it's actually necessary.
What I'm wondering is what's changed? Has the system taken note of the
ambient light levels when I've manually switched the lights on and off,
and altered it's behaviour according? If so, I'm bloody impressed!
2. Wipers
Simpler one this. If I leave the wipers on (in any mode) when I leave
the car, then when I return, they don't operate at all until I move the
stalk to another setting. Is this behaviour by design?
Thanks for any opinions.
--
Toby
12-27-2003, 02:16 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Car has a mind of it's own
On Sat, 27 Dec 2003 12:35:06 GMT, "Toby Groves" <news@iconia.org.uk> wrote:
>Hi,
>
>I'm still trying to work out all the gizmos on my A3, and I swear this
>thing has a mind of it's own
>
>There are two things I've noticed, and wondered if anyone had any input
>on.
>
>1. Automatic lights
>
>The car has a light sensor system, which can switch the headlights on
>and off automatically depending on the prevailing light conditions.
>When I first tried this when I first got the car, it decided to put the
>lights on in broad daylight. Only strong sunlight would cause it to
>leave the lights off. This perplexed me somewhat. Obviously the car
>has to "play it safe", as it's far better to have lights on when you
>don't need them, than off when you do, but it seemed a bit overzealous.
>
>I've now started using them again, and the system is far better, only
>switching the lights on when it's actually necessary.
>
>What I'm wondering is what's changed? Has the system taken note of the
>ambient light levels when I've manually switched the lights on and off,
>and altered it's behaviour according? If so, I'm bloody impressed!
>
>2. Wipers
>
>Simpler one this. If I leave the wipers on (in any mode) when I leave
>the car, then when I return, they don't operate at all until I move the
>stalk to another setting. Is this behaviour by design?
>
>Thanks for any opinions.
Other than speculating that the ambient light sensor was dirty, can't comment
on the first issue. I'd just be happy it sorted itself out
As for the second concern, someone in Audi's engineering department was using
his head when they designed the wiper electronics.
In winter, with wipers freezing to the windshield, having them try to resume
movement when turning the key can easily damage wiper arms, or actuator
linkage. I had the linkage on my Pathfinder separate at one of the swivel
joints from exactly the above scenario, because I had left the control in the
intermittent position (my mistake).
I prefer the Audi's wiper behavior...
/daytripper
'00 s4 6spd
>Hi,
>
>I'm still trying to work out all the gizmos on my A3, and I swear this
>thing has a mind of it's own
>
>There are two things I've noticed, and wondered if anyone had any input
>on.
>
>1. Automatic lights
>
>The car has a light sensor system, which can switch the headlights on
>and off automatically depending on the prevailing light conditions.
>When I first tried this when I first got the car, it decided to put the
>lights on in broad daylight. Only strong sunlight would cause it to
>leave the lights off. This perplexed me somewhat. Obviously the car
>has to "play it safe", as it's far better to have lights on when you
>don't need them, than off when you do, but it seemed a bit overzealous.
>
>I've now started using them again, and the system is far better, only
>switching the lights on when it's actually necessary.
>
>What I'm wondering is what's changed? Has the system taken note of the
>ambient light levels when I've manually switched the lights on and off,
>and altered it's behaviour according? If so, I'm bloody impressed!
>
>2. Wipers
>
>Simpler one this. If I leave the wipers on (in any mode) when I leave
>the car, then when I return, they don't operate at all until I move the
>stalk to another setting. Is this behaviour by design?
>
>Thanks for any opinions.
Other than speculating that the ambient light sensor was dirty, can't comment
on the first issue. I'd just be happy it sorted itself out
As for the second concern, someone in Audi's engineering department was using
his head when they designed the wiper electronics.
In winter, with wipers freezing to the windshield, having them try to resume
movement when turning the key can easily damage wiper arms, or actuator
linkage. I had the linkage on my Pathfinder separate at one of the swivel
joints from exactly the above scenario, because I had left the control in the
intermittent position (my mistake).
I prefer the Audi's wiper behavior...
/daytripper
'00 s4 6spd
12-27-2003, 05:14 PM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Car has a mind of it's own
"daytripper" <day_trippr@REMOVEyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:dmpruv8olplk5ojlddiao0gc5kshajcnjm@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 27 Dec 2003 12:35:06 GMT, "Toby Groves" <news@iconia.org.uk>
wrote:
<snip>
> >2. Wipers
> >
> >Simpler one this. If I leave the wipers on (in any mode) when I leave
> >the car, then when I return, they don't operate at all until I move the
> >stalk to another setting. Is this behaviour by design?
> As for the second concern, someone in Audi's engineering department was
using
> his head when they designed the wiper electronics.
>
> In winter, with wipers freezing to the windshield, having them try to
resume
> movement when turning the key can easily damage wiper arms, or actuator
> linkage. I had the linkage on my Pathfinder separate at one of the swivel
> joints from exactly the above scenario, because I had left the control in
the
> intermittent position (my mistake).
Excellent point. Now if only they'd copy BMW and switch to intermittent when
stationary..!
--
Hairy One Kenobi
Disclaimer: the opinions expressed in this opinion do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the highly-opinionated person expressing the opinion
in the first place. So there!
news:dmpruv8olplk5ojlddiao0gc5kshajcnjm@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 27 Dec 2003 12:35:06 GMT, "Toby Groves" <news@iconia.org.uk>
wrote:
<snip>
> >2. Wipers
> >
> >Simpler one this. If I leave the wipers on (in any mode) when I leave
> >the car, then when I return, they don't operate at all until I move the
> >stalk to another setting. Is this behaviour by design?
> As for the second concern, someone in Audi's engineering department was
using
> his head when they designed the wiper electronics.
>
> In winter, with wipers freezing to the windshield, having them try to
resume
> movement when turning the key can easily damage wiper arms, or actuator
> linkage. I had the linkage on my Pathfinder separate at one of the swivel
> joints from exactly the above scenario, because I had left the control in
the
> intermittent position (my mistake).
Excellent point. Now if only they'd copy BMW and switch to intermittent when
stationary..!
--
Hairy One Kenobi
Disclaimer: the opinions expressed in this opinion do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the highly-opinionated person expressing the opinion
in the first place. So there!
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