Random Car Facts

[Slash]

Saab placed the ignition on the floor so that in an accident you don't have to pluck the key out of your knee.

Really? Do you have to reach down to turn the key? That would become rather annoying. You'd think they'd put in on the dash or something.


Another neat little thing not many people know about is that many, if not all older Ford cars used to have dimmer switches on the floor operated by your left foot, for high and low beams, sometimes on/off depending on year, model wiring and ECU if installed. I actually prefer this to screwing with buttons/knobs on the dash or playing with the turn signal lever.

New Dodge vehicles use a Key fob, or an electric, computerized key to start the vehicle. The chip in the key is paired to the ECU by a special code for keyless entry. Model depending, they can look similar to this.

1980-1986 F-Series trucks have "cup holders" on the back of the glove box door, since there was no other place to put them.

 

[Adamgp]

Really? Do you have to reach down to turn the key? That would become rather annoying. You'd think they'd put in on the dash or something.


Another neat little thing not many people know about is that many, if not all older Ford cars used to have dimmer switches on the floor operated by your left foot, for high and low beams, sometimes on/off depending on year, model wiring and ECU if installed. I actually prefer this to screwing with buttons/knobs on the dash or playing with the turn signal lever.

The ignition key on the Saab's is true, My brother in law has a 2005 9-3 and the key goes in the center console. Very awkward.

The floor mounted dimmer switch was true of a lot of older vehicles, not just Fords.

 

[Slash]

That is odd. Most I see are steering column mounted or dash mounted. Never have seen on in that location before. Definitely interesting for sure.


As for the dimmer switch, I'd really like to see that make a return. Nifty little feature. I find it to be less distracting, especially for new drivers. Plus they are easily installed on old cars (not exactly sure how you'd hook them up to something modern), and are plentiful.

 

[Dennisch]

Almost every older Chevrolet has that dimmer switch also. And it sucks. Especially with a clutch pedal sitting next to it.

Imagine this:

Standing somewhere, with the clutch pedal pressed. You see someone you know, and you want to signal them with your lights. You quickly lift your left foot to head for the switch, your car jumps forward, and you feel like an ass.

To get around that stupid way of signalling, I used the switch for the cruise control (which didn't do anything anymore) for a set of lights behind the grill to signal those who I know.

Really? Do you have to reach down to turn the key? That would become rather annoying. You'd think they'd put in on the dash or something.

No, it is near the shifter, and in a Saab you sit quite low, so it is just a matter of looking to the right and turn the key.

 

[Slash]

Almost every older Chevrolet has that dimmer switch also. And it sucks. Especially with a clutch pedal sitting next to it.

Imagine this:

Standing somewhere, with the clutch pedal pressed. You see someone you know, and you want to signal them with your lights. You quickly lift your left foot to head for the switch, your car jumps forward, and you feel like an ass.

To get around that stupid way of signalling, I used the switch for the cruise control (which didn't do anything anymore) for a set of lights behind the grill to signal those who I know.



No, it is near the shifter, and in a Saab you sit quite low, so it is just a matter of looking to the right and turn the key.

I guess it could be an issue in a manual car. In an automatic I've never had an issue.

Ah I see, that makes sense 👍

 

[Vantage7825]

The ignition key on the Saab's is true, My brother in law has a 2005 9-3 and the key goes in the center console. Very awkward.

The floor mounted dimmer switch was true of a lot of older vehicles, not just Fords.

The cup holder on the glove box was on several other vehicles too..

 

[Slash]

The cup holder on the glove box was on several other vehicles too..

Like this?

I have yet to see this on anything other an an F series pickup. I took that picture this morning.

 

[Liquid]

Whereas the Mercedes-Benz A-Class infamously failed the elk test, the much derided Trabant, tested around the same time, passed the elk test.

 

[Badasp5.0]

Like this?

I have yet to see this on anything other an an F series pickup. I took that picture this morning.

My '86 Volvo 240 had it. I cannot recall if my '89 740 did or not.

 

[Slash]

My '86 Volvo 240 had it. I cannot recall if my '89 740 did or not.

Any pictures? I think it kind of cool. The rest of the tray on mine has jacking instructions and the firing order for a 302 written in white sharpie next to it. My 351 runs the 1-5-4-6-2-3-7-8 order. Convenient place to write it if I ever need it. On the food tray because at some point ill open it haha.

 

[Badasp5.0]

Any pictures? I think it kind of cool. The rest of the tray on mine has jacking instructions and the firing order for a 302 written in white sharpie next to it. My 351 runs the 1-5-4-6-2-3-7-8 order. Convenient place to write it if I ever need it. On the food tray because at some point ill open it haha.

Sadly I don't have a picture.

 

[Slash]

Sadly I don't have a picture.

When I get a chance I'm going to have to look this up. Wonder what other universal features are hidden out there without people knowing they are in other cars.

 

[Badasp5.0]

When I get a chance I'm going to have to look this up. Wonder what other universal features are hidden out there without people knowing they are in other cars.

My other favorite is the door lock switch on '95-'03 Explorers next to the cargo side windows so you could put stuff in the back and than unlock the doors.

 

[Adamgp]

The cup holder on the glove box was on several other vehicles too..

mmkay...

 

[Pupik]

I have yet to see this on anything other an an F series pickup. I took that picture this morning.

Those pointless cupholders were on every American vehicle I'd ever encountered. It wasn't until the late-1980s that some brilliant engineeer realized that they couldn't restrain a nickel, let alone a cup.

 

[ildd]

If we're talking about pointless things, the w203 Mercedes (2001-2007 c class) has a small Chrome door thing inside of the glove box door that is probably big enough to put a couple cards in.

 

[RDF97]

The tyres of a Bugatti Veyron are over engineered. In fact they were tested at 279mph to ensure their safety rather than the cars top speed of 253mph.

At top speed the Veyron will empty its 100 litre fuel tank in 12 minutes. And the engine sucks in as much air in a minute, the driver breathes every 4 days.

 

[eight6er]

Like this?

I have yet to see this on anything other an an F series pickup. I took that picture this morning.

Vaxhaul Nova had almost the exact same thing on the inside of the glove box. I found a pic online.

 

[DegenThought]

Those are cup holders? I can't envision that working somehow.

Anyway, someone is drinking and driving lol

 

[TeeJay305]

The 1970 1500 VW Beetle can't climb more than a 46% hill with two average size occupants.

I assume you mean 4.6%. A jeep, Hummer or Unimog could not drive up a 46% grade. Godd info though.

 

[TeeJay305]

The points from a '70s Chevy V6 (just pick one, 72 Nova, whatever) Work perfectly in a Harley Davidson 74" or 80" Shovelhead engine.

 

[Bopop4]

4.6 is a ridiculously small grade.

A Beetle might be able to power up a 45 degree angle, depending on gearing.

 

[TeeJay305]

I guess it could be an issue in a manual car. In an automatic I've never had an issue.

Ah I see, that makes sense 👍

Here's an idea. Don't sit at a red light with the car in gear. Ever. Unless you are racing.

 

[TeeJay305]

It also has the most powerful production V8 ever built.

Unless of course you consider-

2007 Gumpert Apollo S — 690 hp at 6,700 rpm: 4.2-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8

2005 Saleen S7 Turbo — 750 hp at 6,500 rpm: 7.0-liter, OHV, 16-valve V8, twin turbo. 700 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm

2013 HTT Pléthore LC-750 — 750 hp at 6,750 rpm: 7.0-liter, OHV, 16-valve V8, supercharged. 813 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm

2013 Gumpert Apollo S — 750 hp at 6,000 rpm

Porsche 918 Spyder — 795 hp

2006 Koenigsegg CCX — 806 hp at 6,900 rpm: 4.7-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8

McLaren P1 — 903 hp

2013 Koenigsegg Agera — 960 hp at 7,100 rpm

2008 Koenigsegg CCXR — 1,004 hp at 6,900 rpm

2013 Koenigsegg Agera S — 1,030 hp at 7,100 rpm

2007 Zenvo ST1 — 1,100 hp at 6,900 rpm

2011 Koenigsegg Agera R — 1,140 hp at 7,100 rpm

2013 Hennessey Venom GT — 1,244 hp at 6,600 rpm

Or perhaps - 2009 SSC Ultimate Aero — 1,287 hp at 6,075 rpm: 6.3-liter, OHV, 16-valve V8

 

[Badasp5.0]

^ Those are really no "production" as in mass production is how I take the term.

When its all said and done there will probally near 10k of those engines made and that guess would inculde ones built for warranty needs and FRPPs crate engine program.

 

[daan]

^ Those are not Fords which is how I take the term.

Fixed for you.

Production means they have build and sold some, which in most of those cases they have. The word mass is only in your head.

 

[Crash]

The tyres of a Bugatti Veyron are over engineered. In fact they were tested at 279mph to ensure their safety rather than the cars top speed of 253mph.

That's not over-engineered at all. All engineering is done with a safety margin. If everything is engineered to just the limit, then as soon as the limit is crossed ever so slightly, the product will fail. You wouldn't want to just touch 253.1mph and have the tires suddenly explode, would you?

In this case, a 10% testing safety margin, albeit on top of designed existing factor of safety, is hardly anything at all.

 

[Badasp5.0]

Fixed for you.

Production means they have build and sold some, which in most of those cases they have. The word mass is only in your head.

Too bad the Saleen S7 427 is in all reality a Ford 351W stroker and The two Koenigsegg CCXs are Ford 'Modular V8s. I like Ford but I give credit where credit is due but everything on that list is small production supercar makers.


Oh and BTW the Porsche 918 Spyder V8 makes 608 HP and the rest of the HP comes from electric motors so I dont think that one counts. Its a very impressive list for sure if you compare what supercars used to put out in the '90s.

 

[TeeJay305]

4.6 is a ridiculously small grade.

A Beetle might be able to power up a 45 degree angle, depending on gearing.

I know a lot of people have trouble with rise, slope, angle, grade etc. As a civil engineer and a Surveyor/Mapper - here's the deal. Grade = rise/run. A 46% grade means that for every 100' you travel forward, you go up 103'. That would be steeper than a mountain. There are are very few roads in the US with a grade or 8 or 8 %, I think 10% is the steepest in the country.

I also may have been wrong about the Mercedes Unimog - it may be able to traverse a 33 degree incline (not grade).

A 4.6% slope has crippled my 7L turbo diesel 4x4 crew cab, pulling a 16k lb boat to about 45 mph.

It's all good, I don't mean to be condesending.

 

[Slash]

Those are cup holders? I can't envision that working somehow.

They work the best parked haha.

Here's an idea. Don't sit at a red light with the car in gear. Ever. Unless you are racing.

Why? Is "drive" not a gear?

Too bad the Saleen S7 427 is in all reality a Ford 351W stroker and The two Koenigsegg CCXs are Ford 'Modular V8s. I like Ford but I give credit where credit is due but everything on that list is small production supercar makers.


Oh and BTW the Porsche 918 Spyder V8 makes 608 HP and the rest of the HP comes from electric motors so I dont think that one counts. Its a very impressive list for sure if you compare what supercars used to put out in the '90s.

This.