1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
 | [Main C900 Bulletin Board | BBFAQ |
Prev by Date | Next by Date | Post Followup ]
Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
Safety vs. awareness Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Tue, 22 May 2001 14:53:59
In Reply to: Being able to start with car in reverse and foot off clutch, Dennis in Ottawa, Tue, 22 May 2001 13:58:07 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
At some point you cross over from a safety-system to an idiot-proofing system. For example, boost is limited if the cruise control is engaged or the brake pedal is pressed - that's a safety system to prevent runaway situations. But how would you feel about having boost pressure limited when driving on twisty roads (say from a yaw sensor), because you might accelerate too hard and drive off the road?
Yes, you can start the car in reverse. You can also start the car in any of the forward gears. I know from personal experience that you can shift gears without a clutch. I have limped a car home with a blown slave cylinder by carefully matching engine speeds. Of course, how do you deal with stops? Shut the car off, put it into first, and start the car. It works. OK, what happens if you come out to your car parked nose in, and the clutch goes to the floor? Put the car in reverse, and start it. Back out, kill the engine, shift into first, start the engine, and limp home.
Admittedly, not a common occurance, and probably not why Saab didn't put in an additional 'safety'. But putting in a switch would add both cost and another thing to break and leave you stranded. I've fixed many friend's cars that wouldn't start by bypassing a broken clutch switch - many cars require you to start the car with the clutch in.
Personally, I always start a manual car with the clutch in. Not only does it prevent 'surprises', it presents less of a load to the starter motor. On a cold day not having to spin a tranny full of cold, thick, oil may make the difference between starting and a call to AAA.
The problem with safety systems is that you rely on them. For example, I always start an automatic with my foot on the brake, and I never start a car if someone is getting in or out of the car, putting stuff in the trunk, or standing directly in front or behind the car. Pretty stupid, huh? I mean, what are the chances of the car starting in gear, because there is a lockout to protect you? The chances of that lockout failing is very small. But the downside of its failure is pretty big if someone is standing between you and a parked car when the car starts up in gear.
Just my $0.02
, Wed, 23 May 2001 10:48:18, Wed, 23 May 2001 10:47:01, Tue, 22 May 2001 22:15:49, Tue, 22 May 2001 14:53:59 <-- Viewing This Message
, Tue, 22 May 2001 21:05:45, Tue, 22 May 2001 14:27:08
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
