Another reason why modern cars are too bloody complicated

[Duke W.]

Case in point... the story appears to be legit.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/tex...car/ar-BBkW9FK

...could be an interesting lawsuit... as if GM needs more!

Duke

[Rick A.]

Re: Another reason why modern cars are too bloody complicated

appears people were aware of his condition so why in the hell didn't anyone break the window until a fireman got there SOME time later after he was already dead!!!!! can NOT believe someone did NOT see his predicament and respond, or are we as a society that callous toward each other - HEAVNEN HELP US!

[Jim H.]

Re: Another reason why modern cars are too bloody complicated

That story is hard to believe. Modern manufacturers have to design in mechanical systems if electronic aids are nonfunctional. This is fairly widely known due to the well publicized locked-in-the-trunk problems years ago. The C6 mechanical release is visually prominent on the floor to the left of the driver's seat. Interesting that he never observed it and checked with his owner's manual to find out what it was. Given that intelligence of any kind is a bell curve with the highest and lowest performers on either ends, most people fall within the fat part of the curve and it's unbelievable to me that knowledge of the mechanical lever isn't found there. Nevertheless, it's tragic and was completely avoidable. If his estate sues, GM will get out on summary judgment - he didn't read his owner's manual to familiarize himself with the controls.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Another reason why modern cars are too bloody complicated

I've wondered why he didn't start the car and get the AC running. Fob in his pocket? Didn't know how to stick it in the glovebox to get it to sync?

I think there's a lot more to this story than what the news sources are printing.

[Bill L.]

Re: Another reason why modern cars are too bloody complicated

OK I am sorry this guy bought the farm --- but I have to ask --

Coupe or convertible ---???? Maybe you see where I am going with this????

If its a convertible --- you need to release the (INSIDE THE CAR) latch to release the top (before pressing the top operation button---if it has a power top--if it was manual ==== better yet!!!)--- worst case you could get "some" air circulating by just releasing the header bar handle and pushing the first section up---worked that way in my 2012 GS vert ----

Coupe --- correct me if I am wrong here but I don't recall and "outside ONLY" release for the coupe roof panel on any C-4, C-5, C-6 I have EVER owned ---- (obviously does not apply to the Z06---)

I don't think the whole story has been told here ---- I mean I'm just sayin !!!!!!!!!!!! And don't forget the door override handle that others have mentioned!!!! ---you see it every time you get in and out -----

This news article is pure sensationalism ------

[Ken A.]

Re: Another reason why modern cars are too bloody complicated

I feel sorry for the dog.

[Bill L.]

Re: Another reason why modern cars are too bloody complicated

I feel sorry for the dog.

Me too!!! Should have taken the dog away from him and let him keep the car ------!!!!

[Michael J.]

Re: Another reason why modern cars are too bloody complicated

This is really sad, all around. But it reminded me of when I picked up a new 2015 (not Corvette) on Monday and the salesman/factory rep spent 2 hours giving me an orientation of all the systems and bells and whistles the car has. Zowie, so much electronics stuff these days on cars, and so many automatic electronic systems with no-so-obvious mechanical overrides. It is the way cars are today.

[Jim S.]

Re: Another reason why modern cars are too bloody complicated

This is really sad, all around. But it reminded me of when I picked up a new 2015 (not Corvette) on Monday and the salesman/factory rep spent 2 hours giving me an orientation of all the systems and bells and whistles the car has. Zowie, so much electronics stuff these days on cars, and so many automatic electronic systems with no-so-obvious mechanical overrides. It is the way cars are today.

I too think there is more to this story ,possible heart attack , stroke , etc etc , and it is truly sad . However I side with Duke and others about Complication .

I also must admit , I have no idea whether or not I can be locked into my car !! Do you ? Further , those that say he should have read his Owner's Manual might want to look at any new one . My Owner's Manual and supplement come to 527 pages ! That's a few hours reading and a lot to retain

Jim.

[Bill L.]

Re: Another reason why modern cars are too bloody complicated

SO volume is a reason NOT to read the manual!? Maybe don't buy the car in the first place---??? (and yes --- I read the manual on my 2015!!!...took a couple of days but I got through it----)

If there was a medial emergency involved then the article is even more disingenuous in not mentioning that fact --- i.e. blaming the car vs. telling the whole story ----meaning -----what really caused him to stay in the car.....????!!!?!

[Stuart F.]

Re: Another reason why modern cars are too bloody complicated

I had a hard time with the electronics on my 2000 Impala, such that I'm in no hurry to buy another new car. I love fixing/improving on my old 1963. Been doing it off and on for some 52 years now and don't mind a bit. My daily driver is an 07 VW Rabbit that my son gave me, and even it I wouldn't buy if I had to make a choice. Each time I HAVE TO take it in for service (stress the HAVE TO) I dread it cause I know I'm going to come away a whole lot poorer; Mr. Fox, we found this and that, and we do't think it's safe to drive this way, bla, bla, bla! I still haven't learned how to operate all those sticks on the side of the non-tilting steering wheel, and those stupid blue dash lights drive me bonkers. I found my 63's instruments to be bad enough with that spun cone center always making the numbers look blurry to me, but this German crap is much worse. I don't need a car with a "Formula 1" belly pan either. I'm not going to go over a 100 with it anyway. And how about those plastic engine covers? Real cool looking, right?

Stu Fox

[Jim D.]

Re: Another reason why modern cars are too bloody complicated

Tragic story. He couldn't get out? Sorry if I sound cold hearted, but REALLY? It reminds me of this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47rQkTPWW2I

[Jim S.]

Re: Another reason why modern cars are too bloody complicated

SO volume is a reason NOT to read the manual!? Maybe don't buy the car in the first place---??? (and yes --- I read the manual on my 2015!!!...took a couple of days but I got through it----)




If there was a medial emergency involved then the article is even more disingenuous in not mentioning that fact --- i.e. blaming the car vs. telling the whole story ----meaning -----what really caused him to stay in the car.....????!!!?!

As to the first part , I never meant to say you shouldn't read it , I just meant it was a lot to retain , and proof of the complexity of today's cars .

As to part 2 , Exactly !








Jim

[Duke W.]

Re: Another reason why modern cars are too bloody complicated

A couple of clarifications. Apparently the battery cable was dislodged, so the car had no power to anything. He couldn't flash the lights or honk the horn or ...

Tempered automotive glass is difficult to break. It has to be shocked. I recall reading an ad about a sharp pointed emergency hammer to break automotive glass, but I think a small to medium size ballpeen hammer will work. You'd think someone would have gone to the manager and they could have found something in the kitchen to break a side window, but the report was pretty cursory.

I've looked at a lot of C6s, but I don't recall seeing a driver's door emergency release. Maybe he read the manual 8 years ago, but forgot, and people don't always think rationally and analytically in an emergency.

I've been in a few modern cars where I had to ask the driver how to open the passenger door. It was not at all obvious.

Duke

[Jim D.]

Re: Another reason why modern cars are too bloody complicated

A couple of clarifications. Apparently the battery cable was dislodged, so the car had no power to anything. He couldn't flash the lights or honk the horn or ...

Tempered automotive glass is difficult to break. It has to be shocked. I recall reading an ad about a sharp pointed emergency hammer to break automotive glass, but I think a small to medium size ballpeen hammer will work. You'd think someone would have gone to the manager and they could have found something in the kitchen to break a side window, but the report was pretty cursory.

I've looked at a lot of C6s, but I don't recall seeing a driver's door emergency release. Maybe he read the manual 8 years ago, but forgot, and people don't always think rationally and analytically in an emergency.

I've been in a few modern cars where I had to ask the driver how to open the passenger door. It was not at all obvious.

Duke

Why didn't he simply pop the top? Whether it was a convertible or a coupe, both are easily opened from the inside. While tempered glass "may" be hard to break, it really isn't, it's still easy to break the glass from the frame that's retaining it.