What is the most stupid car gadget ever been invented?

mms023 · 07-05-2007, 03:36 PM

Rain-sensor of course!!! I've been driving Nissan, Audi and BMW with this stupid thing included. It sucks! When one drop falls on the wind-screen the wipers are going mad. But when it's raining heavily it takes sometimes more than 30 seconds for wipers to start working. And after 30 seconds you're dead - you crushed, cause you hadn't seen anything. What do you think?

LEDZEP · 07-05-2007, 03:37 PM

I think you need to adjust the sensitivity. You can do that you know.

gonzo · 07-05-2007, 03:39 PM

I love mine. Maybe you need to try de-caf.

achien · 07-05-2007, 03:39 PM

user error???

racingBMW · 07-05-2007, 03:41 PM

i could live without the auto rain sensor, but w/e i guess i just needa get use to it, or they should have left an intermitent and not replace it with the auto

BK · 07-05-2007, 03:42 PM

My rain sensing wipers work great, I have no complaints. On my car, there's even a clear difference between the four levels of sensitivity -- most people seem to notice no difference. They get a thumbs up from me.

I agree they're sort of unnecessary, but I wouldn't say they're the stupidest ever.

I think the Trunk Monkey™ is probably the stupidest car gadget ever. But also kind of cool. In a way.

S4to335 · 07-05-2007, 03:43 PM

racing windshield wiper fluid

boostwhore · 07-05-2007, 03:43 PM

they work great for me too. someone needs to get laid. i kid i kid. www.shooshtime.com incase it's true. ;D

LEDZEP · 07-05-2007, 04:11 PM

Gotta tell you, I love them. If you take the time to adjust them, they will work much better for you. You also have the ability to do a quick wipe anytime you like, even with the system on.

Do you prefer the old way of trying to find a speed on the three-level intermittent wipers that fits the weather?

STE92VE · 07-05-2007, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

I think you need to adjust the sensitivity. You can do that you know.

Sounds like someone is a candidate for a little sensitivity training.

mms023 · 07-05-2007, 06:06 PM

I'll try to do that. But as I've written it happens in lots of cars where you can't adjust the sensitivity.

ejazbmw · 07-05-2007, 06:09 PM

i kinda like them especially when I'm on the parkway, and i start speeding up they speed up automatically

jrod1014 · 07-05-2007, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mms023

Rain-sensor of course!!! I've been driving Nissan, Audi and BMW with this stupid thing included. It sucks! When one drop falls on the wind-screen the wipers are going mad. But when it's raining heavily it takes sometimes more than 30 seconds for wipers to start working. And after 30 seconds you're dead - you crushed, cause you hadn't seen anything. What do you think?

I actually prefer turning mine on... It seems to know when to wipe (no, not that wipe) at exactly the right time for me. Things quiet down when there is light rain/drizzle and as the rain comes down heavier, the wipers adjust accordingly. As some have suggested, check the sensitivity or make sure nothing unusual is near or around your rain sensor...

Stupidest car feature (may not necessarily be a gadget) for me has to be the self-parking Lexus. It might be cool and all but probably the silliest thing I've seen put on a car...

STE92VE · 07-05-2007, 06:21 PM

What is the most stupid car gadget ever been invented?

My vote goes for this one:
Curb Feelers

GregL · 07-05-2007, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrod1014

I actually prefer turning mine on... It seems to know when to wipe (no, not that wipe) at exactly the right time for me. Things quiet down when there is light rain/drizzle and as the rain comes down heavier, the wipers adjust accordingly. As some have suggested, check the sensitivity or make sure nothing unusual is near or around your rain sensor...

Stupidest car feature (may not necessarily be a gadget) for me has to be the self-parking Lexus. It might be cool and all but probably the silliest thing I've seen put on a car...

Funny enough I was just at Lexus a few weeks ago test driving the LS460. The self-parking actually works, it's notoriously picky in that the road has to be flat, and you need the opportunity to be able to get it going before someone else zips into your space, but it does work.

Josh49 · 07-05-2007, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mms023

Rain-sensor of course!!! I've been driving Nissan, Audi and BMW with this stupid thing included. It sucks! When one drop falls on the wind-screen the wipers are going mad. But when it's raining heavily it takes sometimes more than 30 seconds for wipers to start working. And after 30 seconds you're dead - you crushed, cause you hadn't seen anything. What do you think?

I think your rain sensor is broken. Mine works perfectly..

bartman32 · 07-05-2007, 06:48 PM

I love my rain sensors. In fact when I drive my wife's SUV she will frequently tell me to change the wipers because they don't change like my car. These gadgets are so easy to get used to...

nimamilani · 07-05-2007, 06:52 PM

worst gadget????

cars that are able to parallel park themselves. whats the point? you already have a driver's license so it is assumed that you should know how to drive and park

HyperM3 · 07-05-2007, 06:54 PM

Ive never used my wipers yet. Thank you rain-x.

theDude · 07-05-2007, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nimamilani

worst gadget????

cars that are able to parallel park themselves. whats the point? you already have a driver's license so it is assumed that you should know how to drive and park

+1 Beat me to the punch!

TMNT · 07-05-2007, 07:48 PM

CA

jrod1014 · 07-05-2007, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregL

Funny enough I was just at Lexus a few weeks ago test driving the LS460. The self-parking actually works, it's notoriously picky in that the road has to be flat, and you need the opportunity to be able to get it going before someone else zips into your space, but it does work.

I'm sure it works and it's probably the best thing since sliced bread but c'mon... I think that feature is more marketing than anything else. Unless you're on a completely dead street and/or are trying to impress your significant other, it's pretty useless. Good luck using that thing anywhere busy. I think it was the answer to (at the time) Mercedes' lane departure warning system.

07-05-2007, 03:36 PM	#1
mms023 New Member 12 Rep 22 Posts Drives: BMW 320d E46 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Poland iTrader: (0)	What is the most stupid car gadget ever been invented? Rain-sensor of course!!! I've been driving Nissan, Audi and BMW with this stupid thing included. It sucks! When one drop falls on the wind-screen the wipers are going mad. But when it's raining heavily it takes sometimes more than 30 seconds for wipers to start working. And after 30 seconds you're dead - you crushed, cause you hadn't seen anything. What do you think?
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07-05-2007, 03:37 PM	#2
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	I think you need to adjust the sensitivity. You can do that you know. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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07-05-2007, 03:39 PM	#3
gonzo Lieutenant General 10202 Rep 14,398 Posts Drives: as many as possible Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: TeXXXas iTrader: (0)	I love mine. Maybe you need to try de-caf. __________________ Crazy Diamond
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07-05-2007, 03:39 PM	#4
achien AC 95 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: E90 Post Members Crazy Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	user error??? __________________ Your Supreme Leader
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07-05-2007, 03:41 PM	#5
racingBMW Private First Class 18 Rep 143 Posts Drives: 08 infiniti fx35 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (0)	i could live without the auto rain sensor, but w/e i guess i just needa get use to it, or they should have left an intermitent and not replace it with the auto
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07-05-2007, 03:42 PM	#6
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	My rain sensing wipers work great, I have no complaints. On my car, there's even a clear difference between the four levels of sensitivity -- most people seem to notice no difference. They get a thumbs up from me. I agree they're sort of unnecessary, but I wouldn't say they're the stupidest ever. I think the Trunk Monkey™ is probably the stupidest car gadget ever. But also kind of cool. In a way. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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07-05-2007, 03:43 PM	#7
S4to335 Brigadier General 434 Rep 4,380 Posts Drives: 2014 Audi A4 / 91 Track Miata Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i sedan [8.00]	racing windshield wiper fluid __________________ Car is now gone .... :-(
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07-05-2007, 03:43 PM	#8
boostwhore Rotten Apple Project 0 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2007 335 Coupe Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Zoo York City iTrader: (0)	they work great for me too. someone needs to get laid. i kid i kid. www.shooshtime.com incase it's true. ;D __________________ autokrieg kahr kluhb.
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07-05-2007, 04:11 PM	#9
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Gotta tell you, I love them. If you take the time to adjust them, they will work much better for you. You also have the ability to do a quick wipe anytime you like, even with the system on. Do you prefer the old way of trying to find a speed on the three-level intermittent wipers that fits the weather? __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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07-05-2007, 06:06 PM	#11
mms023 New Member 12 Rep 22 Posts Drives: BMW 320d E46 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Poland iTrader: (0)	I'll try to do that. But as I've written it happens in lots of cars where you can't adjust the sensitivity.
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07-05-2007, 06:09 PM	#12
ejazbmw blahhh 302 Rep 6,355 Posts Drives: 2014 M235I Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NJ/NY iTrader: (7)	i kinda like them especially when I'm on the parkway, and i start speeding up they speed up automatically
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07-05-2007, 06:21 PM	#14
STE92VE STEVIL Empire 218 Rep 6,297 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	What is the most stupid car gadget ever been invented? My vote goes for this one: Curb Feelers __________________ 2007 E92 328i 6MT-Space Gray/Black Dakota/Gray Poplar w/heated seats-PCD 4/27/07 (SOLD) 2009 E90 328i xDrive 6AT-Space Gray/Oyster Dakota/Dark Burl Walnut w/ZPP,ZCW,Xenons-ED 4/17/09 - Redelivery 5/30/09 (SOLD) 2014 E84 xDrive28i 8AT-Alpine White/Black Nevada/Silver Matte w/ZMV,ZLP,494 - DD 3/14/14 (SOLD)
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07-05-2007, 06:48 PM	#17
bartman32 Colonel 101 Rep 2,317 Posts Drives: F87 M2 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The OC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 M2 [0.00]	I love my rain sensors. In fact when I drive my wife's SUV she will frequently tell me to change the wipers because they don't change like my car. These gadgets are so easy to get used to...
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07-05-2007, 06:52 PM	#18
nimamilani ni2009 23 Rep 288 Posts Drives: BMW 325I Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: California iTrader: (0)	worst gadget???? cars that are able to parallel park themselves. whats the point? you already have a driver's license so it is assumed that you should know how to drive and park
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07-05-2007, 06:54 PM	#19
HyperM3 Too many Alex's, from now on, call me Beaufort 342 Rep 6,188 Posts Drives: See Sig Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lawrenceville, NJ iTrader: (8)	Ive never used my wipers yet. Thank you rain-x. __________________ 13 HD FatBob 17 A4 Glacier/Black 1st Edition/Pre+/Sport/EurocodeTMD/Racechip 16 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),13 S6 (gone),10 S4 (gone) 07 335i(gone)
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07-05-2007, 07:48 PM	#21
TMNT Captain 176 Rep 872 Posts Drives: 330ci ZHP Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	CA
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