[DogsRule]

Hello to our current owners.

America's got a new problem with entitlement driving where traffic is expected to just move over and accommodate merging traffic. Drivers are no longer able to perform even basic merging skills so now merging is everyone else's responsibility.

That said, I'd hate to merge my new Renegde into someone's fender and join that club of idiot entitled drivers.

Can you comment on left or right side blind-spot and your impressions on the ease (or lack) of merging into highway traffic with your new Renegade?

 

[SubVet]

I do it the good old fashioned way. And by that I mean, using my mirrors and turning my head to locate any potential accidents. Oh and I also use my turn indicator to let them know I intend to merge.

On the subject of blind spot monitoring and lane-sensing, I have not used them and at this current time, I feel like I do not need to be babysat by my car. For example when my wife pulls up to the gas station to let me out to purchase a soda, I cannot exit her vehicle until she unlocks it. I am an adult. I know and understand the risk of getting out of a moving vehicle...

I have heard many reports that some of these systems are far too sensitive. I will search high, low, far, and wide to silence a squeak or a rattle so a beep or a ding that happens on purpose and during what I consider to be safe and intentional driving, would make me absolutely insane.

I would consider test driving one to see if the systems annoyed or helped me, but right now, the thought just annoys me. Oh and I will not drive a vehicle with stop-start technology unless it can be disabled from now on. My current vehicle has almost killed me a number of times with this "technology". </rant>>

 

[DogsRule]

I do it the good old fashioned way. And by that I mean, using my mirrors and turning my head to locate any potential accidents. Oh and I also use my turn indicator to let them know I intend to merge.

On the subject of blind spot monitoring and lane-sensing, I have not used them and at this current time, I feel like I do not need to be babysat by my car. For example when my wife pulls up to the gas station to let me out to purchase a soda, I cannot exit her vehicle until she unlocks it. I am an adult. I know and understand the risk of getting out of a moving vehicle...

I have heard many reports that some of these systems are far too sensitive. I will search high, low, far, and wide to silence a squeak or a rattle so a beep or a ding that happens on purpose and during what I consider to be safe and intentional driving, would make me absolutely insane.

I would consider test driving one to see if the systems annoyed or helped me, but right now, the thought just annoys me. Oh and I will not drive a vehicle with stop-start technology unless it can be disabled from now on. My current vehicle has almost killed me a number of times with this "technology". </rant>>

LOL. I had to quote your entire post. Yes, I do it the old-fashioned way as well, including speed-matching in order to "zipper" right into traffic. Some drivers in the thru-lanes still move over automatically. Conditioned like Pavlov dogs. I am really concerned all this new found lane switching will cause accidents. But noone seems to care.

I also value to act of driving and do not need or desire distractions like bells and whistles. If fact, if I could get my Model T to do 70 mph, I'd drive that.

And... the lock system may be programmable thru your car's radio head unit.
And... my Kia Rio came with the $%#* stop/start system. I disabled that immediately. It did come with a beefier starter and some other mechanical upgrades, but start/stop actually never actually raised my mpg. My driving is 99% highway at 70mph.

 

[WXman]

For me, merging isn't a matter of blind spots and mirrors...it's a matter of the pedal on the far right. As long as I can push that to the floor and get the response I want, I'm fine. The fact that you can't even get an engine with more than 185 horsepower in the Renegade worries me a little. Yet another reason I can't wait to actually drive and sit in one of these things.

 

[CalTom]

I do it the good old fashioned way.

Oh and I also use my turn indicator to let them know I intend to merge.

In Southern California driving, the use of the turn "indicator" is an "indication" that you intend to merge which signals to the other driver it is time for them to speed up and not let you merge as it means they may arrive at their destination 3 seconds later. This is true for 2 out of 3 drivers here, so many have stopped using turn indicators.

 

[SubVet]

In Southern California driving, the use of the turn "indicator" is an "indication" that you intend to merge which signals to the other driver it is time for them to speed up and not let you merge as it means they may arrive at their destination 3 seconds later. This is true for 2 out of 3 drivers here, so many have stopped using turn indicators.

Here in New England you have to remove the fuse for the turn signals in order to register a car at the DMV...

They like to keep everyone guessing up here as to which way they intend to go...

It keeps the commute... interesting...

 

[tony]

In Southern California driving, the use of the turn "indicator" is an "indication" that you intend to merge which signals to the other driver it is time for them to speed up and not let you merge as it means they may arrive at their destination 3 seconds later. This is true for 2 out of 3 drivers here, so many have stopped using turn indicators.

This is very true, and even in many other large cities in north america this is the case from my experience and through what I do.

With most of my merging I don't need my turn signal as I before I even use it, I check my blind spot and where I want to go, once clear, at that point it's already safe enough to merge... I just use my signal to make it even more obvious of what i'm doing and to obey the traffic laws.

 

[Willy]

LOL, this thread is so glorious!!!

my personal fav are the small convex mirrors placed in the corners, perfect visbility!!

 

[Jeepers]

You should be able to merge even if there are not nice drivers who move over to make it easier, though I don't think there is anything wrong with moving over to make it easier for people. Everyone should be nice to each other on the road. I usually move over to make merging easier for people.

 

[DogsRule]

The fact that you can't even get an engine with more than 185 horsepower in the Renegade worries me a little. Yet another reason I can't wait to actually drive and sit in one of these things.

And thats why I'm hoping the broad gearing will provide a little "Giddyup" on the ramp.

But we'll see in the test drive.

Isn't there a test for passing times? Like from 35 to 60mph? My Kia's the worst as the tranny is programmed to keep the engine lugging around 1200rpm so passing takes like 30 seconds.

 

[DogsRule]

small convex mirrors placed in the corners, perfect visbility!!

I'm looking for long ones about 1" high.

 

[CalTom]

You should be able to merge even if there are not nice drivers who move over to make it easier, though I don't think there is anything wrong with moving over to make it easier for people. Everyone should be nice to each other on the road. I usually move over to make merging easier for people.

Nice?

You obviously have not driven the Southern California freeways

When my Dad use to visit here from Virginia he would drive "nice" but he keep getting cutoff. I had to start driving for him when he would visit.

 

[CalTom]

I'm looking for long ones about 1" high.

Here are a few that may work:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUXILIARY-B...IDE-REARVIEW-CAR-RV-VAN-TRUCK-2-/371181334382

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Auto-Auxiliary-Side-Rear-View-Blind-Spot-Mirror-2-Pcs-/131287740202