http://www.techspot.com/...rs-sued-over-deadly.html From the country that warns the contents of a coffee cup may be hot but allows its citizens to carry guns another example of failing to follow manufacturer instruction heading to court. Basic competence to drive is evidenced by a licence but in the years since my test training to operate any vehicle (except FLT’s) has been a quick overview of main controls followed by referencing the handbook when available. Given the technologies being added – SatNav, Variable Speed Cruise Control, Auto Park etc. how long before we need protracted vehicle specific training for company drivers to demonstrate competence to operate work equipment?

Its not for the compensation its so it does not happen to other people in the future

I'm not sure it's a case of failing to follow instructions, but perhaps there is also a case of lack of thought by manufacturers. I have a Ford with one of these systems and have sometimes wondered what happens if I drive away without the key inside the vehicle? There's nothing in the literature to tell me what anti-theft measure may be in place should someone jump into the driving seat while I've perhaps got out to open a gate for instance. The other day I tried it for a hundred metres or so. My wife got out with the key fob and the panel chimed a warning 'Key Outside'; fair enough, I'd seen that plenty of times. So I tried moving off, the chime got a little more persistent, but after about 5 seconds it stopped, with no inhibition of the car engine. Why does it not cut the engine if you try to move off with the key outside? So yet another example of Car manufacturers making gadgets for cars without thinking of the full consequences. I actually did a LinkedIn article about this sort of issue with in car gimmicks last April. https://www.linkedin.com...nard-carey?trk=prof-post

That could be equally dangerous - loss of servo assist brakes, power steering etc.

keyless start only, battery in fob goes flat = car doesn't start = safe (but annoying) if the engine shuts down when the fob isn't in proximity (or the car thinks it's not in proximity because it's not getting a return signal, perhaps because the battery is flat) extremely unsafe. imagine that scenario when you're hurtling down the motorway!

Why? Who the heck mentioned going at speed? I said "if you try to move off with the key outside", nothing else! But if you insist on such a scenario, then put the engine into 'Limp Home' Mode, just as it will for all the umpteen different minor engine faults these things detect, such as random sensor faults. Mine starts a loud chime as soon as it moves with the key outside, I've no idea if that is based on gearbox movement or wheel sensor movement, but not rocket science to cut engine and or apply the brakes in such circumstances. A simple bit of engineering to accomplish.

Well keeping on topic, this is about people being dumb enough to park in their integral garage, perhaps unload the shopping/kids, let themselves into the house by the internal connecting door, perhaps shut that door behind them, all while assuming that at some point, the car engine will automatically stop. Then they wonder why their house fills with exhaust fumes! I threw into the equation the additional personal experience, that it is possible to drive off with one of these cars if the driver does not stop the engine on exiting the vehicle. It all comes down to manufactures developing gimmicks; in this case relieving the driver of the need to get their keys out of their pocket. Of course, unless you have automatic external keyfob detection which unlocks the car on your approach, you've already got the fob out to press the 'open' button, thus making the whole exercise even more pointless. Correct me if I'm wrong, but with the BMW/MINI system, don't you have to actually place the fob in a holder, which is even more of a gimmick for the sake of it.

You get in the car, start the engine, drive to your destination, park, switch the engine off, and get out of the car. Seems a simple enough process to me. Why would anyone assume that an engine will automatically switch itself off? In fact, in every other respect, I would rather it didn't.

Are Americans seriously too lazy too push a button to turn off the car engine that they just expect the car to turn its self off!....ain't nobody got time for that!

Can't agree with that. So where's the analysis when they design in gimmicks like 'Auto Lights' which results in idiots driving in fog with no headlights, because they haven't realised it's not dark enough for the auto function to work! Or people driving around at night with no lights because their car has the instrument lights on all the time it's got the ignition on; so there is no longer the unreadable instrument display to remind you that you haven't got your lights on. They're keen enough to improve crash ratings to pass some arbitrary test that safety regulators devise, but not realise they are designing in safety problems by providing more gimmicks. I was only in a conversations with some people the other night who all berated the gimmicks on their cars over useful features. Like one chap who discovered by accident that if he pressed and held the remote 'unlock' for a few seconds, his car not only unlocked, but all the electric windows came down. Something not mentioned in his handbook. The Handbook says it works the other way, i.e. press and hold 'Lock' and any open windows will also close, but it doesn't mention making all windows open. I tried mine and found it's the same, and again it's not in the handbook.

Well in reverse order. Ford Kuga I have to admit I make a mistake earlier, I have now found that the global opening is in my Owners manual, I'd missed it as it only gets a small paragraph. Dials always illuminated - well there's plenty of cars you will pass in twilight where the rear lights are not on, yet as you drive past them the drivers dials are lit. Try it next time you're driving at dusk. They've been increasingly common since around 2007/8. There's a Blog about similar issues with Canadian cars here: http://osunick.com/category/cars/ But it's not necessary to have DRLs to have always lit instruments. A lot of drivers don't pay attention to dash warning lamps unless they flash at them! But yes, I believe that manufacturers do have a responsibility for not fooling drivers into thinking their car has so many wonderful features it will practically drive itself; oh wait a moment, that's coming soon...