"Chad Fernandez" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> [...]
> We don't have any totally "fly by wire" break systems yet, to my
> knowledge. I do believe the new Corvette uses a fly by wire throttle,
> However.
>
> In other words, in most cases you are still connected to your car with
> more than just electrons.
There can still be some nasty surprises though! Back in 1993 or so, I was
driving a rented Ford compact car of some sort down a rainy freeway near
Portland Oregon. It was an extended trip from hell, requiring me to drive
extensively between 24 school sites all over the place. Just about
everything had gone wrong, but the little Ford Motor Co. gem decided it
could come up with one I hadn't seen. I reached down to adjust the motorized
seat controls when every light on the dash flickered, and the seat began to
whine furiously as it pulled back into it's rear-most, max-tilt position. As
soon as it hit the limits of it's backwards travel, all electronics inside
went dark and the seat stuck firmly in it's most uncomfortable position.
Fortunately, I'm tall, so I was (barely) able to reach the pedals and
steering wheel. Had I not, the police would no doubt be wondering why I
decided to take a nap at 70MPH. As it was, if I sat at the front edge of the
seat, I could depress the pedals well enough to limp it back to the hotel. I
learned to accelerate VERY slowly though!
I have no recollection of whether it was equipped with Bridgestone ATX tires
though...
- Bob
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