Honda "Drive by Wire" question... what if the power goes out?

No...it has a regular old rack and pinion steering system.
The electric "assist" sits up in the steering column area
and simply provides the assist to a "standard steering"
rack and pinion.

Ian

 

Advertising first, check out the history of GM.

Didn't the Japanese carmakers answer this question in the 70's?

Which safety innovations (after the rear view mirror, which was a racing
innovation) were not mandated? The US automakers have fought every
change tooth & nail (emissions as well as safety - Ford famously tried
to sell safety in their '56 models & lost a bundle).

So, you don't want to comment until all the facts are in? (a famous
quote by Gen Turgidson in "Dr. Strangelove").

The Japanese carmakers seem to be able to crank out cars profitably from
their US plants, so I don't think it's primarily the cost of labor. Did
you have anything specific in mind with "labor problems"?


"These companies have obligations to shareholders and their employees to
turn a pretty profit, or else"

Leading to many very unhappy employees & shareholders as of late.


One final observation - the price of every new GM car includes something
like $1,500 for health care costs (plus another chunk for retirement),
which foreign carmakers, Asian & European, don't incur because those
countries have universal health coverage & retirement. Wouldn't it be
ironic if it were the auto (and other) CEOs who lead the charge to
universal health coverage in the US? <this is an auto related
observation, not a political one, and I won't debate the politics of
such a move>

 

Advertising first, check out the history of GM.

Didn't the Japanese carmakers answer this question in the 70's?

Which safety innovations (after the rear view mirror, which was a racing
innovation) were not mandated? The US automakers have fought every
change tooth & nail (emissions as well as safety - Ford famously tried
to sell safety in their '56 models & lost a bundle).

So, you don't want to comment until all the facts are in? (a famous
quote by Gen Turgidson in "Dr. Strangelove").

The Japanese carmakers seem to be able to crank out cars profitably from
their US plants, so I don't think it's primarily the cost of labor. Did
you have anything specific in mind with "labor problems"?


"These companies have obligations to shareholders and their employees to
turn a pretty profit, or else"

Leading to many very unhappy employees & shareholders as of late.


One final observation - the price of every new GM car includes something
like $1,500 for health care costs (plus another chunk for retirement),
which foreign carmakers, Asian & European, don't incur because those
countries have universal health coverage & retirement. Wouldn't it be
ironic if it were the auto (and other) CEOs who lead the charge to
universal health coverage in the US? <this is an auto related
observation, not a political one, and I won't debate the politics of
such a move>

 

I'll believe you.

70's?

I don't know.

I think it's hard to compare the successes of two companies
satisfying the same basic need, but also many others,
operating in two different countries, with different
cultures and mores and different governmental philosophies.

I reckon you're mostly right.

I think also of reports (or the cinemization) of lawsuits
where car companies defend against making a certain design
change, because the cost of the 'wrongful death' yada
lawsuits is much lower than the cost of the design change.

Still, on a day to day basis with engineers, I don't buy
that they are idiots who never object to certain proposed
features as being inherently unsafe that will result in a
car with many problems, threatening life and property. And
so costing the company money, yada.

After I posted, I did notice one of the lastest articles on
GM's problems said a major component was the cost of the
company's health care plans.

Some are saying that's GM management's screwup, though.

So, no, I don't have all the facts. Surely there's a site or
two that talks about why GM and Ford are doing so poorly,
and how Honda manages in comparison.

As you suggest below, my suspicion is that some large
companies are already starting to push somewhat for
universal care. (I may have read as much.) They won't be
gung-ho for it, I suppose, for some time (if ever), because
their business ties in with that of insurers.

I'm not talking about a conspiracy, but more about how
executives look out for each other; one hand washes the
other; etc.

Sure.

We'd then maybe have a two-pronged attack on current
American cultural mores: With the ailing American car
companies, more small cars would go on the road. With the
ailing health insurance system, Americans would be more
willing to accept catastrophic health insurance plans and
not accept every last procedure/drug (efficacies being not
clear) their doctor prescribed.

 

I'll believe you.

70's?

I don't know.

I think it's hard to compare the successes of two companies
satisfying the same basic need, but also many others,
operating in two different countries, with different
cultures and mores and different governmental philosophies.

I reckon you're mostly right.

I think also of reports (or the cinemization) of lawsuits
where car companies defend against making a certain design
change, because the cost of the 'wrongful death' yada
lawsuits is much lower than the cost of the design change.

Still, on a day to day basis with engineers, I don't buy
that they are idiots who never object to certain proposed
features as being inherently unsafe that will result in a
car with many problems, threatening life and property. And
so costing the company money, yada.

After I posted, I did notice one of the lastest articles on
GM's problems said a major component was the cost of the
company's health care plans.

Some are saying that's GM management's screwup, though.

So, no, I don't have all the facts. Surely there's a site or
two that talks about why GM and Ford are doing so poorly,
and how Honda manages in comparison.

As you suggest below, my suspicion is that some large
companies are already starting to push somewhat for
universal care. (I may have read as much.) They won't be
gung-ho for it, I suppose, for some time (if ever), because
their business ties in with that of insurers.

I'm not talking about a conspiracy, but more about how
executives look out for each other; one hand washes the
other; etc.

Sure.

We'd then maybe have a two-pronged attack on current
American cultural mores: With the ailing American car
companies, more small cars would go on the road. With the
ailing health insurance system, Americans would be more
willing to accept catastrophic health insurance plans and
not accept every last procedure/drug (efficacies being not
clear) their doctor prescribed.

 

I think the screwup was that they didn't support the "socialized
medicine" push in the 1960s. Whether it was because they couldn't
screw over their buddies at the country club or because they thought
it was a communist plot to have *all* children vaccinated or it was
just apathy, they are paying the cost of a private health care system.

Of course, the ultimate cost will be paid by the GM employees and
retirees and all of the rest of us as we are gradually pushed out of
the health care insurance system.

It is the best kind of conspiracy because there is never more then a
wink or a nod between the conspirators.

Of course, they do incur those costs for their US factories. One
advantage to Honda and Toyota is that they have relatively few US
retirees and their workforce is younger (healthier) because the
factories have only been running for 10 - 20 years. If we project
current trends out another 20 - 40 years, Honda and Toyota US
operations will be broke. But then again, everyone will be broke.

Actually, I think this is an issue who's time is coming fast.

 

I think the screwup was that they didn't support the "socialized
medicine" push in the 1960s. Whether it was because they couldn't
screw over their buddies at the country club or because they thought
it was a communist plot to have *all* children vaccinated or it was
just apathy, they are paying the cost of a private health care system.

Of course, the ultimate cost will be paid by the GM employees and
retirees and all of the rest of us as we are gradually pushed out of
the health care insurance system.

It is the best kind of conspiracy because there is never more then a
wink or a nod between the conspirators.

Of course, they do incur those costs for their US factories. One
advantage to Honda and Toyota is that they have relatively few US
retirees and their workforce is younger (healthier) because the
factories have only been running for 10 - 20 years. If we project
current trends out another 20 - 40 years, Honda and Toyota US
operations will be broke. But then again, everyone will be broke.

Actually, I think this is an issue who's time is coming fast.

 

Are you veering OT because the power went out on the drive-by-wire steering?

Sorry - I couldn't resist. <8^)

Mike

 

Are you veering OT because the power went out on the drive-by-wire steering?

Sorry - I couldn't resist. <8^)

Mike

 

The temp gauge should be pointing to about 2 o'clock (according to the
manual) but is actually down to about 4 o'clock. obviously the idea that
the car is running too cold is ridiculous (unless Santa has taken up
residence under the hood and is making it snow).

so what's up with the gauge saying she's cold? just a bad gauge?

mdr

 

The temp gauge should be pointing to about 2 o'clock (according to the
manual) but is actually down to about 4 o'clock. obviously the idea that
the car is running too cold is ridiculous (unless Santa has taken up
residence under the hood and is making it snow).

so what's up with the gauge saying she's cold? just a bad gauge?

mdr

 

It could mean a worn out thermostat. If the interior heat is lower than
normal, it would indicate that.

Or maybe the plug and socket for the sensor is just in need of a clean.
Contact cleaner is best but WD40 will work also.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Aug./05 http://www.imagestation.com/album/index.html?id=2120343242
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

 

It could mean a worn out thermostat. If the interior heat is lower than
normal, it would indicate that.

Or maybe the plug and socket for the sensor is just in need of a clean.
Contact cleaner is best but WD40 will work also.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Aug./05 http://www.imagestation.com/album/index.html?id=2120343242
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

 

My 96 Accord and my friend's 00 Accord, both temp gauge point to 4 o'clock.
I believe this is normal for a Honda. My 01 corolla's temp gauge points to 3
o'clock.

Ted

 

My 96 Accord and my friend's 00 Accord, both temp gauge point to 4 o'clock.
I believe this is normal for a Honda. My 01 corolla's temp gauge points to 3
o'clock.

Ted

 

manual says it isn't but I wonder if it has always been that way and I just
didn't notice.

mdr

 

manual says it isn't but I wonder if it has always been that way and I just
didn't notice.

mdr

 

thanks. I'll check that. cold enough in TX to be checking your heater
these days...

mark

 

thanks. I'll check that. cold enough in TX to be checking your heater
these days...

mark

 

More than likely a bum thermostat. Don't let run cold too long, it'll
cost you in fuel mileage, and make it sludge up faster.

Erik