Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: STEMO on 24 November 2017, 17:05:53

Title: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: STEMO on 24 November 2017, 17:05:53
I think I’m just getting used to my astra now. I can hold the accelerator pedal to within a mm to make the gearbox do what I want it to. For me, it takes about two months before I feel I know the car really well.
This is why I never really trust a motoring journalist to give the complete lowdown. I couldn’t just jump in a car and tell you whether it was good or bad. Fast or slow, frugal or thirsty...yes, but not the complete picture.
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: TheBoy on 24 November 2017, 17:15:50
The first corner.

Its either a keeper or crashed.


As to MPG, usually a day or 2 to burn the first tank
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 24 November 2017, 17:34:37
.....about an hour.

It's not the space shuttle. :)
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 24 November 2017, 17:36:28
I think I’m just getting used to my astra now. I can hold the accelerator pedal to within a mm to make the gearbox do what I want it to. For me, it takes about two months before I feel I know the car really well.
This is why I never really trust a motoring journalist to give the complete lowdown. I couldn’t just jump in a car and tell you whether it was good or bad. Fast or slow, frugal or thirsty...yes, but not the complete picture.

Seems  you're a slow learner. TB has a name for such people. ::)
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: STEMO on 24 November 2017, 17:39:08
I think I’m just getting used to my astra now. I can hold the accelerator pedal to within a mm to make the gearbox do what I want it to. For me, it takes about two months before I feel I know the car really well.
This is why I never really trust a motoring journalist to give the complete lowdown. I couldn’t just jump in a car and tell you whether it was good or bad. Fast or slow, frugal or thirsty...yes, but not the complete picture.

Seems  you're a slow learner. TB has a name for such people. ::)
Really? What is it?
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: STEMO on 24 November 2017, 17:40:16
I find myself not liking a car, getting used to it and quite liking it after all.
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 24 November 2017, 17:42:30
I think I’m just getting used to my astra now. I can hold the accelerator pedal to within a mm to make the gearbox do what I want it to. For me, it takes about two months before I feel I know the car really well.
This is why I never really trust a motoring journalist to give the complete lowdown. I couldn’t just jump in a car and tell you whether it was good or bad. Fast or slow, frugal or thirsty...yes, but not the complete picture.

Seems  you're a slow learner. TB has a name for such people. ::)
Really? What is it?

In this day and age it would be politically incorrect of me to use such a word.I'm a big believer in political correctness. :)
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: STEMO on 24 November 2017, 17:43:57
I think I’m just getting used to my astra now. I can hold the accelerator pedal to within a mm to make the gearbox do what I want it to. For me, it takes about two months before I feel I know the car really well.
This is why I never really trust a motoring journalist to give the complete lowdown. I couldn’t just jump in a car and tell you whether it was good or bad. Fast or slow, frugal or thirsty...yes, but not the complete picture.

Seems  you're a slow learner. TB has a name for such people. ::)
Really? What is it?

In this day and age it would be politically incorrect of me to use such a word.I'm a big believer in political correctness. :)
Good man.
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 24 November 2017, 17:44:02
I find myself not liking a car, getting used to it and quite liking it after all.

Did this apply to the Daewoo?
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: STEMO on 24 November 2017, 17:47:51
I find myself not liking a car, getting used to it and quite liking it after all.

Did this apply to the Daewoo?
Yes, but I was shit scared of it needing body parts. None available so it had to go. ‘Twas, after all, just a zafira with a different coat on.
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 24 November 2017, 18:33:32
I can't get used to my Mundano's cruise buttons on the steering wheel.  :-\

The Omegas buttons on the end of the stalk are far superior!  :y
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: BazaJT on 24 November 2017, 19:50:14
I generally spend the first couple of days getting to know the "feel" of it and listening to any mechanical noises it makes.After that it's all good and I can tell if something goes out of whack from what I consider to be "normal" for it.
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: TheBoy on 25 November 2017, 08:59:17
I can't get used to my Mundano's cruise buttons on the steering wheel.  :-\

The Omegas buttons on the end of the stalk are far superior!  :y
I, even now, have similar with Kitty - I kick changing up a gear when I want to cancel cruise  :-[
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: STEMO on 25 November 2017, 09:08:07
I can't get used to my Mundano's cruise buttons on the steering wheel.  :-\

The Omegas buttons on the end of the stalk are far superior!  :y
I, even now, have similar with Kitty - I kick changing up a gear when I want to cancel cruise  :-[
Ah......not by the first corner then.  :P
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: TheBoy on 25 November 2017, 09:26:49
I can't get used to my Mundano's cruise buttons on the steering wheel.  :-\

The Omegas buttons on the end of the stalk are far superior!  :y
I, even now, have similar with Kitty - I kick changing up a gear when I want to cancel cruise  :-[
Ah......not by the first corner then.  :P
I so rarely use cruise, I'll probably never get used to it ;D.  I suspect I'll never get used to all the options in the current car, as probably will never use them.


But being serious for a second, I tend to get confidence with a car in the first mile of so. If I get a feeling of confidence in it, then it can get driven properly, else it gets gingerly driven back. As several OOFers can attest to...  ...and they know exactly what I think of their cars ;D
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: YZ250 on 25 November 2017, 09:42:47
.....
I so rarely use cruise, I'll probably never get used to it ;D.  ............

I have to use cruise, I can't be trusted to have sole control of the pedal anymore.  ::)

Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: YZ250 on 25 November 2017, 09:52:45
I can't get used to my Mundano's cruise buttons on the steering wheel.  :-\

The Omegas buttons on the end of the stalk are far superior!  :y

I like the steering wheel controls, cruise/resume and limiter adjustments are easily controlled by a flick of the thumb. I sometimes forget and put auto full beam on when I press the end of the stalk.  ::)

Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: TheBoy on 25 November 2017, 09:58:48
.....
I so rarely use cruise, I'll probably never get used to it ;D.  ............

I have to use cruise, I can't be trusted to have sole control of the pedal anymore.  ::)
I do tend to use the speed limiter a little bit more than cruise, particularly on a 2 mile stretch near work, as the mobile cash machines hide on the long 30mph downhill sections.
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: YZ250 on 25 November 2017, 10:19:57
.....
I so rarely use cruise, I'll probably never get used to it ;D.  ............

I have to use cruise, I can't be trusted to have sole control of the pedal anymore.  ::)
I do tend to use the speed limiter a little bit more than cruise, particularly on a 2 mile stretch near work, as the mobile cash machines hide on the long 30mph downhill sections.

Agreed, the limiter is much more useful when the traffic is not at a stable speed.  :y

Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 25 November 2017, 10:27:39
.....
I so rarely use cruise, I'll probably never get used to it ;D.  ............

I have to use cruise, I can't be trusted to have sole control of the pedal anymore.  ::)
I do tend to use the speed limiter a little bit more than cruise, particularly on a 2 mile stretch near work, as the mobile cash machines hide on the long 30mph downhill sections.

But you have to activate cruise to use the ASL....... :)
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: TheBoy on 25 November 2017, 10:34:11
.....
I so rarely use cruise, I'll probably never get used to it ;D.  ............

I have to use cruise, I can't be trusted to have sole control of the pedal anymore.  ::)
I do tend to use the speed limiter a little bit more than cruise, particularly on a 2 mile stretch near work, as the mobile cash machines hide on the long 30mph downhill sections.

But you have to activate cruise to use the ASL....... :)
Yeah, and promptly end up changing gear when cancelling it ;D

I disable ASL as soon as I'm done with it normally, as the amber lights on the dash upset me  :-[
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 25 November 2017, 11:01:07
.....
I so rarely use cruise, I'll probably never get used to it ;D.  ............

I have to use cruise, I can't afford to have sole control of the pedal anymore.  ::)
Fixed :P
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: YZ250 on 25 November 2017, 11:06:50
.....
I so rarely use cruise, I'll probably never get used to it ;D.  ............

I have to use cruise, I can't afford to have sole control of the pedal anymore.  ::)
Fixed :P

 ;D  :y
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: YZ250 on 25 November 2017, 11:18:29
....
But you have to activate cruise to use the ASL....... :)

On the bmw you just thumb the steering wheel switch to activate the limiter and that will set the speed that you are currently doing. To increase the setting you just thumb the switch until the desired setting is reached. You can come to a standstill and it will still remember the speed setting.  :y

Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: Andy B on 25 November 2017, 11:31:59
....
But you have to activate cruise to use the ASL....... :)

On the bmw you just thumb the steering wheel switch to activate the limiter and that will set the speed that you are currently doing. To increase the setting you just thumb the switch until the desired setting is reached. You can come to a standstill and it will still remember the speed setting.  :y

I don't like using the limiter on my Merc
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: Shackeng on 25 November 2017, 16:33:33
I can't get used to my Mundano's cruise buttons on the steering wheel.  :-\

The Omegas buttons on the end of the stalk are far superior!  :y

Agreed, the trouble is there is other stuff on the stalk ends, each side, which may be useful ocsnly. :-\ I've just come back from a trip to the West Country, and the silly mare in the nav system can't count. She kept telling me to take the first exit off roundabouts when she meant the second. Happened 4 times today! >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: Auto Addict on 26 November 2017, 16:20:10
I can't get used to my Mundano's cruise buttons on the steering wheel.  :-\

The Omegas buttons on the end of the stalk are far superior!  :y
I, even now, have similar with Kitty - I kick changing up a gear when I want to cancel cruise  :-[
Ah......not by the first corner then.  :P
I so rarely use cruise, I'll probably never get used to it ;D.  I suspect I'll never get used to all the options in the current car, as probably will never use them.


But being serious for a second, I tend to get confidence with a car in the first mile of so. If I get a feeling of confidence in it, then it can get driven properly, else it gets gingerly driven back. As several OOFers can attest to...  ...and they know exactly what I think of their cars ;D

I had the same feeling with my Merc, as soon as I started the test drive I felt completely at home with it.

Having owned it now for a few months I still find it a pleasure to drive,  with growing confidence in it I had it at 48 mph the other day in the fast lane of the M42, the 4 lane section.
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 26 November 2017, 16:49:28
You maniac !  :o              :D ;D
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: TheBoy on 26 November 2017, 17:58:57
with growing confidence in it I had it at 48 mph the other day in the fast lane of the M42, the 4 lane section.
Steady on, you'll run over the bloke with the red flag
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: Auto Addict on 26 November 2017, 18:43:17
with growing confidence in it I had it at 48 mph the other day in the fast lane of the M42, the 4 lane section.
Steady on, you'll run over the bloke with the red flag

In a month or two I'm going to steel myself and try an acieve 51mph, bit scary though!
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: Andy B on 26 November 2017, 20:29:35
with growing confidence in it I had it at 48 mph the other day in the fast lane of the M42, the 4 lane section.
Steady on, you'll run over the bloke with the red flag

In a month or two I'm going to steel myself and try an acieve 51mph, bit scary though!

Is this while dragging the tin tent?  ;)
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: 2boxerdogs on 26 November 2017, 21:58:00
Not long & always read the manual thoroughly.
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 26 November 2017, 22:19:45
Not long & always read the manual thoroughly.

I've never done that and only consult the manual when I can't work something out for myself.  ::)  :)
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: 2boxerdogs on 27 November 2017, 11:02:32
Not long & always read the manual thoroughly.

I've never done that and only consult the manual when I can't work something out for myself.  ::)  :)
.   



Sometimes after reading it I still can't make head nor tail of the instructions.😀😁😂
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: STEMO on 27 November 2017, 11:05:26
If you read the manual, you end up going out and ‘fiddling’ with things just to make sure they work ok. Things you’d never normally use, but you want to make sure are working anyway.  ;D
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: TheBoy on 27 November 2017, 16:59:54
with growing confidence in it I had it at 48 mph the other day in the fast lane of the M42, the 4 lane section.
Steady on, you'll run over the bloke with the red flag

In a month or two I'm going to steel myself and try an acieve 51mph, bit scary though!
Remember to wear the adult nappies....
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: Lazydocker on 27 November 2017, 18:40:21
with growing confidence in it I had it at 48 mph the other day in the fast lane of the M42, the 4 lane section.
Steady on, you'll run over the bloke with the red flag

In a month or two I'm going to steel myself and try an acieve 51mph, bit scary though!
Remember to wear the adult nappies....
At his age he wears them all the time anyway ;D
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: Auto Addict on 27 November 2017, 19:07:28
with growing confidence in it I had it at 48 mph the other day in the fast lane of the M42, the 4 lane section.
Steady on, you'll run over the bloke with the red flag

In a month or two I'm going to steel myself and try an acieve 51mph, bit scary though!
Remember to wear the adult nappies....
At his age he wears them all the time anyway ;D

Only when I wear my Sunday best 8)
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: Andy B on 27 November 2017, 19:30:44
..... always read the manual thoroughly.

That's an admission of defeat .....  ::)
Title: Re: How long to get properly used to a ‘new’ car
Post by: Auto Addict on 28 November 2017, 08:13:01
..... always read the manual thoroughly.

That's an admission of defeat .....  ::)

Especially if its an automatic.......