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[ronnyd]

The latest "thing"[being led by Volvo apparently ] is to do away with the rear window and rely on using a rear facing camera mounted on the roof for any rearward vision.

I believe the new Jaguar has something similar.

Perhaps LGBTQ+ customers like this idea.

Privacy? 

[Andy B]

....
 But not until I got info from the manager about a local auto box specialist who could resolve my issue with the ignition key capture, as explained in my other post.   He said my issue was "very common with autobox vehicles" which he explained was an electronic, not mechanical issue, between the ignition barrel and the gear box reverse system that this other company would quickly resolve.  They also specialise in German built cars. Great, as I have decided against me mucking everything up by touching it with my limited skills in that direction, as advised by the good folks on here, and it all creating a bigger issue! 

So, great result all round!

I think he's confusing two issues. 
The key not turning in the ignition barrel is due to the tumblers &/or the ignition barrel wearing so that when the key goes in, the tumblers are not lining up correctly & not allowing key to turn.
No sure how he's connecting the reverse lock with that  There is an electrical solenoid on top of the box that operates the inhibit that makes you have to have your foot on the brake before you can take the car of DRIVE .... but that can simply be over-ridden by lifting the 'leather' gaiter from around the shift & lifting the little yellow lever under there.

[Andy B]

....
Indeed. At least with a mirror your view changes as you move, so if you need to see something just out of sight, moving your head/body gives you half a chance of seeing things.

I bet the cameras don't track your movements to adjust the view

I was a couple of rows back from a coach driver the other day where there were cameras instead of mirrors, so I had a good view of the screens inside ....  & I was thinking exactly the same as that.

[STEMO]

They ignition key on my astra won't come out unless the gearbox is in park.

[Andy B]

They ignition key on my astra won't come out unless the gearbox is in park.

same for an Omega though I do remember I could at times remove the key from mine when not in Park 

Conversely, if I remove the key from my Merc it puts itself into Park  likewise if I open the driver's door

[countrywoman]

That on the Merc is a PIA when doing an MOT

[Doctor Gollum]

They ignition key on my astra won't come out unless the gearbox is in park.

same for an Omega though I do remember I could at times remove the key from mine when not in Park 

Conversely, if I remove the key from my Merc it puts itself into Park  likewise if I open the driver's door

The W220 had a cable interlock for both brake pedal and ignition switch.

The R Class didn't but that had the electronic column shifter so the interlock is built into the shift motor.

On the W221 the automatic Park if the door is opened is a programmable option. I think I set mine to go onto park when the key is pulled but not when the door is opened.

As for the MoT aspect, there must be a combination of criteria to not set the parking brake and reading the manual would be a good start... After all, if you don't understand how the vehicle functions, how can you give it a fair test?

[Andy B]

That on the Merc is a PIA when doing an MOT

I'm not surprised ..... the Elf 'n' Safety lot don't think these things through

[Andy B]

.....
The W220 had a cable interlock for both brake pedal and ignition switch.

The R Class didn't but that had the electronic column shifter so the interlock is built into the shift motor.

On the W221 the automatic Park if the door is opened is a programmable option. I think I set mine to go onto park when the key is pulled but not when the door is opened.

As for the MoT aspect, there must be a combination of criteria to not set the parking brake and reading the manual would be a good start... After all, if you don't understand how the vehicle functions, how can you give it a fair test?

Both my R Class & ML have similar looking shift levers on the column but as above, the ML will go into Park if the driver's door is opened or the key removed .... the R CLass didn't.

Also, the ML's electric parking brake will under certain conditions apply itself (in 6 years I've never worked out what those conditions are!!!  ) The R Class was the mechanically foot applied parking brake.

Re MOT .... I MOT'd my ML a few weeks back. The owner wasn't in & he usually did the test .... I'd to tell his underling that he couldn't brake test it on their rolling road because of its permanent 4x4

[Doctor Gollum]

It can be, but only upto a very precise speed. It's low single figures and for a very precise maximum amount of time. So basically most MoT places are neither equipped or staffed to do it.

My S will put it into park if the door is opened AFTER the key is removed and the vehicle is in neutral with the parking brake set. To protect the ISM and gearbox, I always stop the car, hold the brakes on, select neutral, apply the parking brake, release the foot brake and then press park. Then turn it off.

It won't do it simply because the door is opened unless it's been programmed to. Two minutes with DAS an a box tick will sort that. The tricky bit is going through all the affected modules to confirm it.

Alot of that type of thing can be programmed to an individual key.

[Andy B]

....
 I always stop the car, hold the brakes on, select neutral, apply the parking brake, release the foot brake and then press park. Then turn it off. ....

I'd only do that if parking on a hill of some kind, otherwise I just stick it in Park .... I rarely ever use the parking brake, despite it just being a button press.

[Lizzie Zoom]

They ignition key on my astra won't come out unless the gearbox is in park.

same for an Omega though I do remember I could at times remove the key from mine when not in Park 

Conversely, if I remove the key from my Merc it puts itself into Park  likewise if I open the driver's door

That is the thing with mine.  Usually the key comes out once the ignition barrel is turned fully whilst the grearbox is in "Park", but sometimes the barrel wont turn fully to it's final "Park"   position until I repeatedly - once, twice three times, whatever - move the gear lever backwards and forwards from "Park".  That is what the Halfords Autocentre guy said was "a common fault"  due to the electronic system failing to recognise the "Park" position straight away. Hence having to move the gear lever as I have said, irrespective of the ignition barrel being touched or not.

I will be going to the local recommended autobox specialist as previously mentioned.

[YZ250]

………..
Pirelli 235/45R17 POWERGY 97Y tyres ………

How do you find these on your Omega?  I see that the Powergy is a fairly recent tyre but I won’t have Pirelli tyres on any of my cars any more due to poor experience of Cinturato’s of old and more recently P Zero’s, not on an Omega admittedly, but on my bmw 330d’s/430d’s. The P Zero’s would snap loose mid bend in damp conditions (not just my view, it’s well documented), which made life interesting, and the wear rate isn’t good at all.  I wouldn’t have fitted them personally but they were a standard fit from new. You can choose your car spec but unfortunately you can’t choose what tyres you get, it’s pot luck what brand they were fitting on that build week.    I prefer Michelin as first choice, followed by Goodyear but everyone has their own opinion. 

[johnnydog]

My Audi RS4 was fitted with Pirelli P Zeros from new. The handling wasn't great and reversing off my drive, the front wheels used to 'chatter' on full lock.
 I changed them when they were half worn for a set of Michelin PS2's, which were quite an improvement. However the Michelins began to crack on the shoulders, and I was never quite as enthusiastic about them as the Michelins on my Omegas.
Last year, I decided to change them again - wanting an RO1 tyre, the choice was limited, but I ended up going for Pirelli P Zeros again, after reading many favourable reviews.
I am very impressed with the new Pirellis - a lot more than the Michelins. It seems that although they have retained the name, the tyre itself has been improved with different  compounds. Reversing off my drive is greatly improved too with no 'chatter' on full lock.
In short, I'm very happy with the new Pirelli P Zeros
I have also driven a good number of nearly new Porsche's with them fitted and the handing and driving  characteristics have been excellent in my opinion.

[YZ250]

…………
reversing off my drive, the front wheels used to 'chatter' on full lock.
……….

Interesting to know, our Audi A3 does that as well. Only 20K on it and new Goodyear Eagles on all corners.    The previous Goodyears still had plenty of tread left but had started to perish, with the usual cracks in the tread groove and a couple with tyre wall cracks.
Initially when it did it I thought a wheel was loose.