this post was submitted on 02 Apr 2024
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Electric Vehicles

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[–] Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social 9 points 5 months ago (2 children)

I think it's worse than them being ugly. I think the dimensions and visibility for crossovers makes people worse drivers. Massive blind spots, zero rear visibility, huge amounts of body roll in curves, and the danger of rollover are all worse in this body scheme.

It's so bad that they have to add technology like rear cameras, BLIS, and traction control to attempt to fix it because they can't just make a car with reasonable dimensions and good sight lines.

[–] invertedspear@lemm.ee 6 points 5 months ago (1 children)

The MachE doesn’t really suffer from any of those issues. I had no major blind spots, in fact smaller than what I’ve been used to. Rear view mirrors were very effective, it’s a “Mustang like suspension” so it was super stable, to the point of uncomfortably stiff. With the battery pack underneath, the center of gravity makes a roll over extremely unlikely.

Your points are accurate for many other CUVs, especially ICE ones. But not the MachE. It has its own issues mind you. Specifically the suspension being so bumpy it induces car sickness. A, frankly, obscene amount of power which tempts bad driving habits. And the worst central control system I’ve ever experienced.

[–] Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social 4 points 5 months ago

I'm glad the MachE doesn't have those issues, but you raise a good point about it having an obscene amount of power. A lot of EVs have way too much power for the average person.

[–] ShepherdPie@midwest.social 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

You just listed a bunch of features that are standard on most vehicles these days.

[–] Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

And the reason they're standard is because the cars aren't built correctly

[–] ShepherdPie@midwest.social 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Rear cameras were mandated after a bunch of kids playing behind their parents car were run over, traction control exists because road conditions change throughout the year in most areas and blind spot monitors exist because all cars have blind spots and it reduces collisions. Saying all cars are built incorrectly with zero supporting argument isn't much of an argument. Cars are safer than they've ever been and much of the sight line issues are related to reinforced pillars to protect occupants in a crash.

[–] Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social -3 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Sorry, I forgot the Internet is Serious Business™

[–] ShepherdPie@midwest.social 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Well nobody forced you to make unfounded declarations as if you're a subject matter expert.

[–] Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social -1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I'm not going to argue with someone who doesn't know what traction control does

[–] ShepherdPie@midwest.social 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Is that more of your expert analysis? I'm really curious what you think it does and why "it's installed on CUVs because all cars are built wrong."

[–] Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

At a time when there's added scrutiny on the rollover potential of sport utility vehicles, automakers are turning to technology to improve their handling and safety performance.

All major automakers will offer advanced stability systems on large SUVs in the coming model year, using technology that helps ensure a smoother ride on their upscale vehicles in the hopes of instilling better confidence in their SUVs. Source

I'm old enough to remember SUVs and Ford Explorers specifically being death traps because they rolled over at the drop of a hat. Traction control (ESC) is designed to prevent that.

If they weren't so top-heavy, they wouldn't roll over so easily and wouldn't need traction control.

[–] ShepherdPie@midwest.social 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Traction control and stability control are two different things. Traction control checks for wheel slippage and either brakes or cuts power to the wheel that is slipping so that you maintain traction in inclement weather like rain, snow, and ice.

Stability control adjusts your suspension on the fly to prevent G-forces from causing you to lose control of the vehicle.

Your mention of Explorer and other SUV rollovers has little to do with modern CUVs as those were body on frame vehicles built with 1980s technology. CUVs are just taller modern sedans with unibody construction.

[–] Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, definitely not arguing with someone who doesn't know what traction control is.

[–] ShepherdPie@midwest.social 1 points 5 months ago

Well, it's a good thing you're not then, right?

Your own source calls this system "stability control." Can you explain what traction has to do with rollovers? Adding more traction to the tires when you're sliding sideways makes a rollover more likely...

[–] guacupado@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago

lmao you really pulled a "it's just a prank, bro!"