Two more things about my latest Volvo.
After the crash in the previous one, my very good breakdown cover got the other towed away, then after I had been paid my expenses, asked me to fill out a short form saying what I thought of their service. I gladly gave them a good reference. I have just got their quarterly free magazine through the post and they have printed my testimonial in full. At last, my words in print.
The new (to me) Volvo seemed to have a dangerous design fault. If my right foot is too high, I hit an obstruction as I reach for the brake pedal. This is - obviously - dangerous, especially if I need to brake in a hurry. It is an automatic, with stop-go pedals and no clutch.
I got a torch the other day and crouched in the footwell of the car to see if I could find the obstruction.
There was a large bracket linked to the accelerator which runs just behind the central brake pedal and is connected to the left of the brake to... another accelerator pedal.
The left-side second pedal is on a hinge and folds up (almost) out of the way when not in use. It must have been modified for a disabled driver when new.
If I had lost my right leg in the first accident, this car would have been ideal.
The idea of getting down with a torch and looking at anything to do with my car immediately makes my brain go into neutral.
ReplyDeleteWell I have to admit that I got a much smaller, much more agile person to look for me.
DeleteIs it removable? I had one car where I needed to wear very narrow shoes, for someone with wide feet this wasn't easy.
ReplyDeleteNot without spending £100s.
DeleteThat's a bit scary,especially after the accident.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have a clue what to do. My new truck turns off when I stop and starts back up when I take my foot off the brake. Weird. Guess it's to conserve gas? I do know how to put gas in the truck.
ReplyDeleteI drove a sports Mercedes like that once. For us who were brought up to hope that cars stayed running at the lights, it is disconcerting.
DeleteVivian, our 38 year old Volvo is garaged all the time. They are excellent vehicles and when I take her out for a drive she still drives like a new car.
ReplyDelete120 Series? I had a 122 S once. Great cars. I have had most of the series, though.
DeleteIt looks like an American car, and that is disconcerting.
ReplyDeleteVolvo have always based their design on American cars, ever since they stopped making nothing but ball-bearings.
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