And the benefit of the afore mentioned driver not being in the left lane on I-95
A lot of states along I-95 have passed “Left-lane camper” laws, that is making it a moving violation to “camp out” in the left, or passing, lane and impede the traffic flow. Virginia passed one last year.
Whether those laws are being enforced or not is another matter.
I did an “up-and-down” trip on I-95 about two weeks ago and didn’t really have a problem with left-lane campers. Two or three times yes, but not constantly, so maybe the laws are working.
Do round trips on I-95 from Maryland to Florida about 3 times a year - have never seen police enforcing ‘Left Lane Bandit’ laws.
There are probably more laws on the books that ARE NOT enforced than there are laws that are enforced.
No doubt Balt. Here in Virginia we have a “wipers on-lights on” law which doesn’t seem to be enforced much either. At least not that I’ve seen.
There’s plenty of people here driving in rainy, dismal weather without the headlights on. And some think because they have automatic daytime running lights they’re covered. Uh-uh. Your daytime running headlights might be on but that doesn’t mean your tail lights are!
Drives me crazy…
Now you have all the people with glowing dashboards that will drive around in the middle of the night with no lights on. They’re the best.
Well first, I have my doubts you would be comfortable in those very tiny cars for 30 days. Second when your talking 30 days or longer you want to ask about a short term lease rate…which should be cheaper that what you see quoted.
Also, the expectation should be your not going to get the car or vehicle they have pictured for the rental or lease rate. Very rarely that I do. They are always doing a bait and switch. My last rental was a Ford Explorer pictured, got a Dodge Durango instead. Before that a Caddilac XT4 was pictured, got an Audi crossover instead.
Personally, I use Rain-X. I rarely have wipers on in the rain - if you are moving at anywhere near normal traffic speeds the water flies off the windshield in mini-micro drop form. Best thing is when overtaking a 18 wheeler and their ‘blinding spray’ - with Rain-X you can see right through it. Without Rain-X you have water sheeting on the windshield and obscuring your vision.
My 2017 Ram 1500 has automatic headlights - it does get frustrating in varying ‘low light’ conditions as the head lights will come on and go off without warning. If I do have the wipers on for some reason, the headlights will be on regardless of the ambient lighting condition.
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I do not need to drive around in a boat. I am very comfortable in my VW.
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I have rented cars many times on three continents. I get it.
I usually carry on a backpack (winter- ski boots, summer- hiking boots) and always cringe when the stewardess makes the anouncement about saving the overhead bins for the rollerboards. I too have paid for checking my other bag. I think about what argument I may give for keeping my pack in the overhead. But sadly, your only real choice is to comply with crew instructions, as all other alternatives will get you removed from the plane. So far I have not had to give up my legroom.
I always thought that you gave up your legroom when you flew in coach.
You like it that well huh? I had a friend who recommended it to me, but it sounded too good to be true.
I was used car shopping at the time, came across a sweet deal on a van that the windshield wipers didn’t work, and he told me to just use Rain-X…that he personally hardly ever had to use the wipers…and it just sounded too far fetched to believe.
Believe it! The biggest issue is when it is foggy/misty and you are moving at low speeds - not generating enough air speed over the windshield to move the water, you may have to use the wipers on ‘intermittent’.
Using wipers, over time, will ‘wear away’ the Rain-X coating. I renew Rain-X about every 3 months. Clean the windshield well - XXX-Steel Wool the stubborn bug carcases. Apply the Rain-X with a paper towel that had been well moistened with Rain-X - apply generously and allow to dry - it will be streaky, smeary and hazy. Moisten a clean paper towel and polish the windshield to the point of it drying. Done!
Feed back is much appreciated… Thanks! How does scraping ice/frost affect the coating? Should one just natually expect to renew the coating each spring?
I try to ‘snow bird’ Winter as much as possible. Using the wipers over frost or ice - no matter how your windshield is coated will damage their wiping surface of the wipers. I try to put on new wipers after the snow season - for those in the South, the sun can ‘kill’ the rubber in the wiper blades during the Summer.
Rain-X doesn’t really help dealing with salt spray - salt ends up being a kind of abrasive to the existance of any coatings on the outside of the windshield - fortunately windshield glass is harder than salt and doesn’t get scratched or damaged from salt spray alone, however, if you are in a state that uses cinders in addition to salt - all bets are off.
As I said, I generally apply it every three months.
I can’t see a midwest Autotrain or passenger service or a combination becoming reality. CSX and NS is going to squeal congestion and that’ll be the end of that idea. Back when Amtrak’s Autotrain was marginally profitable as mentioned elsewhere, there was talk of a midwest (ie Chicago) towards the west on the BNSF Southwest Chief route, I don’t think the idea got off the ground account of equipment needs. But sure I saw something on this at one time.
I finally solved these problems by keeping a dark cloth that I can place over the light sensor. Dark to prevent sun and light reflections. Solves the insurance cost reduction benefit as well.
The problem with Headlights on in daylight conditions - it dims the dash lights as is necessary to prevent blinding the driver with them in the dark of night - when they are dimmed in daylight they are barely visible.
With the electronic dashboards is that much of an issue anymore? I know it isn’t in either of my trucks (the one being almost 15 years old). And you can always adjust the brightness of the dash to daytime levels.
My Ram has a electronic dash - I have it turned up to it’s brightest setting - when the headlights kick on in daylight the dash is barely readable.
The down side - when I try to take a power nap and its dark - if I try to have the radio on - the dash lights are too bright, even when I have them turned all the way down and there is no way I have found to turn them off outside of not having the radio on.
Can’t manually turn it to daylight mode? That’s weird. My chevy was able to do that. But you couldn’t separate the brightness between the gauges in front of you to the center console. Way too much light in the center section at night. Wish more manufacturers would have picked up the SAAB night mode.
Although your dodge has the button to turn off the center screen? That’s nice. Wish my Fords had that.
How people can drive those Teslas with that gigantic I-screen thing in the middle is beyond me. Then again, I like my locomotves with analog gauges any day.