Standard Equipment And Options

[Chaz]

Yes, the wattage does help. Friend of mine is a union painter, and he has to go out to these really out of the way places to paint towers for different things. When he's out in the boonies, he has an old bag phone (if you remember those) and I asked him why? All he said to me was 5 watts.
Yeah, no wonder he takes it with him, he can always get signal.

You can buy new modern bag phones that work with the digital signal but they only put out 3w the old analog system was shut down in 2007.

 

[Coss]

You can buy new modern bag phones that work with the digital signal but they only put out 3w the old analog system was shut down in 2007.

I didn't say it was recently

 

[Ty]

The question is what do you do when a light comes on on the instrument panel in a new car that says "Check Engine" and you're 50 miles from the nearest service area?
1. Slow down and pray for the next 50 miles?
2. Pull over and call AAA?
3. Pull over, look under the hood and say "Yup, that's an engine".
4. Pull over, check your oil, water, tranny fluid and keep driving.
5. Some combination of the above.

I plug in my ELM327 ($9 now on Amazon) and have my phone and the app "Torque" read the code. Then, I proceed if I can.

 

[TheAsterisk!]

You need a car like that for a lot of the population, who have little understanding of mechanical things, but feel comfortable with an electronic device. Probably why most people want an electronic car.

I'd hesitate to characterize most people as actually proficient with electronics. I have had a drink spilled on my laptop before, muttered a profanity under my breath, and proceeded to power it off and start disassembling it to get to the "non-user-servicable" battery to disconnect it to dry the case out, and you would not believe the way people look at me when I do that. It's like I'm a wizard practicing arcane arts or something, and I'm not even doing anything really annoying like putting new thermal compound on a processor or soldering in serial leads or anything. Most people are comfortable with their electronics like they're comfortable with their plubming- they almost know roughly how to use it, and they can tell you where the ends are, but that's about it. Practical and theoretical understanding of the systems at hand are almost entirely absent from their experience of it.

For what it's worth, I get far fewer looks of amazement when I lean into the engine compartment and do something simple like replace spark plugs or inform a friend (and demonstrate) that they don't need to take off the entire bumper cover, front grill fascia and remove the headlight housing assembly in order to replace their dead bulb (usually- some are a nightmare like that). They're just as clueless about how it works and how to do basic maintenance here as with a cheap laptop, but I don't get looked at like my head has an alien perched atop it. My impression is that it's less a matter of comfort or familiarity, and more that the idea that a car 'gets fixed' by somebody, somehow, is firmly expected, but that consumer electronics don't, and instead you just 'buy another one'.

Kinda why I want the basic Elio.

Indeed. Simpler is better, more so the longer it's in service. I may make a concession to the AMT, since I think that's an ideal way to implement automation (generally, take care of routine, predictable, repetitive work, but leave me a way to assume or resume manual control or otherwise override the automation), but that's about it.

There's nothing wrong with having a whole bunch of options, and it's very nice to have the choice, but please leave them as options. I despise it when things are bundled, and even the lowest tier of service or model/trim/etc. forces me to take on crap for which I have no fondness and no use. Another reason I'm fond of Elio's proposals so far.

 

[xtspode]

I'd hesitate to characterize most people as actually proficient with electronics. I have had a drink spilled on my laptop before, muttered a profanity under my breath, and proceeded to power it off and start disassembling it to get to the "non-user-servicable" battery to disconnect it to dry the case out, and you would not believe the way people look at me when I do that. It's like I'm a wizard practicing arcane arts or something, and I'm not even doing anything really annoying like putting new thermal compound on a processor or soldering in serial leads or anything. Most people are comfortable with their electronics like they're comfortable with their plubming- they almost know roughly how to use it, and they can tell you where the ends are, but that's about it. Practical and theoretical understanding of the systems at hand are almost entirely absent from their experience of it.

For what it's worth, I get far fewer looks of amazement when I lean into the engine compartment and do something simple like replace spark plugs or inform a friend (and demonstrate) that they don't need to take off the entire bumper cover, front grill fascia and remove the headlight housing assembly in order to replace their dead bulb (usually- some are a nightmare like that). They're just as clueless about how it works and how to do basic maintenance here as with a cheap laptop, but I don't get looked at like my head has an alien perched atop it. My impression is that it's less a matter of comfort or familiarity, and more that the idea that a car 'gets fixed' by somebody, somehow, is firmly expected, but that consumer electronics don't, and instead you just 'buy another one'.


Indeed. Simpler is better, more so the longer it's in service. I may make a concession to the AMT, since I think that's an ideal way to implement automation (generally, take care of routine, predictable, repetitive work, but leave me a way to assume or resume manual control or otherwise override the automation), but that's about it.

There's nothing wrong with having a whole bunch of options, and it's very nice to have the choice, but please leave them as options. I despise it when things are bundled, and even the lowest tier of service or model/trim/etc. forces me to take on crap for which I have no fondness and no use. Another reason I'm fond of Elio's proposals so far.

Well put, and there is a vast range of comfortable with technology/mechanical devices. There are lots of ways to insulate the operator from the device or machine so that they don't have to know anything other than to put the lid down when they are done and push the little flush thingy. I like to fiddle with things a bit and don't mind lifting the hood or taking off the covers to see how it works. It will be great in my world to get the relatively basic version of the Elio. I will personally keep the oil fresh and the motor maintained and hopefully enjoy a long and satisfying relationship over a lot of miles and adventures that I have in mind for it. Seriously thinking I will put in money for a second one. I will have to convert my motorcycle to a side car hack if Elio doesn't pull it off.

 

[xtspode]

I plug in my ELM327 ($9 now on Amazon) and have my phone and the app "Torque" read the code. Then, I proceed if I can.

Me too. It is almost a crime it is so easy and inexpensive for that. Lots of information available on the Torque app for fun too.

 

[floydv]

Unless that CEL is flashing or I'm very far from home, I'd wait to get home and scan for the code myself.

 

[Ty]

Unless that CEL is flashing or I'm very far from home, I'd wait to get home and scan for the code myself.

That would work too. I just keep my scan tool in my truck. There've been quite a few times someone from work will say something like "My check engine light just came on. I need to take it in to the dealer to have it checked." I'll just read the code in the parking lot and save them some angst.

BTW... Why is this information such a secret? Why do I need to buy a $10 piece of equipment when I have this great screen right in my truck. Why doesn't Ford just have a code display button instead of the cryptic engine symbol? Why not offer both? I can see it now ... The DIY package - comes with code reader so you can rest assured knowing what issues your vehicle may be having. $695 option includes code definitions and troubleshooting.

Nah... that would be too easy and might get people out of the service center.

 

[RSchneider]

I just keep the ELM always plugged in (I have one in each car since they are so cheap) and then use an app on my phone to read info and if a check engine light comes on, the codes comes up and I can click on it and see what it is. From there, an internet search can get you most of the info you need. What Elio should do is just equip every car with bluetooth. Then you (the owner) can download an app that would do more than generic OBD-II but allow you to access every system (i.e. airbags, ABS). Have that app link to a self help section so the owner can quickly diagnose an issue and then properly repair it.

A good example would be if an ABS sensor goes out. Your phone alerts you as to what the code is. You do a click and it gives you what to check and how to replace the defective sensor. Then a "buy it now" button. Part is delivered through someone like Amazon and you get it with free 2nd air shipping. I would think this would be a great thing for the DIY's.

 

[MagicDragon]

I just keep the ELM always plugged in (I have one in each car since they are so cheap) and then use an app on my phone to read info and if a check engine light comes on, the codes comes up and I can click on it and see what it is. From there, an internet search can get you most of the info you need. What Elio should do is just equip every car with bluetooth. Then you (the owner) can download an app that would do more than generic OBD-II but allow you to access every system (i.e. airbags, ABS). Have that app link to a self help section so the owner can quickly diagnose an issue and then properly repair it.

A good example would be if an ABS sensor goes out. Your phone alerts you as to what the code is. You do a click and it gives you what to check and how to replace the defective sensor. Then a "buy it now" button. Part is delivered through someone like Amazon and you get it with free 2nd air shipping. I would think this would be a great thing for the DIY's.

Are we even sure Elio will have an OBDII compliant vehicle? There was some past discussions and if I remember in one of the many Elio videos someone said it would be more like what is used in India to keep the cost down.