drive-by-wire

[Daniel Ridge]

> Pet hate.. cable clutches.

Pet hate.. hydraulic clutches. What's wrong with a nice, self-adjusting
cable clutch? Which would you rather have fail on you while driving
through the Heart of Deepest Africa? 

However, the thing I really can't stand -- trunks and engine bay latches
that operate only by cable. My Fiat X1/9 is such a car. Is there some
solenoid that I can buy cheaply from a yard that I can install to tug on
the cables for me? 

> Quick query ..   what is the guesstamate on the percentage of auto cars in the USA guys... I've got a warped view of your country from films and TV and stuff, but I cant remember the last time I saw summit with a manual box. (is that what you call 'stick shift' ?)

I understand that only 11% of new cars are sold with manuals. The VW
"drivers wanted" series of ads that has been running here lately has
featured _only_ manual trans. cars.

-Dan

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   Daniel Ridge                      |   USRA  CESDIS
   Research Minion, Beowulf Project  |   Code 930.5
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