A European in Cali

[euromodder]

Gas is obviously far too cheap here ...

Ridiculously raised pick-up trucks going over 70;
semi's / towing vehicles going not that much slower (what became of the 55mph limit for them ?);
apparently just about nobody is doing (less than) the limit - unless when forced to;
cars getting started remotely;
cars kept running while no-one is in or even near them - probably keeping the AC on;
and what I came across today : "No engine braking" signals - say again ????

[2000neon]

The lifted trucks doing 70 is popular in my area too. The only places we have "Please avoid the use of engine braking" signs is when your right in town, and it is for big trucks using the Jake brake- simply a noise thing. However I don't know if that's the case for where you are.

[Sporty Modder]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Gas is obviously far too cheap here ...

Ridiculously raised pick-up trucks going over 70;
semi's / towing vehicles going not that much slower (what became of the 55mph limit for them

You must not be near LA, they drive faster than that there.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by euromodder

...and what I came across today : "No engine braking" signals - say again ????

That's for semi-trucks. They're fitted with "jake brakes" Compression release engine brake - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia which greatly increase the braking force of the engine. The drawback is that they're also very noisy, hence the "no engine braking" signs in residental areas.

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by euromodder

It's a good trip so far.

Managed to get sunburn in SF .
Got an overdose of curves in Yosemite and on HWY 1 - but only around 30mpg doing so due to frequent stops. The views are simply too good to not stop.

Euro,

This is a fun read. Thanks for posting!

How is the air quality out there right now.

My wife and I were out there two years ago, and it was hazy all the time, even in Yosemite.

For really clear air, were you planning on heading towards Colorado? Absolutely breath-taking in the mountains!!!

Jim.

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Gas is obviously far too cheap here ...

cars kept running while no-one is in or even near them - probably keeping the AC on.....

I know a guy who admitted to leaving the car on, along with AC, and going inside grocery shopping for 20 minutes, and the dog was in the locked car in the summer heat.

I take it that you do not see that sort of thing in Europe?

Jim.

[TheEnemy]

Originally Posted by 3-Wheeler

I know a guy who admitted to leaving the car on, along with AC, and going inside grocery shopping for 20 minutes, and the dog was in the locked car in the summer heat.

That would be why he left it running with the AC on.

[Arragonis]

Did you hit the US "I must merge in front you at all costs because if I don't I will be a lesser human being" thing yet ? Try leaving a gap, they die of the shock.

Oh - and everyone behind you has a quick check to see if their weapon is ready.

Best part of LA for me was going into the city (from the south) on the lower deck of one of those split section freeways / motorways. I turn to Mrs A and say "of course you remember those collapsed bridges in the earthquake here ?"

"Drive Faster - NOW" - she says.

If you go North of the bridge, when you get to the north end, turn left and follow the coast - its really nice and quiet mid-week. Go through the twisty roads in the forrest and marvel about how you are held up by the locals on the twistys...

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by 3-Wheeler

I know a guy who admitted to leaving the car on, along with AC, and going inside grocery shopping for 20 minutes, and the dog was in the locked car in the summer heat.

So did the cops (K9 unit) at the Sacramento airshow - for a lot longer than 20 minutes, too.

I take it that you do not see that sort of thing in Europe?

Nope.
People do leave the engine running while they are sitting in a parked car, but that ussualy doesn't last 20 minutes or so.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

Did you hit the US "I must merge in front you at all costs because if I don't I will be a lesser human being" thing yet ? Try leaving a gap, they die of the shock.

I thought it was mandatory on the freeway to let them merge ahead of you

Best part of LA for me was going into the city (from the south) on the lower deck of one of those split section freeways / motorways. I turn to Mrs A and say "of course you remember those collapsed bridges in the earthquake here ?"

There was a small quake in the LA area while I was in SF.

Go through the twisty roads in the forrest and marvel about how you are held up by the locals on the twistys...

They did tend to catch up again on the straights on HWY 1