Pet peeve? Cars that honk their horns to announce doors un/locked or alarm status

[euromodder]

Mine doesn't make any sound when it's (un)locked, it just flashes the indicators, and it's that way with most cars here.
Some do have a beep-beep sound when they lock though.

Cars shouldn't honk, as it's illegal in my neck of the woods to honk unless to warn for an accident (or when overtaking ).

[brucey]

I don't use automatic locks, or the remote locks on my car. But I do notice a lot of people are just terrified to walk 3 feet from their car without locking it. What's in it? Some CD's?

I have left my car for 3 weeks straight unattended in a bad part of town completely unlocked. Never had a problem. If someone really wants to steal something, they can. I would much rather they open the door than they break the glass, however.

What does get on my nerves is the way the car beeps at me if I leave the key in the ignition with the door open. I know the door is open! Quit beeping at me.

I know I haven't put my seat belt on! Quit beeping at me!

I know the passenger hasn't put their seat belt on. Quit beeping at us!

Lowest Common Denominator style thinking makes me sad. So do bean counters.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

I've never been able to really understand why people use those stupid remote lock things anyway. You put the key in the door, you turn it: what could be simpler?

Remotes don't freeze shut, locks do.
Remotes don't scratch the paint, keys do.
Remotes work from afar, keys don't.
The remote lightens up the indicators, showing me where my car is in an unfamiliar lot.
Remotes mean you key doesn't wear out by (un)locking the door(s) - the key on my first (hand-me-down) car had worn so thin over time, it could fall out of the ignition all by itself. It was worn so badly, I couldn't get a duplicate made off it, so I've spent days searching for the lost reserve key.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by brucey

What does get on my nerves is the way the car beeps at me if I leave the key in the ignition with the door open. I know the door is open! Quit beeping at me.

Recently, I've left my keys in the ignition after parking the car at work for the nightshift.

I only found out hours later, on my way back to the car.
It hadn't locked up automatically either, just stood there, ready to be driven away.

[Daox]

You put the key in the door, you turn it: what could be simpler?

Walking up to your locked car, touching the handle and it automatically unlocking for you (spoiled smart key user here).

[silverinsight2]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

My 2000 Honda Insight is the first car I've ever had with remote locking. It doesn't honk at all. You need to watch the blink of the signal lights, or listen for the actual click of the lock mechanism.

It's really more like the CLUNK of the lock. I can hear it from thirty feet away. Its saving grace is that it's a much lower frequency than the horn, kind of on the down low.

[morphector]

by using the keyfob you're sure to never lock your keys inside the car.

I had sooooooo much trouble with freezing locks on every car I had in winter, now with remote I don't even know if they works!

[Peter7307]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

I've never been able to really understand why people use those stupid remote lock things anyway. You put the key in the door, you turn it: what could be simpler?

James, I understand your point with the keys but on my car at least the remote locks not just the doors but the engine (electronically) and the transmission too so even if someone gets access to the vehicle it goes no where since they can't start it and even if they can get it going it won't select Drive (Auto trans).

As an aside on my vehicle there are several options to "customise" things like "lock alert: Indicators only ; horn only ; indicators and horn" and time delays on the headlights , interior lights etc.
The owner's manual takes up about fifteen pages just on the various combinations.

Peter.

[Frank Lee]

I really dislike all these so-called "luxury" items on the Sable- doors that lock themselves, dome light that doesn't go off right away, automatic this, automatic that, half the time I don't know what the damned car is thinking of doing next. I WANT TO CONTROL IT.

So there are a few big parking lots within a mile of my house and I can hear this stupid **** all the time, especially the car alarms that go off for no apparent reason, and how long it takes for someone to respond to them.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Remotes don't freeze shut, locks do.

No? Granted I've never had a frozen lock myself, but it would seem that the remote lock mechanism would be just as subject to freezing as the key lock.

Remotes don't scratch the paint, keys do.

a) Not if you're minimally coordinated;
b) And who cares, anyway?

Remotes work from afar, keys don't.

But why would you want to unlock your car from a distance?

The remote lightens up the indicators, showing me where my car is in an unfamiliar lot.

OK, for some people, but my memory isn't that bad.

Remotes mean you key doesn't wear out by (un)locking the door(s)...

But I imagine they have batteries that run down, likewise leaving you unable to get into the car.