Really ?

[jorogi]

So one of the things that drives me nuts is simple stupidity. Things that can be simple that are instead made stupid. I have several posts in mind that fit into this category and I invite you all to post up your own.

This is the kettle I have in my workshop, it was our household one for years. It boils water just fine. In the lousy photo you can see my mucky left index finger manipulating the release catch. To effect an upward opening movement of the lid you push down on a button mounted in the top of said lid.
Really !
It does occasionally work but when it does you're usually initiating the next downward jab attempt and you close it back up requiring you to start all over again. I now keep my stirring screw driver next to the kettle and simply pry the lid up.

 

[David]

Yeah that seems like a design fail

 

[Susquatch]

You are right.

I think the whole world went on a push to open spree for a while. Push door to pop open, push cupboard to pop open, push canister to pop open, push lid down to pop up, etc etc. So counterintuitive and so ridiculous.

 

[6.5 Fan]

Jeeez don't blame an engineer for that, must of been a bean counter that caused that poor design.

 

[Doggggboy]

You are right.

I think the whole world went on a push to open spree for a while. Push door to pop open, push cupboard to pop open, push canister to pop open, push lid down to pop up, etc etc. So counterintuitive and so ridiculous.

Wasn't at least some of that for accessibility? Turning lids and knobs to open things can be difficult with arthritis and such things.

 

[Tecnico]

Jeeez don't blame an engineer for that, must of been a bean counter that caused that poor design.

Naw, that’s on marketing & focus groups……

D

 

[jorogi]

Naw, that’s on marketing & focus groups……

D

Or the guy that made the replacement glow blue whilst it was heating.

 

[Tomc938]

"Click start to turn off computer"

 

[JustaDB]

Having to turn on the cruise control every time you turn the vehicle off. In the Avalanche, I turned on the cruise control when we inherited it & haven't had the need since. Just set & go. In the Vibe & the minivan, every time the key gets turned off, ya gotta turn the CC back on before you set it.

Bugs the hell outta me...

 

[mcostello]

"Update now", Your stuff does not matter.

 

[Elektrishun]

2009 Chevy Uplander van - back passenger sliding door has a handle that if pulled slightly will power auto open the door. Back driver's side sliding door is fully manual operation.

Me to someone who doesn't know, "Don't keep pulling or it will screw the door...ah fer crissakes. Just leave it, I'll fix it. Please go use the other door. No, the other door you have to keep pulling..."

 

[Tecnico]

2009 Chevy Uplander van - back passenger sliding door has a handle that if pulled slightly will power auto open the door. Back driver's side sliding door is fully manual operation.

Me to someone who doesn't know, "Don't keep pulling or it will screw the door...ah fer crissakes. Just leave it, I'll fix it. Please go use the other door. No, the other door you have to keep pulling..."

Lol, that one was designed by the safety lawyers!

D

 

[MrWhoopee]

Power rear hatch on SUV that malfunctions if you try to pull it down instead of recognizing that you want it closed.

 

[140mower]

You guys have no idea how much you are making me appreciate my decision to double down on my '78 Fords. I have far less money in both of them than any of the vehicles being mentioned here, and the only time they don't work is when I have one down for "upgrades".
So, thanks guys, I am in such a good mood today.

 

[slow-poke]

Recently my father in law passed. His car was a Hyundai of some sort almost new. I'm tasked with retrieving it and then selling it.

FOB not working can't get in the car ( try both FOBs), finally get in it starts but the windshield wipers are so weak they can't move 1/2" of melting snow.

Get it home and I clean it up vacuum etc. the doors are open for about 1/2 hour that kills the (lawn tractor sized )battery. Look under the hood nope the battery is in the trunk. Trunk release is solenoid operated, cant get in the trunk. Google search yields various solutions one is boosting the car from some basically unreachable terminals under the hood or look in the backseat area for this little plastic cap, remove the cap and use needle nose pliers to reach down and find a string. Fish the string up and pull really hard. It worked but I'm guessing that string is good for perhaps 3 pulls before it breaks. What a complete piece of s****!

Put it up for sale with the title Low milage, almost new PRICED TO SELL.

I drove that car for 20km and it gave me more trouble than my Lexus has in 10 years.

 

[Tecnico]

Power rear hatch on SUV that malfunctions if you try to pull it down instead of recognizing that you want it closed.

More design by marketing & lawyers lol!

D

 

[Elektrishun]

Recently my father in law passed. His car was a Hyundai of some sort almost new. I'm tasked with retrieving it and then selling it.

FOB not working can't get in the car ( try both FOBs), finally get in it starts but the windshield wipers are so weak they can't move 1/2" of melting snow.

Get it home and I clean it up vacuum etc. the doors are open for about 1/2 hour that kills the (lawn tractor sized )battery. Look under the hood nope the battery is in the trunk. Trunk release is solenoid operated, cant get in the trunk. Google search yields various solutions one is boosting the car from some basically unreachable terminals under the hood or look in the backseat area for this little plastic cap, remove the cap and use needle nose pliers to reach down and find a string. Fish the string up and pull really hard. It worked but I'm guessing that string is good for perhaps 3 pulls before it breaks. What a complete piece of s****!

Put it up for sale with the title Low milage, almost new PRICED TO SELL.

I drove that car for 20km and it gave me more trouble than my Lexus has in 10 years.

At my last place of employment I worked with a guy who had purchased a new Hyundai Santa Fe. It might have been a 2020 or 2021 model.

He told me at the time (2023) the vehicle had spent more time at the dealership for warranty repairs than in his driveway. I have read about numerous issues with "newer" Hyundai vehicles including the engine compartment catching fire.

Wouldn't take a new Hyundai for free because I would probably end up paying the original cost back in repairs. Not to mention, until the engine fire recall is remedied you're supposed to park it in the middle of an abandoned parking lot or in the closest desert incase it goes up in flames.

That said, we found a fairly high mileage 2005 Hyundai Tucson that my daughter purchased for her first car (slim pickings during COVID). Since owning the vehicle it has needed a couple repairs that I did myself. Easy car to work on, very reliable winter starting, and does great on sloppy winter roads (with winter tires). My daughter loves it. Would purchase one myself if I could find another in as good of condition.

@slow-poke BTW - sorry to hear about your father-in-law. Lost my father-in-law recently, too. We got along great and I will miss him.

 

[Tecnico]

You guys have no idea how much you are making me appreciate my decision to double down on my '78 Fords. I have far less money in both of them than any of the vehicles being mentioned here, and the only time they don't work is when I have one down for "upgrades".
So, thanks guys, I am in such a good mood today.

I really liked my ‘78 F150 Supercab, except the bottom end of the 400M and the rust……. No fancy frills like power windows to but the shag carpet the P.O. put on the headliner was a highlight!

It got the same gallons per mile empty or fully loaded too!

Exactly none to be seen in these parts any more…..

D

 

[Elektrishun]

You guys have no idea how much you are making me appreciate my decision to double down on my '78 Fords. I have far less money in both of them than any of the vehicles being mentioned here, and the only time they don't work is when I have one down for "upgrades".
So, thanks guys, I am in such a good mood today.

1999 Ford F-150 XL here.

During COVID somebody stopped by and asked if my truck was for sale. I wasn't at home but my wife guaranteed him that her husband wouldn't be selling.

I guess he was desperately wanting a real truck.

 

[slow-poke]

You guys have no idea how much you are making me appreciate my decision to double down on my '78 Fords. I have far less money in both of them than any of the vehicles being mentioned here, and the only time they don't work is when I have one down for "upgrades".
So, thanks guys, I am in such a good mood today.

Just from my observation and generally speaking I see a lot of what look like high mileage often older appear to be beaten half to death full of dents etc Ford trucks typically owned by some sort of construction company. In contrast most of the GMC pickups appear to be in much better condition and appear to be used more as a grocery getter with the odd trip to Home Depot.

Just for giggles....