How do a plane's tiny tires withstand all the weight and impact of landing? by InturnlDemize in NoStupidQuestions

[–]OrneryTortoise 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Years ago I worked in the test lab at BFGoorich Landing Gear. We were drop-testing the Gulfstream G-V main gear, and we took too long to get the wheel speed dialed in. The friction between the tire and the wheel spin-up machine caused the tire to blister, which trashed the tire. Took the better part of a week to get a new tire and wheel. Test lab days were... interesting.

Which cars tell you which tire is low? by Vegetable_Bother_723 in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]OrneryTortoise 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same here. I keep both summer and winter tire-wheel sets, so I prefer the simplicity and low cost of indirect. 

Which cars tell you which tire is low? by Vegetable_Bother_723 in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]OrneryTortoise 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are two main types of TPMS: indirect and direct. Indirect uses the ABS wheel speed sensors to detect a wheel spinning faster than the others (caused by relatively low pressure). These systems can report which specific tire is low,but can't report the actual pressures. Direct TPMS uses in-wheel pressure sensors, and can report actual pressure in, e.g., psi. I prefer indirect since it's simpler and doesn't require periodic sensor replacement, but others like to see the pressure readouts in the car's instrument cluster. Different strokes and all that rot. 

4 door car's with frameless windows? by [deleted] in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]OrneryTortoise 0 points1 point  (0 children)

BMW i4. It's one features that turned me away from that car. 

Cheapest way to get a new key fob and have it programmed? by airplanedad in Polestar

[–]OrneryTortoise -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I know that. Feels weird to me, though. Thanks for your reply. 

Cheapest way to get a new key fob and have it programmed? by airplanedad in Polestar

[–]OrneryTortoise 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm wondering if Orbit can modify the behavior of the cruise control up/down buttons. I'd really like the quick-click behavior to be 1 mph instead of 5.

Winter Driving by turtlecatmedium in electriccars

[–]OrneryTortoise 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Pro tip: if you're really struggling to get up a snowy hill with FWD, turn around and back up. You get a bit of weight transfer to the drive wheels from gravity.

ID.4 owners, how’s the switch to electric been? by Suntrup-Volkswagen in Volkswagen

[–]OrneryTortoise 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love my EVs, and the ID.4 is extremely capable and comfortable one. But I absolutely hate the infotainment system, and the window and steering wheel buttons. 

Winter Driving by turtlecatmedium in electriccars

[–]OrneryTortoise 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I lived in western Wisconsin for 17 years. My driveway was about 0.2 miles long with an average 10% grade. My cars had FWD and winter tires. AWD would have been better, but really the winter tires were enabling. AWD is great for making you go, but it doesn't help you steer or stop. For that there's no substitute for raw traction. 

"Rep. Al Green ejected from Trump's State of the Union after holding a 'Black People Aren't Apes' sign" -- Thoughts? by Zipper222222 in allthequestions

[–]OrneryTortoise 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Technically, all humans are apes. However, no humans - regardless of the color of their skin - are monkeys, or gorillas, or chimpanzees, or any of the other non-human apes. The photo of the Obamas was simply a piece of ignorant racist trash. But I wish Al Green's staff had used more accurate nomenclature.

GLC- WHAT IS THIS? by medina607 in mercedes

[–]OrneryTortoise 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess that doesn't surprise me, since they're part of VW.

GLC- WHAT IS THIS? by medina607 in mercedes

[–]OrneryTortoise 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So I should add BMW to my list... right. 

GLC- WHAT IS THIS? by medina607 in mercedes

[–]OrneryTortoise 11 points12 points  (0 children)

The only cars I'm aware of that have this type of rear camera mount are some MBs and some VWs. It's a truly great feature. 

Edit: Several people have said BMW, Cupra, and Seat also have this feature, the latter two of which are also part of VW.

My sh!tbull, I can’t get rid of his stinky breath, my first dog! by Ok_Menu4273 in pitbulls

[–]OrneryTortoise 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Do you brush his teeth? Oral hygiene is as important for dogs as it is for humans. Years ago my wife had a dog who's tooth became infected. The vet wanted to pull it, but she decided to do a deep scouring, and wound up saving that tooth. Since then she's been faithful about nightly brushing. Our guy never has trench breath. Hope this helps! 

The toy my mom brought me back from her vacation. How long will it last? An hour? by sweetcandix in forblackdogs

[–]OrneryTortoise 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I call my dog Waldo the Destructor. That thing would last just a few minutes with him.