Neat features

[picklehead]

Hi Gang,

Just thought I would start a thread on features that we have discovered that are forgive the word "neat" about the Cross Country:

1) I just took a 5 hour trip through the mountains of VT where I took full advantage of the automatic tuning feature of the radio. This is a very nice feature when you are travelling through areas with low radio reception.
2) I don't know why this is such a great feature for me, but I thoroughly enjoy that when the add windshield washer signal comes on that the reservior holds a full gallon of wash. I no longer have 12 bottles of wash fluid in the garage all with less than 1 pint in them.
3) The integrated child seats are to die for if you have need of them. Even my wife, who did not initially want to go the route of low interest car payments, has admitted that these seats are an incredible safety advantage over non integrated units (she is an orthopaedic surgeon and has seen her fair share of trauma from improper restraint with children).
4) I enjoy that the engine compartment is "uncluttered". It just seems to be easier to navigate in there.
5) The automatic wipers are another feature that I do not understand why they enthrall me so.

A quick not so great list:

1) Why is there no compass, this feature has helped me ensure that I am headed in the "right direction".
2) Why is there no "trip timer", I would have enjoyed this on our 10 hour trip across NY last month.

Very Respectfully,
Jim Miller

[barrysharp]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (picklehead @ Aug. 08 2003,17:52)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">A quick not so great list:

1) Why is there no compass, this feature has helped me ensure that I am headed in the &quot;right direction&quot;/
2) Why is there no &quot;trip timer&quot;, I would have enjoyed this on our 10 hour trip across NY last month.

Very Respectfully,
Jim Miller[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Jim:

The answer to 1) and 2) is to have the Volvo Nav System. It provides a compass and the trip timer feature -- along with many other goodies. &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif &nbsp;-- just kidding around now, OK. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

The washer fluid tank capacity was interesting to read about in yopur post -- thanks. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[picklehead]

Barry,

&nbsp; &nbsp; You got me here, I guess that I just need to ensure that my GPS handheld partner is always in the car http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Very Respectfully,
Jim Miller

[budrichard]

For a trip timer, I use my Rolex Daytona and for orientation either the sun/stars or a compass. Since we are in the woods quite a bit, I learned along time ago to ALWAYS take a compass. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif -Dick

[xcrubygal]

picklehead
I&#39;m not sure if I would need a compass, but am very interested in other folks ideas on GPS systems. Do they find addresses like a nav system does ?
for &quot;neat&quot; features
1) AUTO temperature feature, and dual climate control &#33; My husband and I have always had one of us too cold/warm, and this feature is great.
2) Grocery tray, what a handy feature vs. chasing those pesky loose items around the back of the wagon. I also once had a gallon of fabric softner fill the back of my SAAB, so the tray will be a great preventer (as well as my Volvo cargo mat).
3) my new cooler built in, what a neat travel feature &#33;
4) rear wiper blade coming on when you back up if the front wipers are on &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif

I get my trailer hitch on Monday and should have my 1k break in done by then so then I can start driving faster too &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif
cheers
&nbsp; Ruby

[picklehead]

Ruby,

There is a good thread on GPS in the XC 90 forum. I gave my wife a Garmin etrex legend model last year for Christmas. It is a wonderful unit that has a decent map base included with the ability of uploading any mapsource data. On our trip to Buffalo last month my wife had a blast going through the hand held telling me what interesting land marks we had just passed, what food was available at the approaching exit, and finally letting me know what my current speed was according to her GPS unit. My only complaint with any of these GPS units is that none of them are mac compatible. I always have to take my wife&#39;s unit to work to update it on the windows machines.

If you go to the Garmin web site, they offer many hand held units (obviously not for use by the driver) and some units in the &quot;street pilot&quot; series that can be used by the driver.

I noticed in your &quot;handle&quot; that you have listed upstate NY, where exactly are you located. I was born and raised in Little Falls http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Very respectfully,
Jim Miller

[kayaking]

Neat features: Side mirror entry lights...great for super dark areas; just used last night down by the Moriches Bay on Long Island.(where urban light pollution hasn&#39;t ruined the night for us&#33;&#33http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif.
Re: Compass...Swedes don&#39;t indicate North, South, East, West on road signs...why would they include a compass&#33;&#33;??
But I like a compass also...I carry a supplemental one.

[littlewaywelt]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (xcrubygal @ Aug. 09 2003,08:16)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I&#39;m not sure if I would need a compass, but am very interested in other folks ideas on GPS systems. Do they find addresses like a nav system does ?
for &quot;neat&quot; features[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
GPSR&#39;s like the Garmin street pilot 3 have find address features and almost every other feature that the NAV system offers. &nbsp;

We were out of town this weekend and had to take our 22mo son to the hospital for stitches. &nbsp;It took 3 button presses before I had a list of all the hospitals w/in 50 miles.

http://www.garmin.com/mobile/

[GeorgeXC70]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (picklehead @ Aug. 08 2003,17:52)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"> 2) I don&#39;t know why this is such a great feature for me, but I thoroughly enjoy that when the add windshield washer signal comes on that the reservior holds a full gallon of wash. I no longer have 12 bottles of wash fluid in the garage all with less than 1 pint in them.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I dint know that it gave you an early warning. Sounds like I have to re-read that section more carefully.

What I like so far is that the WWF reservior is larger than the bottles they sell at gas stations&#33; &nbsp;I am so sick of having a tiny bit always left over in back of my car and then eventually in my garage.

[littlewaywelt]

I&#39;ll be the voice of dissent on the windshield washer resevoir. &nbsp;I think it stinks. &nbsp;You can&#39;t see how full it is. &nbsp;I like to be able to open the hood take a look and know that I have enough for a trip w/o having to pour more in each time until it&#39;s full.