Sat Nav/cig Lighter

[L22KMD]

Going out today thought i would put satnav on the little pointless window on drivers side,so put sucker on window then sat nav in cradle so i thought just plug in and away we go when i suddenly realised cig lighter socket is between seats so ran cable accross dash down over gear lever and into cig lighter thats when i thought this car must have been designed around 5-6.30pm on a friday down the boozer after a good few pints,the more things that bug me about this car the more i hate actually going out in it.Rant over for now.

[FROSTYBALLS]

For those who smoke in their cars (and we are non-smokers) the positioning of the cigar lighter on the centre console between the front seats, allows access for either the driver and front seat passenger to light their cigs, etc. For a cigar lighter, it is quite a logical placement.

As regards using the cigar lighter socket as a power supply, a central location is better than having it on the driver's side. As regards sat navs, we place our sat nav towards the centre of the car and trail the lead along the 'floating' centre console on the passenger side.

[L22KMD]

If that's the case why isn't there a central ashtray.if you say place the ashtray in the arm rest then you have to turn round to flick your ash taking your eyes of the road,if you put it in the cupholders then only one person at a time can smoke.I just prefer to have sat nav tucked in out of view and it doesn't leave a sucker Mark in middle of screen,sucker Mark not as noticeable on pointless window detering possible thieves breaking in to see if sat nav in glovebox.

[adamc260]

The little window isn't pointless, think how much of a blind spot it would cause if it weren't there?

[L22KMD]

Adamc260,you must be sitting on top of steering wheel because where I sit you can see naff all out of it.

[FROSTYBALLS]

This type of side window developed from the MPV - some of which adopted more of a cab-forward design with windscreens being positioned further forward We had a 2003 Mazda Premacy which had similar side windows, and they did improve visibility to the side. Both generations of the Ford C-Max have them. With some hatchbacks now using taller bodyshells, and more upright seating, these side windows have also moved into this segment of the market - ie the Auris, the Suzuki SX4 and the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa.

Obviously the usefulness of these windows does depend on where the drivers seat is positioned - taller drivers seated further back may not find these windows useful, whereas shorter drivers, who have the seat further forward, do gain more visibility through these window

With manufacturers trying to save weight, and with glass being heavier than steel, they wouldn't be in car designs if they had no purpose.