Steering wheel audio controls
☠☣☢ Semper Ebrius ☢☣☠
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 83,301
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII Veteran
St. Jude's Donor '06
Re: Steering wheel audio controls (1990z51)
Dave Hill or Bob Lutz, probably Mr. Hill, specifically stated that the steering wheel should be for steering when asked this question previously. I'd take that as a "no."
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
Re: Steering wheel audio controls (1990z51)
Yeah, I hope GM will put steering wheel controls for climate control and radio on the C6 wheel. I know it's such a large technological advancement and might just break the bank, but I figure if they do put them on they might catch up to the 96 Cadillac Seville or 97 BMW 5 series, etc. which all had them nearly a decade ago. It might even have heated seats like the all new 2004 Chevy Malibu! :eek: :rolleyes:
☠☣☢ Semper Ebrius ☢☣☠
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 83,301
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII Veteran
St. Jude's Donor '06
Re: Steering wheel audio controls (Pete99SS)
Yeah, I hope GM will put steering wheel controls for climate control and radio on the C6 wheel. I know it's such a large technological advancement and might just break the bank, but I figure if they do put them on they might catch up to the 96 Cadillac Seville or 97 BMW 5 series, etc. which all had them nearly a decade ago. It might even have heated seats like the all new 2004 Chevy Malibu! :eek: :rolleyes:
And, yes, the C6 will have heated seats.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,966
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
Re: Steering wheel audio controls (Pete99SS)
Yeah, I hope GM will put steering wheel controls for climate control and radio on the C6 wheel. I know it's such a large technological advancement and might just break the bank, but I figure if they do put them on they might catch up to the 96 Cadillac Seville or 97 BMW 5 series, etc. which all had them nearly a decade ago. It might even have heated seats like the all new 2004 Chevy Malibu! :eek: :rolleyes:
Moderator
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 34,204
Likes: 104
From: Northern Virginia
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Steering wheel audio controls (Pete99SS)
But what about all the weight and complexity they add? <sarcasm>
But what about heritage? Corvettes have always had steering wheels without audio controls! <more sarcasm>
:jester
But what about heritage? Corvettes have always had steering wheels without audio controls! <more sarcasm>
:jester
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,453
Likes: 700
From: Sausalito CA
Re: Steering wheel audio controls (1990z51)
Rather have a shifter on the wheel.
Else, radio loudness and mute.
I am not in favor of climate control or telephone on the wheel. Mute is nice though...so I can hear the motor during on and off ramps without removing my hands and averting eyes.
Else, radio loudness and mute.
I am not in favor of climate control or telephone on the wheel. Mute is nice though...so I can hear the motor during on and off ramps without removing my hands and averting eyes.
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Hold the audio
I currently have audio control on the steering wheel of my WS6 Trans-Am, and I which it had the speed control there instead of on a separate arm-branch.
I rarely listen to radio/CDs, I prefer low noise level so I better hear other other things like exhaust and tire squeel.
But I'm always messing with the cruise control so I can be at the limit of being tolerated by fellow officers of the law. So please put speed controls on the steering wheel, not audio.
I rarely listen to radio/CDs, I prefer low noise level so I better hear other other things like exhaust and tire squeel.
But I'm always messing with the cruise control so I can be at the limit of being tolerated by fellow officers of the law. So please put speed controls on the steering wheel, not audio.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,914
Likes: 4
From: Westford MA
Re: Steering wheel audio controls (collegekid)
I personally love them on my other cars. They are a convenient way to turn down the radio, or crank up the AC (some have temp control on the wheel too) when you suddenly decide you want to change them, but don't want to take your hands off the wheel. I know sometimes I come up on a nice patch of road, and start driving hard, and then I want to turn off the radio so I can hear. Anyway, it's not critical, but it's a nice little feature, and it doesn't really ad noticable weight or complexity. I also don't think it hurts steering wheel performance. But if it doesn't have it....eh.. no big deal. I don't REALLy miss them when I drive my Z06.
Scott
Scott
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
Re: Steering wheel audio controls (Scissors)
Dave Hill or Bob Lutz, probably Mr. Hill, specifically stated that the steering wheel should be for steering when asked this question previously. I'd take that as a "no."
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 449
Likes: 2
From: Frisco TX
Re: Steering wheel audio controls (GoodbyeGirl)
Hey! I have a bazaar idea. How about they just make it an option!? Things like this don't have to be standard accross the board.
And just for the sake of saying it, steerign wheel controls showed up much earlier than the mid 90s. They had them on Grand Prixs in the late 80s and early 90s, as well as a multitude of other cars.
And just for the sake of saying it, steerign wheel controls showed up much earlier than the mid 90s. They had them on Grand Prixs in the late 80s and early 90s, as well as a multitude of other cars.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 34,204
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From: Northern Virginia
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Steering wheel audio controls (Electron2002)
Personally, I dig the steering wheel audio controls.
My wife's Acura TL has them and I have grown very used to them - so much so, that I miss having them on the steering wheel of my Vette when I change cars...
The controls on the new 2004 TL look even slicker - very nicely done. By the way, I've never had them get in my way driving, either, as they are located towards the center of the wheel.
Having controls close to the wheel is a good thing - it's better than reaching to the center console and taking one hand off the wheel!
:thumbs:
My wife's Acura TL has them and I have grown very used to them - so much so, that I miss having them on the steering wheel of my Vette when I change cars...
The controls on the new 2004 TL look even slicker - very nicely done. By the way, I've never had them get in my way driving, either, as they are located towards the center of the wheel.
Having controls close to the wheel is a good thing - it's better than reaching to the center console and taking one hand off the wheel!
:thumbs:
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 0
Re: Steering wheel audio controls (GDP)
I think they're AWESOME. The volume, mute, and station/track change could be well implemented into the wheel without problem. I don't see why people don't like them.
C6 drivers must be able to execute these changes by touch while their eyes are on the road - via either HUD and steering wheel buttons, or by the touch of ***** as we have for 50 years of Corvettes. IMO
[Modified by LongTimer, 10:16 PM 11/4/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 43,370
Likes: 0
Re: Steering wheel audio controls (LongTimer)
I think they're AWESOME. The volume, mute, and station/track change could be well implemented into the wheel without problem. I don't see why people don't like them.
I think the logic behind Hill's and others' negative comments is that the vette interior should be analogous to a fighter cockpit with all controls within easy reach. In this scenario, redundancy is wasteful and unnecessary. However, if the HVAC and the Sound controls are to be touch screen, or guided by the center screen, I think the cockpit scenario goes out the window. I do not want to take my eyes off the road - even at 30 MPH - to find my way through 15-20 seconds of screens to change the radio station, or turn the volume up or down.
C6 drivers must be able to execute these changes by touch while their eyes are on the road - via either HUD and steering wheel buttons, or by the touch of ***** as we have for 50 years of Corvettes. IMO
[Modified by LongTimer, 10:16 PM 11/4/2003]
I think the logic behind Hill's and others' negative comments is that the vette interior should be analogous to a fighter cockpit with all controls within easy reach. In this scenario, redundancy is wasteful and unnecessary. However, if the HVAC and the Sound controls are to be touch screen, or guided by the center screen, I think the cockpit scenario goes out the window. I do not want to take my eyes off the road - even at 30 MPH - to find my way through 15-20 seconds of screens to change the radio station, or turn the volume up or down.
C6 drivers must be able to execute these changes by touch while their eyes are on the road - via either HUD and steering wheel buttons, or by the touch of ***** as we have for 50 years of Corvettes. IMO
[Modified by LongTimer, 10:16 PM 11/4/2003]
Isn't the shifter paddle idea the same idea that is behind the stereo controls on the wheels? Form follows function, and steering wheel controls for simple audio controls seems good IMO.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 34,204
Likes: 104
From: Northern Virginia
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Steering wheel audio controls (LongTimer)
I think they're AWESOME. The volume, mute, and station/track change could be well implemented into the wheel without problem. I don't see why people don't like them.
I think the logic behind Hill's and others' negative comments is that the vette interior should be analogous to a fighter cockpit with all controls within easy reach. In this scenario, redundancy is wasteful and unnecessary. However, if the HVAC and the Sound controls are to be touch screen, or guided by the center screen, I think the cockpit scenario goes out the window. I do not want to take my eyes off the road - even at 30 MPH - to find my way through 15-20 seconds of screens to change the radio station, or turn the volume up or down.
C6 drivers must be able to execute these changes by touch while their eyes are on the road - via either HUD and steering wheel buttons, or by the touch of ***** as we have for 50 years of Corvettes. IMO
[Modified by LongTimer, 10:16 PM 11/4/2003]
I think the logic behind Hill's and others' negative comments is that the vette interior should be analogous to a fighter cockpit with all controls within easy reach. In this scenario, redundancy is wasteful and unnecessary. However, if the HVAC and the Sound controls are to be touch screen, or guided by the center screen, I think the cockpit scenario goes out the window. I do not want to take my eyes off the road - even at 30 MPH - to find my way through 15-20 seconds of screens to change the radio station, or turn the volume up or down.
C6 drivers must be able to execute these changes by touch while their eyes are on the road - via either HUD and steering wheel buttons, or by the touch of ***** as we have for 50 years of Corvettes. IMO
[Modified by LongTimer, 10:16 PM 11/4/2003]
I don't mind the idea of a nav system/touch screen - but for heavens sake, please have normal buttons/dials for the radio and HVAC controls! I do NOT want to have to go through 16 screens to change the radio station or turn on the A/C! :D :smash:
