So... what car do you guys drive when not flying?

[Scarlett]

If you have the Adaptive (radar) Cruise Control on, then on models with road sign recognition enabled, it will adjust the speed to what it sees as you go along. I expect this is what happened to the OP.

Cheers,
Matt

I often have ACC enabled. It detects and displays the road side speed signs to me on the dash, but does not change the cruise speed I have it set to. If it was automatically increasing or decreasing my speed based on what it was ‘seeing’ I’d be turning that functionality off.

The camera recognition is quite good, in that it picks up temporary speed signs such as at road work sites, but doesn’t display those with the yellow background and black text, even with the numbers in a circle format.

 

[dairyfloss]

I often have ACC enabled. It detects and displays the road side speed signs to me on the dash, but does not change the cruise speed I have it set to. If it was automatically increasing or decreasing my speed based on what it was ‘seeing’ I’d be turning that functionality off.

The camera recognition is quite good, in that it picks up temporary speed signs such as at road work sites, but doesn’t display those with the yellow background and black text, even with the numbers in a circle format.

Yes - I’m the same. Would never use the sign recognition together with ACC, but it is an option (at least in some markets). I needed to enable speed sign recognition on mine using an OBD coding tool, as it wasn’t available/enabled by default on the AU model of my car at launch. It’s more seamlessly integrated in the same EU stock

 

[TheRealTMA]

If you have the Adaptive (radar) Cruise Control on, then on models with road sign recognition enabled, it will adjust the speed to what it sees as you go along. I expect this is what happened to the OP.

Cheers,
Matt

Not quite correct. Adaptive speed control generally, IME on multiple vehicles, warns you of the change of speed limit but you have to actively manually correct the speed or at least press the active speed button to get it to adopt the new speed limit. Some better systems have adaptive speed and speed limit (very useful for 40km city driving) with two seperate remembered settings so one can flick between adaptive and limit easily.

 

[dairyfloss]

Not quite correct. Adaptive speed control generally, IME on multiple vehicles, warns you of the change of speed limit but you have to actively manually correct the speed or at least press the active speed button to get it to adopt the new speed limit. Some better systems have adaptive speed and speed limit (very useful for 40km city driving) with two seperate remembered settings so one can flick between adaptive and limit easily.

I think it’s market dependent; possibly it’s not in AU without modification/coding? In EU delivered models I’ve read in manuals and forums you can set the car to automatically predict & react to speed limits with both road signs and GPS data, within ACC. Sounds like a nightmare to me, but someone must like the idea!

Here’s a video of what I’m talking about with my model of car

 

[Happy Dude]

The camera recognition is quite good, in that it picks up temporary speed signs such as at road work sites, but doesn’t display those with the yellow background and black text, even with the numbers in a circle format.

I was impressed with the Ford Ranger's ability to do that, that I'd rented recently. Picked up the roadworks near Gundagai very accurately. Probably due to its age, my 2017 Bimmer doesn't recognise speed zones, permanent or otherwise. Neither does it auto-adjust for the "new" speed zone - I have to do that. It can get a little worrying if I've missed a speed sign.

The Ranger was a thirsty ride though. Drank way more (~22%) than the Kluger rented two weeks later to do pretty much the same 1000km trip. I have recollections that, say 30 years ago, diesel was approx half the price of unleaded and diesels used fewer litres, making them tremendous value even though they required a bit regular maintenance. Was that ever the case, or close to it?

 

[Quickstatus]

it will adjust the speed to what it sees as you go along.

Not necessarily. The speed limit recognition also relies on stored map data. And interesting scenarios have been know. To occur such as driving under an overpass where the car thinks it should use the overpass speed limit.

Lots of forums suggest that it is not a foolproof as it may appear to be.
The other one is flashing 40km/h signs in school buses and also school zones.

 

[Flashback]

Not necessarily. The speed limit recognition also relies on stored map data. And interesting scenarios have been know. To occur such as driving under an overpass where the car thinks it should use the overpass speed limit.

Lots of forums suggest that it is not a foolproof as it may appear to be.
The other one is flashing 40km/h signs in school buses and also school zones.

Also I often find the in car system vs G Maps can display different limits .. and sometimes both be wrong!

 

[Quickstatus]

G Maps

While GMaps might provide the user visible interface, I think a lot of manufacturers use OpenStreetMap or MapBox for the underlying Map data.

 

[ausfox]

My Kia reads the speed signs including temporary construction beginning and finishing.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Decisions decisions...

I've asked colleague in Germany to see if he can get the injector seals and pipe from Germany and air mail them out to me rather than wait 8 weeks for local Mercedes dealer.

Still considering in the BYD Seal (relatively cheap and good battery design) and looking maybe at an EQA 250+ night edition (affordable). The others EQC/EQE etc are far too expensive. Just have to consider whether I should get my first EV or not, no solar panels so charged from mains. But we don't do a lot of driving these days so probably would be ok. I think the wall charger is about $2500 plus fitting...

Think I’ve decided on an EQA 250+ with some mysterious Plus package. Or might just buy 3 BYD Seals for same price, but I still think of seals clapping their paws/arms together which is strange name for a car.

Negotiations re tradein, very low offer so far as expected, and seems only one car with my spec available and in black, which is not my choice. Oh well. We shall see. Money vs convenience or a 6 month wait.

Took the EQA for test drive today and was nice, comfortable, not exhilarating but at my age and current BNE traffic not really a problem, pleasant to drive and good driving toys etc,

 

[Quickstatus]

BYD Seals ... is strange name for a car.

At least it's not a BYD Tang

seals clapping their paws/arms

Technically flippers

Money vs convenience or a 6 month wait.

The website suggests 15 EQA250+ in stock

 

[TheRealTMA]

At least it's not a BYD Tang

View attachment 433959



Technically flippers


The website suggests 15 EQA250+ in stock

Yes but only one with the mysterious Plus package.

 

[Quickstatus]

ysterious Plus package

I believe it's an addition to the standard Advanced Plus Package

 

[tgh]

I would walk before owning a black car...
Why do the europeans import so many?…the dealers have to discount them to sell…..

 

[prozac]

I was impressed with the Ford Ranger's ability to do that, that I'd rented recently. Picked up the roadworks near Gundagai very accurately. Probably due to its age, my 2017 Bimmer doesn't recognise speed zones, permanent or otherwise. Neither does it auto-adjust for the "new" speed zone - I have to do that. It can get a little worrying if I've missed a speed sign.

The Ranger was a thirsty ride though. Drank way more (~22%) than the Kluger rented two weeks later to do pretty much the same 1000km trip. I have recollections that, say 30 years ago, diesel was approx half the price of unleaded and diesels used fewer litres, making them tremendous value even though they required a bit regular maintenance. Was that ever the case, or close to it?

I read somewhere recently that the RMA (RTA) are installing average speed cameras to target passenger vehicles on the Hume Hwy near Gundagai. I think it might be a trial.

 

[Happy Dude]

I read somewhere recently that the RMA (RTA) are installing average speed cameras to target passenger vehicles on the Hume Hwy near Gundagai. I think it might be a trial.

The avg speed cameras are already there. One end is at the Tuckerbox servo, the other near Coolac. There's another set closer towards Yass too. But passenger vehicles? Are those currently for trucks only?

 

[prozac]

The avg speed cameras are already there. One end is at the Tuckerbox servo, the other near Coolac. There's another set closer towards Yass too. But passenger vehicles? Are those currently for trucks only?

Yes, currently only for commercial vehicles in NSW. The Gundagai light vehicle trial is the first I believe. I think it starts March or April.

 

[RB001]

I read somewhere recently that the RMA (RTA) are installing average speed cameras to target passenger vehicles on the Hume Hwy near Gundagai. I think it might be a trial.

It appears that our friendly state government didn't really shout from the rooftops in September last year when they announced it: (actual start date not yet advised)

Light vehicle trial​

In September 2024, the NSW Government announced a trial to expand average speed cameras from heavy vehicles to light vehicles. This includes cars, motorcycles and utes.

In mid-2025, a trial will be conducted in two separate locations on limited stretches of highway in regional NSW to assess whether these measures reduce speeding at these locations, improving safety and preventing injuries and fatalities. The trial areas are:

• Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes (Port Macquarie) – 15kms between cameras
• Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai – 16kms between cameras.

As with other camera programs, the trial will start in warning mode. Warning letters will be sent to speeding drivers to encourage a positive change in their driving behaviour. During the standard warning period, if you exceed the speed limit by 30km/h or less, you'll receive a warning letter. If you exceed the speed limit by more than 30km/h, you'll be fined and may have to attend court, lose demerit points and/or lose your licence.

Heavy vehicle average speed enforcement will continue with no change at both locations.

 

[Happy Dude]

I genuinely did not know that it was HV only. There's no indication at the 'gates' that it's HV only, for now obvious reasons, so one could be forgiven assuming it was all vehicles. And here I am driving the speed limit like a sap!! Plus all that smugness when I was overtaken by a roadhog and saying there'll be a surprise in the mailbox for them is now totally misplaced.

So it's probably the same of the others I regularly see too, eg near Cooma and towards Gouldburn? ie HV only now, but seemingly might be part of a trial for LV at some point.

 

[Quickstatus]

s probably the same of the others I regularly see too,

Correct.