Georgie wrote:Ha ha. Believe me, you could have an engineering degree and not figure it out that quickly. The two manuals together are like 500 pages. My guess is it will take SEVERAL months before I have everything figured out and working.
After 2-3 weeks of ownership, this is what I have done (if anyone is interested)
1) The first thing was to turn off the "auto-lock" feature. I hate that. It's the first thing I do in a rental car too, if a manual is provided. I did leave the "auto-unlock" on, in case someone locked the doors.
2) I set 2 seat memory positions, one for when someone is riding in the back behind me. This is very handy (never had it before). Haven't messed with the "seat synchronization" yet - I adjust the mirrors manually after someone else drives it - but I'll learn that feature.
3) I turned off the sliding seat on entry/exit (seemed unnecessary use of the motor) but kept the steering wheel movement, and it's very easy to get in and out of the car.
4) I learned all the audio controls (including on the wheel), recorded a few cd's to the Music Box, and set preset banks for AM, FM & Sat, making sure the presets on Sat are well spaced apart so you don't have to scroll from say, 35 - 212. When Sirius comes aboard there'll be 500 channels so I don't know what I'm going to do; hopefully, you'll be able to get channels a la carte. Sat radio ain't that great and it's very compressed but I'll be keeping it (and also for Nav Traffic)
5) I'm about a quarter-way through all the Nav stuff. I'm good with directions and maps so I haven't put in any "routes," but getting comfortable with scrolling around the maps and using the green, yellow, and red lines of Nav traffic has already paid off, like when we were lost around Asbury Park after a concert. You just pull up the maps. The thing is, constantly zooming in and out and checking the map takes your eyes off the road, so I will learn the voice recognition eventually (haven't started that yet).
6) I have NOT paired a phone, though I will have to soon, as handheld is illegal here. I need a new phone and have been putting it off. I hate cellphones.
7) I haven't messed with the puddle lights because the relationship with the battery scared me. So I've just left it off. I don't really need them.
8) Since my engine is still in break-in period, I haven't use the manumatic, but I do go into DS for engine breaking or road feel. But the feel in plain D is pretty good. I look forward to giving this engine more of a workout after break-in...
I can hear you out there snickering, "you've figured out nothing." Well, these things take time, even for a self-confessed gadget guy (but not an engineer).
Modified by Georgie at 3:05 PM 8/25/2008
My "Welcome" lights are working nicely. Thank you, that was easy.
I like the auto lock. Always rather be on the safe side , after that car jacking period we had here on the east coast. I also like the auto exit feature. I am short so my seat is pretty uncomfortable if someone else jumps in to drive my cars.
I did the memory seats but not with the tilt wheel and mirrors.
I did all of the presets including XM ones.
Today recorded three CD's and edited the info for them to better describe what they are.
Learned how to open and lock the car using all the different options. I am loving not having to fumble for keys in my purse.
I did manage to pair two phones so both will work in the car. I am not sure which is the default one when we both are in the together. I will have to check it out. Audio is so much better than my blue tooth headset. We both loved that feature.
Next is to do all of the voice commands for phone and music.
I also need to buy an Ipod, never had one before so this is a good excuse to get one.
Then to read that huge Nav manual. But I did manage to use it with the basic features since Hubby's car has one. Though the one in the EX is so much nicer than than the in his GMC Yukon. Also that XM Nav Traffic is totally cool, especially here in the Metro area. Only it does not have a few main roads that are close by. Need to see if more roads can be added to what it shows.
Do not laugh but I am a little queasy about the manual shifting since I never drove a stick car before. Well never drove one very well, my attempts were laughable.
I am really getting to love this car more and more each day. It was so hard for me to give up my Maxima, but wow the EX has so many fun toys
This is almost like going back to school for training. It has been a long time since I was this excited about a new car.