Subtle differences in most EU and US cars: Instruction texts for the stupid?

[nico-t]

I noticed a difference, alot of US cars have instruction texts of the most obvious things in the car, where here (NL/EU) we don't have those texts.

Is it because the manufacturers think American consumers are so dumb that they need these texts?
Or is it the result of the sue-obsessed nature of the country, that the manufacturers need to cover everything to prevent ridiculous lawsuits?

example: 'unleaded feul only', 'objects in mirror are closer than they appear', 'steering wheel makes vehicle turn'

it seems degrading/condescending, almost insulting.

[Klen]

And you didn't know for that yet?This is why a lot of US shows,have "dont do that at home" ,"this is dangerous ",while i never seen such thing on any europe show no matter what topic they would cover.

[kane]

Unleaded fuel only is because most of our gas stations sell gas and diesel and it wasn't too long ago that they sold leaded and unleaded gas.

The objects in mirror thing is just a warning and likely the result of a lawsuit.

I have owned many cars and have never seen one that had a sign in it that said "steering wheel makes vehicle turn."

I can assure you pretty much every label in a car is either there because it may not be obvious what that button/lever is for or it is there of legal reasons to prevent lawsuits.

[Juicy D. Links]

Originally Posted by kane

Unleaded fuel only is because most of our gas stations sell gas and diesel and it wasn't too long ago that they sold leaded and unleaded gas.

The objects in mirror thing is just a warning and likely the result of a lawsuit.

I have owned many cars and have never seen one that had a sign in it that said "steering wheel makes vehicle turn."

I can assure you pretty much every label in a car is either there because it may not be obvious what that button/lever is for or it is there of legal reasons to prevent lawsuits.

i believe the diesel nozzle wont fit into a unleaded hole and vice versa as another precaution

[nico-t]

Originally Posted by kane

Unleaded fuel only is because most of our gas stations sell gas and diesel and it wasn't too long ago that they sold leaded and unleaded gas.

Fuel choice is the same as here, so that can't be the reason

So also lawsuit related? Or do they think you are all big kids?

[Juicy D. Links]

Originally Posted by nico-t

Fuel choice is the same as here, so that can't be the reason

So also lawsuit related? Or do they think you are all big kids?

99 percent of warnings and stuff like that in US is for legal reason ...

For example on the coffee sometimes it says "Warning HOT"

[pornguy]

In the Defense of the US I have to say that Clothing Labels in EU are insane. I have to cut them out of the clothes to make them wearable.

Maybe they did not bother with the warnings in the cars in EU because they know you wont read them and dont care anyway?? hehehe..

Most likely its because of the Liability nation the US has become.

[nico-t]

Originally Posted by pornguy

In the Defense of the US I have to say that Clothing Labels in EU are insane. I have to cut them out of the clothes to make them wearable.

Maybe they did not bother with the warnings in the cars in EU because they know you wont read them and dont care anyway?? hehehe..

Most likely its because of the Liability nation the US has become.

clothing labels is correct, it's like a small book is sewn to it. Many 'pages' due to all the different languages.

[nico-t]

Originally Posted by kane

I have owned many cars and have never seen one that had a sign in it that said "steering wheel makes vehicle turn."

that one was a joke

[pornguy]

Originally Posted by nico-t

clothing labels is correct, it's like a small book is sewn to it. Many 'pages' due to all the different languages.

Hehehe. yeah its funny to see them and more or less understandable.

The rest I was messing around except for the last line. the US has become a Nation built on Liability. And while a lot of people think that's a 100% bad thing, you realize the value of even that when something happens some place else and you can do NOTHING about it.

[Jel]

Originally Posted by Juicy D. Links

99 percent of warnings and stuff like that in US is for legal reason ...

For example on the coffee sometimes it says "Warning HOT"

that woman got such a bum deal it's untrue... here's what really happened, and how the media spread a load of old bollocks. As usual.

[directfiesta]

Originally Posted by nico-t

that one was a joke

you should have added a warning text ....

[Jel]

as for the thread topic... watch any instructional video on youtube made by an american - I'm in no way saying all americans are stupid or any of that shit, but fuck, talk about dumbing it down.

e.g. youtube video: how do I take a screenshot on my phone?

ok pick up your phone - you'll find it maybe in your pocket, if not it could be on your desk, in a drawer, maybe on the kitchen table - one of the normal places you might put your mobile phone down at night, before you go to sleep. or when you go to take a shower.

right, when you have your phone, make sure it is switched on. you can do this by pressing the power button - on some phones it is on the side of the phone, on others like say an iphone, you will be able to locate the power button on the top of the phone - the top edge, not the top of the face of the phone.

if the screen comes on this means your phone is on, if it doesn't, you need to switch it on (I have made another youtube video on my youtube channel for this - check it out). you may have a password protecting your phone in case you lose it, or it gets stolen - you need to put the password in to unlock the phone so you can get to the menu and functions. If you don't enter the password if your phone is password protected, you won't be able to get to the menus, and of course you won't be able to dial anyone or send them a text so lets hope you remember your password hahaha!

ok, now what you need to do - by the way, stuff on phones is pretty small due to the screen on a phone being smaller than say your TV set - so if you need to, make sure you wear eyeglasses if prescribed by your opthalmist, because if you don't, and you should, you may get a headache, or cause further damage to your optic system.

[3 more minutes of mind numbing drivel.....]

press the power button and the home key simultaneously

and that's how you take a screenshot.

[PR_Glen]

try to rebuild a vehicle without a manual and get back to me.

[aka123]

Originally Posted by Juicy D. Links

i believe the diesel nozzle wont fit into a unleaded hole and vice versa as another precaution

It does fit, at least in here.

[aka123]

In US culture everybody are responsible for their own actions, to support themselves and to take care of themselves. Yea? Not really. Put a cat into microwave and it's the manufacturer's fault if the cat fries a little bit.

[aka123]

Originally Posted by pornguy

Hehehe. yeah its funny to see them and more or less understandable.

The rest I was messing around except for the last line. the US has become a Nation built on Liability. And while a lot of people think that's a 100% bad thing, you realize the value of even that when something happens some place else and you can do NOTHING about it.

Can't do nothing about it? I would say "shooting from my hip" that in Europe there is much better consumer protection than in US. The main difference is that in Europe people are supposed to have some common sense and responsibility from their actions.

I have done some international business (outside EU), although not that much, but if you forget the insane legal shit, US consumers are pretty much left in the cold. Of course much better thing company wise, as company wise extensive customer protection is pain in the ass. The insane legal shit is only good if you need a label telling that car's wheel turns the car, etc.

[seeandsee]

it's just law in usa to write such stuff

[Antonio]

Yeah, like NL is so much better. You don't want to get fucked in the ass? Then all you have to say is Fluggaenkoecchicebolsen .... geez

[Paul&John]

Originally Posted by Jel

as for the thread topic... watch any instructional video on youtube made by an american - I'm in no way saying all americans are stupid or any of that shit, but fuck, talk about dumbing it down.

e.g. youtube video: how do I take a screenshot on my phone?

ok pick up your phone - you'll find it maybe in your pocket, if not it could be on your desk, in a drawer, maybe on the kitchen table - one of the normal places you might put your mobile phone down at night, before you go to sleep. or when you go to take a shower.

right, when you have your phone, make sure it is switched on. you can do this by pressing the power button - on some phones it is on the side of the phone, on others like say an iphone, you will be able to locate the power button on the top of the phone - the top edge, not the top of the face of the phone.

if the screen comes on this means your phone is on, if it doesn't, you need to switch it on (I have made another youtube video on my youtube channel for this - check it out). you may have a password protecting your phone in case you lose it, or it gets stolen - you need to put the password in to unlock the phone so you can get to the menu and functions. If you don't enter the password if your phone is password protected, you won't be able to get to the menus, and of course you won't be able to dial anyone or send them a text so lets hope you remember your password hahaha!

ok, now what you need to do - by the way, stuff on phones is pretty small due to the screen on a phone being smaller than say your TV set - so if you need to, make sure you wear eyeglasses if prescribed by your opthalmist, because if you don't, and you should, you may get a headache, or cause further damage to your optic system.

[3 more minutes of mind numbing drivel.....]

press the power button and the home key simultaneously

and that's how you take a screenshot.

[Tom_PM]

Even on product boxes like a computer keyboard cover there might be a picture of a whole computer system. That means they will include text "Does not include computer, monitor, desk or other items shown" else they'll get sued.

[Sly]

Do all Dutch complain as much as you do? Are you Franck's brother?

[Barry-xlovecam]

Stupid people can afford autos and fuel in America

[baddog]

Originally Posted by Juicy D. Links

i believe the diesel nozzle wont fit into a unleaded hole and vice versa as another precaution

That is not true; how would you even do that without changing the nozzle shape? I have come to a gas station where a lady filled her car with diesel and have heard of it happening a few times.

[Rochard]

A few years ago I had a Jaguar. I loved it really. A woman in a very British accent would say "Your boot is open sir" or "Your bonnet is open sir".

Cracked me up every time.

[Simon]

99 percent of warnings and stuff like that in US is for legal reason ...
For example on the coffee sometimes it says "Warning HOT"

I'm not a Canadian, but I hope this was real.

[kane]

Originally Posted by Juicy D. Links

i believe the diesel nozzle wont fit into a unleaded hole and vice versa as another precaution

When I was a kid my first real job was pumping gas. This was back when hey still sold regular gas as well as unleaded. The regular nozzle wouldn't fit in cars marked for unleaded, but you would be shocked how many people would take off the catalytic converters and punch out the nozzle constrictors so they could buy regular. The story I worked for tole me in no uncertain terms that it was illegal for me to put regular gas in a car marked for unleaded only. I actually got in a couple of arguments with customers over that. Most of them that did it also peeled off the little. sticker or painted over it.

[RebelR]

Originally Posted by Juicy D. Links

i believe the diesel nozzle wont fit into a unleaded hole and vice versa as another precaution

There are 2 sizes of nozzles for Diesel, one for cars, and one for trucks (because they want them to fill faster for commercial vehicles). The truck one wont fit in a car that's meant for diesel or gas. The other one will though.