Instrument panel quirks
Discussion
During its almost two year ownership (so far), I never have experienced any serious problems, but my Alpine has surprised me a few times, mostly things happening in the instrument panel and the ICE system:
1) On the first day, the ICE display started switching off automatically as soon as the start/stop-system was activated (which was quite annoying because I often tend to look which direction to go while waiting for a traffic light). On the second day this problem had mysteriously disappeared and has never come back anymore.
2) The start/stop-system itself keeps surprising me too: I do understand that it does not work when the engine is cold, or in very hot or cold weather, or in Sport mode, but those situations aside it is totally unclear when start/stop activates (I believe this is something most owners experience).
3) The fuel gauge does not always respond to filling up the tank. This is something I first noticed after roughly a year of ownership. I had filed up the tank and less than 50 kms further down the road, the empty tank warning lit up. It is something that does not happen every time; I have noticed it four or five times in more than 50 tank refills. When I restart the engine, the issue is usually gone.
4) Last month the trip meter suddenly restarted counting. I had driven home from Antwerp, which is 125 kms, and did some other short trips, and suddenly the trip meter showed only 60 kms, while I was quite sure that I had not reset it in the meantime. When I restarted the engine later that same day, the trip meter started counting from zero again, without me having it reset. When I took the car out of the garage last week (after six weeks of not using it) the trip meter was suddenly at what I expected it to be again.
5) During last week's trip I also noticed that the instrument display had suddenly changed to French language; I am quite sure that I have never seen that 'Frein de parking serré' message showing up before.
This car keeps surprising me, does anyone else have similar experiences?
1) On the first day, the ICE display started switching off automatically as soon as the start/stop-system was activated (which was quite annoying because I often tend to look which direction to go while waiting for a traffic light). On the second day this problem had mysteriously disappeared and has never come back anymore.
2) The start/stop-system itself keeps surprising me too: I do understand that it does not work when the engine is cold, or in very hot or cold weather, or in Sport mode, but those situations aside it is totally unclear when start/stop activates (I believe this is something most owners experience).
3) The fuel gauge does not always respond to filling up the tank. This is something I first noticed after roughly a year of ownership. I had filed up the tank and less than 50 kms further down the road, the empty tank warning lit up. It is something that does not happen every time; I have noticed it four or five times in more than 50 tank refills. When I restart the engine, the issue is usually gone.
4) Last month the trip meter suddenly restarted counting. I had driven home from Antwerp, which is 125 kms, and did some other short trips, and suddenly the trip meter showed only 60 kms, while I was quite sure that I had not reset it in the meantime. When I restarted the engine later that same day, the trip meter started counting from zero again, without me having it reset. When I took the car out of the garage last week (after six weeks of not using it) the trip meter was suddenly at what I expected it to be again.
5) During last week's trip I also noticed that the instrument display had suddenly changed to French language; I am quite sure that I have never seen that 'Frein de parking serré' message showing up before.
This car keeps surprising me, does anyone else have similar experiences?
Start / stop is not something I have ever felt the need to disable - every car I have had where its fitted it has worked perfectly ok
On most cars Start / stop will operate only about 40% of the time, there are many parameters that must be met o allow it work including operation of climate control, water temp. oil temp, ambient temp, battery condition, battery load etc - most people have no idea and assume that it only works when it wants to - that is absolutely not the case
On most cars Start / stop will operate only about 40% of the time, there are many parameters that must be met o allow it work including operation of climate control, water temp. oil temp, ambient temp, battery condition, battery load etc - most people have no idea and assume that it only works when it wants to - that is absolutely not the case
the start stop is near useless unless the ac is off it doesn't save much and on top of that its slow. Also in my car it screwed me up. The battery was marginal, after a few weeks parked, enough to start the car. At the very first intersection the start stop cut in - it should not have, as the battery needed full alternator charge - then when I tried to move off the whole car went dark. bricked. Had to roll to a curb and it wasnt until I bought a second lead acid battery and detached/reattached battery then attached second battery did I realize what had happened. Thats it. One strike and its off all the time now. I designed a little widget that holds down the off button so I never have to think about stop/start again.
I know your iidiosyncratic Alpines like to do things their own Gallic way, but in lots of more ordinary cars there is a micro switch on the bonnet catch that disables stop start when the bonnet is open for servicing if you remove or disconnect the switch, no more stop start.
Not an Alpine owner, but they are terrific looking things. One of the few new cars on sale with real panache.
Not an Alpine owner, but they are terrific looking things. One of the few new cars on sale with real panache.
Andy665 said:
Start / stop is not something I have ever felt the need to disable - every car I have had where its fitted it has worked perfectly ok
I don't like it, even when it does work property, but that aside, it's a false economy.Was discussing with the Salesman whilst getting my wife's new car. First thing I ask is how to turn it off. Salesman asked why. My response "would you rather pay for the minuscule amount of fuel that you save or for replacing the battery, starter motor, flywheel due to the additional wear caused."
I've had the trip reset a few times without doing anything. Quite annoying, there's no pattern to it.
The other oddity is one with the headlights. On a number of occasions (but never quite enough to establish a pattern), main beam won't work, including flashing. Restart the car and it's absolutely fine, which tells me it's a bloody software problem, rather than being a simple switch
Usually some combination of lights being on for a while, and switching between manually on and auto after an hour+ of driving.
Even managed to record it on camera, but dealer didn't show any sign of interest. Shame as it's a safety issue (lack of main beam as a warning) and should be reported to Alpine.
The other oddity is one with the headlights. On a number of occasions (but never quite enough to establish a pattern), main beam won't work, including flashing. Restart the car and it's absolutely fine, which tells me it's a bloody software problem, rather than being a simple switch
Usually some combination of lights being on for a while, and switching between manually on and auto after an hour+ of driving.Even managed to record it on camera, but dealer didn't show any sign of interest. Shame as it's a safety issue (lack of main beam as a warning) and should be reported to Alpine.
dontlookdown said:
I know your iidiosyncratic Alpines like to do things their own Gallic way, but in lots of more ordinary cars there is a micro switch on the bonnet catch that disables stop start when the bonnet is open for servicing if you remove or disconnect the switch, no more stop start.
Stop/start can be permanently disabled by:1. wedging something into the switch to keep it permanently depressed.
2. disconnecting the plug (battery condition monitor) attached to the battery negative terminal (and dismissing the "check stop/start" message every drive).
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