"Stupid" Things You're Proud Of

[rbattelle]

When I start a vehicle - any vehicle - I take pride in being able to disengage the starter at the exact moment the engine fires, so that the engine doesn't spin the starter. I find the sound of an engine spinning a starter to be somewhat annoying (like fingers on a chalkboard). I like the idea of having "an ear" for when an engine is about to fire, and I'm always disappointed if I don't disengage at precisely the right moment. Until this thread, I've never mentioned this to another living soul.

It has occurred to me that this is a really stupid thing to take pride in. That got me thinking about what other little stupid things people take pride in.

So, let's hear 'em. What are those little dumb things you are proud of that no "normal" person could possibly care about?

Ryan

 

[HOBrian]

Three things:



1. When shifting the gears in the truck that I shift smooth enough that nobody can feel it.



2. When coming to a stop... I don't stay on the brake pedal and have the truck stop and then rock backwards. I feather the pedal just enough that the truck does not rock when it comes to a full stop.



3. I study the road on the way to work so I can plan my route to avoid all the big potholes. (This one might be me not wanting the DW to return#@$%!)

 

[The patriot]

Yea, the three things Brian said, and I try to anticipate what's going on in front of me. A hold over I guess from my trucking days.

I got 100000+ miles on my first set of brakes! The wife on the other hand does about 15K miles.

 

[AClayton]

Yea, the three things Brian said, and I try to anticipate what's going on in front of me. A hold over I guess from my trucking days.

I got 100000+ miles on my first set of brakes! The wife on the other hand does about 15K miles.

I'm proud of being able to say what I need to say to my wife and being firm enough for her to understand. But then casually back out of the arguement before she get's _ _ssed off!!The last time I had to do that was last week when I replaced the brakes on her car for usual 10K a year brake redo... . Go figure!!!:-{}

 

[JoelMartin]

1. When I get out of my truck I run my hand along the hood and radiator just to see if its hot. I just love to make an engine work for its food.

2. When sittting for long periods of time I put it in neutral (an automatic of course).

3. Shut the cupholders, straighten the steering wheel, and turn the air off before I get out.

4. Always drive with the middle armrest down.

 

[MLimpert]

Ahh yes... I do the starter thing. It started innocently enough, but I can't help but do it now.



I also am a big fan of shutting the door of whatever I'm driving just hard enough for it to latch.



One other thing - I simply cannot touch a painted surface when I shut a car door. I always will use the outside handle or a piece of trim. It drives me bonkers if a passenger has printed my paint with their greasy paws.

 

[MCummings]

I've got the starter thing pretty bad, but the wife caught on without me saying a word. LOL



The "stopping" deal, Yah, I hate "the bump".



Closing the door, I had that bad, but I'm getting over it since I seem to miss the latch more often than not lately, and closing the door twice has to be worse than a good shove, I gave up on it.



Not "creeping" at stoplights. You know, you are at a red light, you let go of the brake, go 2 feet forward, then stop again. Drives me nutz, proud that I don't do it.





Lately I've been trying to loose all my silly "proud" things. I have an uncle that's really annnoying with how many things he has like that, and you can't hardly help the man for his constant whining/talking about having the headlights off, and not turning the wheel when you shut off the motor,, he's a pain. Jeez, it doesn't matter. (You should see him freak when people shut their cars off in gear, LOL)





Merrick

 

[rbattelle]

2. When coming to a stop... I don't stay on the brake pedal and have the truck stop and then rock backwards. I feather the pedal just enough that the truck does not rock when it comes to a full stop.

I do that too! Never really thought about it until just now, though.

3. Shut the cupholders, straighten the steering wheel, and turn the air off before I get out.

I routinely shut everything off before getting out. I hate getting in a car and when you turn it on the radio is on full-blast and the HVAC is on maximum, and who knows what else. I think a lot of people do this one.

Not "creeping" at stoplights. You know, you are at a red light, you let go of the brake, go 2 feet forward, then stop again. Drives me nutz, proud that I don't do it.

Oooo, I hate the creep too. I think it comes from driving manual transmissions most of my life. Can't creep in a manual (except when pointed downhill). I hate the creep. It's amazing how much space can open up between you and the creeper in front of you. Sometimes 2 or 3 car lengths!



I sort of figured I wouldn't be alone with the starter thing among this crowd. If I mentioned it to any "normal" people I'd probably be labeled a nut.



Ryan

 

[catoiler]

When I start a vehicle - any vehicle - I take pride in being able to disengage the starter at the exact moment the engine fires, so that the engine doesn't spin the starter. I find the sound of an engine spinning a starter to be somewhat annoying (like fingers on a chalkboard). I like the idea of having "an ear" for when an engine is about to fire, and I'm always disappointed if I don't disengage at precisely the right moment. Until this thread, I've never mentioned this to another living soul.



It has occurred to me that this is a really stupid thing to take pride in. That got me thinking about what other little stupid things people take pride in.



So, let's hear 'em. What are those little dumb things you are proud of that no "normal" person could possibly care about?



Ryan

Damn Ryan you would have a hard time with an air starter on a detroit!#@$%!

 

[PToombs]

Can I point out something to you "starter" guys?

On the end of the starter is a funny springy looking thingy called a "Bendix". This funny little unit is designed to disengage the starter drive when the engine turns faster than the starter.



Find something to be really prideful about! Freaks! :-laf :-laf



The radio and fan WFO bother me too. I always turn them off before I get out also. I think it's more of a pet peeve.

 

[AClayton]

1st, I need to say i am not a clean freak... . but before I get out of my truck,or any vehicle I drive,I pull the floormat out and tap the loose dirt off. Just something i have always done.

 

[TSBrown]

I'm proud of being able to say what I need to say to my wife and being firm enough for her to understand. But then casually back out of the arguement before she get's _ _ssed off!!The last time I had to do that was last week when I replaced the brakes on her car for usual 10K a year brake redo... . Go figure!!!:-{}

Alan you made me laugh so hard I just shot skoal out my nose. Next time you come over i just gonna have to count how many time she gets po'ed after you forgot to back out. :-laf

 

[MCummings]

I like to have the radio off, but the A/C is always on full blast.



I fail pretty often on my durango, seems like I always miss "the one", you know, that one cylinder when it's going to fire. I like that split moment of silence when the starter stops working and the engine comes to life.



Merrick

 

[AClayton]

I told you it's _ell when you don't wear the pants in the family!!lol

 

[rbattelle]

I like that split moment of silence when the starter stops working and the engine comes to life.

While we're on the subject, remember back in the days of carbureted engines, when you could literally bump the starter and a well-tuned engine would fire instantly?



Ahhhh... I miss that.



Ryan

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

It's comforting to think others adhere to some of the OCD traits I do. . .

• Shutting doors gently, not slamming (I'm not afraid to get on anyone who slams the doors of my Dodge Cummins!)
• Closing door using door handle
• Shutting accessories off before shutdown

and I also

• Never shut down with the door open (to save the hinges when the mighty Cummins shakes your truck)

 

[nickleinonen]

never shut down with the door open (to save the hinges when the mighty Cummins shakes your truck)

i do that too...

 

[klenger]

Being able to ride my bicycle 10 miles without crashing ... again.

 

[The patriot]

I'm proud of being able to say what I need to say to my wife and being firm enough for her to understand. But then casually back out of the arguement before she get's _ _ssed off!!The last time I had to do that was last week when I replaced the brakes on her car for usual 10K a year brake redo... . Go figure!!!:-{}

I tell her to"Act like you got to pay a garage to do this I TRIED TO BY-PASS THE CUSSING FILTER!"#@$%! My wife acts like new vehicles just fall out of the sky.

And I aint gettin younger... ...

 

[The patriot]

One other thing - I simply cannot touch a painted surface when I shut a car door. I always will use the outside handle or a piece of trim. It drives me bonkers if a passenger has printed my paint with their greasy paws.

The wife seems to take a certain glee in applying hand cream before closing the doors. #@$%! She also likes to... . I dunno... sort of kick her way out of my truck. Like she's escaping. Ehhh women.....



"4. Always drive with the middle armrest down. "

I cant do this. My back is way too bad and I use it to hold pressure off my lower back.



"Being able to ride my bicycle 10 miles without crashing ... again. "

The reason for my back... ... crashing.



I used to run the vent for a few minutes before shutting her down. To help get rid of the condensation. A/C hasnt worked in 2 years, but I'm fixing it soon.