Cars with bonnets visible for drivers

shadow · 17th March 2011, 14:26

The bonnet is absolutely invisible in my Matiz. Its not an issue in most situations, except when I have very gently bumped neighbouring cars in tight parking spaces. This happens when i feel that the bonnet is much shorter than it actually is.

rr_zen · 17th March 2011, 15:11

My driving is distributed largely between my Esteem and the Civic and of course the i10 which I use only in the mornings to drop off my daughter in school. Anyday, I can say am comfortable with the Esteem for being able to see the bonnet. This enables me to squeeze in and out of maddening traffic and to maneuver with confidence. I am sceptical with the Civic when it comes to tight parking or sharp turns. I am able to manage in the i10 thanks to its smaller size.

To me, being able to see the bonnet is not a 'must have' but a 'would like to have' feature.

Having said the above, this feature makes a difference only in the city and not on highways.

raju2512 · 17th March 2011, 15:26

Figo is the best. You can see left as well as front lines. It helps me to park quite close to the wall in the garage. M800 had some visibility but in Ritz you can' see anything beyond the wind shield.

But for an experienced driver, it doesn't matter much

sumeethaldankar · 17th March 2011, 18:35

In the PP i could the see front edges of the bonnet.In my 800 i have to lean forward towards the steering to see the bonnet else i see only slighlty the edge of the right side.

Me and my friend had gone to test drive a Honda City (zx) model several years ago.When my friend took the wheel he remarked that he could not see the bonnet of the car.The driver of the test vehicle remarked that my friend would have to use judgement rather than see the bonnet.He said in order to stop the vehicle at a safe distance from the vehicle in front is to slow down while approaching the vehicle and stop completely once you cannot see the bumper of the vehicle in front of you.Not a bad piece of advice don't you guys think.

v.anand · 17th March 2011, 20:13

I was shocked to realize bonnet is easily visible in Skoda Laura. Never expected it to be since I was not used to that feeling in any car I had driver before at length.

Palio bonnet is visible to some extent, the windshield washer is definitely visible. In spite of it, this car is filled with blind spots, would be most comfortable dimensionally only if driven very frequently.

Again, its critical only during city driving. Not applicable if driven on highways at all.

pacman2881 · 17th March 2011, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daewood

Isn't that dangerous while coming to a sudden halt..wouldn't the pillow slide forward?

You are right. Somehow it never struck me that this can happen. Should warn him!

vignesh_ny · 18th March 2011, 03:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by sumeethaldankar

He said in order to stop the vehicle at a safe distance from the vehicle in front is to slow down while approaching the vehicle and stop completely once you cannot see the bumper of the vehicle in front of you.Not a bad piece of advice don't you guys think.

Absolutely. This is called the Tyre and Tarmac rule in the UK. When you stop behind a car, you should be able to see the car's tyre and the tarmac just below it.

datvichrox2 · 18th March 2011, 23:13

When I drive my friends premier padmini, I kinda enjoy it just because I can see the bonnet! It gives me the feeling of being in a different era altogether.. Also, it feels like playing a video game

Ragul · 19th March 2011, 00:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarrySky

He said in order to stop the vehicle at a safe distance from the vehicle in front is to slow down while approaching the vehicle and stop completely once you cannot see the bumper of the vehicle in front of you.Not a bad piece of advice don't you guys think.

Yes a friend of mine gave me this tip, and I have been following it fastidiously since. I just loved the idea the minute I tried it. Good to have a set of internalized rules that make safe driving a habit, however trivial it might seem.

I never lean forward and look for the tyre or tarmac though

dhanushs · 19th March 2011, 17:30

I can see my IKON's bonnet, but I don't seem to understand what the point it?.

For correct judgment tru traffic or parking, do you really need to see the bonnet?.

@Chaand · 19th March 2011, 19:33

Although viewing the tip of the bonnet is not required its a good asset in Mumbai's bumper-to-bumper traffic. Helps one negotiate traffic and obstacles easier and also park better.

swiftnfurious · 19th March 2011, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by vignesh_ny

Absolutely. This is called the Tyre and Tarmac rule in the UK. When you stop behind a car, you should be able to see the car's tyre and the tarmac just below it.

+1. This is what my BIL who is an automobile engineer told me! The safest distance while driving is when you can see the tyres of the vehicle in the front. But then we cant afford to leave this much space in bumper to bumper traffic!

simplyself · 19th March 2011, 20:50

I think the Ambassador has no competition in this. One can see the chrome headlight ring from driver's position.

datvichrox2 · 20th March 2011, 00:57

Sometimes for close parking behind another car at my house, I turn on the parking head lamp. With this, I can see the relection of my lights on the rear of the other car, and if there's a wall, you can see the head light beams converge. Its just to get an idea of closeness.

shuvc · 20th March 2011, 02:45

The Baleno bonnet is fairly visible.

17th March 2011, 14:26	#46
shadow BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 94 Thanked: 14 Times	re: Cars with bonnets visible for drivers The bonnet is absolutely invisible in my Matiz. Its not an issue in most situations, except when I have very gently bumped neighbouring cars in tight parking spaces. This happens when i feel that the bonnet is much shorter than it actually is.
	() Thanks

17th March 2011, 15:11	#47
rr_zen Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 1,799 Thanked: 400 Times View My Garage	re: Cars with bonnets visible for drivers My driving is distributed largely between my Esteem and the Civic and of course the i10 which I use only in the mornings to drop off my daughter in school. Anyday, I can say am comfortable with the Esteem for being able to see the bonnet. This enables me to squeeze in and out of maddening traffic and to maneuver with confidence. I am sceptical with the Civic when it comes to tight parking or sharp turns. I am able to manage in the i10 thanks to its smaller size. To me, being able to see the bonnet is not a 'must have' but a 'would like to have' feature. Having said the above, this feature makes a difference only in the city and not on highways.
	() Thanks

17th March 2011, 15:26	#48
raju2512 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 325 Thanked: 143 Times	re: Cars with bonnets visible for drivers Figo is the best. You can see left as well as front lines. It helps me to park quite close to the wall in the garage. M800 had some visibility but in Ritz you can' see anything beyond the wind shield. But for an experienced driver, it doesn't matter much
	() Thanks

17th March 2011, 18:35	#49
sumeethaldankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3,937 Thanked: 3,318 Times View My Garage	re: Cars with bonnets visible for drivers In the PP i could the see front edges of the bonnet.In my 800 i have to lean forward towards the steering to see the bonnet else i see only slighlty the edge of the right side. Me and my friend had gone to test drive a Honda City (zx) model several years ago.When my friend took the wheel he remarked that he could not see the bonnet of the car.The driver of the test vehicle remarked that my friend would have to use judgement rather than see the bonnet.He said in order to stop the vehicle at a safe distance from the vehicle in front is to slow down while approaching the vehicle and stop completely once you cannot see the bumper of the vehicle in front of you.Not a bad piece of advice don't you guys think.
	() Thanks

17th March 2011, 20:13	#50
v.anand BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 329 Thanked: 44 Times	re: Cars with bonnets visible for drivers I was shocked to realize bonnet is easily visible in Skoda Laura. Never expected it to be since I was not used to that feeling in any car I had driver before at length. Palio bonnet is visible to some extent, the windshield washer is definitely visible. In spite of it, this car is filled with blind spots, would be most comfortable dimensionally only if driven very frequently. Again, its critical only during city driving. Not applicable if driven on highways at all. Last edited by v.anand : 17th March 2011 at 20:15.
	() Thanks

18th March 2011, 23:13	#53
datvichrox2 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 110 Thanked: 294 Times	re: Cars with bonnets visible for drivers When I drive my friends premier padmini, I kinda enjoy it just because I can see the bonnet! It gives me the feeling of being in a different era altogether.. Also, it feels like playing a video game
	() Thanks

19th March 2011, 17:30	#55
dhanushs Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,282 Thanked: 10,180 Times	re: Cars with bonnets visible for drivers I can see my IKON's bonnet, but I don't seem to understand what the point it?. For correct judgment tru traffic or parking, do you really need to see the bonnet?.
	() Thanks

19th March 2011, 19:33	#56
@Chaand BHPian Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mumbai Posts: 313 Thanked: 511 Times	re: Cars with bonnets visible for drivers Although viewing the tip of the bonnet is not required its a good asset in Mumbai's bumper-to-bumper traffic. Helps one negotiate traffic and obstacles easier and also park better.
	() Thanks

19th March 2011, 20:50	#58
simplyself Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,051 Thanked: 621 Times	re: Cars with bonnets visible for drivers I think the Ambassador has no competition in this. One can see the chrome headlight ring from driver's position.
	() Thanks

20th March 2011, 00:57	#59
datvichrox2 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 110 Thanked: 294 Times	re: Cars with bonnets visible for drivers Sometimes for close parking behind another car at my house, I turn on the parking head lamp. With this, I can see the relection of my lights on the rear of the other car, and if there's a wall, you can see the head light beams converge. Its just to get an idea of closeness.
	() Thanks

20th March 2011, 02:45	#60
shuvc Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kolkata Posts: 2,913 Thanked: 352 Times View My Garage	re: Cars with bonnets visible for drivers The Baleno bonnet is fairly visible.
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