Automotive designs and features that make NO sense at all

[Dave McFly]

I never noticed this til the other day (must been blind) that the full size GM crossover SUVs which are NOT truck based at all, have 6 lug wheels, why in gods name would a car based SUV have 6 lug wheels? I remembered the last of the GM minivans before they were retired (the ones with the more horizontal looking noses) had em too. any others you can think of, post em, I am curious .

[Bhobbs]

Cup holders right behind the shifter on a manual trans car.

[upflying]

Originally Posted by Dave McFly

I never noticed this til the other day (must been blind) that the full size GM crossover SUVs which are NOT truck based at all, have 6 lug wheels, why in gods name would a car based SUV have 6 lug wheels? I remembered the last of the GM minivans before they were retired (the ones with the more horizontal looking noses) had em too. any others you can think of, post em, I am curious .

I think the reason for six lug wheels has to do with the EPA and how vehicles are classified when calculating their mpg for CAFE.
Crossovers are designated as "trucks" and get away with lower mpg's without having to pay the gas guzzler tax.

[DGthe3]

The one thing that I've never understood is why the clock/radio display is almost always mounted in the dash such that when you are holding the wheel properly, you can't read it because your wrist is in the way. Put it higher, or put it lower. Just don't put it there.

Originally Posted by Dave McFly

I never noticed this til the other day (must been blind) that the full size GM crossover SUVs which are NOT truck based at all, have 6 lug wheels, why in gods name would a car based SUV have 6 lug wheels? I remembered the last of the GM minivans before they were retired (the ones with the more horizontal looking noses) had em too. any others you can think of, post em, I am curious .

Probably because they've got a GVWR of about 6500 lbs and a GCWR of nearly 10,000 lbs. For comparison, the Colorado & Canyon (also with 6 lug wheels) max out at 5300 and a little over 10,000.

But while on the subject of 6 lug wheels, I am curious as to why the SRT Viper has 6 lug wheels. Just noticed that the other day when reading a review of it.

[Apex Motorsports]

They are uni-body but it is not "car based". They are on dedicated SUV chassis. DGthe3 and upflying pretty well nailed it. It is all about size and towing.

[Scalded Dog]

I know, right? I haven't even slept for about two weeks... been laying in bed, awake all night, wondering why-- why?--- WHY, OH, WHY?!?!?----- do they use 1-1/8" clips on some of the door trim, when it is so blatantly obvious that a 15/16" clip should be there instead? I think that it may be part of a dark conspiracy within the ranks of deep- cover GM operatives to disguise the need for a truer classification of door trim fastener construction. I've got to look into this a little further, do some more investigation, but this is dangerous work... if they catch on to the fact that somebody is suspicious of their actions, they might "make me disappear."

(Will report back later, under a different name... must cover my tracks, burn THIS screen- name... just too dangerous...)

[GaBoy25]

Originally Posted by Scalded Dog

I know, right? I haven't even slept for about two weeks... been laying in bed, awake all night, wondering why-- why?--- WHY, OH, WHY?!?!?----- do they use 1-1/8" clips on some of the door trim, when it is so blatantly obvious that a 15/16" clip should be there instead? I think that it may be part of a dark conspiracy within the ranks of deep- cover GM operatives to disguise the need for a truer classification of door trim fastener construction. I've got to look into this a little further, do some more investigation, but this is dangerous work... if they catch on to the fact that somebody is suspicious of their actions, they might "make me disappear."

(Will report back later, under a different name... must cover my tracks, burn THIS screen- name... just too dangerous...)

Did someone wake and bake?

[AZCamaroFan]

cupholders are always iffy.

[flyinlow89]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

But while on the subject of 6 lug wheels, I am curious as to why the SRT Viper has 6 lug wheels. Just noticed that the other day when reading a review of it.

1st gen CTSV too

[Stack4]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

The one thing that I've never understood is why the clock/radio display is almost always mounted in the dash such that when you are holding the wheel properly, you can't read it because your wrist is in the way. Put it higher, or put it lower. Just don't put it there.

Well, if they moved the clock up or down, that still wouldn't help all people. Most, if not all steering wheels move up and down to where your wrist will get into the way.

[09'Z28]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

But while on the subject of 6 lug wheels, I am curious as to why the SRT Viper has 6 lug wheels. Just noticed that the other day when reading a review of it.

When the Viper originally came out they actually used a handful of truck parts, being that back then Dodge didn't have a much of a performance division, in order to get a strong enough hub they went to the trucks. Why they are still 6 lug, I couldn't say.

[Number 3]

I believe that their are 4 things that classify a "truck" and to qualify I think you have to have 3 of them. 4WD, 3rd row seats, ground clearance of a certain height and flat load floor...................something like that.

Also 6 lugs are probably on the largest SUVs, i.e. GM's Lambdas (Traverse, Acadia and Enclave). These are large vehicles by any standard and with the max GVW likely require 6 lugs to manage the weight and towing.