How I Crashed My Car - By Mong, Aged 25.

[Mong]

[See A Picture]

Executive Summary:

Bricks >> Fast Moving Car >> No Driver.

Wish I'd had a camera...

Went out to the front where the car was parked on the road. Had a big jug of warm water which I poured on the window (very cold today, lots of ice). Reached into the car to turn on engine so I could put the heater on and use the wipers.

[Edit: The road itself wasn't icy, and the water was only vaguely warm]

For some reason I'd left the car in reverse!

I don't understand how, but the car then accelerated backwards for about 10 meters even though the handbrake was on!! I ran after it and jumped in.

Unfortunately, my neighbours are having some work done and have lots of bricks in a pile.

Oh yes! Bricks >> Fast Moving Car >> No Driver.

So I managed to get in and turn off the engine and steer away from the bricks (and people!) But the door was open, so that caught on the bricks and got pushed forward. My leg was in the way so I've got cuts and pulled muscles.

Cos my sister is still on my insurance and she's 23, it's gonna cost me £400 (£200 if over 25!)

The ONLY good thing about this is that I've worked at least 35 hours in three days, so I am glad of a day off! Oh and the damage was to parts of the car that were already damaged due to (probably) big stones hitting the car.

All in all, a good start to the day!

Oh and I had to do a lot of work to make the door close and lock, but now it drives with a light flashing and the dashboard display saying "Driver's Door Is Open - Stop!" Amusing.

I guess those who know me well won't be suprised by any of this!

Cheers ,

M.

[Snurx]

Crashing cars = bad!

Just nice that nothing very serious happened..hurt people = bad!

[NEWSBOT3]

You mong!

:P

coulda been worse, at least they werent breeze blocks :P

[Androme]

crash cars = bad!

[Sandsnake]

warm water + icey windshield = bad idea.

and cars start in reverse? all of ours won't unless in neutral or park.

[Mong]

Originally posted by Iniluki
Won't it be cheaper to get the car fixed yourself and claim it off the insurance?

Not sure mate. Getting an estimate on Monday. It certainly needs a new front wing and a new door, no doubt about it I'm afraid :-( A few scratches on the back too.

It's gonna cost me £400 excess, and maybe the same in insurance increase next renewal (august). Don't think I'll get the above done for < £800

M.

[poshphil]

poor 206

[Mong]

Originally posted by Sandsnake
warm water + icey windshield = bad idea.

and cars start in reverse? all of ours won't unless in neutral or park.

Well it was Just Slightly Warmer Than Cold Water

This was a manual (stick shift) btw. It SHOULD only move a few meters. Not 8 meters or so Understand that the gas pedal wasn't being pressed. It doesn't make sense

M.

[w2k]

Originally posted by Sandsnake


and cars start in reverse? all of ours won't unless in neutral or park.

yeah manual cars will start in any gear and as mong says they should not move 8 meters. Automatics will only start in neutral or park as they do go places one in gear.

[cheesehead]

An invisible man, sleeping in your bed
Who ya gonna call?
GHOSTBUSTERS!

Your car moving with no driver
Who ya gonna call?
GHOSTBUSTERS!

[Tactitus]

Originally posted by w2k
yeah manual cars will start in any gear and as mong says they should not move 8 meters.

Not in the US. Cars with a manual transmission are required to have a clutch/neutral interlock (starter won't engage unless transmission's in neutral or clutch is engaged).

[LISELOTTE]

tell me more about you sister...

[Kåre Willoch]

Well done, you must feel very lucky......

Coming from Norway I gotta say hot water + icy conditions = bad but then that wasn't your main problem :-)

All credit for taking it in such a sporty way though...

Maybe your leg can even get you a week off work, so you can waste some more time here on the forums :-)

[leknu]

Originally posted by Tactitus
Not in the US. Cars with a manual transmission are required to have a clutch/neutral interlock (starter won't engage unless transmission's in neutral or clutch is engaged).

How are you supposed to drive your car the last few meters to gas station when you run out of gas then? Heh, used that a couple times, poor little starter

You set your car in Xst gear instead of using handbrakes. If you start it upp whithout holding the clutch in, it will choke itself and die, way before it reaches 10 meters.

[cookiemay]

do u not think it was the ice that made the car move more

The car shouldn't have moved at all if the tires didn't get a grip before the engine choked.

The most 'probable' answer is; Your car was standing on a dry spot, engine started, choked and slid the 10 meters on ice....?

[Mong]

I should point out:

- The road itself wasn't icy.
- I used "slightly warm" water, probably about 5c

I'm thinking of writing to Peugeot to find out if it's normal for a 206, parked in reverse, with the handbrake on, to move about 8-10 meters with nobody touching the gas!!

M.

[Starbucks]

Originally posted by Dark_Mage
Is the house(s) in the picture yours?

im assuming its not becasue of the car initial position, im assuming they are not in the picture

im also assuming that his is perhaps simmilar