Richard, the dashboard has a finite amount of space. Location of the hazard button is low priority, so it gets put low and "out of the way". It's a somewhat understandable (if frustrating) design choice.
I have a bigger problem with changing the "standard" location of common controls. The PT Cruiser design team made a conscious choice to simplify wiring. Commendable. Removing wiring harnesses from a door is always a good choice, except when controls that have ALWAYS been on the door get moved. The PT Cruiser has its window controls mounted right in the middle of the dashboard.
Granted, it's a central location for both front seat occupants. However, this is not a good design choice for a car that is frequently used in rental car fleets. Every first-time renter who is not a PT Cruiser owner fumbles around for a minute looking for the window buttons.
Yes, it does take time to adapt. The emergency flasher will probably always be an issue with my large hands. I do remember the first time it rained while driving the Subaru. I almost had to pull over to search for the windshield wiper control. The Ford Escort was on the left hand steering column lever and the Subaru had it on the right side and it operated differently. I have adapted. I haven't hit the seat warmer in awhile either. But that emergency button...
Richard, you have discovered one of the conumdrums of modern automobile design. We just replaced a ten year old minivan. The transmission went and we decided that the cost of fixing that coupled with the mileage on the van made a replacement the prudent thing to do. This was for my wife. So, while we didn't have quite the leap you did, there is quite a difference. We also had two cars from the same manufacturer from the same year. The controls were not exactly the same, but they were similar. Now they are very different. We have not run into quite the issues you have, but it does take some adjustment. There always seems to be something in a place you don't expect, or want it. You would think that with all the ergonomics research that has been done that you new Subaru would be better laid out.
By experimenting with the photovoltaic reaction in solar cells, researchers at MIT have made a breakthrough in energy efficiency that significantly pushes the boundaries of current commercial cells on the market.
In a world that's going green, industrial operations have a problem: Their processes involve materials that are potentially toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive. If improperly managed, this can precipitate dangerous health and environmental consequences.
With LEDs dropping in price virtually every year, automakers have begun employing them, not only on luxury vehicles, but on entry-level models, as well.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
3 
