Questions about the xA
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 19
Questions about the xA
I just bought my 2006 xA (Flint Mica...very cool) about 2 weeks ago, and I'm noticing three things with it that I'm wondering if they are specific to my particular car, or if others have noticed this as well.
1) The horn is REALLY REALLY sensitive. I used to be able to drive with my right hand on the bottom of the wheel, left of the bar. I find when I turn, my palm rests on the end part of the section of the steering wheel that has the horn. Normally in my previous cars, you had to hit the middle of the horn to get the horn to sound, and it was fairly difficult to get it to sound toward the edges of the arms out by the actual wheel. I'm finding I can barely press down with my thumb in those outer areas and the horn will sound. I find it kind of annoying and hope this is something that can be adjusted?
2) I have a manual transmission, and I'm finding that I tend to grind a bit when I go from third to fourth. I've even done it a few times with deliberate actions and exaggerated timing with the clutch, and still on the odd time end up grinding a bit. Has anyone else noticed this? Will it go away? Will going with an aftermarket performance shifter make this go away?
3) When I'm up around 70mph, the RPM's are around 3500 and the engine sounds fairly loud, even though I have the full environmental package, which includes the under-belly sound coating. Not that I'd expect that to make much of a difference. I have the stock radio in and find I need to turn it up to 20 to hear everything. Eventually this will be replaced with a different head unit, but the question was more if this engine noise was typical of the xA in that range?
Thanks!
K
1) The horn is REALLY REALLY sensitive. I used to be able to drive with my right hand on the bottom of the wheel, left of the bar. I find when I turn, my palm rests on the end part of the section of the steering wheel that has the horn. Normally in my previous cars, you had to hit the middle of the horn to get the horn to sound, and it was fairly difficult to get it to sound toward the edges of the arms out by the actual wheel. I'm finding I can barely press down with my thumb in those outer areas and the horn will sound. I find it kind of annoying and hope this is something that can be adjusted?
2) I have a manual transmission, and I'm finding that I tend to grind a bit when I go from third to fourth. I've even done it a few times with deliberate actions and exaggerated timing with the clutch, and still on the odd time end up grinding a bit. Has anyone else noticed this? Will it go away? Will going with an aftermarket performance shifter make this go away?
3) When I'm up around 70mph, the RPM's are around 3500 and the engine sounds fairly loud, even though I have the full environmental package, which includes the under-belly sound coating. Not that I'd expect that to make much of a difference. I have the stock radio in and find I need to turn it up to 20 to hear everything. Eventually this will be replaced with a different head unit, but the question was more if this engine noise was typical of the xA in that range?
Thanks!
K
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,794
From: Hanover, PA
1. Yes, the horn is very sensitive. I kinda like it though. On my last vehicle (Chevy Silverado) the horn was super hard to use. You had to press really hard in just the right spot.
2. I haven't noticed the grinding you described. It will happen if you don't get the clutch all they way in.
3. It's a tiny little motor. At 70 MPH, it's working it's little butt off. It's also a tiny little car with very little sound insulation. It will be loud over 60 or so.
Hope this helps. I love my xA,
2. I haven't noticed the grinding you described. It will happen if you don't get the clutch all they way in.
3. It's a tiny little motor. At 70 MPH, it's working it's little butt off. It's also a tiny little car with very little sound insulation. It will be loud over 60 or so.
Hope this helps. I love my xA,
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