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Old 03-30-2009, 06:17 AM   #1
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Highbeam/Lowbeam footswitch

I heard once that the switch to control the lights used to be on the floor for some vehicles. Does anybody know why this practice was discontinued? I could see it getting a bit crowded down there in a manual, but it sounds convenient for automatics.
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Old 03-30-2009, 06:37 AM   #2
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My only guess is for those who are disabled. The hand operated control makes it easier for someone with a bad leg (paralysis, injury etc.) to drive without yet another mechanism for working a floor control.
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Old 03-30-2009, 06:38 AM   #3
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That is a good point. Maybe it was a cost cutting measure as well?
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Main Entry: co de pen dence - see codependency
co de pen den cy
Pronunciation: \kō-di-ˈpen-dən(t)-sē\
Function: noun
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Old 03-30-2009, 07:01 AM   #4
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I remember the floor switch. My dad's 1978 Chevrolet "Custom Deluxe" C20 had it, and my mom's 1978 (or 1979?) Pontiac Grand Prix did too. My 1980 Buick Lesabre (which was bought brand new by my grandfather) does not have it.
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Old 03-30-2009, 07:40 AM   #5
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yea my dads 1960 ghia has it as does my friends 1975 maverick. i dont remember if our 77 capreece had it or not...

my 1980 chevette doesnt
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Old 03-30-2009, 07:48 AM   #6
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Anybody get to drive one of those cars? Did the floor switch work well?
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Main Entry: co de pen dence - see codependency
co de pen den cy
Pronunciation: \kō-di-ˈpen-dən(t)-sē\
Function: noun
Date: 1979

: a psychological condition or a relationship in which a person is controlled or manipulated by another who is affected with a pathological condition (as an addiction to alcohol or heroin) ; broadly : dependence on the needs of or control by another
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Old 03-30-2009, 08:07 AM   #7
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The big switchover was in the mid '80s. I remember reading a joke about how lots of IROCs were crashing because the drivers were trying to turn on the highbeams with their feet.

I have a '69 Buick which I drive frequently, and in my opinion man was designed to have the foot control the highbeams...

-BC
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Old 03-30-2009, 08:16 AM   #8
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How well did a footswitch work with a manual?
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Main Entry: co de pen dence - see codependency
co de pen den cy
Pronunciation: \kō-di-ˈpen-dən(t)-sē\
Function: noun
Date: 1979

: a psychological condition or a relationship in which a person is controlled or manipulated by another who is affected with a pathological condition (as an addiction to alcohol or heroin) ; broadly : dependence on the needs of or control by another
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Old 03-30-2009, 08:38 AM   #9
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My Nova has the floor switch. Personally I feel the hand switch is better. The floor switch is just ON/OFF while a hand switch has a "flash" ability the floor switch does not. Most hand switches you push away to turn on (and it stays on) but if you pull towards the wheel and let go it will simply flash quickly.
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Old 03-30-2009, 09:42 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NovaResource View Post
My Nova has the floor switch. Personally I feel the hand switch is better. The floor switch is just ON/OFF while a hand switch has a "flash" ability the floor switch does not. Most hand switches you push away to turn on (and it stays on) but if you pull towards the wheel and let go it will simply flash quickly.
lol every car besides GM GM pull on, ford push away; i always screw it up when im driving my parents cars (both fords) mine are both chevys

not all cars have flash ability, i personally like just flipping them on then off cuz if thier really irritating you can turn em on for a second or 2 then shut em off
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