Why don't cars have those parking curb-feeling thingies anymore?

[minniecarousel]

When I was a kid (OK - a million years ago!) cars had these metal "feelers" along the bottom of the car, on the right side, near the tires. They helped people tell where the curb was when parking. I haven't seen them for years. When did they stop putting those on cars, and why?

 

[korbbec]

I have never heard of that.

 

[MICKEY88]

I don't think cars ever came from the factory with them, I think people or dealerships added them, you can still find them at some auto parts stores..

 

[KristinBelle]

I'm not sure what you're talking about.

 

[mickeyboat]

I have never seen them either. But my Sienna has "sonar" so when I get to close to something, it beeps. The only problem I have with the sonar is if the sensors are covered with snow or ice, the thing beeps until I clear them off.

Denae

 

[MushyMushy]

I don't think cars ever came from the factory with them, I think people or dealerships added them, you can still find them at some auto parts stores..

My dad's 46 Ford has one. I'll have to ask him whether it came factory installed or from the dealer.

I don't recall it having a sensor or anything -- it was just a long thin metal strip, kind of like an antenna. When you hit the curb with it, it just made a springy "doingggg" sound.

 

[Hercules10]

You talking about curb feelers like these?

->

 

[MushyMushy]

That looks like the one that's on my dad's car. I'll thought his was more towards the rear bumper, but I could be wrong.

 

[cardaway]

I thought they were an interesting feature, but if you put them in the same place on some new cars, you just might bend the body of the car when you hit the curb.

I think the radar/sensor option is a good one. I even was told there is a car out there that will park itself, and that obviously would use that kind of technology.

 

[Hercules10]

Curb feelers can really be attached anywhere on the side of the car. Most just have a thumb-screw that attaches it to the body. Unfortunately most consider curb feelers to be 'ghetto' and won't use them despite the fact that 'curb rash' can ruin a single tire/wheel combo which can run $2K or more.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I don't need them. I just drive up to the curb until I feel my tire scrape.

 

[MushyMushy]

That's news to me, Herc. What's ghetto about them?

 

[snowy76]

I think the radar/sensor option is a good one. I even was told there is a car out there that will park itself, and that obviously would use that kind of technology.

It's the new Lexus (cha-ching!) and it really does it -- I saw it on GMA a couple of months ago.

I think auto pilot is going to be next. Hopefully before my kids becoming driving age!

 

[ducklite]

They were an after market part. You'll still see them sometimes on elderly peoples cars, although many who need them now have electronic sensors that beep instead.

Anne

 

[Hercules10]

That's news to me, Herc. What's ghetto about them?

They were heavily associated with wanna-be pimp-mobiles back in the 70's and 80's. (Sorry, can't be PC and explain it accurately)

Do see them spring up (no pun) every now and then on more current ricers.

 

[Dixie Luvr 98]

My grandmother had those on her 63 Olds Cutlass! Seems like some curbs would be to low for them to "feel"; at lease where hers were positioned.

 

[minniecarousel]

You talking about curb feelers like these?

->

YUP! That's it. Some of us need a little help at the curb (I try not to park on the street - give me a parking lot or driveway!)