[Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
 | [Main General Bulletin Board | BBFAQ |
Next by Date | Post Followup ]
Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
My theory- Posted by IrieTom [Email]  (#1032)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from IrieTom) on Wed, 19 Mar 2003 15:25:26
In Reply to: Two theories, phred, Wed, 19 Mar 2003 13:19:07 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Saab put the key on the floor for safety reasons, but I think in more of an indirect way. The floor-mounted ignition first appeared in the SAAB 99. Previous models had the ignition on the steering column. Previous models also had the gearshift on the steering column. My old '72 SAAB 96 (r.i.p.) came with a rubber-headed key "for safety reasons"
SAAB considered a steering wheel lock to be a safety hazard, so they used a gearshift interlock for theft prevention. I used to have lots of fun explaining to people that the key wouldn't come out of the ignition on the old 96 unless the transmission was in reverse, followed by a (usually) futile attempt to explain how to put the car in reverse- pull the shift lever straight out from the column, then towards you, then down.
When the SAAB 99 was designed, the gearshift interlock was kept, and the ignition switch followed the gearshift lever to the floor. It was soon noted that the floor postion seemed to be safer and ergonomically better.
By the time SAAB introduced the 9000, most people had forgotten about the pre-99 model cars, and the dash-mounted ignition was criticized as being non-traditional. SAAB seems to have completely abandoned the gearshift interlock, but re-located the ignition back to the floor again for all of the post-9000 models.
So, to summarize: SAAB put the ignition on the floor because they didn't want a steering lock. People liked the location for a variety of reasons. Now there are steering locks instead of transmission locks, but the ignition is on the floor for "safety" and "ergonomic" reasons.
posted by 24.161.11...
, Wed, 19 Mar 2003 15:25:26 <-- Viewing This Message
, Wed, 19 Mar 2003 15:01:03
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
