Owners manual, doors up driving?

[Helirich]

Is there a on line owners manual? I'm not interested in buying one, just want to read through it for interest.

If there is no such on line animal, does the original manual state a max speed for driving with the door(s) open? Do they try to close via aero-dynamics? What about hitting a bump? It would seem like the door could be damaged by hitting the up stop to hard. In fact, do you guys pop the door latch and just let the door go up by it self or do you control it on the way up?

[Ron]

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?2755-DeLorean-Owner-s-Handbook-Manual

[Michael]

I would not drive with the doors up at anything past a parade speed. The wind drag seems like it would put a lot of stress on the mechanics. That said I have seen plenty of people do it with no ill effects reported.

Radio show host Glenn Beck got a DUI for doing 90mph with the doors up on his DeLorean.

[David T]

Most States have laws against driving with the doors open, rarely enforced but a ticket is possible. You don't want to hit bumps with the doors open, you would over-stress the doors and the roof. Your doors should not open so strongly that you have to hold them back to keep them from hitting the stops hard. I set the torsion bars so that you have to push the door open the last few inches to get it all the way open but once put there they won't droop. If you have actuators you want the doors to go all the way up by themselves so you wind the torsion bar just a bit tighter.

[Helirich]

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?2755-DeLorean-Owner-s-Handbook-Manual

Thanks,

Funny, no mention of driving doors open. I would assume they must have tested it.

[Ron]

Thanks,

Funny, no mention of driving doors open. I would assume they must have tested it.
Probably not a good idea since it does say, "Do not attempt to close the door by exerting pressure at the front edge as this could result in a ‘sprung’ door requiring adjustment and possible repair." Pg. 6

[CFI]

Thanks,

Funny, no mention of driving doors open. I would assume they must have tested it.

Why would a manufacturer mention driving with the doors open? It’s a safety hazard.

[DMCMW Dave]

We've repaired a couple that drove with a door open. Through a not-quiet-tall-enough garage door. Things to really wrong really fast.

[Helirich]

Why would a manufacturer mention driving with the doors open? It’s a safety hazard.

They mention all kinds of safety hazards in the OM. (Like driving over 50 mph on the spare) I would assume they have determined it is not a safety hazard or they would mention it. Of course, that doesn't have anything to do with law. Not sure if it is against the law, though. There's all kinds of vehicals that are designed to run with the doors open. (UPS trucks, jeeps, etc) Ever seen that BMW with retractable doors?

[louielouie2000]

They mention all kinds of safety hazards in the OM. (Like driving over 50 mph on the spare) I would assume they have determined it is not a safety hazard or they would mention it. Of course, that doesn't have anything to do with law. Not sure if it is against the law, though. There's all kinds of vehicals that are designed to run with the doors open. (UPS trucks, jeeps, etc) Ever seen that BMW with retractable doors?

When I was an undergrad I was pulled over on campus for driving with my door up. My A/C was broken and the campus speed limit was 20 MPH so I figured no harm could be done. I asked the officer why I was pulled over- he stated it was illegal for me to drive with my door open like that. I asked why it was legal for Wranglers to drive around with no doors. He said my door could come down and hit someone. I then showed him how little side clearance a DeLorean door needs, and that it would be pretty much impossible to hit someone with the door unless I was also running them over at the same time. He ended up just letting me go. I think all he really wanted was to see the car up close.

Regarding driving with the doors up... I have to agree with Michael. Anything above low speeds is probably not good. The door strut mounts and roof boxes on these cars are already weak points. Having the doors flop around and flex these areas probably isn't doing these components any favors. I'd have to think accelerating/deceleration would probably not be great on the hinge & strut mounts etc. Closing them while the vehicle is moving and flexing probably isn't so hot for striker pin alignment etc either.

[dn010]

I swear, I'm starting to think the OP is Shep, back from a long break possibly with another DeLorean after selling his rare, one a kind low VIN one, because he couldn't handle being away from the forums any longer. Next will be some new Raccin development that everyone must have and no one will buy.

Seriously though, when you get your tank varnish cleaned up, your rear shocks & links repaired and your TABs sorted, please let us know how fast you find you can go with your doors open and whether aerodynamics close them for you.

[Mark D]

I swear, I'm starting to think the OP is Shep.

OP has not yet inquired about installation of train horns, so he is probably legit. :tongue:

[Josh]

I swear, I'm starting to think the OP is Shep, back from a long break possibly with another DeLorean after selling his rare, one a kind low VIN one, because he couldn't handle being away from the forums any longer. Next will be some new Raccin development that everyone must have and no one will buy.

Seriously though, when you get your tank varnish cleaned up, your rear shocks & links repaired and your TABs sorted, please let us know how fast you find you can go with your doors open and whether aerodynamics close them for you.

post of the week LOL

[Ron]

post of the week LOL+1...with Mark's reply a close 2nd :):)

[Helirich]

I swear, I'm starting to think the OP is Shep, back from a long break possibly with another DeLorean after selling his rare, one a kind low VIN one, because he couldn't handle being away from the forums any longer. Next will be some new Raccin development that everyone must have and no one will buy.

Seriously though, when you get your tank varnish cleaned up, your rear shocks & links repaired and your TABs sorted, please let us know how fast you find you can go with your doors open and whether aerodynamics close them for you.

Not shep, whoever that is. Not sure what your insinuating. Sounds like you don't appreciate me making a lot of threads/posts.

When I joined here, I noticed it is pretty dead. That's not a good thing. You want people starting threads and posting. The reason that forums die is lack of use. I don't do Facebook. It is a poor platform for tech. (Not to mention the nonsense about censorship) I want this forum to continue. It has solved a lot of my issues allready. I will help other people if I can.

As far as aero dynamics closing the doors, regular doors do this. It wouldn't be that hard to make the Delorean doors do this. The mirrors would produce a force to close the doors with speed. Probably not enough, or not at a low enough speed, but without testing, how would you know? I don't really want to test it. I would prefer the manufacturer to test and put it in the owners manual. If the said "above 35 mph is likely to damage the roof", I would limit driving to 20 to be safe. Make sense?

[CFI]

They mention all kinds of safety hazards in the OM. (Like driving over 50 mph on the spare) I would assume they have determined it is not a safety hazard or they would mention it. Of course, that doesn't have anything to do with law. Not sure if it is against the law, though. There's all kinds of vehicals that are designed to run with the doors open. (UPS trucks, jeeps, etc) Ever seen that BMW with retractable doors?

It’s not mentioned in the owners manual because it’s not designed for that.

[CFI]

I would prefer the manufacturer to test and put it in the owners manual. If the said "above 35 mph is likely to damage the roof", I would limit driving to 20 to be safe. Make sense?

This car, like just about every car ever made, was not designed to be driven with the doors open. So no, your question does not make sense.

Think of it this way: the owners manual doesn’t say that you can drive with the doors open. That’s really all you need to know.

[Michael]

65669

65670

[David T]

There is another problem with the doors being left open. I repaired a car where the owner damaged the driver's door. He backed the car out of his garage to wash it. After he was done the car wouldn't start so he pushed it back in. He left the door open and it hit the side of the garage door and tweaked it. During parades we never get close to anyone with the doors open because it could hit them as we pass by. If you are very careful and drive slowly and stay away from from people and buildings you can drive with the doors open. During the winter there is usually less activity on the forum and now with the Chinese virus there isn't all that much during the summer, no car shows or cruise nights in many parts of the country. Hopefully there will be more activity this summer now that people are getting vaccinations. In the meantime we can all get our cars ready!

[Helirich]

This car, like just about every car ever made, was not designed to be driven with the doors open. So no, your question does not make sense.

Think of it this way: the owners manual doesnÂ’t say that you can drive with the doors open. ThatÂ’s really all you need to know.

How do you know what the designers were thinking? There are lots of things designers must compromise on for government, shareholders, customers and so on. I'm confident the designers did design the doors to "not be damaged" at some speed. It would be foolish to not do that. It is common to have the doors open, while backing up, on cars that are hard to see out the back.

The owners manual doesn't say you can do lots of things (like drive with the windshield wipers on) Maybe that's all you need to know. I would like to know more.

Im courious why this is important to you. If I ask "how deep of water can you drive through"?, you might be of the opinion that it shouldn't be driven in puddles. That's fine. But why does the question bother you? Asking the question doesn't mean I'm planning To mud bog with the car. If you have a link to a thread where someone drove through 6" of water and had trouble or not, post it. But don't make up evidence like the manual doesn't authorize it. I am the only one who authorizes what I do with my car.

[Helirich]

There is another problem with the doors being left open. I repaired a car where the owner damaged the driver's door. He backed the car out of his garage to wash it. After he was done the car wouldn't start so he pushed it back in. He left the door open and it hit the side of the garage door and tweaked it. During parades we never get close to anyone with the doors open because it could hit them as we pass by. If you are very careful and drive slowly and stay away from from people and buildings you can drive with the doors open. During the winter there is usually less activity on the forum and now with the Chinese virus there isn't all that much during the summer, no car shows or cruise nights in many parts of the country. Hopefully there will be more activity this summer now that people are getting vaccinations. In the meantime we can all get our cars ready!

These are valid arguments. It's funny everybody seems to think I'm planning a cross-country trip with doors open. I'm thinking in more of an emergency situation. Like the AC quits 10 miles from home. It would be nice if someone said "I held the door half way up and drove 20 mph for five miles once, no problems" Some people did state things like that. (Although getting a dui at 90 is not really practical, lol)

[dn010]

I have three wheels installed on my car, and the forth has a wheel dolly under the rotor. Situated in the driver's seat (with the doors closed - I know, I'm sorry), I am holding a wire coat hanger in my left hand and have a tennis shoe placed over my right. Can I successfully make it from my driveway to the fifth nearest gas station?? - The owners manual doesn't seem to say anything about this.



"Common Sense." The manual doesn't tell you to not drink and drive, don't park on a beach near the water during low tide, don't push in the cigarette lighter and then hold it to your crotch, etc. The biggest hint to not drive your car with the door open, is that fancy dash light that warns you that your door is open (you can check the manual for this, it is there - page 5, fig 2). No, I don't think doors are designed to close on their own while driving down the road, I think common sense tells the driver & occupants to keep the doors closed and that the doors are really designed for side impacts on modern vehicles.

Short of conducting your own tests for your own "authorized" answer, you'll never get the answer you're looking for. If you weren't aware, you won't get anything from the "manufacturer" because the man behind the car is long gone and the factory long closed so sadly they can't test this for you. If this is important to you then I'd suggest contacting a vendor regarding this question.

[Michael]

FFS dude. Stop arguing. You wanted our opinions, you got them. If you don't like the answers, take the doors completely off and knock yourself out. Nobody really gives a flying F. if you drive doors up/down/off.

And to the guru...if you are driving close enough to people to hit them with your doors you are not in a parade, you are in a riot.

PS: Train horns in a passenger car are stupid.

[David T]

And to the guru...if you are driving close enough to people to hit them with your doors you are not in a parade, you are in a riot.

This actually happened. We were tossing out candy during a parade and the kids would run up to the cars to get the candy. We had to stop handing out candy because of this. No one got hurt but the parade organizers saw the potential. When the door is open it is at the right height that unless you are watching it *could* hit you.

As for keeping the doors open if the A/C dies, I guess you could but again, you have the problem of hitting bumps and bouncing the doors and potentially hitting someone or something with the doors. You don't get a whole lot of air with the doors open but it would help. I once had to drive home from a local car show and the A/C died about 15 minutes from home. By the time we got home, my wife and I were both soaked from sweat, it gets HOT quick! Now she won't go anywhere in the Delorean unless the A/C is working perfectly! Women tend to wilt a lot easier than guys. Their makeup doesn't take heat well! And with the doors open it messes up their hair.

[dn010]

When my AC dies in my DeLorean, I tend to pop out my windshield and sport some good ol' ridin' goggles. The rear louvers can support the weight of the windshield to make the trek home but you have to be sure to place it curved side up.

The UPS guys driving without their doors even wave.

[Helirich]

FFS dude. Stop arguing. You wanted our opinions, you got them.

Actually, I didn't ask for opinions, I asked for facts. But I'm happy to have opinions, just don't state them as facts. I'm not arguing, I'm discussing. If the discussion is too hot for you, don't read. I really thought a Delorean forum would be mostly older adults. (I'm retired) Guys getting upset over this makes you sound like a bunch of Facebook teenagers.

Let me say right now, I'm sorry for ever considering opening the doors. Maybe we could install kill switches if the door gets unlatched. Or maybe we could weld them shut. Better safe than sorry.

[Mark D]

When my AC dies in my DeLorean, I tend to pop out my windshield and sport some good ol' ridin' goggles. The rear louvers can support the weight of the windshield to make the trek home but you have to be sure to place it curved side up.


http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=65671&d=1614105092

[Josh]

Actually, I didn't ask for opinions, I asked for facts. But I'm happy to have opinions, just don't state them as facts. I'm not arguing, I'm discussing. If the discussion is too hot for you, don't read. I really thought a Delorean forum would be mostly older adults. (I'm retired) Guys getting upset over this makes you sound like a bunch of Facebook teenagers.

Let me say right now, I'm sorry for ever considering opening the doors. Maybe we could install kill switches if the door gets unlatched. Or maybe we could weld them shut. Better safe than sorry.

One could argue you are the one being the "facebook teenager" here. There are no facts here its a discussion with opinions. Clearly yours conflict with others and you are taking offence to that. You are the one who originally asked the question, but you dont seem to like anyone's answer.
You have made very few posts and already seem to have already established yourself as a nuisance to the forum.

[Michael]

[I]
This actually happened. We were tossing out candy during a parade and the kids would run up to the cars to get the candy. We had to stop handing out candy because of this. No one got hurt but the parade organizers saw the potential. When the door is open it is at the right height that unless you are watching it *could* hit you.


Must be some damn tall "kids" up in Jersey, and some damn relaxed parade organizers and parents to allow "kids" to run to cars moving in a parade.

Here is a pic of normal sized kids for reference. Let's not even get into the fact that a door edge is only about 10" away from the car's normal width when opened.... In short (get it?) If a kid is close enough to a moving car to get clotheslined by a door, he is too close to the car period door up or down.
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[Helirich]

One could argue you are the one being the "facebook teenager" here. There are no facts here its a discussion with opinions. Clearly yours conflict with others and you are taking offence to that. You are the one who originally asked the question, but you dont seem to like anyone's answer.
You have made very few posts and already seem to have already established yourself as a nuisance to the forum.

It's a fact that the owners manual does not warn of driving with doors open. I'm going to take it as fact that some owners have hit garage doors damaging their car. I'm going to take it as fact that someone has been hit by an open door. (Although you have to drive pretty close to do that) I'm not taking offense to any of those answers. I do take offense to people that suggest I'm crazy to ask such a question. I don't know if "offense" is the right word. Let's say I find it humorous that someone thinks I will bow down to their nonsense.

It's kind of like someone saying ware a mask. Just because there's no evidence that masks make a differnce doesn't matter. Ware it and don't ask questions.

Some might say that you have committed blasphemy by swapping a differnt engine in a classic. (Not me) Should the community brand you a nuisance?

This is a forum. Ask questions. If someone asks a question you don't like, dont respond. I'm not saying don't make joke at my expense. If it's any good, I can laugh too. But laying down the law concerning MY CAR is not going to work on me.

[Bitsyncmaster]

I think most of us that have been in a parade drive it with the doors open. So a paved road at 5 MPH is probably safe.

[David T]

It's not the questions that get me, it's some of the answers. Although it does get tiring when a newbie first starts posting and thinks he is asking questions that were never asked before. Checking the FAQ's or doing a quick search will, in many cases, yield the answer to the question. Some of use don't remember when we were the ones asking the dumb questions I guess. Besides, all you can get on this forum is advice (AND IT"S FREE!!!!!). Each of us is free to take it or leave it and do whatever.

[Helirich]

It's not the questions that get me, it's some of the answers. Although it does get tiring when a newbie first starts posting and thinks he is asking questions that were never asked before. Checking the FAQ's or doing a quick search will, in many cases, yield the answer to the question. Some of use don't remember when we were the ones asking the dumb questions I guess. Besides, all you can get on this forum is advice (AND IT"S FREE!!!!!). Each of us is free to take it or leave it and do whatever.

Yea, I like to search, but sometimes the search doesn't come up unless you pic just the right words. Also, sometimes the search will result in 50 threads when one guy might know the answer right off. I'm on a hot rod forum that the search will result in a page of "net results". (Mostly ads) Then if you scroll to the second page, it has results from the forum. I asked why such a weird search and their reply. "Don't search, just ask". What a refreshing differnce.

[Mark D]

OOPS.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVP8U94_vh8

[DeloreanJapan]

From my personal experience, When opening the Door at low speed its easy to open and gas strut will do there job, more than 50km/h ,
I just open with my hand and hold it untill its fully opened and let go is the best way to not damage the Door hinge .

Trivia : Often with door open driving, The flaps inside the Air vents are sometime out of position or even just brake off, and fall off when I braking the car ,and it just fly out the hole infront of the car .


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[David T]

Another point not mentioned, with the doors open you don't have the outside rear view mirrors. Seeing to the rear is bad enough already, losing the use of the rear view mirrors makes it a lot worse. There are pictures from the factory, when they moved the cars they always did it with the doors open.

[Michael]

I can't believe how ridiculous this thread has become(whoever said there are no stupid questions didn't read the post 1 of this thread)) not to mention some of you are taking this a bit too seriously.

[Helirich]

Another point not mentioned, with the doors open you don't have the outside rear view mirrors. Seeing to the rear is bad enough already, losing the use of the rear view mirrors makes it a lot worse. There are pictures from the factory, when they moved the cars they always did it with the doors open.

I've heard that opening the door is standard procedure on Lamborghinis when backing up. I think they have less visibility then our cars. I haven't backed mine except off a trailer. I had the doors open, but only because I'm not use to useing the mirrors on this car. While I can back my truck through an obstacle course by mirror, I always open the door when backing a trailer. Just something about a trailer I can't get right by mirror.

Of course, that has nothing to do with driving forward without mirrors. I depend on my side mirrors a lot when driving, but I find most people around me don't use them. (Or signals) lol.

[iflights]

And here I am thinking this thread had ended...

I wanted to share that driving the car home for the first time in a 5 hour drive from Indiana to Michigan, the AC gave out on what was a hot August day. It was so hot in the cabin, that our iPhones reached their temperature threshold and shut down for safety.

Never gave a single thought to drive with the doors open and glad I didn't from what I learned here.

Regardless, it was the best trip ever!!!

[Josh]

And here I am thinking this thread had ended...

I wanted to share that driving the car home for the first time in a 5 hour drive from Indiana to Michigan, the AC gave out on what was a hot August day. It was so hot in the cabin, that our iPhones reached their temperature threshold and shut down for safety.

Never gave a single thought to drive with the doors open and glad I didn't from what I learned here.

Regardless, it was the best trip ever!!!

Ive been in a similar situation. It is absolutely terrible. I remember having to stop for a long train. The car was perpendicular to the way a breeze was blowing, so we opened the doors and had a nice cross-breeze to cool off.

[Helirich]

Ive been in a similar situation. It is absolutely terrible. I remember having to stop for a long train. The car was perpendicular to the way a breeze was blowing, so we opened the doors and had a nice cross-breeze to cool off.

This reminds me of a helicopter I use to fly. It had AC and windows about the size of the car. I had to shut down one engine because of a problem. The AC would not work if you were flying on one engine. The body was so aero-dynamic, that even at a 100 knots, no air would really come in the windows. I had to fly the whole way back to base (45 min.) with my hand out the window to cup some air. This was in the middle of summer in the Gulf of Mexico. I was drenched with sweat when I got back.

This has me thinking. Another helo I use to fly (Bell) had flip out plexiglass things that brought lots of air in. They looked stupid because they were always there. But I suppose you could make some that could be carried in the luggage compartment for emergency.

[Drive Stainless]

Came here for the train horn discussion, but I'm too late.

[Michael]

I was wondering if anyone know the max speed for driving with the bonnet open? There is nothing in the owners manual about it.

[Rhye]

I was wondering if anyone know the max speed for driving with the bonnet open?Didn't you mean a minimum speed (so it's pushed low enough to see anything forward)? ;)

[Michael]

Didn't you mean a minimum speed (so it's pushed low enough to see anything forward)? ;)

No, because with my doors open I simply peer out the side.

Furthermore there is no information on keeping the engine cover open at speed. That catch doesn't look like it would be good for anything over 30mph. Are the max speed specs in the owners manual?

There is also no real information on driving at night without headlights...are they really necessary? Owners manual is suspiciously quiet on the subject.

[Nicholas R]

If I remember correctly, Don Steger used to love to open the doors while on the highway. I dont ever recall hearing about a door getting damaged. Not saying it couldn't but obviously it's possible. I remember seeing him do it on videos on Youtube.

Edit: Here are some. Multiple times opening in this video. I'll admit that the second opening at 30 seconds in does make me cringe. The idea that he pops the door and lets it open on its own, rather than control the opening with his arm. But it seems like it was fine. He was more concerned with his shorts blowing up :biggrin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09YrR-6F7CI

Here's another video. As much as I hate sharing this video... 20 seconds into this video both doors are opened while driving. (not embedded as the forum only allows one video embedded)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFEqClpt5ck

[Helirich]

I was thinking on the aero-dynamics thing. If you jack up the back with big tires, the doors might close with speed. Might take less than you think.

On the luggage compartment, in the "iron man" thread, he insinuates you can't put a full size tire in when you get a flat. I haven't confirmed it. Is this true? If so, and you put it in as much as possible, can you close it enough to see? It's funny the manual wouldn't address this. I know Michael is being sarcastic saying they don't mention lots of stuff, but the designers had to know this would come up. Do they expect you to leave your tire/wheel on the side of the road?

[Josh]

Here's another video. As much as I hate sharing this video... 20 seconds into this video both doors are opened while driving. (not embedded as the forum only allows one video embedded)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFEqClpt5ck

I love how they captured Don in this video for millions of people to see. He was a great man.
With that being said I hate this video for the false claim of "575hp" it makes. But I think most people can see past that.

[Ron]

With that being said I hate this video for the false claim of "575hp" it makes.
Curious as to why you think this??

[Michael]

Curious as to why you think this??

Probably because of the video evidence of it sputtering out at anywhere near full throttle and it breaking down multiple times. His words were "575 hp it makes"...meaning present tense at the time of the video, not what it did 20 years ago and not whatever it makes today after being totally rebuilt by the original fabricator. The people that saw Matt's video see the car struggling to make highway speed.

[Ron]

Probably because of the video evidence of it sputtering out at anywhere near full throttle and it breaking down multiple times. His words were "575 hp it makes"...meaning present tense at the time of the video, not what it did 20 years ago and not whatever it makes today after being totally rebuilt by the original fabricator. The people that saw Matt's video see the car struggling to make highway speed.Got ya. ...but time has nothing to do with it, assuming it could handel 88 MPH. :)