15 Comments

Hi Brian! Automotive engineer here - your steering wheel turns because it's still mechanically connected to the wheels and all the other parts that make steering happen. The gas pedal probably doesn't move because it's likely drive-by-wire (electric connection, not mechanical) and your brake pedal won't move because it's a hydraulic circuit. Thanks for the great write up on how you use your van!

Expand full comment

Automotive behavioral scientist here - your steering wheel only turns like this because it's VERY stressed! It may look adorable but it should be released back into the wild.

Expand full comment

Thank you for going above and beyond in response to my question! I've shared it with my dad, I think he'll get a kick out of reading it. Very informative and entertaining as always.

Expand full comment

Your Britney Spears story gives me with no small amount of joy because I had a very similar situation happen to me one time on my way into the gym while trusting a "Old School Jams" playlist that my wife had made. There was an *abrupt* transition from Rage Against the Machine into NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye". There were many confused looks as I got out, to which I responded with the Bye Bye Bye handwave thing from the video at nobody in particular. It was the coolest I've ever felt.

Important context: I have the same general size, shape, and look of Eagles RT Lane Johnson.

Expand full comment

ahahahaha

Expand full comment

Have you considered just driving over to New Jersey to get gas?

Expand full comment

buddy i do not even want to drive to the other wawa in town let alone across state lines

Expand full comment

Fair

Expand full comment

If the steering wheel is still connected to the wheels, it'll move whenever the wheels steer. So the turner becomes the turnee in this scenario

Expand full comment

Did you give yourself a call sign as part of Wheelchair Top Gun?

Expand full comment

Okay well I don’t know what this means about me that if I saw a man blaring out to tiny dancer in a van I would just think man what a good song good taste in music

Expand full comment

This is fascinating stuff and I loved reading about it. (I also missed the Gap mannequin incident(s), so it was worth getting caught up on those too.) My question: Were the any "buzzing the tower" opportunities for you at Wheelchair Top Gun?

Expand full comment

lol if there were it was probably because i was still bad at using the joystick and almost smashed into a building

Expand full comment

Poetry - thx Brian

Expand full comment

This was fascinating and funny. Thank you for sharing it.

Expand full comment