Automobiles Bells And Whistles - do they make better drivers?

[Dftodd]

Ha, ha - I know the exact feeling, Dftodd. You are poking around with all the on-screen features and - WHOA - what is this? How did I get there - what will it do - how do I exit this??? Hopefully, you're not trying to drive at the same time. This is NOT the way I want to experience off-roading with the Taco Wagon.

Yeah, we've had that happen a few times now. Each time the display pops up for the radio it's been set up different. This last time it was a split screen with the xm station on the left side. And my wifes call log for her phone on the other half.

I pointed out that at least her call log didn't show anything incriminating

 

[turnkey4099]

Not just the cost but the (lack of) driveability if any of these sensors are damaged. There was some discussion on another thread about someone who'd broken one of the side mirrors on a Suburu, and the car wouldn't move due to the damaged sensor. No excuse for that.
I've also read that with all the windshield sensors, it's become a dealer-only replacement due to the alignment necessary to get all that "safety" crap working properly again. Take out the aftermarket option and guess what happens to the cost... unch: I wonder if all dealers are able to make these alignments, or if only the larger-volume ones can afford the equipment to do so.

I'm not looking forward to the day when my next vehicle has all this crap in it. Maybe where Diggin It lives older vehicles are an option, but here in New England not so much.

Yes,there is that problem. Old days one could drivea vehicle a long time with stuff not working. One of my major complaints with new vehicles is the electric door operation. Disonnect the battery in an accident and you just sit there locked in.

 

[bunyip]

Battery died in my hyundai and just before it drew it's last breath it locked itself, had stuff in the car I needed and it is keyless entry, had to wait for roadside assist who put in a new battery.

 

[MossRoad]

Battery died in my hyundai and just before it drew it's last breath it locked itself, had stuff in the car I needed and it is keyless entry, had to wait for roadside assist who put in a new battery.

Didn't it have the little switchblade key built into the fob?

 

[Dftodd]

Yes,there is that problem. Old days one could drivea vehicle a long time with stuff not working. One of my major complaints with new vehicles is the electric door operation. Disonnect the battery in an accident and you just sit there locked in.

Our car has the power locks. But has the manual push down locks as well. The push down portion has enough meat to pull them up in a pinch.

 

[Oaktree]

Yes,there is that problem. Old days one could drivea vehicle a long time with stuff not working. One of my major complaints with new vehicles is the electric door operation. Disonnect the battery in an accident and you just sit there locked in.

Do cars no longer have mechanical door lock buttons? Guess I never noticed. I thought you could disable the automatic door lock "feature". Never figured out why you'd want the doors locked while you were moving unless you lived where carjacking was common.

Battery died in my hyundai and just before it drew it's last breath it locked itself, had stuff in the car I needed and it is keyless entry, had to wait for roadside assist who put in a new battery.

How'd they get the hood open to replace the battery? Isn't the release inside the car?

 

[Jstpssng]

I'm a bit perplexed right now because a mouse decided to set up housekeeping in my new-to-me Colorado, and now all sorts of funky things are happening. When the parking brake is set it states the power steering isn't working... that's a pretty stupid thing to have tied into the electronics. Two things that I want to work at all times; brakes and steering.

 

[MossRoad]

I think it would be almost criminal to make a car that you couldn't get out of if the battery died. Something's not right there.

 

[MossRoad]

Do cars no longer have mechanical door lock buttons? Guess I never noticed. I thought you could disable the automatic door lock "feature". Never figured out why you'd want the doors locked while you were moving unless you lived where carjacking was common.



How'd they get the hood open to replace the battery? Isn't the release inside the car?

We have a new Ford work van at my employer and it doesn't have any visible lock buttons on the inside. However, if you grab the inside handle and pull it, the doors open regardless of if they are locked or not.

 

[MossRoad]

Battery died in my hyundai and just before it drew it's last breath it locked itself, had stuff in the car I needed and it is keyless entry, had to wait for roadside assist who put in a new battery.

Your smart key should have a mechanical key inside of it.