New Technology

With all these posts about how people don't like ABS, Traction Control, push button starting, leather seats and all the rest, I have to say I LIKE THEM!!! I remember many times going out to start a vehicle, and having to sit in it for what seemed like forever freezing!!! Now I hit the start button, turn either the seat warmer or cooler on, walk back into the house to grab my coffee, and by the time I get back out, I am good to go.
I am not a real fan of ABS and trailer towing, but with the trailer brakes in good working order, I have never had any trouble. The GM traction control SUCKS, but you can get around it, by using 4 low. My Mopar, I have never noticed any difference.
Years ago, I asked my Grandpa to teach me how to drive horses. His comment was, he spent all of his life getting away from working horses, and by GOLLY he wasn't going back to it. I am the same way about MOST modern technology.

I wish my GMC work truck had Leather seats. Glad I have ABS on front wheels. I even like left and right side temp controls. I can't wait for all vehicles on the road to have the new technology that applies the brakes to prevent people from running into you. I hope this prevents tailgaters too. Especially the tailgaters that make U turns and speed all the time. So with the new braking technology, what will the COPS do?

My boy has narcolepsy and I think he would sure like to have one of those self driving cars that we are starting to here about. I doubt he will ever be able to afford one though.

Can't say I like leather, but our last car had all the goodies including push button start and bavkup cam with the lines that moved with the steering to show where you would go. Our new car, altho the same year, is the older technology with key start and just a regular backup cam. When we got the other car I thought how silly that stuff was, but when we went back we foind we miss it. It's surprising what a pain it is to use a key when your used to not needing one. And remote start on cold days was a blessing for sure.

The first car that I drove didn't even have turn signals. Roll the window down and stick your arm out, freezing rain or shine. One brake light in the middle of the trunk lid. Heater was an option. We were whistling Dixie with that old Plymouth. All the fancy stuff on the new vehicles will spell trouble as they age, but Momma really likes pushing the remote start and going out to a toasty warm vehicle. You'll notice, when Momma is happy, everybody is happy. When I feel grumpy about the new automotive technology, I fire up the old '75 Ford highboy and take it for a spin. That thing will jolt me and my old bones back to appreciation of the modern vehicles.

Invent new laws of course. Gotta keep the money coming in somehow. TDF

(quoted from post at 07:02:17 01/26/16) I can't wait for all vehicles on the road to have the new technology that applies the brakes to prevent people from running into you. I hope this prevents tailgaters too. Especially the tailgaters that make U turns and speed all the time. So with the new braking technology, what will the COPS do?

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Man it will take years to get that new technology and I think federal law before you see a lot of them on the road. People in general are not going to want a vehicle what senses the speed limit and actually makes them drive it, won't allow them to make illegal passes or turns and so on.

Rick

I'll only buy a car with leather seats anymore. Something to be said for non-pourous materials.

We just bought my wife a new car, a ford fusion. Had to pick between navigation and push button start though, due to what htey had in stock. Went with the navigation, and boy we're glad we did. It's infinitely better than using your phone. All the screen's too, one on each side of the speedometer, plus the center touch screen in the middle. We got the extended bumper to bumper warranty, as I'm sure it'll cost a bundle if any of those electronics go wrong.

My pickup still has mechanical locks on the doors, no remote start. I have driven several vehilcs with front anti-lock brakes. I despise the feature with a purple passion. I have driven vehicles with 4 wheel anti-locks and that seems to be okay. My pickup has anti-locks brakes on the rear wheels only. I think that is the far superior setup. I have never driven a modern vehicle with the traction sensors that direct power to the wheel with the most traction. I'd would think that feature would be worth it's weight in gold. I did own one of the old Jeep Wagoneers with the quad-trac (I believe that's what they called it) system. It was superior to anything on the market at the time for applied traction on slick conditions. I sure do like the modern "flick a switch" 4WD engagement feature. Sure beats the heck out of having to get out and lock the hubs.................and if I remember correctly it was advised to stay under 50-55 mph with the hubs locked in, also. The biggest drawback is: at what cost? and repairability when the electronics become obsolete and are no longer supported.

I think some may have either never driven a vehicle without technology, or it has been too long to recall how they rode/drove. I vividly recall the first vehicle I ever drove, a 50's pickup, no turn signals, starter down in floorboard, and somehow you needed to pump the gas pedal while simultaneously pushing the starter and pull choke just the right amount all while not flooding the carb. Certainly no AC, and if you drove long enough, the heater might just get warm by the time you shut it off. Huge steering wheel, with manual steering that seemed like it took a dozen turns to just turn off the highway. Oh, and if you thought ABS was poor, try an old truck from the 50's with manual brakes that took a few pumps of the pedal to hopefully engage those drum brakes. Oh, and those vacuum wipers. You needed to let up on the gas to generate enough vacuum to even get them moving and in a downpour those were terrible. Don't get me wrong, I guess they were simple to work on, and I am working on an old truck now to play around with (it does have power steering, but manual drum brakes that I am betting makes the worst ABS look good), but I'll not be using for my daily commute. Oh the memories.

Well, if you are going to go to that type of auto, you better find someone with half a brain to determine speed limits and pass/no pass zones. I can think of numerous spots within twenty minutes driving time from where I am sitting that are either double-lined where it is perfectly safe to pass or broken lined where it is absolutely foolhardy to pass. And I also ain't paying 8-10 million a mile out of my pocket to build super highways to drive a stupid 65 mph.

A warning sensor that alerts the driver that he/she is turning into oncoming traffic would be a good thing, however. "tailgating" is a subjective thing depending on conditions and braking abilities of any given vehicle.


All of this would be moot if we actually taught people how to drive. Next to a welfare check, "Drivers Ed" as currently practiced in this country, is the biggest waste of taxpayers money you can name.

My 2007 GMC work has mechanical locks on the doors, no remote start, no power windows, no 4 wheel drive. Does have auto differential lock out, which I love. Yet to have an issue with brakes. Driving on snow covered roads, nice to know when one wheel is slipping on ice and brakes do their job as they should. Only wish I had heated leather power seats.

(quoted from post at 09:10:17 01/26/16) My boy has narcolepsy and I think he would sure like to have one of those self driving cars that we are starting to here about. I doubt he will ever be able to afford one though.

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Seeing as you would be nothing more than a passenger, would you even need a drivers license to operate/sit in one?

There is no doubt that certain technology upgrades over the years have been very worthwhile. However, I think that the backup cameras are a waste. I think that the blindside detection systems would be very distracting to have them blink on and off every time a car passed me. What happens when the sensor or indicator fails? "Oops, didn't see that car, thought it was ok to pull over." Anybody here have them? What do you think?

And as others mentioned, what happens when that stuff starts to fail? I sold a 12 yr old Pontiac last year loaded with all the hi-tech whistles and bells of the era and a lot didn't work anymore (ABS, Heads up Display, heated seats, etc)

First car I drove was a Model A ford.That was in the '50s.It was basic!Right down to it's mechanical brakes.
Lots of cars and trucks have passed through my hands since.The wifes cars are fairly well decked out.Mine have a minimum of options.My currant truck,an '06 F250 4 WD,6spd. manual,manual hubs and X/fer case,manual door locks and windows.
As for ABS-my opinion,a joke.Just for fun I did a little test on a glare ice road.Locked the brakes up at between 30 and 35 MPH.Slid for a 1/4 mile!ABS making all sorts of racket.Turned around and went back to the start,same spd.and pumped the pedal like we were taught way back when and guess what -stopped in 1/3 the distance.Engineers can keep the ABS!

However, I think that the backup cameras are a waste.

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With the design of the current SUVs and crossovers and many cars, even a young, flexible person cannot turn around and see what is behind them, there is not enough window space and too many blind spots.

I was not a fan at first, but have come to appreciate a well-placed backup camera. As to how well they hold up, the technology is not exactly cutting edge any more, so I would expect few issues.

I steered my Mom away from a new Accord this past Fall, because the side-view cameras, lane ID, etc were just too distracting for her. We found a newer used car that had just a level less technology, and it is a perfect fit for her.

A car that governs itself to the speed limit sounds great.
Til you get behind someone who can't hold a steady speed and speeds up every time there is room to pass him.

Active cruise control paces the car ahead until the car ahead is no longer in the lane in front.

I think the new stuff is great. My wife's new car has all the stuff on it you can get. Blind spot detection, pedestrian alert, active cruise control, 5 cameras, stick shaker steering wheel that feels like you hit a rumble strip if you stray over a line without signaling your intent to do so. Even parallel parks itself. 45 mpg to boot.