I would also like to see power windows that could be opened or closed without the ignition on.
When wipers come on, lights come on automaticly.
If they were linked to a car’s GPS(aftermarket or factory), then the car could turn the signal on 500ft or so before the turn
I routinely ignore or overrule the directions given out by my GPS navigator because it tries to send me on a route that I know is congested or just a bad route to take. I really don’t want my GPS to operate my turn signals for me.
Besides, most of the time, I don’t even use it, I know where I’m going.
GPS is a great tool, but you still have to use your own judgement.
How about bumpers that can handle a minor impact without being destroyed or looking like crap afterwards? (Like they could up until at least the late 70s) And make side mirrors that easily fold backwards or forwards if you bump them on something standard. My 94 has this and it’s saved me from bad car washes and morons in parking lots several times.
How about a jack on each side of the car that can slide from front to back and be powered by your brake pedal so you can change a tire without having to empty out your trunk, make you bark up your knuckles and crawl under the rear axle in the dark to position a jack that wouldn’t raise anything except your blood pressure.
Here’s a courtesy feature I’ve wanted for some time. Whenever the turn indicators are on continuously for more than five minutes, the car will make that turn.
Even if it’s on a bridge at the time.
(The five-minute grace period is to cover things like long waits at six-way intersections.)
better late than never.
freedomwoman, I think we are on the same page here.
the “car” you describe sounds a lot like my 1985 toyota pick up truck. Except it dont got the air bags.
since my reply didnt post, again, horns and lights seem to attract the critters more than repel them. I dont know why. Also, the teenage chipmunks play, “run in front of the tire at the last minute” and the older ones play “suicide by tire, due to prolonged flea bite attacks” on a regular basis. The crows are the prime benificaries of these critter games.
better late than never.
but if you leave the devices on when the engine is off, it runs down the battery.
I’d like to see a revolving, programmable LCD panel attached to the roof of every car. This handy gadget would allow the driver to post notices to those “not so great” drivers about their driving abilities. For example, you might notify the bumper hugger behind you by lighting up your screen with a message, such as “Back off, Bonzo” or “HELLO, I am not a sex object”. For the guy who is married to the left lane, a polite notice such as “Passing you right now on the right because your tires appear to be stuck in the left lane” might do. For the one who cuts you off, a not-so-polite “YOU #*(K!# !?!)^”, might help you express your true feelings in a safe environment. Think of all the problems this would solve.
- You’d be doing a public service.
- It would be a stress reliever and cut down immensely on Road Rage
- For New Yorkers, it would save that 3rd finger from progressive deterioration due to wear-and-tear.
We need silent auto alarms that either just flash the lights or dial your cell phone when they activate.
As it is now, when an alarm goes off, the only thing people care about is when that damned noise will stop. They don’t even care if the crook tows the car away, as long as the noise goes away.
We also DO NOT need cars to BEEP, CHIRP or HONK when the doors are locked or unlocked. That should not even be an option. If the manufacturers want to have some sort of confirmation that their security system is activated, a tiny LED light on the key fob could blink. The whole neighborhood doesn’t need to be alerted that you just locked or unlocked your stupid car.
BTW, most cars can be set-up for silent entry/exit. It tells you how in the owners manual.
As a rule of thumb: The more beeps, honks and chirps a car makes, the dumber the driver.
A second item:
My 1994 Camaro had T-tops. A few of the Camaro designers appeared at a local auto show and when asked when the new (boxy Chrysler-looking Camaro) would get T-tops, one of the design team members told the gathering that t-tops were, “just too hard…” and that, “There will never be t-tops on this model…”
It took Chevy a decade to figure out how to make a t-top that didn’t leak like a sieve, and they finally got it right around the 1994 model year.
It would be great to have a sleek looking Camaro again (not that Chrysler-box design) with T-tops as an option.
I also agree with those who would like to see fewer gadgets and easier maintenance/repairs.
All cars should come with spitoons.
The problem is that there are a lot of folks who will not take care of themselves and will have to be fixed in the hospital or worse cause you to be fixed in a hospital. I say make the cars as safe and idiot proof as possible.
Wiper switches that turn on the headlights. Most cars are almost invisible in heavy rain. Wipers and headlights on together would solve that problem. It is the law in Maryland. Alaska requires headlight use 24/7.
Multi-disc, wet clutches (i.e. “motorcycle clutches”) on MT cars. Heck, may as well lift the whole design wholesale from the MC world (except hand-actuated).
My ('72, old-tech) Honda shifts far more quickly and precise than any MT car I’ve driven (granted, never driven a “paddle shift” car).
Plus, swapping out the clutch discs is a joy* to do on these bikes…about as difficult as an oil change on certain cars. And no fluid changes to worry about!
- W/R/T old Hondas, only a “joy” AFTER the Phillips-head 6mm’s are swapped out for hex-head and/or Allen-head bolts!