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On automobiles in general

I'm pretty convinced that the next time I purchase a car the primary selection criterion is going to be strongly based on the usefulness of its user interface.

I have been driving Hondas, a couple of Civics, a couple of Fits, and now a CR-V, for decades, and they have proved reliable, handled well, and done their job until corrosion took them down. However, as we have evolved into digital controls and instrumentation and integration with phones, I spend too much time irritated at the behavior of those systems.

Some complaints:
  • TPMS that doesn't show actual pressure in each tire. So the light comes on, no indication of what wheel, nothing to tell me rate of leak, if any. Grrr...
  • Presumption that one has a crApple phone. Fuck you and the horse you rode in on.
  • General integration with (Android) phone: No device connected... Connecting... No device connected... Gotcha... (finally plays some music)... On to next cut, but continues to display info for third cut back...
  • Text comes in. Display announces such. Listen. Now need four button presses to get back to audio display.
  • XM, Sirius, all that crap. If you want to build it in, fine, but let me make it invisible, and fuck fishing calls from the companies.
  • Radio in general - I don't listen to radio anymore. Go away, I only use my phone.
  • Half a dozen press buttons, rather than two knobs, for HVAC - rather a big distraction to peer and punch the correct control to turn off defrost. Three clicks CCW is easy to remember.
  • ...
Some things I'd like to see:
  • If TPMS detects an issue, immediately display pressure in wheel with problem.
  • Equal support for crApple and Android.
  • If I choose not to use a feature, let me set it so it never displays in common use menus.
  • Do not give my contact information to any sales/marketing entity.
  • Eliminate arrays of push buttons.
  • Allow use of rear facing camera when driving forward.
  • Provide paper or PDF manual for specific model, not "* applies only to model x".
  • ...
 

Adventurous

Starshine Bro
Mar 19, 2014
10,261
8,767
Crawlorado
An NPR piece a while back was discussing this same subject. Their synopsis was that automakers have tried to go at it alone in the tech field, and as a result, have equipped their vehicles with technology that is at least a decade behind. They would be much better served farming that job out and focusing on what they know and are good at.
 

roflbox

roflborx
Jan 23, 2017
3,163
834
Raleigh, NC
I
Some things I'd like to see:
  • If TPMS detects an issue, immediately display pressure in wheel with problem.
  • Equal support for crApple and Android.
  • If I choose not to use a feature, let me set it so it never displays in common use menus.
  • Do not give my contact information to any sales/marketing entity.
  • Eliminate arrays of push buttons.
  • Allow use of rear facing camera when driving forward.
  • Provide paper or PDF manual for specific model, not "* applies only to model x".
  • ...

1. (there is a screen that displays tire pressure) and 2 (Android auto works, and is pretty sweet) are solved with my current Chevy, as for your rust problem, I don't think anything escapes NH unscathed.

3. Not sure about this one, but nothing is too intrusive.

4. Will only be sirius XM until you tell them to be taken off of the call list (which actually works)

5. May or may not be what you are looking for, but the air control system is not too bad, dials for temp (with LED display of temp) and then the other buttons just direct where the air goes, control defrost / AC / ETC. The heater works very well.

6. is a no as well :(

7. It does come with a paper manual
 

Jm_

sled dog's bollocks
Jan 14, 2002
18,852
9,557
AK
I'm pretty convinced that the next time I purchase a car the primary selection criterion is going to be strongly based on the usefulness of its user interface.

I have been driving Hondas, a couple of Civics, a couple of Fits, and now a CR-V, for decades, and they have proved reliable, handled well, and done their job until corrosion took them down. However, as we have evolved into digital controls and instrumentation and integration with phones, I spend too much time irritated at the behavior of those systems.

Some complaints:
  • TPMS that doesn't show actual pressure in each tire. So the light comes on, no indication of what wheel, nothing to tell me rate of leak, if any. Grrr...
  • Presumption that one has a crApple phone. Fuck you and the horse you rode in on.
  • General integration with (Android) phone: No device connected... Connecting... No device connected... Gotcha... (finally plays some music)... On to next cut, but continues to display info for third cut back...
  • Text comes in. Display announces such. Listen. Now need four button presses to get back to audio display.
  • XM, Sirius, all that crap. If you want to build it in, fine, but let me make it invisible, and fuck fishing calls from the companies.
  • Radio in general - I don't listen to radio anymore. Go away, I only use my phone.
  • Half a dozen press buttons, rather than two knobs, for HVAC - rather a big distraction to peer and punch the correct control to turn off defrost. Three clicks CCW is easy to remember.
  • ...
Some things I'd like to see:
  • If TPMS detects an issue, immediately display pressure in wheel with problem.
  • Equal support for crApple and Android.
  • If I choose not to use a feature, let me set it so it never displays in common use menus.
  • Do not give my contact information to any sales/marketing entity.
  • Eliminate arrays of push buttons.
  • Allow use of rear facing camera when driving forward.
  • Provide paper or PDF manual for specific model, not "* applies only to model x".
  • ...
Well that's kind of most new vehicles, except for the using the rear camera when moving forward. Some of the econo-boxes won't have all these features, but most of the tech-loaded cars do.
 

Adventurous

Starshine Bro
Mar 19, 2014
10,261
8,767
Crawlorado
BTW, ever tried Fluid Film or Krown treatments to help stave off the rusting? Having spent a goodly amount of my life in MA, I'm fairly conditioned to wire wheeling, priming, and painting rusty sections, but that stuff is pretty effective at providing a corrosion resistant coating on the undercarriage.

I believe @BadDNA can provide more info as he has offered spraying services. .
 

Pesqueeb

bicycle in airplane hangar
Feb 2, 2007
40,138
16,537
Riding the baggage carousel.
Of the vehicles I drive regularly, including work trucks, everyone has a TPMS that shows individual wheels and pressures. (Mazda, Ford, Dodge) Perhaps this varied from manufacturer to manufacturer or year?

I would gladly see the death of manufacturer based "infotainment" systems. I don't give a shit what fancy BS you think you've thought of. It already exists on my phone and in a better form, I don't need to pay an extra 5 grand for your bullshit that I will never use. I've used the navigation, sirrius, HD radio, etc features in teh wifes car exactly zero times.

General integration with (Android) phone: No device connected... Connecting... No device connected... Gotcha... (finally plays some music)... On to next cut, but continues to display info for third cut back...
And for the love of all that is holy, why is blue tooth integration so hard? Can one of you nerds explain this to me?
 

canadmos

Cake Tease
May 29, 2011
20,190
19,156
Canaderp
As much as I like modern cars, I could not care less about their infotainment systems and whatnot. I'm perfectly okay with simple HVAC controls, some sort of craptacular radio and an aux input for the phone. Phone's these days can do everything most car systems can, if not more.

One complaint I have is how complicated some of this stuff is. I delivered cars for an auto body shop in college and some cars, Mercedes in particular, were almost impossible to get in and quickly change stuff. I had to pull over once to figure out how to turn on the front windshield defrost.
 
BTW, ever tried Fluid Film or Krown treatments to help stave off the rusting? Having spent a goodly amount of my life in MA, I'm fairly conditioned to wire wheeling, priming, and painting rusty sections, but that stuff is pretty effective at providing a corrosion resistant coating on the undercarriage.

I believe @BadDNA can provide more info as he has offered spraying services. .
Yes, I have. Penetrating rust pretty uniformly emerges from inside body panels; salt water gets trapped in lap joints in rocker panels, door bottoms, etc. and the corrosion works its way out. I have kicked this around with people who have been doing body work professionally for years. The various spray in/on goos, have some effect, but to get them inside panels, holes usually need to be drilled, and those become starting points for corrosion, and the goo tends to obstruct drain holes. The other thing that gets eaten is electrical components and connections, leading to all sorts of obscure faults, and it'd be a bitch to protect those.
 

Pesqueeb

bicycle in airplane hangar
Feb 2, 2007
40,138
16,537
Riding the baggage carousel.
Yes, I have. Penetrating rust pretty uniformly emerges from inside body panels; salt water gets trapped in lap joints in rocker panels, door bottoms, etc. and the corrosion works its way out. I have kicked this around with people who have been doing body work professionally for years. The various spray in/on goos, have some effect, but to get them inside panels, holes usually need to be drilled, and those become starting points for corrosion, and the goo tends to obstruct drain holes. The other thing that gets eaten is electrical components and connections, leading to all sorts of obscure faults, and it'd be a bitch to protect those.
Should have gotten that undercoating.
 

Westy

the teste
Nov 22, 2002
54,232
20,015
Sleazattle
My 2008 VW can show tire pressure for each wheel. i just need to get out of the car and put a gage on it.

I for one don't give a shit about the silly fancy user electronics that come on new cars short of stability and traction control. Would be nice to have a high quality car that was designed to drive well but was stripped down on features. I can shift my own gears, adjust my own seat and mirrors and open my windows. I manage to stay in my own lane and not rear end people without nanny electronics. I get navigation through my phone and for fuck sakes keep touch screens out of cars. Tactile buttons and knobs can be used while keeping eyes on the road and not fumbling through screens that require the majority of your visual attention.

It would also be nice if manufacturers offered vehicles that were optimized to drive on actual roads and not some faux offroader to massage peoples egos about being tough outdoorsmen while they panic shop for bread and milk anytime frozen precipitation falls from the sky.
 

StiHacka

Compensating for something
Jan 4, 2013
21,560
12,504
In hell. Welcome!
My 2008 VW can show tire pressure for each wheel. i just need to get out of the car and put a gage on it.

I for one don't give a shit about the silly fancy user electronics that come on new cars short of stability and traction control. Would be nice to have a high quality car that was designed to drive well but was stripped down on features. I can shift my own gears, adjust my own seat and mirrors and open my windows. I manage to stay in my own lane and not rear end people without nanny electronics. I get navigation through my phone and for fuck sakes keep touch screens out of cars. Tactile buttons and knobs can be used while keeping eyes on the road and not fumbling through screens that require the majority of your visual attention.

It would also be nice if manufacturers offered vehicles that were optimized to drive on actual roads and not some faux offroader to massage peoples egos about being tough outdoorsmen while they panic shop for bread and milk anytime frozen precipitation falls from the sky.
You've just described the efatbike movement of the auto industry.
 

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,562
24,182
media blackout
It would also be nice if manufacturers offered vehicles that were optimized to drive on actual roads and not some faux offroader to massage peoples egos about being tough outdoorsmen while they panic shop for bread and milk anytime frozen precipitation falls from the sky.
yea but their peepee's!
 
My 2008 VW can show tire pressure for each wheel. i just need to get out of the car and put a gage on it.

I for one don't give a shit about the silly fancy user electronics that come on new cars short of stability and traction control. Would be nice to have a high quality car that was designed to drive well but was stripped down on features. I can shift my own gears, adjust my own seat and mirrors and open my windows. I manage to stay in my own lane and not rear end people without nanny electronics. I get navigation through my phone and for fuck sakes keep touch screens out of cars. Tactile buttons and knobs can be used while keeping eyes on the road and not fumbling through screens that require the majority of your visual attention.

It would also be nice if manufacturers offered vehicles that were optimized to drive on actual roads and not some faux offroader to massage peoples egos about being tough outdoorsmen while they panic shop for bread and milk anytime frozen precipitation falls from the sky.
I appreciate the TPMS in my Express van - early warning if air loss starts, and real numbers to help with stop now vs continue to next exit decision.

Automatic transmissions I like, electric mirror adjust and defrost I like, would prefer manual door locks and window open/close. Cruise control I like, prevents me from getting speeding citations.

Don't forget faux racers...
 

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,562
24,182
media blackout
That I'd like too, but I wouldn't pay an extra $10K to go from trim level A to C to get it (along with the roof rack, big expensive wheels and other bling for fat-asses that get included, all attached with tie wraps).
i got the high end trim for my subie, because i wanted leather seats (easy to clean when dirty from riding) and the sunroof.
 

Wingnut

Turbo Monkey
Nov 12, 2003
1,664
179
Sorry, I'm Canadian ..sorry...
I drive a 98 RamVan cargo. Knobs for all the things, Am/FM with a modulator for my phone. TPMS works perfect, the low tire is low and
I can feel it when driving... Tons of room for stuff... Doesn't support iPhones... It's quite the Zen driving experience..
 

roflbox

roflborx
Jan 23, 2017
3,163
834
Raleigh, NC
I drive a 98 RamVan cargo. Knobs for all the things, Am/FM with a modulator for my phone. TPMS works perfect, the low tire is low and
I can feel it when driving... Tons of room for stuff... Doesn't support iPhones... It's quite the Zen driving experience..
is it lizard proof?!?!?!?!?
 

canadmos

Cake Tease
May 29, 2011
20,190
19,156
Canaderp
I drive a 98 RamVan cargo. Knobs for all the things, Am/FM with a modulator for my phone. TPMS works perfect, the low tire is low and
I can feel it when driving... Tons of room for stuff... Doesn't support iPhones... It's quite the Zen driving experience..
Sounds like my Toyota Matrix crap box. The radio works, it has manual mirrors and windows, but it has power locks. No traction control and no ABS.

Its pretty much perfect as there isn't much to go wrong in the car. Though power windows would be nice; Trying to do up the passenger window in the rain is a stretch..
 

Jm_

sled dog's bollocks
Jan 14, 2002
18,852
9,557
AK
My 2SS 1LE also shows tire temp...but it never gets above “cold” :)
 

6thElement

Schrodinger's Immigrant
Jul 29, 2008
15,827
13,063
TPMS light is constantly lit in my Subaru because swapping between winter and summer wheels doesn't seem to have any easy way to reset without paying the dealer $50 twice a year. The gizmo I bought from tirerack didn't do squat.
 

jdcamb

Tool Time!
Feb 17, 2002
19,799
8,383
Nowhere Man!
A little tiny flattop and a waffle Iron built into the dash. Also a little fridge for syrup and butter built into the glove box. A dirty dish console. A cute chick dressed in a maids outfit to ride shotgun for when you need to flip the eggs. She can reach over and take the wheel as you eat your waffle.
 

jdcamb

Tool Time!
Feb 17, 2002
19,799
8,383
Nowhere Man!
Teslas could probably get an extra 50 miles of range without that big ass screen. First time i ever saw one, i said to my myself, "What the fuck is that and why is that needed?"
Its really hard to look at porn when you drive on a small screen. Its for safety....
 

boogenman

Turbo Monkey
Nov 3, 2004
4,290
973
BUFFALO
Some things I'd like to see:
  • If TPMS detects an issue, immediately display pressure in wheel with problem.
  • Equal support for crApple and Android.
  • If I choose not to use a feature, let me set it so it never displays in common use menus.
  • Do not give my contact information to any sales/marketing entity.
  • Eliminate arrays of push buttons.
  • Allow use of rear facing camera when driving forward.
  • Provide paper or PDF manual for specific model, not "* applies only to model x".
  • ...
Hyundai offers Android Auto and TPMS info you want.

Cars suck. I thoroughly enjoy my commuter car, 2004 Toyota Corolla with 177k. I paid $4,500 for it 6 years ago, it has all I need. AC, cruise and a radio. Unfortunately it will need to be replaced soon because of rust.
 

stoney

Part of the unwashed, middle-American horde
Jul 26, 2006
21,517
7,064
Colorado
One of my few complaints with the M is the lack of a Bluetooth integration into the stereo, but it's a 2002 so that's expected. It doesn't have TPMS, but does have a par system so that's good enough for me. The Infiniti has way too much going on and since I can't integrate my Android maps into it, the GPS is worthless. However the smart integration into Bluetooth and music is very nice. The smart cruise control is epic for daily driving. The Subaru is raw. At least the prior 2010 I had came with a Bluetooth integration, but that had the $2500 Infotainment system which wasn't worth it.

My next car only needs a few things:
- smart cruise control
- Android GPS integration
- Bluetooth
- music integration
- Service alerts (manually updated at point in time)

Anything beyond that shouldn't be done while the car is moving and will be done while stopped.