Things you want standard on all cars in 10 years?
Discussion
I want two things.
1) Black box recorders that constantly record all relevant inputs/outputs for the last (say) hour. Will drastically reduce insurance premiums and speed up the resolution of disputes. The downside is that if you've been naughty there's more proof. It would surely not cost much compared to all the other gubbins in a modern car. The ECUs probably record a lot of this anyway.
2) Service manuals. I get the argument about cars having to become more complex to meet legislation. I also get the argument about components becoming more electronic (e.g. the switch from carbs to EFI) and less serviceable. But I would like all cars to come with a certain amount of technical information and tools allowing drivers with some level of technical interest and aptitude to perform basic tasks themselves (should they wish). I'm thinking of things like
1) Black box recorders that constantly record all relevant inputs/outputs for the last (say) hour. Will drastically reduce insurance premiums and speed up the resolution of disputes. The downside is that if you've been naughty there's more proof. It would surely not cost much compared to all the other gubbins in a modern car. The ECUs probably record a lot of this anyway.
2) Service manuals. I get the argument about cars having to become more complex to meet legislation. I also get the argument about components becoming more electronic (e.g. the switch from carbs to EFI) and less serviceable. But I would like all cars to come with a certain amount of technical information and tools allowing drivers with some level of technical interest and aptitude to perform basic tasks themselves (should they wish). I'm thinking of things like
- location of all key components in detail (for example, in the engine bay, the location and purpose of everything that is visible)
- basic powertrain operation including fuel system, cooling system, ignition, exhaust, transmission
- service operations including removal and replacement of service parts
- diagnosis and remediation of common faults
Papa Hotel said:
Pannywagon said:
Papa Hotel said:
I want nannying nonsense like automatic lights & wipers and parking sensors made illegal.
If you don't know when to turn your lights on or clear your f
king windscreen and you can't conduct a simple slow-speed parking manoeuvre, maybe you shouldn't be driving.
This trend for an electronic veil of safety is just making idiots think they can do as they please, the car will sort it out for them. fk it, ABS and traction control while we're at it. And automatic brakes. Yes, definitely automatic brakes.
I like every single one of those things. It's called convenience. Why buy a dog and bark yourself?If you don't know when to turn your lights on or clear your f
king windscreen and you can't conduct a simple slow-speed parking manoeuvre, maybe you shouldn't be driving. This trend for an electronic veil of safety is just making idiots think they can do as they please, the car will sort it out for them. f
k it, ABS and traction control while we're at it. And automatic brakes. Yes, definitely automatic brakes. Yes, there are times when I want to drive, but 90% of the time I'm either commuting or driving the family around. Why do you feel that the only valid option is the balls out, fully committed, screw everything, uncomfortable (most of the time) go-kart option?
F**k that. Life's too short.
If you could explain to me how having to turn on headlights yourself, activate the wipers yourself or perform a parking manoeuvre without the car beeping at you makes you a fully committed, balls out, screw everything and uncomfortable kind of driver, I'd be interested to hear that. I eagerly await your response.
Pannywagon said:
Ultimately, whether you love driving or not, commuting is pretty much cack, and a daily driver should (in this day and age) be designed to make it as painless as possible.
A weekend car is a different beast entirely.
A weekend car is a different beast entirely.
I'd like a commuting car that I can just climb into and say 'to the office', then put my feet up while it does it. Nothing.
Standardisation requires laws, and the last thing I want with regard to cars is more laws.
I want to be able to go into a showroom and buy a very basic, but fundamentally well-engineered car that's built to last. The only 'options' I'd be bothered about would be a stereo and possibly electric windows. Everything else is just something to go wrong or add unnecessary expense.
Standardisation requires laws, and the last thing I want with regard to cars is more laws.
I want to be able to go into a showroom and buy a very basic, but fundamentally well-engineered car that's built to last. The only 'options' I'd be bothered about would be a stereo and possibly electric windows. Everything else is just something to go wrong or add unnecessary expense.
Some sort of GPS range finder so that the car knows how far ahead the next set of lights is and what the sequence will be so that it can help you set cruise control to go through them all at green at the most fuel efficient speed.
Or perhaps something similar that decelerates the car automatically upon approaching a red light and knowing the light sequence can decide which gear to engage for engine braking or coasting.
This could also give you a count down to green light.
Proper, real time traffic jam avoidance.
The worry would be that all this needs GPS, and with it the wrath of the nanny state.
Or perhaps something similar that decelerates the car automatically upon approaching a red light and knowing the light sequence can decide which gear to engage for engine braking or coasting.
This could also give you a count down to green light.
Proper, real time traffic jam avoidance.
The worry would be that all this needs GPS, and with it the wrath of the nanny state.
Pothole said:
luetooth or similar is the way forward, surely? Everything will be wireless in less than 10 years
I've never used Bluetooth, but I'm talking about having a USB storage device that will connect to the USB slot on the car and will read the MP3s or video files from it. Also it will charge the device so no battery drain. I find it very useful in my car and wished others had it instead of just a CD player. Ecosse RM said:
Full size spare wheel, a return to days gone by maybe but who can argue? .... Some things should remain unchanged, foam kits are crap.
Have you seen the size of most wheels, you would have to given up about half the boot and be inconvenienced all the time for something that happens on average once every 5 years or so. Secondly all good cars have different sized wheels on the front and back.I don't want anything standard, I want a light and functional acr that hasn't been ballasted to the gunnels with equipment designed to prevent a small minority of accidents.
I would like to see a basic car with "apps" you can download for blinding LEDs, automoron wipers, automoron lights etc so those of us who simply want to drive and can operate a switch can still have fun.
What I envisage is a giant memory foam mattress with tiny windows and an electric motor being the norm.
If all this b*ll*cks was applied to planes, they'd never get off the ground or would run out of fuel after 10 miles.
I would like to see a basic car with "apps" you can download for blinding LEDs, automoron wipers, automoron lights etc so those of us who simply want to drive and can operate a switch can still have fun.
What I envisage is a giant memory foam mattress with tiny windows and an electric motor being the norm.
If all this b*ll*cks was applied to planes, they'd never get off the ground or would run out of fuel after 10 miles.
AmitG said:
I want two things.
1) Black box recorders that constantly record all relevant inputs/outputs for the last (say) hour. Will drastically reduce insurance premiums and speed up the resolution of disputes. The downside is that if you've been naughty there's more proof. It would surely not cost much compared to all the other gubbins in a modern car. The ECUs probably record a lot of this anyway.
2) Service manuals. I get the argument about cars having to become more complex to meet legislation. I also get the argument about components becoming more electronic (e.g. the switch from carbs to EFI) and less serviceable. But I would like all cars to come with a certain amount of technical information and tools allowing drivers with some level of technical interest and aptitude to perform basic tasks themselves (should they wish). I'm thinking of things like
Easily the best suggestion but would cause havoc with warranties and such?1) Black box recorders that constantly record all relevant inputs/outputs for the last (say) hour. Will drastically reduce insurance premiums and speed up the resolution of disputes. The downside is that if you've been naughty there's more proof. It would surely not cost much compared to all the other gubbins in a modern car. The ECUs probably record a lot of this anyway.
2) Service manuals. I get the argument about cars having to become more complex to meet legislation. I also get the argument about components becoming more electronic (e.g. the switch from carbs to EFI) and less serviceable. But I would like all cars to come with a certain amount of technical information and tools allowing drivers with some level of technical interest and aptitude to perform basic tasks themselves (should they wish). I'm thinking of things like
- location of all key components in detail (for example, in the engine bay, the location and purpose of everything that is visible)
- basic powertrain operation including fuel system, cooling system, ignition, exhaust, transmission
- service operations including removal and replacement of service parts
- diagnosis and remediation of common faults
Ecosse RM said:
Full size spare wheel, a return to days gone by maybe but who can argue? .... Some things should remain unchanged, foam kits are crap.
quiraing said:
Good comment, but would anyone these-days know how to change a wheel without phoning a service-company or insurance-company?
True, I'll let those people decide if they can't learn but a lot of us will be happier. I was embarrassed when I made that call but stranded 20 miles from Oban on a bank holiday weekend in the back of beyond no option, recovery truck couldn't carry car as it was too low... Wheel off, driven to tyre centre, driven back.....painful, recovery guy said he and his colleagues are being driven round the bend with spare wheel space not being factored.Talksteer said:
Have you seen the size of most wheels, you would have to given up about half the boot and be inconvenienced all the time for something that happens on average once every 5 years or so. Secondly all good cars have different sized wheels on the front and back.
Fair enough, I'll settle for a spacesaver. A slow drive to get a repair or a new tyre is never worse than sitting stuck somewhere weighing up killing a wheel rim. BriC175 said:
Quickclear and Hydrophobic windows (all windows)
Hydrophobic paintwork
LPG V8 with cylinder shut down for economy
Carbon fibre or lightweight new-tech plastic bodywork for massive weight saving (both to aid economy and performance)
Hydrophobic paintwork...for what reason, exactly? Please don't say for streak marks. That's just too vain for words...Hydrophobic paintwork
LPG V8 with cylinder shut down for economy
Carbon fibre or lightweight new-tech plastic bodywork for massive weight saving (both to aid economy and performance)
Sam1990 said:
AmitG said:
... big service manual that is supplied with the car. The manufacturers would whinge, and there are probably liability and patent issues to be worked out. But on the plus side drivers would save money, plus it would nuture a new generation of home mechanics.
Easily the best suggestion but would cause havoc with warranties and such?And it would help keep older cars going...which of course is why the manufacturers will never do it.
But wouldn't it be great if every new car had to come with a detailed service manual by law. Come on EU, do something useful for once
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