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The Glorious Return of a Humble Car Feature
Slate ^ | 26 April 2023 | DAVID ZIPPER

Posted on 04/30/2023 2:15:43 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT

You don’t see a lot of good news about road safety in the United States. Unlike in most peer countries, American roadway deaths surged during the pandemic and have barely receded since. Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities recently hit their highest levels in 40 years, but U.S. transportation officials continue to ignore key contributing factors. In a February interview with Fast Company, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that “further research” is needed before addressing the obvious risks that oversized SUVs and trucks pose to those not inside of them.

Happily, there is one area where we are making at least marginal progress: A growing number of automakers are backpedaling away from the huge, complex touch screens that have infested dashboard design over the past 15 years. Buttons and knobs are coming back.

... Tesla, which has for years positioned its vehicles as “tablets on wheels.” As a result, touch screens were seen as representing tech-infused modernity. But cost has been a factor, too. “These screens are presented as this avant garde, minimalist design,”

(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: automotive; safety; tactile
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Had a Ford pickup for years with simply two sliders for heating temperature and fan speed.

Dark or light no need to look just do it.

Had a Suburban with a fake touch screen, loved the car but hated the controls you had to look at to use.

1 posted on 04/30/2023 2:15:43 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
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To: DUMBGRUNT

Yay!


2 posted on 04/30/2023 2:16:59 PM PDT by BlackAdderess (Haley 2024)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

Ashtrays? Fly windows?


3 posted on 04/30/2023 2:18:21 PM PDT by Steely Tom ([Voter Fraud] == [Civil War])
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To: Steely Tom

Cigarette lighters?


4 posted on 04/30/2023 2:20:41 PM PDT by Olog-hai ("No Republican, no matter how liberal, is going to woo a Democratic vote." -- Ronald Reagan, 1960)
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To: Steely Tom
"Fly windows"

Simple climate control system. Always works. Never fails.

5 posted on 04/30/2023 2:22:32 PM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie (LORD, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil.)
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To: Steely Tom
Ashtrays? Fly windows?

I think the requirement for airbags in the A-pillars means we'll never see fly windows return.

Damn shame.

6 posted on 04/30/2023 2:24:53 PM PDT by Drew68 (Ron DeSantis for President 2024. A real conservative.)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

Bring back vent windows and foot actuated headlight dimmers. Buick nailheads.


7 posted on 04/30/2023 2:27:24 PM PDT by .44 Special (Taimid Buacharch)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

I want toggle switches.

And get rid of the fuel gauge. Just give me a reserve fuel tank to switch to.


8 posted on 04/30/2023 2:29:01 PM PDT by jeffersondem
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To: .44 Special

How about a full size spare tire instead of a bicycle size?


9 posted on 04/30/2023 2:29:47 PM PDT by KierkegaardMAN (I never engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed man.)
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To: .44 Special
Yes, and bring back the foot activated starter switch.

Also, bring back "three-on-the-tree".

10 posted on 04/30/2023 2:31:42 PM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie (LORD, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil.)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

The touch screen for my Kia Soul stereo is obnoxiously distracting. I’ve gotten better with it, however, so I’m not a potential menace on the road while adjusting the tuner.


11 posted on 04/30/2023 2:32:16 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (FBI out of Florida!)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

New cars suck so hard.


12 posted on 04/30/2023 2:32:46 PM PDT by Rural_Michigan
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To: Drew68
“I think the requirement for airbags in the A-pillars means we'll never see fly windows return.”

Well, have a hand crank to lean the bottom of the windshield forward re: flat fender Power Wagons.

13 posted on 04/30/2023 2:33:02 PM PDT by jeffersondem
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To: Drew68

Didn’t think of that. Thanks for the insight.


14 posted on 04/30/2023 2:33:04 PM PDT by Steely Tom ([Voter Fraud] == [Civil War])
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To: KierkegaardMAN

Or springs on a hood instead of a little metal rod to hold it up? And while you’re at it, leaded gas (mmmm mmmmm I miss that smell!) and freon until I see snowflakes coming out of the vents! Get er done!


15 posted on 04/30/2023 2:33:26 PM PDT by KierkegaardMAN (I never engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed man.)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

The Glorious Return of a Humble Car Feature i’d like to see is, to give me my friggin WING WINDOWS BACK!!!


16 posted on 04/30/2023 2:33:29 PM PDT by Chode (there is no fall back position, there's no rally point, there is no LZ... we're on our own. #FJB)
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To: Steely Tom

Controls.


17 posted on 04/30/2023 2:34:22 PM PDT by madison10
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To: DUMBGRUNT

Saw the headline and thought it was about manually rolling down windows.


18 posted on 04/30/2023 2:38:24 PM PDT by simpson96
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To: jeffersondem

“And get rid of the fuel gauge. Just give me a reserve fuel tank to switch to.”

##########################

And get rid of the tach. Cancha tell by the sound?

And get rid of the speedometer. If you can’t tell by now how fast you’re going, you shouldn’t be driving.

/s


19 posted on 04/30/2023 2:39:46 PM PDT by Eccl 10:2 (Prov 3:5 --- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding")
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To: DUMBGRUNT

Bring back the Model A.

Any Model A.

I’m not picky.


20 posted on 04/30/2023 2:40:36 PM PDT by mewzilla (We will never restore the republic if we don't first secure the ballot box.)
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