Things On Cars that Will Be Gone by 2025

Motor Trend ^ | 07/18/2011 | Karla Sanchez

[Responsibility2nd]

We’ve seen a lot of advancements in automotive design and technology in the past 14 years, so what’s to come in the next 14 years? We’ve all heard of autonomous cars in the making, and we’ve seen the evolution of hybrids, electrics, navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and advanced safety features that are capable of stopping a vehicle in its tracks.

Imajerk17 asks us to look into the future to 2025, and debate what things automotive will be phased out in the cars of the future. He thinks steering wheels will be phased out and may possibly be replaced with a joystick, and with the development of aluminum and carbon-fiber-bodied cars, will steel-bodied cars make it to see 2025? Other forum posters are scared manual transmissions will a long-lost memory. What do you think? What things automotive will likely be gone by 2025? Would you go as far to say that human drivers will no longer be needed?

[dfwgator]

You'll be your own passenger.

[nascarnation]

My 67 Camaro has those too.
Last year for “wind wings” as they were called.

[09Patriot]

Between run flat tires and puncture filler spray, the manufacturers will remove the spare tire... and then many people will have to buy aftermarket spares.

in my 24 years of driving I can count my roadside tire changing on 2 fingers

[cripplecreek]

I grew up in a rural area where everybody was an experienced driver before the age of 16. Some even had farm licenses.

Driver’s training was really more of a formality at my school. The teacher was there to check our abilities off on a list.

[chrisser]

Engines that can be serviced by a home mechanic. They’re already on the decline.

I do all my own repair work. IMHO, the vehicle diagnostic systems are designed on purpose to not be owner friendly.

Part of it is likely cost. Part of it is likely protecting the dealer network. There are exceptions, and sometimes workarounds, but for the most part, the inability to service the vehicle is designed in.

As an example, I recently bought an 02 Chrysler Sebring convertible. Had a seized engine so I got it for very little. Pull-a-part had an engine for me for under $200 and I rebuilt it and put it back together. That's when the fun began. You can do a "key dance" and the engine codes will be displayed on the dashboard. That's convenient. However, to clear the codes, you need a common scan tool (about $100). Still not bad.

I had a evap emissions system leak I chased down because I needed the codes clear to pass emissions testing. Its nearly impossible (although I managed to work around it) without a Chrysler scan tool, which is at least $4k used. If you have a body control, transmission, ABS, or cluster issue, you can't even find out what the codes are without the $4k tool - you're stuck going to the dealer or someone who bought the scan tool.

I suppose it's intended to help the dealership in the short term, but on a 10 year old car - most people are going to get to the point that the dealer visits cost more than the car's worth, and then it will get junked prematurely (how good is that for the environment).

In my experience, other than perhaps needing to flash an update to the onboard computers, most of the time these expensive tools are needed just to retrieve codes that realistically could be obtained by easier means if the manufacturer wanted to provide them (Cadillac had a system where you could retrieve any code through the HVAC system prior to being forced into OBDII by the government).

90% of the time, you just need to find the failed/broken part or module and replace it. It doesn't have to be this complicated, so I have to believe it is complicated by design.

Now, that said, because GM and Ford vehicles are so popular, there are usually aftermarket solutions that are way cheaper than the manufacturer tools, and that lowers the hurdle somewhat to doing your own maintenance. Chrysler (and most imports) don't have the volume to entice the aftermarket to reverse-engineer their systems.

[P.O.E.]

Things On Cars that Will Be Gone by 2025

Now I've got this song stuck in my head: In The Year 2525 .

[clamper1797]

Using the wind as an air-conditioner doesn’t work well here in Phoenix when it’s 120F. The wind actually makes it feel hotter

[ErnBatavia]

When did they stop equipping cars with turn signals?

Having just three days ago wrapped up a nearly 5000 mile road trip, I can attest to the fact that the "cancel" button Cruise Control apparently only remains on my lonely Honda CRV. NOBODY 'breaks cruise' to pass a truck, even if looming traffic is going 10 mph than them....NOBODY; not once.

[09Patriot]

In the days before cars were air-conditioned, or at least before air-conditioning worked very well, these worked fairly well to keep drivers and passengers more comfortable on a drive in warm weather. I wish they still had these conveniences. I was going to heckle you about this comment but I see warm weather, yeah I guess thats fine for warm weather , not HOT weather. you won't be comofortable at 100 degress with 90% humidity.

[Jewbacca]

I see your 8-track, and raise you vinyl record player in cars:

[mamelukesabre]

drivers

[LibLieSlayer]

Silly Americans... we will all be driving what we are today... there will be parts available to keep them running and intact... as they have in cuba... but new cars and the money with which to buy them... will disappear.

LLS

[Smokin' Joe]

Vans and pickups still had them into the late ‘70s and beyond.

[SJSAMPLE]

The volt adapters will still be there, but it won’t be 12V. I think cars will up the voltage to around 36V for a more efficient electrical system. My company is already working on such items.

[Proud2BeRight]

Mine has none now.

[The Great RJ]

Audio CD players will disappear in favor of input ports for MP3 devices like I-pods.

Headlight dimmer switches...Cadillac had an "electric eye" dimmer in the 1950s. Current technology could easily be used to optimize headlight output automatically.

Auto ashtrays and cigarette lighters..already some cars have non-smoking packages that eliminate these items. The cigarette lighter could be an after market item as the lighter socket is used as a power supply.

[getarope]

NASCAR still uses carbs. That is how they can use a restrictor plate at Daytona and Talladega.

[right way right]

I know one thing for sure, I'm not driving a
boiledeggmobile like the one pictured at that
source site.

[Mr. Lucky]

In rural Indiana, it is assumed that anyone following you knows where you’re going to turn. Of course, if the person following you isn’t from around here, you don’t want them to know where you’re going to turn.

[TheOldLady]

Boop His Nose But Be Careful!!

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