11 auto features that we miss (titled “The Good Old Ways: Many once-common features removed from today’s cars are now sorely missed in the AAA Explorer magazine from which I tore the article one evening).
They are:
- Uncovered engines; after about 20 years, the list plastic pegs disappear, so they gradually become less covered over time.
- Oil dipsticks; the newest car amongst us still has one, as the oldest kept seeing a warning light and tried to use the dipstick but ended up overfilling his oil.
- Analog instruments; two of the three vehicles have spinning pointers, but they’re probably electronically determined.
- Buttons, knobs, and levers; two of our three still have buttons for heating and radio and whatnot. To be honest, I don’t know about the newest vehicle because I don’t drive it. One of our three even has no screen.
- Unconnected infotainment systems; one of them has a screen, but it does not play videos–although it will play DVDs’ audio, as I have learned, so I can listen to DVD lectures.
- Full-size spare tires; one of the three does. Which means it has one more Tire Pressure Monitoring System sensors to report low pressure at odd moments.
- Glorious color; Well, one of the three is not black or white.
- CD players; at least two of the three do have it–and one has an audiocassette player. If we get a newer car, I will want a CD player installed as I have lots of audiocourses to get through yet.
- Unpainted bumpers; yeah, no, all plastic and will total the cars if bumped.
- Printed owner’s manual; at least two of the tree have them, and I’ve looked in one of those two in the last week (story forthcoming, maybe).
- Drivers; we don’t have any of the new lane assist or blindspot warnings even. I work in tech. I’m not sure I’m going to ever have a self-driving car.
Yeah, I am not looking forward to getting a vehicle which is later than 2010, ever.
