Technology Cars Are Better Off Without

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New technology continues to impact our daily lives, sometimes not for the good. For example, the rise of ‘streaming services’ allows viewers to watch TV shows whenever they want, not when the broadcast was scheduled. But on the other hand, the demise of local TV stations, that gave a voice to Canadian communities, is a terrible price to pay.

On the automotive side, modern cars are chock-full of so many electronic aides and ‘nannies’ that it stops many enthusiasts from even considering a new car. But they’re not all bad! So, what ‘new’ technology do gearheads think we would be better off without?

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Electric Door Handles

One device that did not need to be re-invested was the car door handle. Simple, mechanical, and pretty much fool-proof. But companies like Tesla can’t leave well-enough alone, and have made things worse. There have been several cases of drivers dying in Tesla vehicles because the car’s electric door handles become inoperable in the event of a vehicle accident, and subsequent battery fire, trapping drivers inside. Many owners are unfamiliar with the back-up mechanical handle inside the vehicle, and simply panic when the car is engulfed in flames.

Tesla has been sued over the defective door handle design several times. In January 2023, a Washington couple were running errands on a Sunday afternoon when their car suddenly and rapidly accelerated out of control, hit a utility pole, then burst into flames. The door handles were left inoperable, delaying first responders efforts to open the doors. The wife died, the husband was severely injured, and Tesla was sued over the incident (certainly not the only lawsuit the company is facing). Until regulators to ban such dangerous designs, the buying public needs to stay away from such vehicles that put form over function …and safety.

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Key Fobs / Smart Keys

Similar to the electronic door handle above, the car key is another thing that didn’t need to be re-invented. Sure there’s certain benefits that are built into key fobs. Automatic lock/unlock, trunk release, and remote start (especially in Canada) are great features. But those conveniences were available for years on the remotes that cane with car keys. An RFID chip was built into a key to program it to the car for enhanced safety and theft prevention.

But with key fobs, thieves are able to steal cars more easily, by scanning for codes outside a driver’s home. But the real kicker is the problem key fobs create when the little battery inside dies. Good luck opening your car door! Even if you remember how to access the hidden key inside the fob, will your car even turn on? And if you leave the key on the roof and drive away one day, what happens when you get to the office? No re-starting your car now! Physical car keys are dummy-proof and fail-safe. There’s also something satisfying and tactile about inserting a key into the ignition and cranking. Or tossing a set of keys to someone, without the fear of the plastic fob shattering like an iPhone on the pavement.

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Cheap Screens and Pop-Up Ads

Think back to a new car show from a decade ago, or more. Peering in the side glass of a Bentley, there was often an analog clock, larger than a wrist-watch, built into the center of the dashboard. Classy! And those Cadillacs had gorgeous gauges with elegant stainless trim rings. Clear, precise and elegant. Now look at modern cars; a big, ugly screen sticking up from the dashboard. No style or design to it. Accurate gauges have been replaced with lagging, digital facsimiles simply because they’re cheaper not better. Gone are the days of burl walnut, chrome levers and sweeping RPM gauges.

Some companies have gone so far as to make the entire dashboard one big screen making simple tasks like HVAC or radio controls an exercise in computer programming and sub-menus. These new digital screens are little better than Casio watch, and will age just as badly. Worst of all, some manufacturers like Chrysler (Stellantis) now show “pop-up ads” on vehicle screens during start-up. A captive audience to push extended warranties on. While the manufacturer claims they use the screen to deliver the best ‘vehicle experience’ there is no driver on the road who wants be subjected to advertising like this.

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Vehicle Speed Limiter

This past July, all cars sold in the European Union had to be equipped with governors, or automatic speed limiters. Given the fancy name of Intelligent Speed Assistance, the system uses a combination of GPS data and road sign recognition to determine the speed limit. This is the job of the driver, but it’s being systematically being taken away. Depending on the vehicle, either an irritating warning buzzer sounds, or the vehicle automatically cuts engine power to stop anyone from speeding.

Imagine what happens when a vehicle enters a construction zone, or when conflicting information is being ready by the optical recognition system? Would you want to drive a car that could automatically slam on the brakes because it thought that 80 km/h speed limit sign actually said 30 km/h, but had some snow on it? As an intelligent human, we can recognize that no road could have such an abrupt speed limit change. Automated systems don’t have such logic. Supposedly drivers can override the system by flooring the accelerator, but the ISA is enabled by default and cannot be permanently disabled.

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Artificial Exhaust Sounds

Sitting in traffic, the 4-cylinder Mustang revved it’s little Ecotec engine. Sounded like a big-block V8, but the displacement is far from it. Seems many car companies are adding speakers inside the passenger compartment to play electronic ‘engine sounds’ when the accelerator is pressed. The artificially generated version of the exhaust note takes data like RPM and throttle position, processes it, modifies it, amplifies it, and plays it through a speaker.

Companies like Ford therefore claim that the sound is ‘not completely fake’ but purists comment that the fabricated sound is the equivalent of Auto-Tune in popular music. Sure that’s Kanye’s voice, but not really. The most ironic part is that such systems are being equipped with electric vehicles! Imagine that the technology exists to make vehicles silent, yet people want to experience the sound of a powerful engine after all.

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Some advancements in automotive technology brough real benefits. Anti-lock brakes and seat belts have improved driver safety. Even intrusive tech like emergency braking saves lives when drivers fail. But technology that pro-actively steers steer for the driver, or prevents them from choosing their speed, is an attack on the very freedom of driving. Anyone looking for self-driving technology, who don’t respect the responsibility of driving, should look into technology known as the bus pass.

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