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Drivers Hate The Tech In Their Cars

It turns out that more technology in cars isn’t necessarily something customers want, and it’s not really improving their driving experience. We know my thoughts on the matter, but I’ll do my best to stay impartial on this latest survey from JD Power that shows most customers don’t appreciate technology in cars unless they can see a clear benefit to them.

JD Power’s 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index Study evaluated over 81,000 drivers’ experience with “advanced vehicle technologies” in 2024 model year vehicles after 90 days of ownership, It turned out to be a pretty mixed bag when it came to what people liked using. There are a number of tech features that customers like using because they feels that it answers their needs, but at the same time there is a whole lot that don’t get used very often or are continually annoying, according to the survey.

…

scottmeme ,

Peak technology enjoyment in a car includes

  • multiple zone ac
  • heated/ventilated seats
  • real buttons and not FUCKING CAPACITIVE TOUCH
  • android auto/apple car play
Riven ,
@Riven@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

There’s some other minor tech that’s fairly nice that I haven’t seen in cheaper cars. Lights under the door to light up the ground on dark nights for when you’re getting out. Just solid utilitarian tech right there.

Steve ,

After having used both Android Auto and Apple Car Play.
I really prefer having a good phone mount, that puts my phone in a glance-able place near the wheel.
That, and quality Bluetooth Audio.

Bishma ,
@Bishma@discuss.tchncs.de avatar

Based on this MKBHD/Auto Zone video the way to get real buttons and sensible features is to buy a minivan.

tal ,
@tal@lemmy.today avatar

I’d say that that kind of imposes a size restriction, but honestly, the crossovers that everyone seems to buy are about the same size as those these days anyway.

scottmeme ,

Can’t say that I would buy a minivan, because I hate them.

But my car (Hyundai Azera) has all physical AC buttons and it’s great. But it shows the temp on the touchscreen which is unfortunately kinda fundamental to this car from what I’ve found.

One of the reasons I mentioned android auto, I just have a AAwireless adapter right now, had a Motorola M1 which died. But that is basically all I need other than a charger which I have a 100w type c for that.

Sorry kinda rambled for a bit

tal , (edited )
@tal@lemmy.today avatar

I’d rather just have a standard size bank up front, like, 3DIN, and choose my own “car computer”. Have security locking support, guarantee certain power supply, impact, and temperature conditions. And then open up the “car console” market.

And let me be able to upgrade it five or ten years down the road.

If they want to provide a standard first-party center panel offering, fine. But computers and phones have a shorter life than do cars, and I don’t want to be locked into ancient or badly-chosen controls and computers. This “car is a big cell phone” thing is just godawful from a consumer standpoint.

skuzz ,

That would be amazing. I miss the days of swapping my head for one I want. Blaupunkt MiniDisc here we go!

Zahille7 ,

I’ve been driving spoiled with Lane Keep Assist. I’d like to continue to keep that as a thing in all cars.

Also, I used a Ford Escape as a rental this weekend, and holy shit I hate having to wait for the startup animation to complete so I can finally mess with the A/C and have it going on full blast after sitting in the hot sun all day. My Santa Cruz has actual buttons for all the climate control stuff and I had no idea I’d miss it so much until now.

SuperSaiyanSwag ,

Also, adaptive cruise control

Pavidus ,

I’m fine with adaptive cruise, however, I would also like to be able to turn it off quickly and easily if the situation calls for it.

SuperSaiyanSwag ,

Isn’t it just a press of a button to turn it off?

vithigar ,

Tapping the brakes has immediately turned off cruise control in every vehicle I’ve ever driven.

Pavidus ,

I was referring specifically to the adaptive part, and going back to dumb cruise. I wasn’t clear, my apologies.

SSJMarx ,

lane keeping and radar cruise control are pretty great driving aids, I gotta admit.

skuzz ,

Lane keep assist is annoying AF when you live in a place where you’re required by law to cross the double yellow when going around bicycles. You get in a steering wheel fight with the car until you find the menu to temporarily disable it. After next stop-start cycle mid-errand, it’s on again by default thanks to US law.

Zahille7 ,

I mean just using your turn signal turns it off in most cars…

Maybe do that?

eran_morad ,
  • rear camera.
RadicallyBland ,
  • lane assist
  • adaptive cruise
GroundedGator ,

How about the unnecessary tech that just shouldn’t be allowed.

  • Doors that are not primarily manual to open or unlock.
  • Touchscreen of any type. I’m okay with capacitive touch buttons but they should be in a fixed location and physically distinguishable from other surfaces.
  • Electronic e-brake
  • Replacement of any of the main driving functions with anything that is not physical and tactile (turn signals, windshield wipers, headlights)

At least in the US I feel like technology has leapfrogged regulation.

vithigar ,

Touchscreen of any type

I think a touchscreen is fine as long as real buttons exist for things a driver might want to manipulate while driving. My Outlander has a fairly large touchscreen that offers media and navigation control, but everything else (climate, drive modes, cruise control/drive assists, windows, locks, etc) is real buttons and dials, and there are also an extra set of basic media controls on physical buttons as well (volume, next/prev track, tuning).

I’m quite happy with that. And the passenger still gets all the touchscreen bells and whistles if they want to explore the map or set up playlists or whatever.

SuperSpruce ,

Nobody is mentioning heads-up displays? That’s peak tech. The info is right there without having to move your eyes off the road.

Asidonhopo ,

My current ride is peak technology imho:

  • Crank windows
  • Cold, manually adjustable seats
  • 5 speed transmission
  • Knobs and levers, minimal buttons
  • MSRP under $10k–
Snapz ,

“Oh… well we actually didn’t FUCKING ASK YOU!”

-Automakers

sandalbucket ,

2014 impreza. No screen at all. I bought a phone mount that shows waze and charges my phone.

I have cruise control and heated seats. And I can operate both with gloves on!

Don’t need a backup cam because my windows and mirrors are good.

I will drive this car until it dies, and then I’ll replace the head gaskets and drive it until it dies again. And then I will replace the cvt and drive it until it dies a third time.

Unfortunately there’s nothing you can do about the NY road salt. The frame will be left, flake by flake, in the gutters of 490. It’s the only thing that can take this car from me, and it is its inevitable fate.

dmtalon ,

I’m ok with a decent amount of tech in a car. Like I’m fine being able to connect my phone to the car and have android auto take over the infotainment system.

But the HVAC stuff needs to be buttons I can access/control without looking or very minimal looking.

I don’t want/need my car to have a SIM card, or connect to wifi, and report what I’m doing. If they want to do that, then they can give me the car for free and I’ll drive it around letting them collect my driving habits.

Edit: Oh, and I’m sure as hell not paying some subscription fee on top of the price of the car.

odium ,

Good news, lawmakers in the US finally started looking at this issue.

Bad news: probably will take years for change

callouscomic ,

There are numerous headlines like:

118th Congress on track to become one of the least productive in US history

So good luck with that.

odium ,

The company I work at is tangentially related to car company data collection. And this week, all employees received an email that we were legally required to save all records newer than 2005 related to a specific car company’s onboard data collection service.

So it does seem like the investigation has already got a subpoena or smth.

tal ,
@tal@lemmy.today avatar

There’s activity at the state level too in multiple states. I heard something about California, then not a lot. Bunch of articles about Texas.

01189998819991197253 ,
@01189998819991197253@infosec.pub avatar

Spoiler from the future: it’s legal, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

FlyingSquid ,
@FlyingSquid@lemmy.world avatar

As of 2022, Toyota still put physical buttons on their HVAC system and audio system.

I know because, against my advice, my wife bought a Toyota Rav4 Hybrid in 2022. I can’t tell her how to spend her money, but at least the car she got didn’t have some of this other bullshit.

Cyyris ,

Hey, at least she picked one of the most reliable cars on the market.

FlyingSquid ,
@FlyingSquid@lemmy.world avatar

It’s a good car. I just wish she hadn’t decided to buy one in 2022. It’s bad enough to buy a new car now, it was worse then.

blackluster117 ,
@blackluster117@possumpat.io avatar

Out of curiosity, why didn’t you want her to buy that specific vehicle?

FlyingSquid ,
@FlyingSquid@lemmy.world avatar

I didn’t think she should have bought any car. Her old car worked. It wasn’t in the best shape in the world, but it was fine. And 2022 was a terrible year for buying a car.

tal ,
@tal@lemmy.today avatar

Oh, the COVID-19 shortages? Yeah, that’s a good point.

dmtalon ,

I have a 2008 tundra a coworker just bought a new one so I asked for a ride. It was nice to see under the enormous center display, the HVAC controls!

TheDemonBuer ,
@TheDemonBuer@lemmy.world avatar

I’m ok with a decent amount of tech in a car. Like I’m fine being able to connect my phone to the car and have android auto take over the infotainment system.

This reminds me of my 2016 Honda Civic. It had just the right amount of tech.

Wogi ,

I love my subaru outback. It’s a great car. It does all the car things exceptionally well. It holds a lot of stuff. Snow, mud, fuck you it’s all pavement to me baybeee.

I fucking hate my Outback’s climate control, entertainment, map, and information screen. I understand newer models have improved slightly. It’s still awful. The only good thing about that fucking screen is that I can turn everything on from my phone. Literally every other function is awful to try to access and use while you’re driving.

EldritchFeminity ,

I just bought a forester a few months ago, and my 2 stipulations on the cars I was looking at were all-wheel drive because I live in snow country, and a car no newer than 2018 (IIRC) because that was the year car companies largely switched from manual controls to a 16-inch screen with everything, including climate control, accessed from an app.

When I was talking to the guy at the dealership I bought it from and mentioned how much I disliked the new screens, he outright said, “Yeah, a lot of people don’t like them.”

restingboredface ,

Got a '24 outback late last year. For the most part I love it-it’s comfortable, holds my giant dogs and it’s way better to drive in bad weather than my previous car.

I’d read reports on subaru forums that infotainment was bad, so my expectations were low. But even basic stuff isn’t functional. It has gotten less responsive over the months (reminder: we’ve had it just barely a year). The screen has several seconds of lag with every touch, and sometimes controls just don’t work at all. I don’t like that we have to use it for temperature control, and android auto integration is clunky (though that may not be Subaru’s fault).

Add that to the horrifying data collection practices and it makes me question ever getting a Subaru again.

tal ,
@tal@lemmy.today avatar

Is it possible to get some kind of firmware update that you may not have received?

kagis

This Reddit thread makes it sound like you need to manually do it or the dealer will do it as part of the regular maintenance. Not sure if this is specific to that model year.

old.reddit.com/…/software_update_december_2023/

Reminds me I need to update mine!! Did you have to take this in to the dealer to get it updated or did you do it yourself?

Dealer did that

What does the dealer charge?

I am not sure. It was part of my regular maintenance.

And

Does this help the PAINFULLY slow response in the screen?

Yes, it does! The lags are very short now, if there are any at all.

The people there are also complaining about the touchscreen instead of physical controls.

frunch ,

Similar complaint here. We were ready to replace our 2011 outback and decided it would make sense to get something at least a bit more modern. Loved our outback, and honestly would have bought another if it weren’t for that damn screen.

After getting a gander at that thing, we seemingly confused (or probably just disappointed) our salesman by insisting we wanted the most simple, stripped-down style console they had to offer. Apparently we’re not the most common customers, but i know I’m kinda weird so fair enough. After he went back inside to find out which models they had on the lot that might fit that description, the only one that had a “simple” console was the base model Forester. It was just not enough to transition over from our comfy 6-cyl beast that just had a 6-cd changer with a 1-inch-tall screen and an aux jack, but everything was operated by buttons. Even the rear view mirror had a clever backup camera integrated into it. Makes more sense that way, imo. It was everything we needed and only a smidge more.

I really wish we could have just bought a newer model of the exact same car feature-wise… That outback was a great car 🙂

Wrench ,

When carplay works, it’s great. But mine constantly has issues connecting to phones. Both my wife’s iPhone, and my Android. Both are flagships that are a couple years old, so still very current and sufficient specs.

Meanwhile, my old aftermarket Bluetooth radio connects every time with no issue.

I do like the convenience of GPS and audio on the car tablet when it works. But honestly, it’s a distraction when it’s being fussy.

Steve ,

Exactly my experience.
Phone dash mount all the way!

Thebeardedsinglemalt ,

But the HVAC stuff needs to be buttons I can access/control without looking or very minimal looking.

100% this. I shouldn’t have to click through 2 menus on a touchscreen to change a basic environmental control. Give me a damn knob, so if I want to change something I can reach my hand over and turn 2 clicks without taking my eyes off the road.

kn0wmad1c ,
@kn0wmad1c@programming.dev avatar

I have a 2023 Mazda CX-5 and it has the perfect amount of tech for me. The headunit isn’t touch screen, but you get used to the control knob after about a day and eventually it just feels second-nature. Also, all of the hvac controls are physical knobs and buttons, which is amazing.

Auduras ,

I stopped using Android Auto on my infotainment system. I thought it was just me but when I’m using navigation (Google maps or wyze), the second I lose service for any reason, it completely exits out and cancels my navigation. I found that if I use it in my phone, it doesn’t have that issue.

2020 Subaru Forester, but friends with other cars (VW, Honda) mentioned the same issue. Not sure if this has been fixes in recent Android Auto updates or in newer cars, but I’m not going to chance it anymore.

dmtalon ,

I’ve only experienced real issues when out of network coverage for a long time.

I make sure I download the areas I’ll visit especially if the network coverage is spotty.

My Ford sync 3 amd my old Tundra with a Kenwood AA radio bot work fine out of service as long as I have the maps downloaded

tal ,
@tal@lemmy.today avatar

If they want to do that, then they can give me the car for free and I’ll drive it around letting them collect my driving habits.

I mean, that’s kind of what they’re doing in that having another revenue stream will reduce the car price relative to what would have been the case if they couldn’t do so.

If some people want to make that trade, I think that they should have the option to do so.

I don’t personally want to make that trade myself, though.

dmtalon ,

I disagree, most of these subscriptions options are all built in and “enabled” if bought. There ain’t no car manufacturers looking to reduce their car prices for us. It’s profit above everything

Sam_Bass ,

When i got my last one i specifically asked for, and got, no electric or electronic “conveniences”. Even the doubledin stereo got removed and a singledin unit put in its place for fewer distractions or trackers. Oldschool rules.

cmrn ,

While it would be nice to have a screen for music and nav, I absolutely hate any car where you NEED to use the screen to do things. It feels like distracted driving is designed into cars these days…

Pavidus ,

This is why I chose a Mazda. Buttons for everything. I didn’t even realize I had a touchscreen until cleaning the interior one day with the radio going.

TheRealKuni ,

My Ford clearly has a touchscreen, and it’s nice, but I’ve also got buttons for everything I need while driving. That’s the way it should be.

TriflingToad ,

subway surfers at a traffic jam

Sterile_Technique ,
@Sterile_Technique@lemmy.world avatar

Depends on the tech. Touch screens? Those can go fuck themselves. Adaptive cruise control? I love that shit. Any backlighting beyond what’s necessary to see knobs and buttons in otherwise total darkness? Fuck you! Any backlighting that’s any color other than red? EXTRA fuck you! Backup cam? Yeah those are good. Backup cam screen that becomes some obnoxiously bright LCD display for the radio? No, fuck that.

Random side thought: a strict Eco mode only-when-pushed button would be pretty amazing. Eco mode kinda already forces your to drive like a grandma, but at the cost of responsiveness. Responsiveness is important if something catches you off guard, so if I slam on the gas suddenly, I want my car to fucking book it, cuz that probably means I’m trying to dodge something. That said, more often than not, when I’m accelerating from a stop or getting up to speed on the freeway, there’s not really any urgency… but I tend to accelerate faster than necessary (waste gas) because my monkey brain likes the zoom-zoom. I want like… idk, the equivalent of a push-to-talk button on the steering wheel for embracing my inner grandma. I push it when I’m actively assessing that there’s no urgency; my speed of acceleration will make only seconds of difference in my overall trip; and no matter how hard I pump that gas peddle, the uses only the most optimal amount of gas to get me up to and maintain speed. Then I take an exit into some busy downtown bullshit where there’s shit coming at me from every direction, and I need to be able to jolt to dodge the giant metal projectile piloted by the monkey brain a few car lengths away from mine.

Basically keep the “Oh shit!” actions free of as many inputs as possible; demand a bit more from the thinky chunk of meat in my head shell only when everything else is relatively chill.

interdimensionalmeme ,

First thing I do to my next car, circumsize all the antennas at the root.

fubarx ,

Summary: Computerized touch screens and ‘smart’ features with poorly thought-out UI and UX are a solution in search of a problem.

Start with what directly benefits the user and driving experience.

Go from there.

vaultdweller013 ,

I like the tech in my car, it has knobs and buttons. But then again it is from '91.

Duamerthrax ,

I drove a 2020 pickup while taking turns on a family trip. I jumped on the chance to get a 87 Chevy C10. Nothing I want, that I can’t get with a cellphone mount. The 2020 truck feels like I’m driving a lifeguard’s chair around.

vaultdweller013 ,

Yeah I use a little FM transmitter tor audio, kinda tempted to use an old retro sterio kit I got at auction so that I can use a tape deck.

Duamerthrax ,

I may try to solder an AUX into the stock radio and hook a BT receiver into it. I do like a clean appearance and I don’t listen to the radio anyway.

vaultdweller013 ,

Never have tried that, but now youve made me curious if mine already has an aux, it was a government car and was last used by IT before I got it at auction earlier this year.

scytale ,

I actually like big screens on infotainment systems, especially the ones that integrate into the dash and not the ones where it looks like they just stuck a tablet on top of the dash. I have a Subaru and it has a nice vertical 11in screen. I also like the design of the new Hyundai and Kia screens that run across the dash.

Having said that, those screens should strictly be for that purpose, infotainment. Anything that controls essential functions should still be physical buttons, levers, and dials.

I was excited when Volvo announced they were going to release an affordable subcompact SUV EV, then saw they put almost everything on the infotainment screen in the middle of the dash, even the speedometer!

tal ,
@tal@lemmy.today avatar

So what did they put there instead of the spedometer?

kagis

I guess this is the EX30. It looks like it doesn’t have a driver’s side display. Weird.

considers

I guess it saves some money, but yeah, that doesn’t seem like a reasonable tradeoff. There are displays that I want to have readily-accessible all the time.

And, I mean, what does an LCD screen cost? $100 or something? It can’t save all that much.

nobleshift ,
@nobleshift@lemmy.world avatar

2002 Toyota Echo 4dr w/air & heat, quarter million miles, no clock and I have no intentions of ever purchasing another car ever.

tal ,
@tal@lemmy.today avatar

That is going to break at some point.

I mean, I get the sentiment, but that is just not going to be a realistic long-term solution for “people are not happy with changes in newer vehicles”.

rickyrigatoni ,

Yeah and the sun is going to burn out at some point, too.

nobleshift ,
@nobleshift@lemmy.world avatar

That’s ok, I’m leaving the states in my boat at the end of the year and will only be back on a round trip flight. Fuck you, fuck you, you’re cool, fuck you, I’m outta here…

RememberTheApollo_ ,

I don’t hate tech in my car.

I hate unnecessary, poorly designed tech in my car.

Current tech design unnecessarily complicates and obscures what should be simple and easily accessible functions. That’s more than just irritating, it’s dangerous.

CertifiedBlackGuy ,

BRING BACK THE FUCKING BUTTONS HOLY SHIT

Thebeardedsinglemalt ,

I recently had to drive my parents’ new Volva XC40 and that thing is one of the most overengineered vehicles I’ve ever ridden in.

  • The lane assist is kinda great while driving because if you drift a little it helps keep you in your lane. But I found myself literal fighting against the wheel whenever I was genuinely changing lanes, on a lane-ending merge, but more importantly trying to not get sideswiped when a semi drifts into my lane.
  • Instead of traditional shifter, or even shift buttons like my '14 MKZ, this thing has a 3-position shifter knob to go between R-N-D, a separate long-press button to simply put it into park (and by long press, I genuinely have to verify on the dash it’s is park because I almost jump a parking block more than once since I didn’t press long/hard enough) and a separate little knob in the center console whose sole purpose is to turn the car on and off.
  • The electric child-lock is a nice little button mixed in with the window controls on the driver door arm rest…which both myself and my parents have accidentally engaged on a number of occasions by resting our arms on the arm rest.

Aside from that, even in my car I outright HATE the auto environmental controls where you have to set an internal temperature and when the temp reaches that it changes the air to maintain. So if it’s a blazing GA summer, and i set the thermo at 69 (nice) once the internal temp reaches 69 it starts blasting not-cold air.

While the lane assist and adaptive cruise control can help a little on those long trips, I genuinely dislike them because I believe it actively encourages the driver to not pay attention to driving.

figaro ,

… What kind of car is this? 😂 (Look at the first sentence)

tal ,
@tal@lemmy.today avatar

The lane assist is kinda great while driving because if you drift a little it helps keep you in your lane. But I found myself literal fighting against the wheel whenever I was genuinely changing lanes, on a lane-ending merge, but more importantly trying to not get sideswiped when a semi drifts into my lane.

Hmm. Do they have a thumb button or something you can hold down to quickly and easily override it?

bl_r ,

I love my car for the fact it doesn’t do anything crazy. Buttons and switches for everything, bluetooth for music, and a minimalist infotainment system that may as well only be there for the phone pairing process.

I might be in the minority, but I hate Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. I don’t want anything fancy, just music. I don’t want all the bells and whistles of my phone, just music.

Ilovemyirishtemper ,

Ditto. I feel like I’m the only one who still listens to the radio in my car. The only thing I want my car to have that it doesn’t is cruise control. Otherwise, she’s perfect.

catloaf ,

My car has a tape deck and a CD player!

I still use the radio most often. Usually public radio on the way to work, and college radio if they’re playing anything interesting, or the local rock or pop station if they’re not. I’m not going to discover anything new through Spotify, so if I’m going to listen to stuff I’ve heard plenty of times before, the radio is easier.

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