Automotive features/innovations that are actually useful

[12,000 RPM]

The Z is a smallish car but I find it very difficult to park. The high shoulder sills keep me from seeing where the curb is. My dad's M45 had rear view mirrors that would aim down when you put it in reverse. Sad that a car would even need that, but a good feature nonetheless.

I'm also thinking about getting an Android based head unit. They have some that do screen mirroring.... basically letting you use your in dash screen as a remote desktop for your phone. Some of them do it wirelessly. Pretty damn cool and bizarre in that OEMs haven't jumped on board.

[Raza]

The Z is a smallish car but I find it very difficult to park. The high shoulder sills keep me from seeing where the curb is. My dad's M45 had rear view mirrors that would aim down when you put it in reverse. Sad that a car would even need that, but a good feature nonetheless.

I had the same surprising issue in the Z4.  With the top up, anyway.  My old E class had the mirror thing.

[hotrodalex]

I had the same surprising issue in the Z4.  With the top up, anyway.  My old E class had the mirror thing.

Interesting, E46's have moving mirrors. I loved it.

My nomination is power door locks and windows. Wish my car had those. Maybe fuel injection, cylinder shut off, and an overdrive gear too. 

[68_427]

Windshield wiper defrosters.

[MexicoCityM3]

ABS, DSC, Parking Sensors, Adjustable Dampers, Comfort Access, Auto-Hazards When Max Braking, Navigation

[Byteme]

On our Mazda 6 push the unlock button on the remote twice and hold it down after the second push and it lowers the front windows.  Handy as hell on a hot day if you've parked in the sun.

The passenger mirror on the CLK swivels down when you put the car in reverse to help you not smack anything with the wheels on that side of the car. 

Also on the CLK if you have the top up and all four windows down you can close all 4 windows at the same time by holding the top switch to the "close top" position.

Cruise and radio controls on the steering wheel.

Used to be they put key locks on some consoles, not any more.  Sure would be useful to have that on convertibles.

Memory power seats, especially for both front seats.

[SJ_GTI]

The Z is a smallish car but I find it very difficult to park. The high shoulder sills keep me from seeing where the curb is. My dad's M45 had rear view mirrors that would aim down when you put it in reverse. Sad that a car would even need that, but a good feature nonetheless.

My car has that feature too, but I don't use it much.

[SVT666]

Paddle shifters for automatics.  My wife doesn't drive stick so this feature gives me added enjoyment out of an automatic equipped car I wouldn't normally have.  Went on two 4 hour mountain road runs this past weekend with the G37 and the paddles were immensely useful, and dare I say....fun.

[Raza]

Paddle shifters for automatics.  My wife doesn't drive stick so this feature gives me added enjoyment out of an automatic equipped car I wouldn't normally have.  Went on two 4 hour mountain road runs this past weekend with the G37 and the paddles were immensely useful, and dare I say....fun.

It's funny, I used to use manual shifting 100% of the time in my Mercedes and Passat, but since moving to a stickshift as my main mode of transportation, whenever I jump into an automatic car, I just plant my left foot and let it do whatever silly things it's going to do. 

[Laconian]

Backup cameras, though I'm not sure if they are just enabling the trend for less and less glass.

[Raza]

Backup cameras, though I'm not sure if they are just enabling the trend for less and less glass.

I think they're a reaction to it.  Regs (or styling, whichever it was) pushed beltlines higher and higher, glass got smaller, people started backing into things, then came the backup cam. 

[SJ_GTI]

It's funny, I used to use manual shifting 100% of the time in my Mercedes and Passat, but since moving to a stickshift as my main mode of transportation, whenever I jump into an automatic car, I just plant my left foot and let it do whatever silly things it's going to do.

I am, generally, the same way in automatic cars. The exception is the few times I have been able to get DSG equipped cars as loaners (usually an A3).

Although, when I had the Cadillac ATS as a rental while visiting Dallas, I did use the "manual" function quite a bit while in heavy traffic. The automatic didn't seem to adapt well to the constant acceleration variations so I used the manual option so it would stay in gear longer and not try to shift as much.

[Raza]

I am, generally, the same way in automatic cars. The exception is the few times I have been able to get DSG equipped cars as loaners (usually an A3).

Although, when I had the Cadillac ATS as a rental while visiting Dallas, I did use the "manual" function quite a bit while in heavy traffic. The automatic didn't seem to adapt well to the constant acceleration variations so I used the manual option so it would stay in gear longer and not try to shift as much.

I do find that these hundred speed autos like to shift way too much.  I tried driving my dad's LS460 in manual and found that it would override you secretly (i.e. the dash would show you as being in 4th, but you'd really be in 7th or 8th) if you held a gear longer than it wanted you to. 

[Laconian]

My autotragic lacks paddles, but S mode is pretty good about divining my wishes during spirited driving. A manual is definitely better for light throttle use because that just confounds the AT.

[12,000 RPM]

Yea wifey's auto in S mode makes much better use of its measly 150 HP.

[2o6]

Useful - automatics with more than 4 speeds.


I'm driving the Altima, and it's the slowest thing ever

[MrH]

Auto up/down windows.  I have it for both windows in the BRZ.  In the Element, it's only the driver side.  It's a cheap thing to add but makes a difference to me.  I never roll around with the windows half up.

Other tech stuff I want on all my cars: HID & keyless entry.

I really like heads-up displays too.  I haven't owned a car with one, but every time I drive a car with it, it seems like such a cool, handy feature.

[Byteme]

Auto up/down windows.  I have it for both windows in the BRZ.  In the Element, it's only the driver side.  It's a cheap thing to add but makes a difference to me.  I never roll around with the windows half up.

I agree they are useful.  And why not put it on all 4 windows on a sedan?


A feature I have mixed emotions about is the trunk lock on the CLK.  When the car is unlocked the truck can be opened from the outside by pushing the button on the trunk.  the trunk is locked only when you lock the doors with the remote.   

[Soup DeVille]

Auto up/down windows.  I have it for both windows in the BRZ.  In the Element, it's only the driver side.  It's a cheap thing to add but makes a difference to me.  I never roll around with the windows half up.

Other tech stuff I want on all my cars: HID & keyless entry.

I really like heads-up displays too.  I haven't owned a car with one, but every time I drive a car with it, it seems like such a cool, handy feature.

It's actually a zero cost thing to add. It's just programming.

[cawimmer430]

 

[SVT666]

BMW has the worst cupholders I have ever seen.

[Raza]

Auto up/down windows.  I have it for both windows in the BRZ.  In the Element, it's only the driver side.  It's a cheap thing to add but makes a difference to me.  I never roll around with the windows half up.

Other tech stuff I want on all my cars: HID & keyless entry.

I really like heads-up displays too.  I haven't owned a car with one, but every time I drive a car with it, it seems like such a cool, handy feature.

HUD is so cool and useful, I don't know how it hasn't caught on more.

[Raza]

BMW has the worst cupholders I have ever seen.

The one in my Z4 is great.  Much better than the ones in my Porsche were.  They pop out of the dash and ratchet closed, so they can handle lots of different widths.

[2o6]

German cars in General have the worst cup holders.

[hotrodalex]

Most BMWs I've been in have them in the console. Dunno why they put them in the dash sometimes.

[12,000 RPM]

Ventilated seats are another good one. Heavy as fuck though

[Laconian]

Heavy?

[MrH]

The seating material itself for this isn't heavy.  It's a special nylon weave pattern that's patented.  Started in ventilated seats, then shrank down to become the backing material for a lot of interior components that are wrapped.  Really crazy material, but it's expensive.

[CALL_911]

For me, it'd have to be HIDs, heated seats, and Bluetooth integration. I take power locks and windows as a given in 2014.

[12,000 RPM]

Heavy?

I have had buddies who swapped Maxima seats out for heated/cooled seats from an M45. Maybe not a fair representation, but those fuckers were heavy as hell. Heating element + fans capable of pushing through perforated leather and cushioning.... tough stuff.