Great Features Every Car Should Have – Part I

How many times have your asked yourself “why didn’t someone think of this sooner?!” Simple idea or device that you know will make your life easier. In case of cars, easier also relates to safer and/or cheaper. Below are a five of those simple, cheap, and effective ideas which will make your commute safer or easier. You’ll wonder why all auto manufacturers don’t include them. Five more such features next week.

Easy-Fill Gas Cap

Did you ever wonder why you have to remove your gas cap after you have pop-opened your gas cap? Evidently so did some Ford engineers. In a brilliantly simple way they devised a gas cap which does not have to be removed before a fill up; simply pop your gas door and insert the fuel hose. That’s it. No more getting your hands dirty and smelly or placing the filler cap on the roof; just pump and go.

Currently available exclusively on Ford vehicles.

Pop-in Aftermarket Navigation System

Navigation systems have recently become the must-have feature on every new car. The first question that people seem to ask after you told them about your new purchase is “did you get the nav system!?”, as if it’s the greatest damn feature since power windows.

The truth is that most factory navigational systems are just not that great. They lack some the POIs, are not intuitive to use and can’t be accessed while driving (company lawyers say so). Furthermore they are really pricey and often require you to order the Technology Package which costs between two and four grand! Granted, you get better display for your radio and iPod, but still, that is a lot of money. Two grand buys a nice vacation or a home theater system. And how often do you use your nav anyway?

Furthermore, future updates of the factory navigational system can cost between $100 and $300. An even bigger problem comes up as vehicles get older; circuit boards crack, screens stop working and you end up spending close to a grand just to get your outdated system to work. Don’t believe me? Google ’03 Infiniti G35 radio problems.

I find aftermarket navigational systems, especially Garmin, to be great. They’re cheap, accurate, and do exactly what they are supposed to do. The problem is that they are a bit unsightly; the mount suctioned to the windshield, the power cable all over your dash and console, it can be annoying especially if you’re particular about your car.

Suzuki recently introduced the TRIP system, which is essentially a Garmin unit that with its own bin and all cabling hidden out of the way. BMW has a similar system in Europe; essentially a neat Garmin mount in the middle of the dash. The Suzuki unit is standard on the SX4 and it’s a dealer accessory on the BMW and probably costs a little more than retail but still significantly less than the factory iDrive/Technology Package.

Remote Start

The days of pumping the gas pedal a few times before turning the ignition key are far over. Heck, today many cars don’t even have a proper ignition key (a damn shame!) and driver involvement needed to start the engine is therefore pretty much nonexistent.

On a freezing day we would all like to get into a nice and warm vehicle and just drive off. Similarly, the last thing we want to do on a summer day is to get into a car which has been baking in the sun for eight hours. For years people have been running out to their vehicles, starting them and running back into the warm/cool house. Half the time they locked their only key in the car and other times a passer-by drove away with their unlocked ride.

Engineers noticed that (probably learned the hard way) and now several cars are available with remote engine starting. Pre-heat/cool your car right from your couch and five minutes later drive off in complete comfort. While the vehicle is running, it is locked and the key is safely in your hand. Even if someone does get inside, the transmission cannot be shifted and vehicles cannot be driven off. Brilliant.

Available on certain up-level GM and Honda vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. It has been brought to my attention that it’s also available on Subarus and Fords, but I haven’t seen.

Sliding Rear Seat

It may sound silly but I think it is a very functional feature. Applicable to SUVs, cross-overs and perhaps wagons it is mostly absent in most of these cars.

Sliding rear seat is handy when driving by yourself with a child; it allows you have your child closer to you, within an arm’s reach. At the same time it also allows to maximize trunk space. When the seat is moved to its rearmost position it offers generous rear seat legroom. It is not something one can’t live without, but it adds more function and utility to your utilitarian vehicle.

Currently available on smaller GM cross-overs, Honda CR-V, Toyota Highlander and probably a few more.

Blind Spot Detection

For years you have been warned about not being able to see vehicles in your mirror blind spot. You have been told to adjust your mirrors a certain way or to quickly glance over your shoulder to make sure the lane next to you is clear. And yet I see people almost on daily basis changing lanes and not seeing the car which is only a few feet away from them.

Solution is a Blind Spot Detection System. It uses outputs from sensors mounted in the rear quarter panel (not sure if they are the same sensors as back-up sensors) and when a vehicle is detected it illuminates an LED light mounted inside your side rearview mirror. It’s a simple and effective way of reducing accidents.

Available on many higher-end vehicles such as the Lincoln MKZ.