Vehicles used to be so simple. They were rather straightforward and did not have few amenities. Those days have come to a close, though. Now, vehicles come standard with so many options that once cost additional money. These now standard options need to be considered for the sake of understanding what benefit they add to a car.
Built-in Wi-Fi
Going mobile is the only option for some people and families, and sometimes the data provided by a cell phone carrier is simply not enough. Several car manufacturers including Buick, GMC, and Chevrolet built 45LTE hotspots into their vehicles. Drivers and passengers can use their phones, tablets, and laptops without making use of phone data or have to stop off at a place like Starbucks to use their free Wi-Fi. As a word of advice, though, such technology should not be used while a person drives.
Back-Up and 360 Cameras
Backup cameras used to be a luxury item. Now, many cars come standardized with this safety feature. It helps with, well, backing up in and out of parking spaces, but one directional camera is not the only option anymore. Some car makers include 360-degree cameras with their vehicles, so all angles surrounding a car can be monitored at all times. Drivers do not have to rely solely on their mirrors anymore with this feature.
Hands-Free Trunk Opening
Most cars have come standard with keyless entry FOBs for a long time. Now, most of these FOBs include a button for opening the trunk with easy. However, this option cannot be used if a person’s hands are full. Therefore, newer cars are starting to include buttons located under the bumper that can be touched with a foot for opening the trunk completely hands free as a bonus feature. Other manufacturers like Kia started including a feature where a car senses the location of a smart key in proximity to the car and will immediately open doors and trunks for easier access.
Self-Cleaning Windows
In the pasts, drivers needed to apply a chemical of some kind to make water roll off the surface with ease. Some car models are not made with “hydrophobic” windows. These windows are made of coated glass that stops rain and dirt from building up. It is almost as if Rain-X has been integrated into the window naturally, so it does not even need to be applied.
Built-in Vacuums
Cleaning a vehicle used to include dragging out the Shop-Vac or going to the car wash to feed vacuum quarters. Those days are also over. Many SUVs and vans come equipped with a vacuum of their own. It has a long-range hose for cleaning to happen all the time.
Extra-Safe Car Seats
Technology from NASA and NASCAR has also become available in vehicles for everyday use. For example, Nissan paired with NASA to develop “zero gravity” seats to promote a natural posture that also provides comfort to muscles and spines. Similar seats are also built to withstand an accident better, too. They provide added support and protection that cannot be matched.
Massaging Car Seats
In the past, after-market massage pads could be installed in on a seat with a breeze, and they operated with power from a car’s lighter jack. Needing to install something extra is no longer an additional task to undertake for a comfortable car seat now. Seats provide heating cooling features and have various massage modes now to leave drivers and passengers feeling relaxed during long road trips.
Lighter Metal
Vehicles used to be made of heavy steel or all-too-light fiberglass. One option was very durable during accidents, but it could eat away at gas mileage due to the extra weight. The other option was far lighter and saved on gas mileage, but it was not very safe during accidents. Technological advancements in the military have led to the development of aluminum that is both light and durable. Both Ford’s F-150 and Honda’s Fit are now 57 pounds lighter and all the safer. This military-grade metal is durable and gas efficient.
Automatic Stopping Brakes
To prevent accidents from happening due to drivers being distracted while driving, newer vehicles come equipped with brakes that will prevent an accident. The car stops on its own while sensing danger. At the same time, these vehicles can sense when a vehicle veers too close to a neighboring lane, thus redirecting or stopping the car safely to prevent even more accidents.
Heated Wiper Blades
Having to wait for defrost to take care of warming windows or scrapping away at ice in the cold are also a thing of the past. Heated wiper blades like the Thermalblade can melt ice and snow to clear a car windshield in mere minutes.
Saving Gas in the Engine
Vehicles like Chrysler’s 200 sedans and Honda’s Fit make a gallon of gas last 30 miles or more. Much of this gas-saving relies on engines that have more efficient cylinders to prevent wallets from groaning every time a visit is made at the pump.
Push-Button Shifting
Gear shifts are going to be disappearing from most vehicles shortly. Most of the car runs on pushing buttons, so the gear shift should be replaced by buttons, too. Acura’s TLX and Honda’s Pilot have started using this technology over the last few years, thus saving space in the center console.
GPS Analysis
Most cars come with a GPS built right into the dash. Traditionally, this GPS only offered the most direct route from one waypoint to another. Now, GPS analyzes traffic patterns and looks for accidents to figure out a way around them, thus making a drive easier, regardless of how long it lasts.
Light-Blocking Sunroof
Sunroofs have always been a luxury. Unfortunately, the amount of bright light that would come on them could lead to sunburns. Now, Mercedes-Benz started using what they call “Magic Sky” sunroof that darkness to block out harmful UV rays.
Vehicles are so technologically advanced nowadays. Features that could only be dreamed of are now a reality. The future is now. Many of these amenities are standard now, and if they not yet, then they are more than worth the extra price.
