#18 Auto Technology 2

I own a 2005 Honda Pilot, not the newest car on the road, but certainly one full of hi tech items. One of the interesting items on the car is the tire inflation indicators. It has come up twice since I've owned the car and each time my tire pressure had dropped to near 20 pounds and needed a boost. Now that's good to know!

The Mrs. appreciates that my cars always have outdoor temperature indicators. Her 2002 Honda Accord doesn't have one. It only makes sense that the outside temperature is an important thing to know. In cold weather its critical for a driver to know when the temperature approaches freezing. In my poor humble opinion, this should be a standard gauge on all cars.

New cars certainly are safer then the cars I grew up driving. From safety belts to air bags, air curtains, ABS brakes, 5MPH bumpers to uni body construction, cars are less likely to get into accidents and when in one to harm you. If only we could take care of the idiot behind the wheel! Lexus is trying with its auto park system. This system lets you push a button and the car will parallel park (the bane of every 16 year old). Results are mixed on how well this "feature" actually works.

Computers have been a part of cars for more then 10 years. Mechanics now "plug" in your car before they look at anything. Diagnostics take minutes not hours. Carburetors are long gone and programmed fuel injectors make for the most efficient engines ever built. Displays that let you know your gas mileage, direction, status of every car system are now standard on many vehicles.

I will rant a bit on sound systems in cars. When I bought the Pilot, I really wanted to have either an audio input jack for an MP3 player or the ability for my CD player in the car to play MP3 files. It wasn't even an option. Now its standard on most upscale cars and any car that targets 18-25 year olds. Sigh timing is everything.

Car manufacturers are now trying to throw into cars every new bell and whistle whether you need it or not. And they will try to charge you an arm and a leg for much of that technology. Buyer beware!