Ever-evolving design
If it has been some time since your last car purchase, the plethora of features and choices might feel overwhelming. Features such as rear-view cameras, safety sensors that beep when approaching obstacles, and expansive touchscreens showing navigation and entertainment details were once only seen in fantasies or prototype models just a few years back. “Automobile design adapts to meet consumer demands,” explains Darren Palmer, Ford’s global head of battery electric vehicle development. “Your smartphone now acts as both your personal assistant—providing directions via maps, playing music, unlocking doors—and even connects directly to emergency services. With tech increasingly integrated into daily life, this shift creates extra room within vehicles, allowing manufacturers like Ford to rethink interior layouts.” As newer technologies replace older ones, certain traditional elements are swiftly fading away from modern designs. Here’s what you should consider about these changes:
actions you’re performing on your vehicle that professional mechanics would not recommend
.
Cassette decks and CD changers
Given the prevalence of satellite radio and streaming audio, physical media now gathers dust on basement shelves. Although inserting a beloved mixtape into the dashboard evokes nostalgia, or carefully choosing the top six CDs for a lengthy drive before storing them in the car’s trunk holds charm, the ease of accessing thousands of songs, engaging podcasts, or captivating audiobooks tilts the balance towards digital formats for most new vehicle purchasers. Nowadays, very few newly manufactured cars include a CD player; they often feature several USB ports instead. Furthermore, millennials won’t be using cassettes anymore, much like how numerous previously common objects have become obsolete artifacts. Take a look at this:
the most widespread automobile the year of your birth
.
Front bench seats
Throughout the ’80s, bench seats were common in many family vehicles. However, certain models like the Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon continued offering a three-person front seat arrangement until the early 2000s. The center position in these setups wasn’t known for comfort; it tended to be cramped with limited space, leading to frequent bumps against elbows, shoulders, and knees. Despite this, some motorists appreciated having additional passenger capacity.
sans
The third passenger may find it necessary to widen their legs. Some individuals might reminisce about the intimate space provided by a bench seat during a romantic evening out, allowing a partner to move nearer to the person driving.
The main factor behind the decline of bench seats is safety, since airbags generally perform optimally when positioned directly in front of passengers. It was extremely difficult to incorporate an airbag into the central position of a bench seat without interfering with the area typically occupied by the radio. Discover more about this topic here:
16 essential car safety features no vehicle should lack.
Wind-up windows
In the past, classified ads for pre-owned vehicles often emphasized premium add-ons to boost their appeal. Options like power windows, power door locks, and air conditioning were once considered upgrades. However, manual crank windows have become obsolete—thankfully so! Drivers no longer face the inconvenience of fumbling with these during unexpected downpours; now they can simply push a button to operate them effortlessly.
In this scenario, manual windows have become outdated because of advancements in modern production efficiency. It is far simpler—and consequently more cost-effective over time—for an automobile plant to maintain just one kind of window regulator rather than two types. Additionally, it simplifies the training process for workers who only need to learn how to fit one type of component instead of dealing with multiple varieties. Since the majority of vehicles were equipped with power windows as options, prioritizing the preferred choice was logical.
Rear-hinged doors
Until the 1960s, one prominent feature found on high-end vehicles was the suicide doors. These distinctive rear-hinged doors facilitated smoother entry and exit for those seated at the back. However, their design posed safety risks as they could swing open readily during collisions or when facing passing traffic, which led to them being labeled “suicide doors.”
Another risk for those who open a door, whether it’s hinged at the back or not, is the potential hazard posed to walkers or cyclists. If you often park in city settings, it could be beneficial to familiarize yourself with the “
Dutch reach
to assist in safeguarding your fellow human beings.
A new car featuring rear-hinged doors has been introduced on a restricted scale recently.
2019 Lincoln Continental featuring “Coach Doors”
It was an elevated version of the classic suicide doors, featuring a significantly safer locking system.
Ashtrays and cigarette lighters
Not so long ago, smoking was widely tolerated in both public and private spaces alike. Consequently, most vehicles came standard with ashtrays and cigarette lighters for smokers who lit up behind the wheel.
As awareness about the health impacts of smoking grew, fewer vehicles included built-in ashtrays. Many cigarette lighter sockets no longer feature the conventional pull-out lighters; instead, they serve as 12-volt power ports for various electronics that connect to car systems. Nonetheless, smokers often have access to supplementary “smoker’s packages,” which typically consist of a lighter along with an ashtray designed to fit within a cup holder.
23 automotive technologies can enhance your safety while driving
.
Spare tires
When was the last time you experienced a flat tire? These occurrences have become less frequent nowadays, largely due to the increasing use of run-flat tires that allow vehicles to drive safely even when they’re deflated for several miles. Additionally, as automakers continually strive to enhance fuel economy—wherein extra weight from a spare tire works against this objective—a trend toward replacing traditional spare tires with cans of tire sealant and compact air compressors has emerged across numerous car models.
It’s still worthwhile to learn how to change a tire, even if your vehicle doesn’t come with a spare. This skill remains valuable regardless.
34 essential life skills for everyone
to be a grownup.
Keys
These traditional keys aren’t entirely gone—the basic models may still come with standard keys, and vehicles intended for rental companies frequently include them because these keys are less likely to get misplaced by forgetful borrowers. However, many newer automobiles offer an alternative known as a proximity key. This feature lets you open, start, and drive the vehicle without actually removing the key from your pocket or purse; instead, it relies on radio waves to perform this task electronically.
A downside of using these proximity keys is that burglars strolling through your area could potentially gain entry into your vehicle as well, because the key often stays close to your home indoors. There are
a few strategies
To aid in stopping such theft.
Parking brake handles
Commonly known as emergency brakes because they typically remain functional even if the standard foot-operated brakes stop working, the conventional parking brake handle is becoming less common in newer vehicles. It’s being substituted by an electronic parking brake activated via a simple button press. This change makes design simpler for car engineers, providing additional space inside the vehicle—ideal for adding features like cup holders, spaces to place and charge smartphones, or similar items.
13 bizarre car amenities you probably weren’t aware of.
A pleasant feature of electronic parking brakes is their ability to typically activate automatically upon parking. This convenience helps protect the transmission from damage when stopping on inclines, as the vehicle’s weight doesn’t rest entirely on the transmission.
Power antennas
One of the most unreliable components in a vehicle was the power antenna. These tended to malfunction frequently, particularly in cold regions where they could get stuck due to snow and ice. The power antenna became essential for receiving signals from far-off radio stations. However, with advancements such as digital broadcasts and satellite radio, this extended component is now commonly substituted by compact, plastic “shark-fin” antennas.
antenna
On top of the vehicle or within the windshield itself, an integrated wire can be found. This enhancement boosts radio reception as well as aerodynamic performance.
Vent windows
In the days before air conditioning became commonplace, rolling down the windows was the go-to method for staying comfortable during a scorching journey. Many vintage vehicles featured an additional window within their front door panels close to the side mirrors; these could pivot either inward or outward. This design allowed drivers and passengers alike to direct a refreshing breeze directly toward themselves even when all other windows remained shut. The gentle touch of cooler outside air on one’s face significantly enhanced the overall driving experience.
Another great aspect of vent windows was how easily they allowed access to the interior if you accidentally locked your keys inside. Although modern proximity keys reduce this risk, these were
Here are three methods you might use to gain entry into your vehicle:
if fate decides against you.
Pop-up headlamps
We can share the responsibility between the government and car designers for the emergence of pop-up headlights. For numerous years, the U.S. authorities required vehicles to use specific dimensions and styles of headlights. When designers and engineers aimed to reduce the frontal profile of cars for improved airflow and sleeker aesthetics, the fixed headlights became an obstacle—thus leading to their concealment within the bodywork when not in use during nighttime driving.
In the 1990s, government rules about headlight design became more lenient, enabling advancements that led to the use of smaller bulbs. Additionally, safety concerns have phased out pop-up headlights—they pose significant risks to walkers and cyclists due to their extending nature. Can you identify them?
12 car dashboard lights
.
Hood ornaments
Several high-end luxury vehicles might still feature chrome stand-up hood ornaments; however, safety regulations have mandated numerous modifications because these prominent emblems can lead to increased harm for pedestrians or cyclists. In some automobiles that retain such ornaments, they come equipped with an automated system designed to retract the ornament into the hood upon detecting even the slightest collision.
Here’s another interesting tidbit: Hood ornaments actually served a purpose back then. In vehicles manufactured prior to World War II—and even in some models right after—the majority of cars featured an external radiator designed to keep the engine cool. These hood ornaments were attached directly to the top of the radiator cap.
Gas caps
In the future, when you arrive at the fuel station, you might not need to remove a gas cap. Ford began eliminating them following the introduction of the Easy Fuel system in 2011. This capless fuel mechanism aids in preventing gasoline theft and also offers the advantage of sparing you from the inconvenience of handling the gas cap—especially useful during colder months when your fingers could become chilly. Additionally, without a gas cap, you won’t risk losing this particular car component. Regardless of whether or not you still use a gas cap, it remains important to
steer clear of these 12 potentially hazardous errors when fueling up
.
