Consumer Reports notes two common problems
#1
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Consumer Reports notes two common problems
Car owners are complaining about 2 features in modern cars
Matthew DeBord,Business Insider 18 hours ago
(The Tesla infotainment system in the Model X has some issues.Tesla Motors)
Consumer Reports is out with its 2016 Annual Auto Reliability Survey, and the watchdog publication has observed a troubling pair of complaints among vehicle owners and CR subscribers.
Advanced infotainment systems and more fuel-efficient multispeed transmissions are causing problems.
Neither issue should surprise anyone. In just about a decade, vehicles have gone from having radios, tape decks, and CD players to having complicated touchscreen infotainment interfaces that manage everything from GPS navigation to audio to smartphone integration.
Most automakers develop their own infotainment systems, and some work far better than others. But even with the ones that cause limited trouble, the kinks are still being worked out.
At Business Insider, we test out numerous infotainment systems, and while we don't much care for the less user-friendly versions, we don't usually have the vehicles long enough to see a lot of glitches. Every so often, however, we sample one that's a huge pain to make work properly or that freezes up — or is utterly frustrating to negotiate.
The more fuel-efficient transmissions are a different story. While 4-and 5-speed automatics used to be common — and were quite reliable — newer 7-, 8-, and 9-speed units have been introduced in recent years. The additional speeds or gearings, in concert with sophisticated engine-management computers, enable cars to serve up better MPGs.
That is, when they work properly.
Lately, we've found that some 8- and 9-speeds to misbehave when driving. Again, we don't test our sample cars to failure. But we can see that this might be a point of irritation for owners.
(Ah, for the good old days.Hollis Johnson)
What's disturbing about this is that the pace of infotainment development isn't slowing down. A great deal more tech is being foisted on consumers — both because it's possible and because car buyers are demanding it. And automakers are up against more stringent future fuel-economy standards for their fleets, to they have to come up with ways to increase MPGs overall, especially of they want to keep selling highly profitable big pickups and SUVs.
The auto industry has made tremendous strides in reliability over the past 2 decades, to the point that there aren't really any truly bad cars anymore.
But if this arms race on infotainment persists, and if carmakers can't come up with more basic ways to improve fuel economy, then the industry runs the risk of rolling back some of its hard-wrought reliability gains.
Consumer Reports is out with its 2016 Annual Auto Reliability Survey, and the watchdog publication has observed a troubling pair of complaints among vehicle owners and CR subscribers.
Advanced infotainment systems and more fuel-efficient multispeed transmissions are causing problems.
Neither issue should surprise anyone. In just about a decade, vehicles have gone from having radios, tape decks, and CD players to having complicated touchscreen infotainment interfaces that manage everything from GPS navigation to audio to smartphone integration.
Most automakers develop their own infotainment systems, and some work far better than others. But even with the ones that cause limited trouble, the kinks are still being worked out.
At Business Insider, we test out numerous infotainment systems, and while we don't much care for the less user-friendly versions, we don't usually have the vehicles long enough to see a lot of glitches. Every so often, however, we sample one that's a huge pain to make work properly or that freezes up — or is utterly frustrating to negotiate.
The more fuel-efficient transmissions are a different story. While 4-and 5-speed automatics used to be common — and were quite reliable — newer 7-, 8-, and 9-speed units have been introduced in recent years. The additional speeds or gearings, in concert with sophisticated engine-management computers, enable cars to serve up better MPGs.
That is, when they work properly.
Lately, we've found that some 8- and 9-speeds to misbehave when driving. Again, we don't test our sample cars to failure. But we can see that this might be a point of irritation for owners.
(Ah, for the good old days.Hollis Johnson)
What's disturbing about this is that the pace of infotainment development isn't slowing down. A great deal more tech is being foisted on consumers — both because it's possible and because car buyers are demanding it. And automakers are up against more stringent future fuel-economy standards for their fleets, to they have to come up with ways to increase MPGs overall, especially of they want to keep selling highly profitable big pickups and SUVs.
The auto industry has made tremendous strides in reliability over the past 2 decades, to the point that there aren't really any truly bad cars anymore.
But if this arms race on infotainment persists, and if carmakers can't come up with more basic ways to improve fuel economy, then the industry runs the risk of rolling back some of its hard-wrought reliability gains.
#2
Lexus Fanatic
What's disturbing about this is that the pace of infotainment development isn't slowing down. A great deal more tech is being foisted on consumers — both because it's possible and because car buyers are demanding it.
#3
Lexus Fanatic
. And those clowns at CR should just stop talking cars all together.
Last edited by mmarshall; 11-28-16 at 07:09 AM.
#4
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I dont mind if infotainment systems in cars are buggy or laggy at first, but they need to be able to address them. Tesla did it right here with over the air software updates, something the computer industry has been doing since the beginning. When a car is in need of a software update, first it is rare that an update exists, and second, it is nearly impossible to convince the dealer that your car needs said update.
#6
Lexus Fanatic
https://www.cars.com/articles/the-10...1420676890727/
https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/...into-ford-sync
https://conversation.which.co.uk/tec...kswagen-tesla/
#7
Lexus Fanatic
Trending Topics
#8
I dont mind if infotainment systems in cars are buggy or laggy at first, but they need to be able to address them. Tesla did it right here with over the air software updates, something the computer industry has been doing since the beginning. When a car is in need of a software update, first it is rare that an update exists, and second, it is nearly impossible to convince the dealer that your car needs said update.
Getting back to the other topic, about more fuel efficient automatic transmissions. Some new automatic transmissions are great, some feel like they're programmed by a bunch of morons. As an example, I've driven a new 2016 Tacoma, V6/automatic/2wd around for a bit. The transmission programming is absolutely infuriating, its constantly up-shifting into the highest gear for "better fuel economy" You combine that with an engine that has a rather high torque peak above 3000rpm, its constantly in the wrong gear and makes the whole truck feel sluggish. Push the gas down even just a little bit, it automatically jumps down a gear or two, even on flat ground say if you want to speed up from 55mph to 60mph. Combine that with all the hills around where I live, its just a bad design. The old 4 speed automatic/V6 combo I've driven in older Tacomas works a lot better with less shifting(although they are slower when you do put the hammer down). I found this "fuel economy" programming to be so annoying that I pushed the "ECT/POWER" button that alters the shift logic to where it isn't constantly upshifting.
#9
The auto transmission comment is interesting. I'm also a member of the Corvette forums. There has been much talk about the 8 speed automatic installed in the C7 since 2015 (when auto transmission is selected). There has been a considerable number of posts about programming problems and torque converter failures. When the A8 was introduced in 2015 in the C7 it replaced the A6 that was the auto transmission for the first year of the C7, 2014. Initially it was believed that the owners of the first year, A6 would see considerable depreciation due to the better track performance of the A8. However, due to the number of failures and reprogramming, the trusty A6 has become somewhat sought after in the used market, especially amongst those who don't plan to track their Corvettes. True, that in 2016 it seems GM has figured out what corrections were needed and reliability seems to be high again, but those first A8 units, I wouldn't want to own one without a warranty.
As for me, I like my high performance sports cars to shift manually, I have an M7. I'll leave my automatic transmissions in the Lexus RX350.
As for me, I like my high performance sports cars to shift manually, I have an M7. I'll leave my automatic transmissions in the Lexus RX350.
#10
CR is one of the most successful (and respected) auto publications in history....dating back to 1936. You have the right (and privilege) to state your opinion and talk about cars here in Car Chat. Why do you want to deny the right to others....simply because you disagree with them? I myself happen to think that Jeremy Clarkson is a clown, and not a true auto reviewer, but I wouldn't dream of telling him to stop doing the shows and videos he does.....he has many fans and followers who DO like him, just like Consumer Reports.
I'm a member of four car forums. Your comments about CR are by far, the kindest I've read on any of those forums. Most of what I've read would agree with LexsCTJill, maybe not those exact words. I used to be a fan of CR and followed their advice. After several disappointments, I gave up on CR. I found product reviews on the internet are more reliable.
#11
Lexus Fanatic
IMHO the biggest change that needs to be made is upgradability of infotainment systems. When a new iOS or OS for my Apple computers come out...I don't have to go buy a new iPhone or iPad or computer, I can upgrade my old iPhone, iPad or Computer to run the new OS (within reason). Apple even realized the incredible power of offering these upgrades for free. Does it stop people from buying new hardware? No data suggests that it does.
The fact that my 2015 LS460 has two generations behind infotainment technology and that the only way for me to get the upgraded technology (fullscreen nav, etc) is to loose $30,000 by trading my car in on an otherwise identical car. I should be able to have the dealer, or OTA upgrade my car to have the latest infotainment OS available on a 2017 model. Perhaps some features will be omitted on an older vehicles who's hardware sort support it and thats fine, (as Apple does with their OS. My iPhone 6 running the same OS as an iPhone 7 doesn't have all the 7's functionality, but it has the same look, etc.
Understandably, once it gets really old it can't be upgraded (as in I can't have my iPhone 4 run the latest iOS), but within 5 years or so there should be no reason a 2013 Lexus with the same screen and interface can't run the OS from a 2017 Lexus.
If carmakers want to make a splash, thats where it can be made. And its getting there. For instance Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available on the 2017 Kia UVO system. Guess what I can get with an upgrade? That functionality and the look of the new system on my 2015. Lexus isn't as forward thinking.
The fact that my 2015 LS460 has two generations behind infotainment technology and that the only way for me to get the upgraded technology (fullscreen nav, etc) is to loose $30,000 by trading my car in on an otherwise identical car. I should be able to have the dealer, or OTA upgrade my car to have the latest infotainment OS available on a 2017 model. Perhaps some features will be omitted on an older vehicles who's hardware sort support it and thats fine, (as Apple does with their OS. My iPhone 6 running the same OS as an iPhone 7 doesn't have all the 7's functionality, but it has the same look, etc.
Understandably, once it gets really old it can't be upgraded (as in I can't have my iPhone 4 run the latest iOS), but within 5 years or so there should be no reason a 2013 Lexus with the same screen and interface can't run the OS from a 2017 Lexus.
If carmakers want to make a splash, thats where it can be made. And its getting there. For instance Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available on the 2017 Kia UVO system. Guess what I can get with an upgrade? That functionality and the look of the new system on my 2015. Lexus isn't as forward thinking.
#12
strictly out of curiosity, no agenda or attempt to make a point intended or implied -- when is the last time you sequentially rowed thru each and every one of the gears all the way through 1-2-3-4-5-6-7? think and be totally honest!
#13
Lexus Fanatic
MMarshall,
I'm a member of four car forums. Your comments about CR are by far, the kindest I've read on any of those forums. Most of what I've read would agree with LexsCTJill, maybe not those exact words. I used to be a fan of CR and followed their advice. After several disappointments, I gave up on CR. I found product reviews on the internet are more reliable.
I'm a member of four car forums. Your comments about CR are by far, the kindest I've read on any of those forums. Most of what I've read would agree with LexsCTJill, maybe not those exact words. I used to be a fan of CR and followed their advice. After several disappointments, I gave up on CR. I found product reviews on the internet are more reliable.
(BTW, I also post in more than one forum).
#14
Lexus Fanatic
Getting back to the other topic, about more fuel efficient automatic transmissions. Some new automatic transmissions are great, some feel like they're programmed by a bunch of morons. As an example, I've driven a new 2016 Tacoma, V6/automatic/2wd around for a bit. The transmission programming is absolutely infuriating, its constantly up-shifting into the highest gear for "better fuel economy" You combine that with an engine that has a rather high torque peak above 3000rpm, its constantly in the wrong gear and makes the whole truck feel sluggish. Push the gas down even just a little bit, it automatically jumps down a gear or two, even on flat ground say if you want to speed up from 55mph to 60mph. Combine that with all the hills around where I live, its just a bad design. The old 4 speed automatic/V6 combo I've driven in older Tacomas works a lot better with less shifting(although they are slower when you do put the hammer down). I found this "fuel economy" programming to be so annoying that I pushed the "ECT/POWER" button that alters the shift logic to where it isn't constantly upshifting.
Just adding gears alone, though, does not necessarily guarantee flexibility at any RPM. Some GM FWD 6-speed automatics, for instance, are closely-spaced in the lower four gears for acceleration/power, but then have a rather wide gap between 4th and the upper two gears where engine RPM can jump significantly.
#15
I dont mind if infotainment systems in cars are buggy or laggy at first, but they need to be able to address them. Tesla did it right here with over the air software updates, something the computer industry has been doing since the beginning. When a car is in need of a software update, first it is rare that an update exists, and second, it is nearly impossible to convince the dealer that your car needs said update.