Are today's cars too complicated?
07-31-13, 09:16 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Are today's cars too complicated?
Hey all
I've had an IS250 AWD for 6 great years now. I finally talked my wife into getting a 2013 ES350 for herself. She can afford one, and deserves a nice car - so why not??!! (she was driving a 7 year old Saturn L300) Well, it's only been a couple of days now, but she is very much taken aback by all the complicated (to her) technology, especially with having to mess with the screen. We didn't get the Nav (she wouldn't use it anyhow). But in order to get the backup camera, we had to get the Display Audio option. This means that a bunch of comfort controls are now controlled with controller/ mouse! My wife is not too bad with a computer, and I know I can teach her this stuff. But she is a very safe and cautious driver and doesn't want to touch the mouse while she is driving. I'll eventually teach her all she needs to know, but wow, I think of the older generation who may not have someone to teach them how to use the car properly. Myself, it doesn't bother me, but yes, I'd rather have an array of tactile buttons in front of me, rather than going through levels of menus.
Are today's cars too complicated? This question is NOT for any member of this forum, but instead for people who are not as naturally technically inclined.
Just curious if others felt this way? (sorry if this has been discussed before, I searched and couldn't find the thread).
Bruce
I've had an IS250 AWD for 6 great years now. I finally talked my wife into getting a 2013 ES350 for herself. She can afford one, and deserves a nice car - so why not??!! (she was driving a 7 year old Saturn L300) Well, it's only been a couple of days now, but she is very much taken aback by all the complicated (to her) technology, especially with having to mess with the screen. We didn't get the Nav (she wouldn't use it anyhow). But in order to get the backup camera, we had to get the Display Audio option. This means that a bunch of comfort controls are now controlled with controller/ mouse! My wife is not too bad with a computer, and I know I can teach her this stuff. But she is a very safe and cautious driver and doesn't want to touch the mouse while she is driving. I'll eventually teach her all she needs to know, but wow, I think of the older generation who may not have someone to teach them how to use the car properly. Myself, it doesn't bother me, but yes, I'd rather have an array of tactile buttons in front of me, rather than going through levels of menus.
Are today's cars too complicated? This question is NOT for any member of this forum, but instead for people who are not as naturally technically inclined.
Just curious if others felt this way? (sorry if this has been discussed before, I searched and couldn't find the thread).
Bruce
07-31-13, 09:47 AM
#2
The only climate control setting she may need to change/turn off is the AC in the climate menu. Otherwise, fanspeed, temperature, direction of air flow, defrosters, inside/outside air is all at her fingertips
It is true that cars are more complex, but complicated is in the eye of the beholder. Some folks pick it up very easily while others struggle.
You could always change the "feedback force" on her remote touch if it's too sensitive.
Honestly, if she's having issues go back to your local Lexus and ask to have a session with their Lexus Delivery Specialist or Lexus Technology Specialist. That's what they are there for
It is true that cars are more complex, but complicated is in the eye of the beholder. Some folks pick it up very easily while others struggle.
You could always change the "feedback force" on her remote touch if it's too sensitive.
Honestly, if she's having issues go back to your local Lexus and ask to have a session with their Lexus Delivery Specialist or Lexus Technology Specialist. That's what they are there for
07-31-13, 10:13 AM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
It is not just opinion, but also fact, that an increasing number of accidents are happening today not only because the climate-control/entertainment/ NAV controls on many of today's cars are so complex, but also because of the add-on devices they encourage and hook into....Bluetooth, I-Pod, MP3, etc.....
It's getting to the point that Congress may soon hold hearings on it.
It's getting to the point that Congress may soon hold hearings on it.
07-31-13, 10:20 AM
#4
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Much maligned for years, the latest generation BMW i-Drive system really does work quite well in our X5, and you don't hear that system getting any bad press anymore. Even my wife has gotten the hang of it. Reach to controls is natural, can feel the big shortcut buttons by feel, and there are plenty more presets you can program to get to what you want quickly. Touch sensitive capacitative buttons also let you see the preset you have programmed before you actually hit the button to know you've got the right one (the 1-2-3-4-5-6 buttons that are normally for radio presets, can be used as iDrive presets). Took them 10 years and three generations of systems, but I think BMW at least, has finally got it.
In general I agree though. Cars are way too complicated. Specifically ordered my 335i without iDrive, because you still could, and wanted to be able to just concentrate on driving enjoyment and the experience. Great car. A Ford Escape rental I had last year with MyTouch was so horrendeously bad that I gave up trying to mess with or adjust anything and just drove the car as is. Tons of other people in the rental parking lot sitting for ages trying to figure out how the heck to get theirs going too. Some of this stuff, you can tell, is extremely poorly thought out. I mean tiny little buttons on a touch screen with a long reach for some people that have their seat all the way back, and you have to hit tiny little buttons on the display while managing the vehicle and traffic, and going over bumpy roads. Come on..... Re-think this stuff so that it actually works well in a "busy" driving environment or don't bother. Ford deserves all the heat they've been getting for their systems. It's terrible. But they're just starting as are many others. Took BMW 10 years... Will take some of these others just as long too I think, but all will eventually get there.
In general I agree though. Cars are way too complicated. Specifically ordered my 335i without iDrive, because you still could, and wanted to be able to just concentrate on driving enjoyment and the experience. Great car. A Ford Escape rental I had last year with MyTouch was so horrendeously bad that I gave up trying to mess with or adjust anything and just drove the car as is. Tons of other people in the rental parking lot sitting for ages trying to figure out how the heck to get theirs going too. Some of this stuff, you can tell, is extremely poorly thought out. I mean tiny little buttons on a touch screen with a long reach for some people that have their seat all the way back, and you have to hit tiny little buttons on the display while managing the vehicle and traffic, and going over bumpy roads. Come on..... Re-think this stuff so that it actually works well in a "busy" driving environment or don't bother. Ford deserves all the heat they've been getting for their systems. It's terrible. But they're just starting as are many others. Took BMW 10 years... Will take some of these others just as long too I think, but all will eventually get there.
07-31-13, 01:09 PM
#6
Much maligned for years, the latest generation BMW i-Drive system really does work quite well in our X5, and you don't hear that system getting any bad press anymore. Even my wife has gotten the hang of it. Reach to controls is natural, can feel the big shortcut buttons by feel, and there are plenty more presets you can program to get to what you want quickly. Touch sensitive capacitative buttons also let you see the preset you have programmed before you actually hit the button to know you've got the right one (the 1-2-3-4-5-6 buttons that are normally for radio presets, can be used as iDrive presets). Took them 10 years and three generations of systems, but I think BMW at least, has finally got it.
In general I agree though. Cars are way too complicated. Specifically ordered my 335i without iDrive, because you still could, and wanted to be able to just concentrate on driving enjoyment and the experience. Great car. A Ford Escape rental I had last year with MyTouch was so horrendeously bad that I gave up trying to mess with or adjust anything and just drove the car as is. Tons of other people in the rental parking lot sitting for ages trying to figure out how the heck to get theirs going too. Some of this stuff, you can tell, is extremely poorly thought out. I mean tiny little buttons on a touch screen with a long reach for some people that have their seat all the way back, and you have to hit tiny little buttons on the display while managing the vehicle and traffic, and going over bumpy roads. Come on..... Re-think this stuff so that it actually works well in a "busy" driving environment or don't bother. Ford deserves all the heat they've been getting for their systems. It's terrible. But they're just starting as are many others. Took BMW 10 years... Will take some of these others just as long too I think, but all will eventually get there.
In general I agree though. Cars are way too complicated. Specifically ordered my 335i without iDrive, because you still could, and wanted to be able to just concentrate on driving enjoyment and the experience. Great car. A Ford Escape rental I had last year with MyTouch was so horrendeously bad that I gave up trying to mess with or adjust anything and just drove the car as is. Tons of other people in the rental parking lot sitting for ages trying to figure out how the heck to get theirs going too. Some of this stuff, you can tell, is extremely poorly thought out. I mean tiny little buttons on a touch screen with a long reach for some people that have their seat all the way back, and you have to hit tiny little buttons on the display while managing the vehicle and traffic, and going over bumpy roads. Come on..... Re-think this stuff so that it actually works well in a "busy" driving environment or don't bother. Ford deserves all the heat they've been getting for their systems. It's terrible. But they're just starting as are many others. Took BMW 10 years... Will take some of these others just as long too I think, but all will eventually get there.
07-31-13, 02:03 PM
#9
No, the tech is not TOO complicated, it is meant to be intuitive while being as convenient as possible. I think the problem lies at the fact that every automaker has to individualize their technology so it doesn't seem the same as the next brand.
Some people (your wife) just aren't made for multi-tasking. Not her fault, just the way they are. Its good she likes to concentrate on one thing at a time vs. multi-tasking and screwing it up.
Some people (your wife) just aren't made for multi-tasking. Not her fault, just the way they are. Its good she likes to concentrate on one thing at a time vs. multi-tasking and screwing it up.
07-31-13, 02:25 PM
#10
I think it's too complex for the average person. I run into a lot of people who don't know how to operate a lot of the features many newer luxury car have. I personally am not a fan of the mouses/controllers that cars are coming with nor do I like how everything is controlled by a touch screen.
I thought all of this stuff was cool like ten years ago when they used to have ten touch screens and PS2's everywhere inside the car on Pimp My Ride. After using all that stuff I'm fine with just a simple **** to adjust air conditioning/radio volume. I'm good with electronics but I love the simplicity of driving my 1993 SC300 over driving most newer cars.
I thought all of this stuff was cool like ten years ago when they used to have ten touch screens and PS2's everywhere inside the car on Pimp My Ride. After using all that stuff I'm fine with just a simple **** to adjust air conditioning/radio volume. I'm good with electronics but I love the simplicity of driving my 1993 SC300 over driving most newer cars.
07-31-13, 02:34 PM
#11
Multitasking while driving is never a good thing. But people will still do it no matter what. That's why the manufactures is busy developing all these passive safety features like pedestrian safety, auto braking, radar cruise, lane tracking etc.
07-31-13, 04:27 PM
#12
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OLD vs NEW
To turn on the AC.
OLD = Blindly grab the middle **** and turn it clock wise.
NEW = Grab the control ****. Check the screen. See where your cursor is at now. Shift left or right to place the cursor to wind (AC) control. Turn the **** clock wise.
Change the AC to blow my feet instead of face.
OLD = Blindly grab the left **** and turn it clock wise 2 clicks.
NEW = Grab the control ****. Check the screen. See where your cursor is at now. Shift left or right to place the cursor to position control. Turn the **** clock wise 2 positions.
Change the temperature to the lowest.
OLD = Blindly grab the right **** and turn it counter clock wise all the way until it stops turning.
NEW = Grab the control ****. Check the screen. See where your cursor is at now. Shift left or right to place the cursor to temperature control. Turn the **** counter close wise until the display shows "LO" (The **** keeps turning).
Yes, my car still has the traditional 3 ***** for AC.
To turn on the AC.
OLD = Blindly grab the middle **** and turn it clock wise.
NEW = Grab the control ****. Check the screen. See where your cursor is at now. Shift left or right to place the cursor to wind (AC) control. Turn the **** clock wise.
Change the AC to blow my feet instead of face.
OLD = Blindly grab the left **** and turn it clock wise 2 clicks.
NEW = Grab the control ****. Check the screen. See where your cursor is at now. Shift left or right to place the cursor to position control. Turn the **** clock wise 2 positions.
Change the temperature to the lowest.
OLD = Blindly grab the right **** and turn it counter clock wise all the way until it stops turning.
NEW = Grab the control ****. Check the screen. See where your cursor is at now. Shift left or right to place the cursor to temperature control. Turn the **** counter close wise until the display shows "LO" (The **** keeps turning).
Yes, my car still has the traditional 3 ***** for AC.
Last edited by balMaster; 07-31-13 at 04:52 PM.
07-31-13, 04:41 PM
#13
OLD vs NEW
To turn on the AC.
OLD = Blindly grab the middle *** and turn it clock wise.
NEW = Grab the control ***. Check the screen. See where your cursor is at now. Shift left or right to place the cursor to wind (AC) control. Turn the *** clock wise.
Change the AC to blow my feet instead of face.
OLD = Blindly grab the left *** and turn it clock wise 2 clicks.
NEW = Grab the control ***. Check the screen. See where your cursor is at now. Shift left or right to place the cursor to position control. Turn the *** clock wise 2 positions.
Change the temperature to the lowest.
OLD = Blindly grab the right *** and turn it counter clock wise all the way until it stops turning.
NEW = Grab the control ***. Check the screen. See where your cursor is at now. Shift left or right to place the cursor to temperature control. Turn the *** counter close wise until the display shows "LO" (The *** keeps turning).
Yes, my car still has the traditional 3 **** for AC.
To turn on the AC.
OLD = Blindly grab the middle *** and turn it clock wise.
NEW = Grab the control ***. Check the screen. See where your cursor is at now. Shift left or right to place the cursor to wind (AC) control. Turn the *** clock wise.
Change the AC to blow my feet instead of face.
OLD = Blindly grab the left *** and turn it clock wise 2 clicks.
NEW = Grab the control ***. Check the screen. See where your cursor is at now. Shift left or right to place the cursor to position control. Turn the *** clock wise 2 positions.
Change the temperature to the lowest.
OLD = Blindly grab the right *** and turn it counter clock wise all the way until it stops turning.
NEW = Grab the control ***. Check the screen. See where your cursor is at now. Shift left or right to place the cursor to temperature control. Turn the *** counter close wise until the display shows "LO" (The *** keeps turning).
Yes, my car still has the traditional 3 **** for AC.
not really, here you go, all your controls are still there so i have no idea why people have problems
07-31-13, 04:44 PM
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07-31-13, 04:47 PM
#15
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I totally agree and understand your situation, as my parents were having trouble using the control **** of the I-Drive on the now sold 07 BMW 530i sedan. No matter how intuitive or logical the automakers think their center console are, they are simply too complex for some people, especially those older generations, which are one of the main Lexus or other luxury margues buying group.