Cars aren’t what they were before and quite different for older drivers who have to adopt all these features. To make it simple, here are their functions so that more seniors drivers can identify them easily. Keep in mind that these small details and car features that confuse older drivers are almost invisible, and you’ll need to figure it out!
Many of these features are buried into the touch screen interface, but it’s debatable if it is truly intuitive or not. For older drivers having more tactile interfaces are still important than younger drivers who find older interfaces too inefficient! Thus, owning a car with all these features can be a bit of a learning curve for senior drivers.
1. No handbrake lever just an electronic brake button.
Many newer cars just use an E-brake button to activate what used to be a handbrake. No more lever that needs pulling, just a button to press.
2. One touch, on the fly driving modes that change with a simple dial.
Driving cars was a simple affair before and driving modes is either auto or manual. Now, cars have a preset setting that changes the driving mode from sport to eco or some other fancy mode by just pressing a button.
3. An adjustable suspension that is electronically controlled and features several modes.
Several car brands have included a preset suspension mode to adjust to driving situations. The shock dampers are adjusted on the fly when a normal ride, sport ride, or a custom damper setting is needed. Electronic components adjust the input for the shocks and apply the right setting for the car.
4. Disappearing door handles that fold flush into the car door.
Many cars are using electronic door handles that sink into the door to improve aerodynamics. This allows cars to have a seamless body line that isn’t marred by old-school door handles.
5. No ignition keys just a one touch and start button.
A long time ago, keys were needed in an ignition slot to start the car. Recently, more start and stop buttons are used instead in newer and recent models. It’s supposed to make it easier with an electronic starter, but not all innovations are necessary.
6. Clutches and manual driving sticks are disappearing.
Not all cars come with sticks and clutches anymore, many sports cars are without them! Instead, we get dials and buttons that shift AT gearboxes and with just a flick of the wrist. For some old-timers, it can be depressing with cars getting more simplified controls, that make it a no-brainer to drive them.
7. The infotainment touchscreen is where you can control most features.
This is the one feature that has already been used as the main interface to control car function. To a certain degree, it is now where many car functions are accessed. It will eventually replace the old school car equipment.
8. The steering wheel has more controls that manage car functions. It’s not just for steering.
Innovations in-car technology has integrated controls in the steering wheel which is used to adjust the info on the infotainment systems too. Addition of paddles and other buttons has made the steering wheel more complex, and is not just for honking the horn! There are plans to add a digital screen that access more car functions. But, that’s in an experimental stage till ready for full introduction in cars later on.
All these small details and car features that confuse older drivers are here now. Some are installed, and some are just in R and D stage yet! All these changes have made motoring very different for the senior motorist. For the younger driver’s this makes cars easier to control and more fool-proof with efficiency too. There’s a lot more coming, and innovations come fast, and accept that cars will never be the same!
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