To move from point A to point B by car, theoretically, only a few elements would be needed. In the sixties the clear proof it was the boom of the Fiat 500, a small car, equipped only with the bare necessities. Fortunately, those times have passed: cars today they are incredibly safer (in terms of bodywork, protection systems, for simple tonnage) and the fundamental components to make them travel make transport more comfortable (from ergonomic seats to integrated driving aids, from automatic transmission to self-regulating air conditioning system). Even expensive improvements, which have led cars to become objects that are not always sold at popular prices.
But there is also another side of the coin, in terms of technology: the multitude of hi-tech elements that are unused or rarely called into question during the life of the vehicle. According to a study published by JD Power, which focuses on US drivers, more than one in three technology found in new cars is not used in the first 90 days of car ownership by less than half of drivers. More specifically, it turns out that the ‘digital’ area of the car is not considered at all by 61% of the interviewees, while 51% said they did not need it. In current touch screens, in fact, there are several menus and submenus available, and for how cars are used no one takes the ‘time’ to stop and read the items and find the settings.
This happens because it is expected that the adjustments inside the car are already pre-established, and that the most used controls are at hand (for example, the climate function). The touch screen brings a flood of information that the driver not accustomed to technical terminology will never dare to touch, not even by mistake. Same as above, the voice assistants who converse with the driver do not seem to arouse particular interest. Whereas highly visible elements are highly appreciated, such as camera vision for parking operations and ‘single pedal’ driving technology in electric.
In this sense it is always recommended, for those who buy a new car with a high level of technology on board, to ask the manufacturer for assistance through customer service.. Having a clear perception of what can be done with a car, both before choosing what to buy and just after the purchase, is also essential to know its value. A greater ease of ‘reading’ the technologies present in cars can also lead to greater driving safety: a cruise control not used due to lack of preparation is a waste, as it is a shame not to take advantage of the integration with smartphones for reading. of emails and messages, since otherwise there could be the chance to get distracted. So yes, there is a lot of unused technology on cars, but we drivers too must strive to have a more critical look at what they have to offer.