Why do manufacturers keep adding new tech in cars? Because they can!

Because they can

Automakers are in too many cases, adding technology and gadgets to cars that nobody wants or needs simply because they can.

Bill Maher hit on this in a streaming rank during his show on Friday (2/7/25), starting with steaming is ruining football. You see, he used to be able to follow two games at once simply by hitting a single button on his remote. The previous channel. Time? One second.

Now he has to go to the home page, find sports, and find the other game and wait for it to load. Or switch to a different streaming app altogether and go through their menu. Etc., etc.

He calls this RI, or reverse improvement. When an upgrade is something nobody wants, needs or likes.

Its fun for the manufacturers. They do this kind of thing because they can. And while he spoke of cars a little, using “if only cars didn’t have handles” as an example, I found myself reflecting on cars right on through the piece that you can see here (note that the language is a bit rough). The picture is of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class driver’s door handle that is supposed to extend when approached with the proper key fob.

We’ve been ranting about unnecessary technology for years, the most recent update of which surrounds electronic locks and latches. Locks and latches that require a mechanical back up! What, then, is the point? The picture is of an inside front door in a Fiat 500e pointing at the mechanical handle below the armrest.

Or the idea of Ford adding at total of 28 new drive modes and control options to its new Bronco models. I can only imagine who might have the time to learn them all. Fortunately, the company also added Multi-terrain Select control or MTS AUTO, that will choose exactly the mode that is needed automatically.

Nevertheless, we had to add 28 new symbols to our 1,100 strong list.

And the answer to why is because they can. Because the manufacturers think its fun and cool to out-tinker the competition. In so many cases, these are “upgrades” nobody wants or needs or likes.

And for anyone out there thinking that the shift to electric cars is the source of all this, think again. The Bronco is all oil and gas, and electronic locks and latches first appeared in gas powered Chevrolet Corvettes 20 years ago!

It will likely do no good, but we’ll ask again for car companies to please, please keep things simple. As simple as possible or, like MTS Auto, as automatic as possible.

Cars are changing, and among those changes is the growing number of symbols and indicators that will invariably show up on your dashboard or instrument panel. Every year, new features are added to vehicles, each of which is accompanied by a new symbol or symbols and likely a new abbreviation or acronym.

At DashboardSymbols.com, our aim is to help you understand what is happening to your vehicle at the first sign of trouble — a new warning light illuminated on your instrument panel. Its all here on this website. Our first intention is to bring the latest technologies down to earth and understandable for everyday drivers.

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The material on these pages is provided for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

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