Category: Articles & Commentaries

Discussions on topics of interest to drivers concerning things they may not understand about their vehicles as well as articles on the future of the auto industry.

Lights Out: Where to Turn if a Warning Light Fails??

Indicator Failure

What if a Warning Light Fails? This is not a new problem, but with the increased reliance on electronics and the increased number of warning lights, it is one that will likely be seen more and more. Cadillac is recalling its sleek ELR (Electric Long Range) coupe (2014) because of a software problem in the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2014/03/lights-out-where-to-turn-if-a-warning-light-fails/

Stuck in the Snow? Turn Off the Stability Control System!

I Got Stuck in the Snow I just got caught. I live, eat and breath advanced automotive systems, and a neighbor had to clue me in. I missed it. I didn’t think of it. Turn Off the Stability Control System! My car was stuck in the snow, and I had the stability control system on. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2014/02/stuck-in-the-snow-turn-off-the-stability-control-system/

Touch or No Touch: Touch Screens Aren’t for Everything!

Touch Screens Aren’t for Everything The 38th Automotive News World Congress, held as part of last week’s (Jan. 2014) Detroit Auto Show, featured a number of industry executives, including AutoNation boss Mike Jackson. AutoNation is the largest auto retailer in the U.S. with 210 stores coast to coast. After talking growth and inventory levels, he …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2014/01/touch-or-no-touch-those-screens-arent-for-everything/

Autosystem Cited in Plane Crash is a Cautionary Tale for Car Makers

A Cautionary Tale Two items caught our attention in the last few days (Dec., 2013). The first was a report on the crash in July, 2013 of Asiana Airlines flight 214 in San Francisco, which laid blame on pilot confusion on the workings of the autothrottle system. The second was an article from Automotive News …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2013/12/autosystem-cited-in-plane-crash-is-a-cautionary-tale-for-car-makers/

The Futility of a Convertible Top Trouble Light

Convertible Top Trouble Light This past summer (2013), I was fortunate to pick up a pre-owned convertible with a power soft top. The experience has resulted in, first a new power top warning light being introduced to the website and second, a refresher course on the lack of utility that most of today’s automotive warning …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2013/10/the-futility-of-a-convertible-top-trouble-light/

Think You Locked Your Keys in the Trunk? Maybe Not…

Locked Your Keys in the Trunk? In the world of Push Button or Keyless Start cars, three calls are commonly received by service departments and roadside assistance operators: lock outs, dead key fob batteries and keys “locked” in the trunk or behind the rear hatch. Of the three, the lock out is most likely to …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2013/09/think-you-locked-your-keys-in-the-trunk-maybe-not/

Technology vs Distraction: Technology Charges On

Technology vs Distraction Two recent articles, one in the New York Times and another from Automotive News, have been on our minds of late. Both discuss the issues of the driver distractions caused by new technologies, primarily touch screens. We noticed that there are potential solutions in the mix. One of the plusses that accompanies …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2013/08/technology-vs-distraction-technology-charges-on/