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.

Crash Revisited: NTSB Cites Pilot Mismanagement

It Was the Pilots The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has cited pilot mismanagement and confusion in the crash of Asiana Flight 214 in San Francisco in 2013. The Agency also blamed the system’s complexity in the accident that cost the lives of three passengers. We’ve called attention to this before (here) and care about …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2014/06/crash-revisited-ntsb-cites-pilot-mismanagement/

Automotive Culture Needs an Empathy Reboot

Automotive Culture DashboardSymbols.com was founded on the basis that the industry was leaving its driver’s behind at crucial points in the driving experience – namely when something goes wrong. Recent events reinforce this basis. First, General Motors and the ongoing saga surrounding very, very bad ignition switches. Evidence continues to point to GM treating the …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2014/06/automotive-culture-needs-an-empathy-reboot/

A New Name for Adaptive Cruise Control Revisits an Old Question

Adaptive Cruise Control Adaptive Cruise Control systems have been available from many auto manufacturers now for several years, These are systems that allow a car to maintain a set distance from a vehicle ahead of it. Kia Motors now in 2014 has it available in its Cadenza and K900 models. The fact that the company …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2014/05/a-new-name-for-adaptive-cruise-control-revisits-an-old-question/

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 …

Continue reading

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. …

Continue reading

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 …

Continue reading

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 …

Continue reading

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