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.

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/

Great Start: GM Will Make Door Unlock, Remote Start Standard

New Standard Services from GM General Motors announced on June 5th, 2013 that GM Will Make Door Unlock, Remote Start standard (read, free!) for five years through the OnStar RemoteLink Mobile App. The services will be available for OnStar-equipped 2014 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac models “even if the owner declines to pay for other …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2013/06/great-start-gm-will-make-door-unlock-remote-start-standard/

Two Second Rule: Distraction Guidelines Seek to Limit Eyes on Text

Limit Eyes on Text In order to keep a driver’s eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recommended disabling several operations in a vehicle unless the vehicle is stopped and in park. It is also recommending a limit to the amount of time a driver …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2013/04/two-second-rule-distraction-guidelines-seek-to-limit-eyes-on-text/

Tesla Model S Incident Shines a Laser on a Broader Problem

Tesla Model S Incident We watched with a good deal of fascination the running battle between New York Times reporter John Broder and Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk. Broder took to the interstate system in the northeast to test the Tesla Model S and the company’s charging stations. The resulting debacle has Tesla reeling, and …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2013/02/tesla-motors-incident-shines-a-laser-on-a-broader-problem/

The Company’s Problem or the Customer’s Problem?

Who’s Problem is It? Company’s Problem or the Customer’s Problem. A recent headache we had with an online service prompts this post. Nearly every time an attempt is made to use the company’s service, a glitch arises. When the company is contacted, we are walked through the process of clearing the cache and closing and …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2013/01/the-company%e2%80%99s-problem-or-the-customers%e2%80%99-problem/

Least Distracting Typefaces – Is This the Plan?

Least Distracting Typefaces In late September, 2012, an item reported by Automotive News stated that a group at MIT (the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) was doing a study on typefaces that would mitigate driver distraction. That is, typefaces that would be the least distracting. Sure enough, a bit of additional exploration turned up work at …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2012/11/least-distracting-typefaces-is-this-the-plan/