Auto technology moving fast
All vehicles come with tires and an engine. But not every vehicle comes with an engine that turns off cylinders to save fuel, push-button start or voice-activated features.
However, such technology is becoming the new standard. And while automobiles are endlessly crash tested for safety and driven hard for functionality, it is often the creature comforts provided that sell a vehicle.
One such comfort is voice-activated features.
"You can actually give your vehicle commands via voice, rather than typing them in. For example, you could say 'Chinese restaurant,' and it will bring up all the restaurants in the area, and even call one if you prompt it to," said Alan Livermore, a salesman with Diehl Toyota in Butler.
In Ford vehicles, Sync technology allows drivers to press a button on the steering wheel and command the vehicle to do a number of tasks, such as place a phone call or play a particular artist from their attached MP3 player.
In 2010 Ford models, Sync 2.0 has been introduced.
"It has 911 assist, meaning that, if your air bags deploy, it will automatically call 911," said Evan McKnight, finance manager for Jerry Taylor Ford in Grove City.
General Motors' OnStar technology, which is standard on most of its new vehicles, works in much the same way.
In addition, OnStar does on-board diagnostics, meaning if the vehicle has anything wrong from low tire air pressure to a faulty engine part that turns on the check engine light, OnStar will automatically send you e-mail notification.
Ford safety features in its 2010 models include adaptive cruise control, which adjusts your vehicle's speed automatically if a car in front of you is going slower, and a blind spot indicator."The blind spot indicator, set on the side mirror, will alert you when someone is in your blind spot through a light set there," McKnight said.But to enjoy the comforts of a new vehicle, you have to get in first. And that is easier too.Toyota uses Smart Start and Smart Entry technology, which allows a driver to keep a sensor instead of a key that unlocks the door when that person is nearby and touches the door handle. The sensor also allows a driver to start the vehicle at the touch of a button."The theory behind it is that you can put that 'key' in your pocket and never have to reach for it," Livermore said.And what Toyota has done for getting into a car, Ford has done for scaling a truck bed.Originally only available on super duty trucks, pull-down steps on the tailgate and side rails of 2010 Ford F-150s will be featured.For many people, gas mileage is at the forefront of their minds, and automakers are adapting vehicles to squeeze every mile they can out of each gallon of gas.The Toyota Prius can achieve mileage in the high 40s to low 50s in Western Pennsylvania "realistically speaking, considering all the hills," Livermore said.The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is billed to get more than 40 miles per gallon in city driving.
Part of the reason is gas/electric hybrid technology, which allows vehicles made by several manufacturers to run solely on electric power while idling.In fact, many new hybrid owners are unsure if their vehicle is running when they start it because of the lack of engine noise."There is a ready light on the dashboard. If it is lit, you are good to go. The same thing will happen when you are at a red light or stop sign," Livermore said.He said even solar technology could be integrated into the next Prius generation.For those who prefer a larger fuel-efficient vehicle, Chevrolet's hybrid Tahoe takes advantage of two new technologies.The first, now becoming a standard among all automakers, is direct fuel injection. This removes the intake manifold, which distributes fuel to the engine cylinders unevenly, and uses a computer to control the flow of fuel, resulting in better mileage and horsepower.The Tahoe hybrid also uses displacement on-demand."Basically, when the load on the vehicle goes down, such as in highway driving, the fuel injectors to two or even four of the cylinders are cut off, then turn back on when they are needed," said Tom Henry, owner of Tom Henry Chevrolet in Bakerstown.The result is a much more fuel-efficient vehicle, whether in city traffic or on the open road.
