Features No One Really Cares About Anymore
About this episode
Dan and Nick chat about overlooked car features and share personal stories, including managing an overflowing MSN email inbox and dealing with persistent marketing emails. They discuss upcoming automotive events across the U.S. and emphasize good behavior for members of their car community. The conversation shifts to technical topics like backfiring causes and risks, with anecdotes about racing and vehicle modifications, including a high-speed Corvette record run in Nevada that caused significant rear-end damage due to heat and downforce. The episode blends casual banter with practical tips and car culture insights.
From CVTs with Paddle Shifters to that radio you pretty much forgot existed, we go down the list of features we're wondering why still exist. We can't remember the last time we actually used the factory GPS, when it even worked, and self parking is a great way to lose a spot to the person behind you and cause a small traffic jam as a bonus. What features do you forget your car has? Which ones can't you live without? Which one is underutilized? Cooled seats for all!
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movie cars
"I posted up last week's episode about movie cars and stuff like that. It got a really good response."
Movie cars are cars that you see in movies or TV shows. They often become famous because of the stories they are in.
Movie cars are vehicles that have appeared prominently in films or television shows, often gaining iconic status and fan followings due to their roles.
Herbie the Love Bug
"He put a Herbie the Love Bug."
Herbie is a special car from movies. It's a small, round car called a Volkswagen Beetle that has a funny personality and races in stories.
Herbie the Love Bug is a famous Volkswagen Beetle featured in a series of Disney movies. The car is characterized by its white paint with red, white, and blue racing stripes and the number 53 on its hood and doors.
Radwood
""Southern California, Radwood death. So as I went, Radwood, SoCal is this weekend.","
Radwood is a fun car event where people show off cars from the 1980s and 1990s. It's like a big party for fans of old cars from those years.
Radwood is a popular car culture event that celebrates vehicles from the 1980s and 1990s, focusing on vintage and classic cars from that era. It combines car shows with a nostalgic atmosphere, attracting enthusiasts of older cars and automotive history.
backfire
"It's fuel in the chambers fuel in the exhaust until you get fuel coming out and it's burning on the downstroke and that's what's causing that backfire."
Backfire happens when fuel burns in the wrong place, like the exhaust, making a loud noise. It usually means something is wrong with the engine's fuel or spark.
Backfire is a combustion event where unburned fuel ignites in the exhaust system, causing a loud popping or banging noise. It can occur due to improper fuel mixture or ignition timing.
catalytic converter
"You can blow your catalytic converter. You can do damage to components that are not meant to be on fire and burning like your O2 sensor."
A catalytic converter cleans the car's exhaust to make it less harmful to the air. If it gets too hot or damaged, it can stop working properly.
The catalytic converter is an emissions control device that reduces harmful gases in the exhaust by converting them into less harmful substances. It can be damaged by backfires or excessive heat.
O2 sensor
"You can do damage to components that are not meant to be on fire and burning like your O2 sensor. Although that said a bad O2 sensor can cause backfiring"
The O2 sensor checks how much oxygen is in the car's exhaust to help the engine run better and cleaner.
An O2 sensor measures the oxygen level in the exhaust gases to help the engine control the air-fuel mixture for optimal combustion and emissions.
Chevrolet C7
"in Nevada. High speed record at a Corv C7 Corvette zero one. I know what I know why you're ..."
The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast sports car that can go really quickly, like setting speed records in places like Nevada. It's built to be strong and handle well when driving fast.
The Chevrolet Corvette C7 Z06 is a high-performance sports car known for its powerful V8 engine and advanced aerodynamics. It has been used to set high-speed records, showcasing its capabilities on tracks and open roads like those in Nevada. Its significance lies in combining American muscle with modern technology for exceptional speed and handling.
Ford Bronco
"one we were talking about. We did the Bronco and we literally held it at about 90 miles an hou..."
The Ford Bronco is a tough car made for driving on rough roads and trails. People like it because it can go fast even when the road is bumpy or hard to drive on.
The Ford Bronco is a rugged SUV designed for off-road adventures, recently revived with modern technology and retro styling. It is capable of maintaining high speeds on rough terrain, making it popular among outdoor enthusiasts. Its versatility and performance make it a frequent topic in discussions about capable off-road vehicles.
Ford F150
"where in on the Bronco and on the Raptor and my previous Raptor, my F-150 Raptor, excuse me, both of them."
The Ford F-150 is a big truck that many people use for work and fun. There's a special version called the Raptor that can drive really well off-road and is very strong.
The Ford F-150 is one of the best-selling full-size pickup trucks in America, known for its durability, towing capacity, and variety of trims including the high-performance Raptor. The F-150 Raptor is especially noted for its off-road capabilities and powerful engine. It's often discussed for its blend of utility and performance.
Ferrari
"Car companies are starting to realize that like Ferrari right off the bat, if you don't know, they got rid of that haptic steering wheel."
Ferrari is a famous car company from Italy that makes very fast and fancy sports cars.
Ferrari is a renowned Italian luxury sports car manufacturer known for high-performance vehicles and racing heritage.
haptic steering wheel
"if you don't know, they got rid of that haptic steering wheel. People hated it."
A haptic steering wheel can send little vibrations or taps to your hands to give you information while you drive.
A haptic steering wheel uses tactile feedback, such as vibrations or pulses, to communicate information to the driver through the steering wheel.
Ferrari Roma
"Yeah, I had a pre-production Roma with non haptic feedback buttons."
The Ferrari Roma is a fancy sports car made by Ferrari. A pre-production car is like a test version made before the real cars are sold.
The Ferrari Roma is a grand touring sports car introduced by Ferrari featuring a sleek design and advanced technology. A pre-production model refers to an early version made before official production starts, often used for testing.
haptic feedback
"Yeah, I had a pre-production Roma with non haptic feedback buttons."
Haptic feedback means the car gives you a little buzz or click feeling when you press a button or touch the screen, so you know it worked.
Haptic feedback is a tactile response technology that provides physical sensations, like vibrations, to simulate the feeling of pressing a button or interacting with a touchscreen.
Ferrari SF90
"Like I was watching a video on a guy that had an SF 90 and what he had to do in the menu to go in and turn on his seat eaters instead of just hitting a button."
The Ferrari SF90 is a very fast car that uses both gas and electric power. It has many buttons and menus on a screen to control things like the seats.
The Ferrari SF90 Stradale is a plug-in hybrid supercar combining a V8 engine with electric motors for high performance. It features advanced digital controls and menus for various functions.
CarPlay
"It's great. It actually works really well in the Fords which Chevy officially announced they are dropping carplay actually for all their vehicles."
CarPlay lets you use your iPhone on your car's screen so you can get directions, make calls, or listen to music safely while driving.
CarPlay is Apple's system that allows iPhone users to connect their phones to their car's infotainment system, enabling access to apps, navigation, and calls through the car's display.
Android Auto
"which Chevy officially announced they are dropping carplay actually for all their vehicles. And Android Auto."
Android Auto lets you use your Android phone on your car's screen so you can get directions, make calls, or listen to music safely while driving.
Android Auto is Google's system that allows Android phone users to connect their phones to their car's infotainment system, providing access to apps, navigation, and communication features via the car's display.
infotainment
"GM is not well known for great infotainment."
Infotainment is the screen and system in your car that lets you listen to music, get directions, and see information while driving.
Infotainment refers to the car's integrated system that provides entertainment, navigation, and information features through a central display.
GM
"GM is not well known for great infotainment."
GM is a big company that makes cars and trucks under different brand names like Chevrolet and Cadillac.
GM, or General Motors, is a major American automotive company that owns brands like Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick.
Rivian
"Rivian refuses to put it in as well. That's an interesting one. Rivians don't come with carplay or Android Auto."
Rivian is a company that makes electric cars and trucks, designed for outdoor and adventure use. They are different from traditional car companies because they only make electric vehicles.
Rivian is an American electric vehicle manufacturer known for its electric trucks and SUVs. They focus on adventure-oriented electric vehicles with unique technology and design.
lane departure
""and it's a safety thing that I don't know if we necessarily needed it was lane departure. Yeah, I turn it off immediately in the Ford.""
Lane departure is a safety system in cars that warns you or helps you stay in your lane if you start to drift without signaling. It helps keep you safe on the road.
Lane departure is a safety feature in many modern vehicles that alerts the driver or actively corrects the car if it unintentionally drifts out of its lane. It helps prevent accidents caused by driver distraction or drowsiness.
auto stop start
"Is the auto stop start because it doesn't save you anything and then my lane departure."
Auto stop start means the car turns off the engine when you stop, like at a red light, and then turns it back on when you start moving. This helps save gas and is better for the environment.
Auto stop start is a system in modern cars that automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle is stopped, such as at traffic lights, and restarts it when the driver releases the brake or engages the clutch. This helps save fuel and reduce emissions during idle periods.
heads up display
""It's heads up display because a lot of people bitch about the fact that it's in their eyesight, which it's supposed to be. Yeah, so I actually really like heads of display. I don't notice it very much on the truck, which is a good thing.""
A heads up display shows things like your speed right in front of you on the windshield, so you don't have to look down at the dashboard while driving.
A heads up display (HUD) projects important information such as speed or navigation directions onto the windshield or a transparent screen, allowing the driver to see data without looking away from the road.
in car GPS
"That's in car GPS. Never used it. It's so bad."
In car GPS is a navigation system inside the car that helps you find your way by showing maps and directions on a screen.
In car GPS refers to the built-in global positioning system navigation technology integrated into a vehicle, allowing drivers to get directions and maps without needing an external device.
Subaru Outback
"Yeah. So the, the Outback Wilderness had it had the Subaru and it was horri..."
The Subaru Outback is a car that can drive on rough roads and in bad weather because it has special wheels that help it grip the road. Some versions have had problems that people didn't like.
The Subaru Outback is a popular crossover wagon known for its all-wheel drive and off-road capability, especially in the Wilderness trim. However, some versions have received criticism for certain features or performance issues. It's often discussed for its practicality and ruggedness in various driving conditions.
OpenStreetMap
"Audi's backed by open street maps. That's what it is. It used to be Google and now it's open street maps."
OpenStreetMap is a free map that anyone can help make and use, like a big online map everyone shares.
OpenStreetMap is a collaborative project that creates free editable maps, often used as an alternative to proprietary mapping services like Google Maps.
Ford Maverick
"Yeah. My dad uses navigation in his maverick all the time and he talks to it and it works pret..."
The Ford Maverick is a small truck that's easy to drive and saves gas. It has helpful features like talking to the navigation system to find places.
The Ford Maverick is a compact pickup truck that offers good fuel efficiency and modern tech features, including voice-activated navigation. It's designed for everyday use with the convenience of a smaller truck bed and car-like handling. Its affordability and practicality have made it popular among new truck buyers.
Ford Ranger
"pulls your seat back. I love that in the Ranger love it. Yeah, even in the F 150, which is huge."
The Ford Ranger is a medium-sized truck that is good for work and everyday driving. It has nice features like seats that can move back to make you more comfortable.
The Ford Ranger is a midsize pickup truck known for its balance of capability and comfort, often featuring modern convenience options like adjustable seats. It is smaller than the F-150 but still offers strong performance for daily tasks and light off-roading. Its popularity comes from being a versatile and manageable truck.
auto park
""it's auto park. There is no cooler feature than if you have the right the right situation where you're on a street by yourself and you need to parallel park and you can hit all the buttons and then the truck will park itself. It's fun.""
Auto park is a technology in some cars that helps you park by itself. The car uses sensors to find a parking spot and then moves into it without you having to steer or press the pedals much.
Auto park is a driver-assistance feature that enables a vehicle to automatically parallel or perpendicular park itself with minimal driver input. It uses sensors and cameras to detect suitable parking spaces and controls steering, acceleration, and braking to maneuver the vehicle into the spot.
paddle shifters
"And with the paddle shifters in a you know,"
Paddle shifters are buttons or levers behind the steering wheel that let you change gears yourself, like a manual car, but without a clutch.
Paddle shifters are controls usually mounted behind the steering wheel that allow the driver to manually change gears in an automatic or semi-automatic transmission without using a clutch pedal.
10 speed automatic
"in a 10 speed automatic, I can manually bump up a gear."
A 10 speed automatic is a gearbox that changes gears by itself and has ten different gears to help the car run smoothly and save gas.
A 10 speed automatic is a type of transmission with ten forward gears that shifts automatically. More gears can improve fuel efficiency and performance by keeping the engine in its optimal power range.
rev match
"the rev match where they have the paddle shifters for the automatic. Yeah. Click those for the rev match function."
Rev match helps the car change gears smoothly by making the engine speed match the gear you're shifting into, so the ride feels nicer and the car parts last longer.
Rev match is a technique or function in some vehicles that automatically adjusts engine speed to match the transmission speed during downshifts, resulting in smoother gear changes and less wear on the drivetrain.
manual
""a good skill as a driver if you have a manual, but the car""
A manual transmission means you have to change gears yourself using a stick and a pedal. It helps you control the car better and can make driving more fun.
A manual transmission is a type of gearbox that requires the driver to manually shift gears using a clutch pedal and gear stick. It offers more control over the vehicle's power delivery and is often preferred by driving enthusiasts.
Audi S5
"she has it in all her vehicles. Even in the S5, she used the self-driving feature"
The Audi S5 is a fancy and fast car that can help drive itself a little bit using special technology. It looks nice and is fun to drive.
The Audi S5 is a luxury sports coupe or convertible that combines performance with advanced technology, including semi-autonomous driving features. Its sophisticated systems like self-driving assist are often highlighted in discussions about modern vehicle tech. The S5 offers a blend of style, speed, and innovation.
cruise control
""cruise control, never tried it. Don't understand it. I'm not interested in automatically automating the driving process anyways.""
Cruise control helps you keep your car going at the same speed without pressing the gas pedal. This makes driving on highways easier and less tiring.
Cruise control is a system that automatically controls the speed of a vehicle, allowing the driver to maintain a constant speed without keeping their foot on the accelerator. It is especially useful for long highway drives.
sport buttons
""the next one is sport buttons. Um, I think they're overrated in smaller cars.""
Sport buttons let you make your car feel more sporty and fun to drive by changing how it behaves, like making it accelerate faster or handle better.
Sport buttons are controls in some cars that adjust the vehicle's performance settings, such as throttle response, transmission shift points, and suspension stiffness, to provide a more dynamic driving experience.
turbo
"Sort of like, you know, putting the word turbo on the back of an electric car. That'd be weird. That would be, Who would do that?"
A turbo is a gadget that helps a car's engine get more air so it can go faster and be stronger. It uses the engine's exhaust to make this happen.
A turbo, or turbocharger, is a device that forces extra air into an internal combustion engine's cylinders to increase power output. It uses exhaust gases to spin a turbine that compresses intake air, improving engine efficiency and performance.
heated seats
"The next one is heated seats and I'll be honest with you. Um, my truck turns on my heated seats more than I do."
Heated seats are seats in a car or truck that get warm to keep you cozy when it's cold outside.
Heated seats are a comfort feature in vehicles that use electric heating elements embedded in the seat cushions to warm the occupant during cold weather.
cooled seats
"I'm looking forward to the cooled seats in the S five. I love the cooled seats."
Cooled seats are car seats that blow air to keep you cool when it's hot outside.
Cooled seats, also known as ventilated seats, have built-in fans or ventilation systems that circulate air through the seat to keep the occupant cool and comfortable in hot weather.
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