Automotive DesignLine Blog
Remember 'If Microsoft made cars…' jokes?
Rick DeMeis
2/16/2012 6:51 PM EST
We've all heard those jokes about how cars would function if Microsoft made them. Well, on a recent ride in a Toyota Camry press car, for an instant I thought they had.
But before I tell you why, let me digress. In a somewhat similar vein, "If IBM, Boeing and NASA built a car, would you buy it?" was an actual ad run by Saab in the 1980s touting its expertise in computers, electronics, and aerospace, which translated into their cars. (And indeed, the only new car I ever bought was a Saab.)
Now back to my Camry experience. I had grabbed a CD (yes, I still like my music tactile, high fidelity, and not all in an "all eggs in one basket" file), but as I rolled along, I couldn't find the "slot" in which to load it into the audio system. At first I thought that Toyota had decided, "Who uses CDs anymore?" Trying to keep my attention on the road, I was able to scroll a menu on the touchscreen that showed there was an icon for a CD player. Now, being an astute auto electronics editor, I know some cars use a tilt screen to hide the CD player, but I couldn't find a button or touchscreen "pad" to "open" the screen, if indeed it did tilt. So I made do with Satellite Radio.
After my ride, I was able to check Toyota information that indeed one of the center stack buttons does tilt the screen to reach the CD player—a button labeled "CLOSE." I also realized that on the button was a tiny icon, usually used to eject CDs, which while trying to drive, I didn't notice.
As for my ride in the 2012 Camry, the car provides a fine driving experience. This car was the XLE model and had all the bells and whistles, including navigation, leather seats, keyless entry, push-button starting, and wood trim. When, after 150 miles the computer told me my mileage was over 28 mpg, I realized it was powered by a V6. Without the 6-speed automatic transmission, mileage would have been worse. EPA numbers for the car are 21 mpg (city) and 30 mpg (highway). The powertrain produced smooth and responsive performance, but who really needs a V6 in a Camry?
Only negative on the ride was a somewhat high level of noise, which would change over different pavements—indicating that switching from the OEM tires would probably mitigate the sound.
Base price for the Camry XLE is $29,845, but then it is loaded. But the test car had premium navigation and audio (in place of standard systems for these on this model), blind spot detection, safety connectivity (similar to OnStar), mats, etc., which results in a sticker-shocking total of $33,446.
But before I tell you why, let me digress. In a somewhat similar vein, "If IBM, Boeing and NASA built a car, would you buy it?" was an actual ad run by Saab in the 1980s touting its expertise in computers, electronics, and aerospace, which translated into their cars. (And indeed, the only new car I ever bought was a Saab.)
Now back to my Camry experience. I had grabbed a CD (yes, I still like my music tactile, high fidelity, and not all in an "all eggs in one basket" file), but as I rolled along, I couldn't find the "slot" in which to load it into the audio system. At first I thought that Toyota had decided, "Who uses CDs anymore?" Trying to keep my attention on the road, I was able to scroll a menu on the touchscreen that showed there was an icon for a CD player. Now, being an astute auto electronics editor, I know some cars use a tilt screen to hide the CD player, but I couldn't find a button or touchscreen "pad" to "open" the screen, if indeed it did tilt. So I made do with Satellite Radio.
After my ride, I was able to check Toyota information that indeed one of the center stack buttons does tilt the screen to reach the CD player—a button labeled "CLOSE." I also realized that on the button was a tiny icon, usually used to eject CDs, which while trying to drive, I didn't notice.
As for my ride in the 2012 Camry, the car provides a fine driving experience. This car was the XLE model and had all the bells and whistles, including navigation, leather seats, keyless entry, push-button starting, and wood trim. When, after 150 miles the computer told me my mileage was over 28 mpg, I realized it was powered by a V6. Without the 6-speed automatic transmission, mileage would have been worse. EPA numbers for the car are 21 mpg (city) and 30 mpg (highway). The powertrain produced smooth and responsive performance, but who really needs a V6 in a Camry?
Only negative on the ride was a somewhat high level of noise, which would change over different pavements—indicating that switching from the OEM tires would probably mitigate the sound.
Base price for the Camry XLE is $29,845, but then it is loaded. But the test car had premium navigation and audio (in place of standard systems for these on this model), blind spot detection, safety connectivity (similar to OnStar), mats, etc., which results in a sticker-shocking total of $33,446.
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cdhmanning
2/19/2012 2:10 AM EST
Trying to find the CD slot in an unfamiliar car while driving? Naughty, naughty man!
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Bert22306
2/20/2012 1:40 AM EST
Let's see now. You mean, "If Microsoft made cars, you'd experience things like 'unintended acceleration?'"
Cheap shot, acknowledged.
Japan Inc. is finding it difficult to build cars with character, especially these days. The one brand that seems to give it a good try would be, IMO, Mazda. It's a shame, because the engineering that goes into them is quite good. The flair is lacking. It might have to do with too much "design by committee."
I know, off topic, just came out.
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sharps_eng
2/20/2012 5:55 PM EST
63mpg at 40mph - shocking! I just found out how to reset the mileage computer on my '08 Focus, and was very surprised to find how much the efficiency of the 1.8 diesel engine improved at low revs.
I always assumed that engine efficiency was best at some mid-point of the rev range, so I would usually 'ride light' on the throttle while spinning the motor, rather than drop out of the power band by changing up a gear. A hangover from biking I suppose. Without mpg instrumentation I never knew how effective it was with petrol cars but if fuel is running low this modern diesel is sure to get me home, happily pulling 40mph at tickover in top gear!
There are many country roads around here that are 40mph limits, many that aren't safe above that, and plenty of times when traffic holds down speeds, so 5th gear miserly opportunities are plenty!
Anyone know what algorithm these things use for the mpg calculation? How long is the averaging window? Sometimes it seems stuck at 42mpg then suddenly we are getting 53. Of course maybe it was headwinds or just a different gear... we don't have any hills so it isn't that!
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Duane Benson
2/21/2012 11:49 AM EST
The easiest user interface to understand is a knob. Of course, that statement breaks down when you reach a certain number of knobs. After that, it takes some very hard work to make a complex product useable.
Maybe the question should be: "What if Apple made cars?" They seem to have done the best job of making complex technology useable. No. They aren't perfect, but useability has always been their strong suit. Even without Apple in the car business, consumer would benefit if automakers studied Apple's UI design concepts.
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Frank Eory
2/22/2012 4:58 PM EST
I can see it now: "Siri, please drive me home."
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przemek
2/21/2012 6:59 PM EST
@sharps_eng: don't trust the built-in algorithm: get a Bluetooth OBD reader and read it on your phone. YOu can display all engine parameters, including instantaneous and averaged MPG. You can get them for around $20 on eBay.
Re: controls, I was ambushed this way when I rented a car in England. I picked it up in a dark garage, and couldn't find the light switch. Because it was dark.
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prabhakar_deosthali
2/22/2012 6:46 AM EST
I had a similar experience while riding a Mercedes car. I was accompanying my MD to a party and he asked me to load a CD. After struggling for almost 15 minutes , I was excused by my boss as he himself was driving that car for the first time and was not completely familiar with its dashboard panels.
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Duane Benson
2/22/2012 5:24 PM EST
Nevada apparently just passed legislation to allow self-driving cars on their roads. They still require a licensed driver in the seat in case of problems and that person can't be intoxicated, so no rolling out of a bar, passing out in your car and expecting to get home.
I expect that the driving factor behind this is to make the state more R&D friendly - get some dollars when auto manufacturers set up camp to test out their robot cars.
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zeeglen
2/22/2012 7:44 PM EST
There was a time when a man could roll out of a bar, climb into his vehicle, say "gee-up Nellie!" and pass out. Can silicon really replace a horse? :)
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TFlynn
2/25/2012 3:43 PM EST
The problem started when people wanted more than 1HP.
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Jeanshack
2/24/2012 2:06 PM EST
I got a jeep which kind of has only a CD player and you can never miss it because it takes up the major part of the dash board
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FrankCF
2/28/2012 9:09 AM EST
I don't understand the excitement with push button start. I had that on my 50 plymouth!
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bcarso
3/1/2012 1:09 PM EST
Ilove how the critical button was labeled "Close". Rather like shutting down Windows with the Start icon.
I may wind up with a veritable antique, so much do I hate the proliferation of features in new cars. When a friend got one of the first Prius (what should that plural be?) he just couldn't get enough of showing off the display, which showed one how the vehicle was doing clever things with electricity and internal combustion etc. It made me very nervous.
Brad
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JensenRV
5/14/2012 4:41 AM EDT
I think you did a fantastic job of reviewing the car as an electronics editor. It did not bore me to read the article, and the introduction was somewhat thought provoking. Thanks for the great read, and I am going to make an appointment to take one of these for a test drive soon.
William - http://www.jensenrvdirect.com
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