Obsolete car parts

Scientists say that humans may eventually loose their little toe to evolution (assuming you believe in evolution) because it is not really necessary. The manual transmission may also eventually disappear from automobiles as technology evolves. (assuming you believe in technology). What other things may eventually disappear from cars?

With keyless entry and pushbutton staring, I think that the metal key is on the endangered list. Separate door and ignition keys are already dead, so how long before we all just have a fob?

Incandescent bulbs are probably going to go the way of the LED someday soon. Mercedes is already leading the charge.

What else do you think will die off?

highbeam/lowbeam switch, groups have been working on autodetecting controllers (groups like Audi/BMW)

Spare tires (already endangered)

Gauges other than speedo/tach/fuel all others replaced with dummy lights (hell most are dummy gauges anyways these days)

pinchvalve wrote: With keyless entry and pushbutton staring, I think that the metal key is on the endangered list. Separate door and ignition keys are already dead, so how long before we all just have a fob?

Nope, not ever completely. There has to be a manual override for THAT particular electric system. Battery dies and there is a kid inside the car, we have a problem.

The little vent triangle shaped windows are already gone.

Apexcarver wrote: (hell most are dummy gauges anyways these days)

I HATE this.

Dipsticks are disapearing.

Apexcarver wrote: (hell most are dummy gauges anyways these days)

I was trying to figure out why the fans on my new to me 99 Prizrolla were kicking in with the gauge at the halfway mark, then I remembered what I was sitting in.

Bench seats and column shift.

In reply to mtn:

I bet they said that when throttle by wire was first being discussed.....

Apexcarver wrote: highbeam/lowbeam switch, groups have been working on autodetecting controllers (groups like Audi/BMW)

Shut, my dad's '66 Cadillac had that and I believe it was nothing new back then ... It also had autoscan radio.

J

Antennas.

foxtrapper wrote: Dipsticks are disapearing.

Nope. They're just getting relocated to behind the wheel.

User adjustments related to actual performance are dwindling. That's good and bad. (Cue Colin Chapman : "Make the suspension adjustable and they will adjust it wrong -- look what they can do to a Weber carburetor in just a few moments of stupidity with a screwdriver." )

Instead we get to choose which color from a limited yet annoying palette we want for our dash graphics.

If cars parts were subject to evolution based on lack of use, I'd say turn signals and dimmer switches are doomed.

slantvaliant wrote: (Cue Colin Chapman : "Make the suspension adjustable and they will adjust it wrong -- look what they can do to a Weber carburetor in just a few moments of stupidity with a screwdriver." )

He must be rolling in his grave at the Lotus models available with fully adjustable coilovers

Wait cars dont have dipsticks and have fake gauges?

Late model BMW's have no dipstick and temperature gauges that keep the same needle position over something like a 30 degree range.

"Stick shifts and safety belts, bucket seats have all got to go"

mtn wrote:

pinchvalve wrote: With keyless entry and pushbutton staring, I think that the metal key is on the endangered list. Separate door and ignition keys are already dead, so how long before we all just have a fob?

Nope, not ever completely. There has to be a manual override for THAT particular electric system. Battery dies and there is a kid inside the car, we have a problem.

If you can get cars with an electronic parking/emergency brake, I don't see why they would get scared by that.

My turn:

an opening hood Since people don't check their oil and can't boost their car anymore, what's the point of an opening hood? Just put a little trap for the windshield washer fluid, or put it in the trunk like an EVO.

The cigarette lighter has evolved. They never light cigarettes any more.

Technology schmecknology, I'm going to buy a Mercedes 220D 4 speed with a full array of mechanical gauges and live in a cave. Now get off my lawn.

dinger wrote: "Stick shifts and safety belts, bucket seats have all got to go"

Beat me to it.

as long as road head sticks around, you can have all that other stuff.

What is surprising is what finally went a way in the past few years.

The Impala had the last bench seat for a car until this year. I want to say that bench seat imps where also the last cars with column autos.

Lexus SC430 had the last cassette deck in '10

neon4891 wrote: I want to say that bench seat imps where also the last cars with column autos.

They're still in cop spec cars...

JohnRW1621 wrote: The cigarette lighter has evolved. They never light cigarettes any more.

think they renamed them "Power Outlets"

The car frame may disappear someday. They are still in use in many trucks, but with the demise of the Panther chassis, are there any body on frame cars left?