Have we lost control ? Or are we better off ?

[moparmagiclives]

There is already a topic on the new Viper, but has anyone seen the new Ram? It bothers me a little, due to the fact that the shifter is completely gone. Now not only is the throttle not connected to your foot, but now you have no connection to the trans other then a little rotory knob. Does that bother anyone else? How far do you think things will go before people will say WTF? Or will we? I know Chrysler is'nt the first to do such things, but as the industry as a whole, I'm not sure why things need to be so automated.

[bbowser]

We can't be trusted with too many controls. The day is not far off when you punch in your destination and big brother will take care of the rest. Yes it bothers me a lot. The biggest problem is the lack of driver's ed, and how too many people can't be bothered to watch the road as they're busy yakking/texting on their latest toy.

[TooOld]

It's the Dumbing Down of the general population . Been happenning for decades and will continue .

[Rob Hall]

Well, Chrysler did have the push button automatics 50 years ago..think of this as an update of that idea. Makes sense in some vehicles, frees up some space in a center console where a shifter would be.

[espo]

Do any of you here remember the auto. trans. shifter used by Chrysler before the "pushbuttons"? In the mid 50's (I belive starting in 1955) Chrysler, and all its other models, had a shift lever that stuckout of the dash board. I also find this knob more than a little bazzar. With the takeover by Fiat I realy hope that they start useing some of there European style and engineering in future products. But I agree, thats not the shift knob I would want.

[Ryan S.]

Just one more electronic thing to go wrong, requiring a trip to the dealer to fix.

[Rob Hall]

Do any of you here remember the auto. trans. shifter used by Chrysler before the "pushbuttons"? In the mid 50's (I belive starting in 1955) Chrysler, and all its other models, had a shift lever that stuck out of the dashboard.

A number of current minivans are like that, incl. the current Chrysler ones..

Edited April 5, 2012 by Rob Hall

[martinfan5]

Well lucky for the ones that dont like, you dont have to buy it , I think people just want things to be like they were for the past five decades or more. I am not sure if I like either, but there are not that many Chrysler products I would want to own

[Kaleb]

Someone in my church has a Nissan Altima 2012 with the same thing.

[martinfan5]

Its on the same lines as the Idrive that BMW's have, so really if you look at this way, we (US cars) are catching up with the rest of the world

Edited April 5, 2012 by martinfan5

[Darin Bastedo]

Button or lever I see no difference myself.

[mr moto]

That also reminds me of the push button concept. I've never driven a push button car but my Dad had two of them before I could drive, a 1956 Dodge and a 1964 Valiant, and he swore that once you used push buttons you wouldn't want to go back to a shifter. Chrysler dropped the idea because potential buyers were reluctant to try it. When you think about how the average driver of the 90+ percent of modern cars that have automatic transmissions uses their vehicle it seems that a shifter is unnecessary. It's only used to occasionally change into reverse or park. The rest of the time it's stuck in Drive. A knob or button is a great way to do that. Really, that could be done with a paddle shifter and then it would be "cool". So instead of the knob there would be easily accessible controls on the steering wheel kind of like cruise control. I enjoy cars with good crisp shifting manual transmissions but many drivers could find it more convenient to do without the shift lever.

[CadillacPat]

Unless it's a 4 speed stick who cares.

Removing the automatic shifter from the console or column is a great idea.

One less item to wipe clean when cleaning the car.

CadillacPat

[roadhawg]

It's called "progress". In my day the radios had two knobs...one for volume, one for tuning stations....and 5 pushbuttons for favorite stations. Easy to use. Today's radios have ONE knob that controls 14 different functions, tiny buttons that control things like "SLNCT" and DSLTP", several flashing LED's, and how in the world do you turn this thing off??

[Casey]

Removing the automatic shifter from the console or column is a great idea.

One less item to spill your 44 oz $1.00 Diet Coke from McDonalds upon.

Fixed it for ya.

New vehicles are always evolving, and they will always have opponents, not to mention those who are hesitant or reluctant to embrace new technology. Most people usually see the light when it comes down to saving money on repairs, but you can't please everyone, and there are still plenty of "older" vehicles to buy, drive and enjoy.

[Rob Hall]

On non-performance vehicles, I like the idea of moving the shifter off the center console to make room for more cubbies, bigger cupholders, etc. I think the old school column shifts worked well.

Now on a performance car, I'd rather have a proper manual (w/ at least 6 speeds) but manuals are getting harder and harder to find. But I still need cup holders--I like my venti triple shot cinnamon dolce lattes from Starbucks.

Edited April 5, 2012 by Rob Hall

[Eshaver]

I already see some of MUH Fan club have already chimed in before me . I shall add my comments regardless.

I've been working on automobiles since I was near 14 years old . I'm 62 now . I have worked on near everything from a 1908 Cadillac right up to a Mack truck . Meanwhile , my personal cars were as simplistic as i could buy as i always hated "Automatic " gadgets . I like Air conditioning , my 78 Ford truck dosen't have it , my 53 never had it and I seldom use it on a 95 Oldsmobile . I like the trucks over having manual transmissions . In the mountains , I have a little more control as I have seen automatics that will shift into a higher gear . I have also had brake failure in of all places Heber Arizona .......... I know one member here who should know the area I'm refering to . It's north of Phoenix .

I used to say to folks , "Are you driving the car or is the car driving you ". With automatic transmissions , steer by wire axles , computer controlled whatever , I'm sure that sooner or later , an electrical failure will render you're trip useless. It already has me . The Oldsmobile in now at a Buick dealer with a fuel delivery problem , read very expensive !!!!!!!!!!

Edc Shaver

[Joe Handley]

I generally prefer mechanical linkages between me and the vehicle, but with everything going over to drive by wire, pushbutton controls for the trans does kinda makes sense in grocery getters and maybe a couple flappy paddles for the sporty models would be possible. On the Chrysler Minivans for example, the pushbutton/flappy paddle set up is something I would prefe over that stupid dash mounted console style shifter. In something like a Jeep or pick up (4wd in particular) I don't want a computer deciding how many drive wheels I have to use, which gear ratio I use, and frankly, a solid mechanical link between me and engine/trans/transfer case.

[MikeMc]

I can agree with Ed and others....but I too am another old fart....never ashamed of it..just fact...

NOW zoom ahead to 2012....you as a 25 yr old dealership technician...You better know or be able to learn to do all that "electrical stuff"....or you won't make a living. My 26 yr old son is a certified BMW tech...goes up to SC for weeks of training and knows computers (CARS) that have 4 wheels and purr...and makes good $$$ . So for us older guys...we will prob never use a paddle shift, but technology is here to stay.

[roadhawg]

I used to say to folks , "Are you driving the car or is the car driving you ". With automatic transmissions , steer by wire axles , computer controlled whatever , I'm sure that sooner or later , an electrical failure will render you're trip useless.....Edc Shaver

It's even worse than that, Ed. I'm beginning to see people that are totally lost if their GPS isn't working.

[Art Anderson]

This concept is nothing new, frankly. The 1936 Cord 810 introduced a remote shifter, which was merely a very small "stalk" on the side of the steering column, with a very small lever with a slotted "track" that corresponded to the then standard "H" pattern manual shift. It was a preselector, meaning you moved the lever from say, 1st to 2nd gear, and then, when you were ready, depressed the clutch pedal--and presto, the electric shift moved the gears from 1st to 2nd. Repeat the process for shifting into 3rd, and so forth (Hudson also offered this very same electro-shifting system).

Art

[Eshaver]

Hey Tommy, I have never had nor have I ever needed a "Fish Finder ". Uh thats what we used to call G P S machines . I use Naval charts on the water , a compass and I seem to do fine . I also have an extensive collection of maps . I have maps from Gulf oil dating to 1918 and maps that I have tucked under the seat ................. Ed Shaver

[Craig Irwin]

I'm so old school I don't like cup holders, but I don't see a diferance between a 2012 knob and a 1956 push button.

[Rob Hall]

As far as maps, I have Rand McNally maps, Thomas Guide street maps of a few cities, Google maps and navigation on my phone, and OnStar in one car, so I'm not worried about getting lost..

[Craig Irwin]

Should have added that shifting perfection was achieved with thr Hurst Competiton Plus.