What's new -- and what's missing -- in your next new car
Automakers are continually making changes in vehicles. These can be technological breakthroughs, such as the automatic emergency braking systems that are increasingly becoming standard on new cars. Some are mandated changes, such as a federal requirement that all vehicles have backup cameras, which went into effect in May.
At times, the shifts reflect consumer electronic trends. Cassette players in cars gave way to in-dash CD systems, which started disappearing from cars when Bluetooth streaming music arrived.
Many of these feature swaps don’t get a lot of fanfare, so you might not always realize what’s come and gone until you’re shopping for a new car. Here’s an overview.
IN: Keyless start
This feature allows drivers to start their cars while keeping the key in their pockets or purses. It’s often paired with a keyless access system that allows entry into the car without pushing any buttons on the key fob.
Keyless start systems may pose a danger if you’re not careful: Some owners have forgotten to shut off their cars in attached garages, leading to more than 24 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning since 2006, according to the New York Times. Newer systems do a better job of alerting you if the key moves too far away from the car while the engine is still on.
OUT: Keyed ignition
It’s falling out of favor. In 2008, keyed ignition systems were standard in 89 percent of new cars. Now, they’re in just 38 percent.
Much more: https://wtop.com/consumer-news/2018/10/whats-new-_-and-whats-missing-_-in-your-next-new-car/
This undated photo provided by Mercedes-Benz shows an LCD screen in the 2019 A 220 4Matic Sedan. The screen is an example of a trend: digital gauges replacing analog ones in vehicle instrument panels. Digital gauges are customizable and can display more information than traditional gauges. (Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz via AP)
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I found it a little unsettling, especially since there was some sort of issue when we were out of state when there was a period it didn't work - I still don't understand why. But I asked someone I know who has it and she loves it, has never had a problem. And then I had to replace my 2001 Pontiac last year and I'm still getting used to the bells and whistles. I'm not all that fond of getting phone calls on my dashboard, I could dispense with that. 
I am not yet ready for that kind of thing, and right now I'm safe because I have a very dumb phone, and even though I'm quite fond of it, it's not capable of very much. It makes and receives calls, makes and receives texts. Other than that, it can't do anything.
The down side about having an older car these days is that the technology has advanced by leaps and bounds. Not like, if this were 1998 and you were replacing your 1981 whatever. While I love my keyless entry, I still keep on looking for the place to insert the key to start the car, or want to take a key out when I arrive at my destination. It's only been two weeks, and I'm still in awe of the technology. I know that soon enough I'll take all of this for granted. Oh, and with my particular car it does not shut off automatically. I need to press the same button that starts it to turn it off, and I think that's a good idea. Especially having read some horror stories about cars not turning off and the carbon monoxide killing everyone in the home.
Several years ago I was muttering that it was probably not a good idea to be driving a 20 year old car. Mine wasn't yet that old, and plenty of reasonable people might disagree with me, but I will still stick to that standard. Actually, I hope to replace this current care no more than ten years down the road, if I'm still driving.
Oh, and speaking mainly for myself, I'm trying very hard not to be a crabby old lady who complains about everything. It can be hard to restrain myself, but I'm working on it.
