At one point cars were just considered a vehicle. They do come in all shapes and sizes and they have one purpose – to get you from point A to point B. Well, with the advancements in technology, with all the futuristic movies we had to tinker with this a bit and we had to make cars be something different, yet still do the same job.
Cars today have become high-tech wonders that have a huge list of cutting-edge features that make driving both convenient and downright thrilling. Features that just 5 years ago seemed like unreachable like self-driving capabilities, are now a pinnacle of the car manufacturing industry next to all of those additional advanced safety systems.
One of the most jaw-dropping and talked-about features – autonomous driving is something that has not only changed the car industry but us as buyers as well. Imagine sitting back, relaxing, and letting your car take the wheel, input the address and let it chauffer you there quickly and safely.
Having autonomous technology means a lot of programming, mapping and making the car downright smart to navigate roads, avoid obstacles, and even park themselves. This at first seemed like a gimmick and something that rich people can afford just because, but as times move forward, as tech advances and becomes more available, all of us are getting more freedom to enjoy the ride.
But that’s not all. You all know that we recently got Apple’s new mixed-reality headset – the Apple Vision. Now imagine combining that with hi-tech cars that come equipped with a plethora of futuristic features like augmented reality dashboards that overlay important information onto your windshield, or to the mixed reality headset.
You will be informed and entertained at the same time without having to look at the road or without having to take your eyes off the road. This will be something like a constant heads-up display, straight out of a video game, and imagine if you could operate your car from home.
Picking up your kids from soccer without having to get out of bed. Well, we are getting a bit ahead of ourselves but seeing how everything advanced quickly in the past 10 years we wouldn’t be surprised if something like that got presented to us very soon.
Now that we talked tech side of this article and we explored all the opportunities that can come, let’s talk about the maintenance of those systems, features and other tech gizmos in your car of today or the future. Hi-tech cars are more connected than ever, with built-in Wi-Fi hotspots, smartphone integration, and even the ability to sync up with your smart home devices.
Of course, a hi-tech car wouldn’t be just that if it didn’t have top-of-the-line safety features. From automatic emergency braking to adaptive cruise control, these are designed to keep you and your loved ones safe on the road. Since we are driving the future of transportation we also need to think about proper maintenance if we want those vehicles to run smoothly and efficiently.
How exactly do we do that? Well, first we need to find a genuine car parts supplier, which is the most important thing and find a service place that can handle all that tech. Here is what you have to think about if you have a hi-tech car or EV!
1. Regular Software Updates
Source: volkswagen-newsroom.com
Most of these new cars are always connected to some service, whether the manufacturer is one or any other, so when it comes to software updates these are just like your smartphone or computer, you will be notified of any new updates that are up and it will download and install them at once so you can enjoy all the safety and tech features you did. Another thing to keep in mind, is not so rarely, cars get more options or features with new updates, so sometimes you may get more than you paid for.
2. Sensor Calibration
With all the safety tech and features in every car, there are a bunch of sensors and radars that need regular updates and calibration. Since those sensors regulate and control features like adaptive cruise control and parking assistance you need to maintain them and keep them up to date and calibrated correctly to maintain their accuracy.
3. Connectivity
Source: ecomento.de
Connectivity in the car depends on a few things and those have to be maintained and replaced with genuine parts as well. For all of you wanting to stay connected on the go with built-in Wi-Fi hotspots and smartphone integration make sure you deal with any issues tied to this with professionals and specialized shops, and use genuine parts if you have to replace them.
For owners of electric vehicles, this list goes on to add a few more things you need to take care of and service properly. Here is what you need to add to your list:
4. Battery Health Check
Batteries are the gist of an EV and if you are not maintaining them and checking for their health in certain intervals they will degrade quickly and your EV will become unusable. Optimal range and longevity depend on those health checks and maintenance by professionals. If your battery dies you will be able to change it but do it by using genuine spare parts and replacements.
5. Charging Infrastructure Inspection
EVs can be charged in two ways – at home or public charging stations. No matter which place you use make sure you inspect the infrastructure regularly to ensure safe and efficient charging.
6. Brake System Inspection
Source: driving.ca
This is something that falls into the category of regular vehicle inspection checklist but with EVs and their regenerative braking feature, you can get extended brake pad life. Despite this, you need to pay attention to your pads and disks to ensure optimal performance.
7. Tire Maintenance
Another thing required on regular cars but both EV and regular cars packed with high technology suffer from irregular tire wear and possible vibrations. Make sure you check tire pressure regularly and rotate tyres as recommended.
8. Cooling System Maintenance
Every car has a cooling system and it is equally important in EVs, although they don’t have regular engines. EVs use cooling systems to regulate battery and drivetrain temperatures just like a regular internal combustion engine uses fluids to cool itself. Always and regularly check coolant levels and ensure the system is functioning correctly to prevent overheating and damage.
