tst123
not_that_guy05
ObiniceProbably, but there was a time when you could easily make your old car feel new just by adding an aftermarket stereo with bluetooth (and mic compatibility) and a USB port and an aux-in port.
My car's 6-cd changer (which could play MP3 CD's) broke so I replaced it with one of a new one with all those features and it almost felt brand new. I could connect my phone to it, take calls via bluetooth, change all sorts of settings including balance and equalization, it was actually a revelation.
It was so good that I had my sister get the same thing, because while her radio worked, her CD player did not, and it was also very useful for her as well.
I actually got the idea because of all the features that my mother's (then new) 2013 Kia Soul had with its bluetooth and mic equipped stereo. Nowadays I think most new cars have a pretty decent entertainment setup with an integrated back up camera, so it's no longer necessary to get something aftermarket.
That said, there was a time where aftermarket was remarkably better than factory stock.
Backup cameras became required by law in 2016, so that is probably one of the reasons we don’t see a lot of aftermarket stuff now. Plus, there just isn’t a quality gap anymore. Want premium sound, pay $1,000 off top for Harmon Kardon.
I remember installing my alpine cd player and infinity 6x9’s in my 96 lumina. Man what a quality difference!
Backup cameras became required by law in 2016
That must be local to you, my 2019 car doesn’t have one and in my (European) country this is not mandatory.
oatscoopEvery car in the USA made since 2018 is required to have backup camera from the factory.
So since every car has to have a screen for the camera, auto makers figured they may as well use for the stereo system.
daisy lazarus
watsonI might be a bit dumb here, but I never got the detachable radio idea/need?
The radio interfaces were not exchangeable between different brands, right? Or was there an universal interface that I am unaware of?
So, wouldn’t a bad actor need to dismantle the entire radio head as well, for the interface part to be of any good use?
It wasn’t so much to not steal the interface, it was to not steal the whole unit from the car.
If the front was left attached, a thief would break in and steal the whole radio.
With the front off, it’s basically useless to steal the in car part.
Thieves would also steal the entire stereo head unit – so many had an additional anti-theft feature.
If you wanted to remove the head unit you had to enter a code using the front plate buttons before you uninstalled it. If you didn’t it would “brick” itself to discourage theft.
Nobody could steal that car even if they wanted to, unless they knew the internal mechanical structure of the steering column. When I used the screwdriver method, the screwdriver did not go into the ignition or any other intuitive location you might be thinking of.
The key that was stuck in the ignition wouldn’t turn to the start position, nor would it turn back to the off position to remove it. So it was a combination of connecting the battery then using the screwdriver as a lever in just the right spot in the steering column tilt hinge gap area to start it, and disconnecting the battery to shut it down.
I had never let anyone see exactly how I used the screwdriver on that car. Besides, it was such a rusted out beater, I could have parked it in a back alley in the Bronx and most likely nobody would have wanted to touch it, except maybe to steal the gas out of it LOL!
Northern California is exactly like this. I saw someone with the wheel jack thing just the other day and was like what the hell is that.
They tell visitors here in CA to leave cars unlocked and take your belongings so at least the windows don’t get broken into when the burglars break into your rental vehicle.
Landrin201No, but Republicans want you to think that it is.
There’s a lot of irrational fear mongering around crime in California that doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.
Yeah it is. There was a guy trying to break into the cars when my mother in law came out to visit, then her and my family went to SF for a visit and she had to call the police because there was a guy actively casing cars.
Got our bikes stolen after leaving them out in silicon valley too inside of a very upscale walled off apartment complex. Took me by surprise because we live in a nice area.
I’ve had a lot of different first hand experiences that have made me extremely weary.
bdonvrBecause engine immobilisers are a thing, that’s also why car keys are so expensive. The engine won’t start without the correct key so no need to worry about the wheel.
As for reflectors, the people that use them might just opt for ceramic window tints.
Tinting your windshield is illegal
Actually, in most places there’s a maximum opacity for safety reasons rather than an outright ban. Granted, some jurisdictions set the limit so low that it makes the whole thing pretty much pointless 🤷
The engine won’t start without correct key
Unless of course you drive certain models of Kia and Hyundai
GormadtAnd the older models as well
I drive a 2007 Kia and that thing has no special security features
Shit it doesn’t even have cruise control
kratoz29Those three shits are pretty much needed in my country lol.
Except that I have electric windows.
Owl
Nora
Mothra
Altima NEOMaybe I live around people who prefer old cars, but I feel like crank windows are still used quite a lot.
In addition to the precision some other lemming mentioned, they are more reliable, because a lot of stuff can go wrong in electrical systems and button windows rely on those being in working order (I also imagine that less people would know how to repair the electrics).
Engywook