Knowing When to Stop Driving as Skills Change With Age

[msw3113]

I sold my motorcycle a few years ago, and this year resolved to stop towing our 40-foot 5th wheel.
In both cases I realized that my reflexes are not what they once were. And in both cases I realized that the ratio of bonehead to non-bonehead drivers has increased beyond the point where I feel safe driving a motorcycle or towing a trailer.

 

[Jackiemac]

I can imagine the headline were you to cause an accident while attempting to record someone while driving you thought could cause an accident.

I hardly ever drive over here....

 

[Rene T]

I hardly ever drive over here....

It’s a good thing. You’d probably be on the wrong side of the road most of the time.
I can say that because I’ve driven in your country in the wrong side of the road

 

[jymbee]

In some vehicles, just use voice to find stuff instantly and have no need to touch the screen. Voice for all commands. Some vehicles disable the touchscreen as soon as the vehicle is moving.

Here is a few of the Tesla voice commands (far from a complete list):

Tesla voice commands allow hands-free control of navigation, climate, media, and vehicle settings across all models (Model 3, Y, S, X, Cybertruck).

Navigation

• "Navigate to [destination]", "Drive to [destination]", or "Take me to [destination]" to start route guidance.
• "Go home" or "Go to work" to navigate to saved addresses.
• "Show nearby Superchargers" or "Where are the Supercharger stations".
• "I'm hungry" or "I'm feeling lucky" to find nearby food.
• "Cancel navigation" or "Mute voice guidance".
• "Show traffic", "Show satellite mode", or "Zoom in/out".

Climate Control

• "Turn on/off climate" or "Set temperature to [XX] degrees".
• "I'm cold" or "Make it warmer" (increases temp by 3°F).
• "I'm hot" or "Make it cooler" (decreases temp by 3°F).
• "Set driver temperature to [XX]" or "Set passenger temperature to [XX]".
• "Sync" or "Unsync" to link or separate driver/passenger temps.
• "Turn on/off Dog Mode", "Turn on/off Camp Mode", or "Enable Bioweapon Defense Mode".
• "Set fan speed to [XX]" or "Direct airflow to my face".
• "My feet are cold/hot" to adjust footwell vents.

Vehicle Controls & Settings

• "Lock" or "Unlock" doors.
• "Open/close trunk", "Open/close frunk" (or front trunk), "Open glovebox".
• "Open/close charge port" or "Unlock chargeport".
• "Fold/unfold mirrors".
• "Turn on/off Sentry Mode" or "Keep my car safe".
• "Open/close [App Name]" such as browser, phone, theater, or settings (e.g., "Open Autopilot settings").
• "Increase/decrease brightness" or "Screen is too bright/dim".

Media & Phone

• "Play [artist/song]" or "Pause music".
• "Call [contact name]" or "Text [contact name]".
• "Open music" or "Open [Streaming App]" like Spotify or Netflix.

Easter Eggs & Fun Commands

• "Ho Ho Ho" activates Christmas themes.
• "Beam me up Scotty" or "Man's not hot" decreases temperature.
• "It's a doggy dog world" activates Dog Mode.
• "Sing me a song" plays a random track.
• "Open [any random object]" (e.g., "open breadbin") often opens the charge port.
• "Report error" or "Bug report" sends feedback to Tesla.

-Don- Auburn, CA

re. "I'm hot" or "Make it cooler" (decreases temp by 3°F)."

That only works while in the vehicle?? Sheesh... one would have thought Elon could do better than that.

 

[DonTom]

That only works while in the vehicle?? Sheesh... one would have thought Elon could do better than that

You can leave the A/C on while out of the vehicle. I do it often on very hot days with the car all locked up while grocery shopping or whatever.

I don't use the Tesla App with my Tesla because of my SmartphonePhobia, but there could be way to do such from outside the vehicle--don't know, never needed such.

I will check AI:


"Yes, the Tesla mobile app allows users to both check and set the interior cabin temperature remotely.

• Checking Temperature: The app displays the current interior temperature in the Climate section of the home screen. This data is typically available when the vehicle is active; if the car is asleep, users may need to briefly toggle the climate control to wake the sensor and refresh the reading.
• Setting Temperature: Users can adjust the target cabin temperature via the app to precondition the vehicle before entering. This feature also enables Dog Mode and Cabin Overheat Protection, allowing the car to maintain a specific temperature or prevent overheating even when the driver is away."

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[NY_Dutch]

You can leave the A/C on while out of the vehicle. I do it often on very hot days with the car all locked up while grocery shopping or whatever.

I don't use the Tesla App with my Tesla because of my SmartphonePhobia, but there could be way to do such from outside the vehicle--don't know, never needed such.

I will check AI:


"Yes, the Tesla mobile app allows users to both check and set the interior cabin temperature remotely.

• Checking Temperature: The app displays the current interior temperature in the Climate section of the home screen. This data is typically available when the vehicle is active; if the car is asleep, users may need to briefly toggle the climate control to wake the sensor and refresh the reading.
• Setting Temperature: Users can adjust the target cabin temperature via the app to precondition the vehicle before entering. This feature also enables Dog Mode and Cabin Overheat Protection, allowing the car to maintain a specific temperature or prevent overheating even when the driver is away."

-Don- Auburn, CA

I have an app on my phone that gives me similar remote access to my Subaru.

 

[DonTom]

I have an app on my phone that gives me similar remote access to my Subaru.

I can only recall one time I used it, to defrost and get the snow off the windows in my Tesla in the morning when it was left outside overnight in Reno while I was in the house. Works fast because there is no engine to warm up first in EVs.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[jymbee]

You can leave the A/C on while out of the vehicle. I do it often on very hot days with the car all locked up while grocery shopping or whatever.

-Don- Auburn, CA

Interesting. But my comment re. Elon controlling the climate was a lame attempt at a joke-- musing why with all his wealth and ego he hasn't come up with some way to control the overall world climate. Oh well...

 

[DonTom]

Interesting. But my comment re. Elon controlling the climate was a lame attempt at a joke-- musing why with all his wealth and ego he hasn't come up with some way to control the overall world climate. Oh well...

That is probably soon coming too! But for now the "climate control" is only in the cars.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[Firstime RVer]

In some vehicles, just use voice to find stuff instantly and have no need to touch the screen. Voice for all commands. Some vehicles disable the touchscreen as soon as the vehicle is moving.

Here is a few of the Tesla voice commands (far from a complete list):

Tesla voice commands allow hands-free control of navigation, climate, media, and vehicle settings across all models (Model 3, Y, S, X, Cybertruck).

Navigation

• "Navigate to [destination]", "Drive to [destination]", or "Take me to [destination]" to start route guidance.
• "Go home" or "Go to work" to navigate to saved addresses.
• "Show nearby Superchargers" or "Where are the Supercharger stations".
• "I'm hungry" or "I'm feeling lucky" to find nearby food.
• "Cancel navigation" or "Mute voice guidance".
• "Show traffic", "Show satellite mode", or "Zoom in/out".

Climate Control

• "Turn on/off climate" or "Set temperature to [XX] degrees".
• "I'm cold" or "Make it warmer" (increases temp by 3°F).
• "I'm hot" or "Make it cooler" (decreases temp by 3°F).
• "Set driver temperature to [XX]" or "Set passenger temperature to [XX]".
• "Sync" or "Unsync" to link or separate driver/passenger temps.
• "Turn on/off Dog Mode", "Turn on/off Camp Mode", or "Enable Bioweapon Defense Mode".
• "Set fan speed to [XX]" or "Direct airflow to my face".
• "My feet are cold/hot" to adjust footwell vents.

Vehicle Controls & Settings

• "Lock" or "Unlock" doors.
• "Open/close trunk", "Open/close frunk" (or front trunk), "Open glovebox".
• "Open/close charge port" or "Unlock chargeport".
• "Fold/unfold mirrors".
• "Turn on/off Sentry Mode" or "Keep my car safe".
• "Open/close [App Name]" such as browser, phone, theater, or settings (e.g., "Open Autopilot settings").
• "Increase/decrease brightness" or "Screen is too bright/dim".

Media & Phone

• "Play [artist/song]" or "Pause music".
• "Call [contact name]" or "Text [contact name]".
• "Open music" or "Open [Streaming App]" like Spotify or Netflix.

Easter Eggs & Fun Commands

• "Ho Ho Ho" activates Christmas themes.
• "Beam me up Scotty" or "Man's not hot" decreases temperature.
• "It's a doggy dog world" activates Dog Mode.
• "Sing me a song" plays a random track.
• "Open [any random object]" (e.g., "open breadbin") often opens the charge port.
• "Report error" or "Bug report" sends feedback to Tesla.

-Don- Auburn, CA

They all sound great, until they quit working. Then you end up talking to yourself, trying to figure out how to get things done, without the electronic assistants.
Safe travels and all the best.

 

[DutchmenSport]

A few months ago I rented from Enterprise an SUV for 2 weeks. It had the stupid touch screen. I absolutely hated the thing. Eyes focused on that screen try to figure out how to turn the air conditioner temp up or down, flipping from screen to screen, slider buttons and such made it near impossible to focus on the road. I NEVER figured out how to turn the headlights on or off in 2 weeks and NEVER even remotely figured out the radio. I finally got something to come on that was a station NOT to my liking, and then couldn't turn the stupid thing off. Then it flashes messages and have to take eyes off the road to figure out what it just flashed. I don't care what age the driver is, that feature in newer automobiles is just plane dangerous and the stupidest thing automobile manufacturers ever thought up.

 

[NY_Dutch]

You can leave the A/C on while out of the vehicle. I do it often on very hot days with the car all locked up while grocery shopping or whatever.

I could do that with my 2011 RAV4 by just hitting the remote start button on the fob before turning the key off before exiting and locking the door. There might be a way to do it with my Subaru, but since I don't have a dog to keep cool any longer, I haven't looked into it.

 

[DonTom]

I could do that with my 2011 RAV4 by just hitting the remote start button on the fob before turning the key off before exiting and locking the door. There might be a way to do it with my Subaru, but since I don't have a dog to keep co

With the engine totally off? Are they now using electric A/Cs in iCVs?

-Don- Big Creek Camp. NV

 

[DonTom]

A few months ago I rented from Enterprise an SUV for 2 weeks.

I've noticed they do not explain anything when you rent a car (unlike when buying a new car). Do you know if that thing worked with voice, usually press a button in the steering wheel. No need to move more than one finger an inch or so, if even that.

I don't buy any car would be designed dumb enough to force you to play with the screen while driving to do simple things. Did you RTFM that was most likely on the screen (don't read while driving!).

Many vehicles disable the touch screen while driving. They still expect you to be able to do everything necessary safely--unless they are trying to get sued in this country full of lawyers.

-Don- Big Creek Camp, NV

 

[NY_Dutch]

With the engine totally off? Are they now using electric A/Cs in iCVs?

-Don- Big Creek Camp. NV

With the engine running. Hitting the remote start allowed me to turn off and remove the key while keeping the engine running. The A/C in my 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid is electric and runs off the hybrid battery, so yes, they are using electric A/C's in some ICV's.

 

[whiteva]

Gone are the days of a new truck for the farm with just keys and a knob on the floor (right next to the accelerator) to engage the electric starter. You would angle your right foot to be able to push both pedals at the same time to hear the roar of a flat head 8. A/M radio was optional. Farmall tractor still had a hand crank in front, no fob, no battery, but it did start every time.
Yea, I'm old!

 

[whiteva]

 

[NY_Dutch]

Gone are the days of a new truck for the farm with just keys and a knob on the floor (right next to the accelerator) to engage the electric starter. You would angle your right foot to be able to push both pedals at the same time to hear the roar of a flat head 8. A/M radio was optional. Farmall tractor still had a hand crank in front, no fob, no battery, but it did start every time.
Yea, I'm old!

We always parked our John Deere B tractor on a hill behind the barn at the end of the day. That way we could just let it roll down to start it, instead of cranking the flywheel by hand.

 

[Larry N.]

Do you know if that thing worked with voice, usually press a button in the steering wheel.

But you have to know what commands are available with voice. It took me a bit with the manual to figure out how to make a phone call via voice commands (not to mention other choices) on my 2015 Wrangler and with my Garmin GPS. And I have yet to mess with voice commands on my 2025 Maverick, though the manual (skimpy compared to years past) did help me find out that radio volume is a handy (but unobvious) knob on the dash, and to navigate through the "buttons" across the bottom of the screen -- better than the way some have done.

But I'd certainly hate to have to find the way some other manufacturer does it on a rental car, where time to learn is rather limited, and there's no salesman to help me get started with that new (to me) version.

 

[gwinger]

Gone are the days of a new truck for the farm with just keys and a knob on the floor (right next to the accelerator) to engage the electric starter. You would angle your right foot to be able to push both pedals at the same time to hear the roar of a flat head 8. A/M radio was optional. Farmall tractor still had a hand crank in front, no fob, no battery, but it did start every time.
Yea, I'm old!

Plus the windshield washer was a rubber bulb on the floor, right next to the high beam switch.
When they started putting the high beam switch on the steering column, people were getting the foot caught in the steering wheel.