by Gabrielle DeSantis

A competent touchscreen is a huge point of consideration for consumers when car buying. Unfortunately, a good system can be hard to find, especially in used cars. This is due largely to the rapid advances in screen technology over the last several years. Happily, automakers are starting to turn things around and update their old, outdated screens in favor of newer, more user-friendly models.

Consumers expect smartphone-like interiors

Think back to your first smartphone. For many, it was the O.G iPhone. Back then, the first iPhone seemed like something straight out of Star Wars movies. Now, phones are even more responsive. As a matter of fact, that’s likely why most people upgrade their phones. If one model gets too slow they move on. Unfortunately, this isn’t the reality for most people with older cars. If the touchscreen in your car sucks, it’s probably worth it to just deal.

This is partly why manufacturers have been getting away with subpar infotainment responsiveness in newer models. A car may not sell well, but it’ll live on in the used market regardless of its screens. Some of the biggest culprits of this are Toyota and Lexus. Lexus’ system has remained largely unchanged from as far back as 2014. Unfortunately, it’s often a question of money for automakers looking to upgrade their in-car touchscreens.

Money plays a big role in touchscreen updates

The development of anything in a new car is expensive. There’s dozens of regulations that must be met across the globe for both safety and crash protection, inside and out. As a result, the aging touchscreen in a GMC, for example, may not be replaced until absolutely necessary. Thankfully, the cost is somewhat negated by the accountants as long as the cost is baked into the development of a whole new vehicle.

This is especially the case in larger conglomerates, like Volkswagen and GM. GM’s new infotainment is now in just about every one of their new models. This is because the overall cost of that new touchscreen is negated by it being in every GM car produced under the sun. This is where “smaller” manufacturers like Toyota and Lexus get hurt. They don’t have the massive spread of models like the Volkswagen Auto Group or GM to help negate costs.

Automakers are starting to catch on

One of the long-standing exceptions to this is Tesla. They were arguably one of the first brands to notice when consumers said they wanted smartphone-like infotainment. To this day, Tesla’s system is one of the best on the market, yoke wheel or not. It could be argued that this change from Tesla is what spurred on other automakers to make changes in their infotainment. Toyota and Lexus are finally updating theirs, and the Volkswagen Auto Group has had a new unit for the last few years. With any luck, this trend will continue to spread throughout the industry and benefit consumers.

RELATED: Lexus Infotainment Gets a Long-Overdue Refresh

The post Touchscreens in Cars Are Still Slow, but Not for Long appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Unless you use your vehicle to tow often, chances are you know the bare minimum of what your vehicle requires to tow. Generally, you need a tow hitch and a trailer harness that allows you to use brake lights and turn signals. But, if you’re getting into towing more frequently, whether you’re investing in a camper or towing along a boat, you may want to learn more about trailer safety and devices that can improve your towing experience in general, like a trailer breakaway switch.

What is a trailer breakaway switch?

While it doesn’t require a special license to tow something along behind your car, there is a lot of general safety knowledge that drivers don’t learn before getting their driver’s license. Part of that is what tools you need and what tools are available that can make driving with a trailer safer. One of these mechanisms is called a trailer breakaway switch, though not every trailer may be equipped with one to start, or the mechanisms to even use them.

The concept behind the trailer breakaway switch is rather simple: it tells the trailer to engage the electric brakes on the trailer in case it senses that the trailer has been detached from the vehicle. Ever seen those viral YouTube videos of trails detaching from their vehicle and then scooting along in traffic until they inevitably hit something, like another vehicle? The trailer breakaway switch prevents this by telling the trailer to pump the brakes.

Why would you need something like this?

Even if you are confident that you can hook a trailer up properly, there are still several factors that can play into why a trailer would break away from the vehicle it’s being towed with. Structural failures with the safety chains or even the ball hitch, which are often exposed to harsh elements and can rust with time, can cause your trailer to detach.

Some limitations apply

If you’re wondering whether or not investing a small amount into a trailer breakaway switch is a good idea, there are some limitations to keep in mind. Really, the limitation here is whether or not your trailer itself already has electric brakes. Because the trailer breakaway switch only works to engage the electric brakes, it stands to reason that the system would only actually work if the trailer had electric brakes, to begin with. If you don’t currently own a trailer, or you’re looking to upgrade to a newer one, electric brakes may be something to keep an eye out for when purchasing.

According to NAPA, a trailer breakaway switch seems like a small, underrated safety measure, but in case of emergency it can work to save your precious cargo and protect the vehicles and lives of the people around you. While there are some limitations, if you can install a trailer breakaway switch to your trailer, it is worth looking into.

RELATED: Why Don’t Emergency Towing Services Work for Everyone

The post What Is a Trailer Breakaway Switch and Do You Need One While Towing? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.