Car Electronics & GPS For The Starting Driver

The massive adoption of computerization in modern society had plenty of offshoots. One of them is the increasing affordability of car electronics & GPS. With these gadgets, your trip down the road often becomes safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable.But if you are old enough to remember the 1980s, most cars only had the radio as the recognizable electronic part. It may have had a cassette player if you wanted to listen to your own music. If you were really a music fan then it meant that your glove compartment was full of tapes, both playable and not.High-end car of the 80s already had electronic ignition systems. They gave a more reliable spark and were more trouble free than mechanical distributor systems. But this was not an option found in most family cars in that time.The electronics present in cars today have really diversified. The basic car stereo is also a video player as well. To keep kids entertained and off the back of the driver, parents install an LCD monitor in the back seat. This is connected to the video connector of the stereo. The stacks of music CDs are also gone. An MP3 player can be connected to the stereo which means that thousands of songs are easily accessible.Mechanics and tuners speak of a computer inside the engine bay. This is called the ECU of the electronic control unit. This is a real computer because it has an operating system and uses software to manage the engine.These sensors are what the mouse and keyboard is to your laptop. These sensors are able to detect the amount of oxygen in the air, the airflow mass, and the position of the crankshaft. All the data fed by the sensors make the modern car more responsive, fuel efficient, and less pollutive.It is possible to replace the software in the ECU so that the engine becomes even more responsive. This is the expense of fuel efficiency and handling especially at normal speeds. The software is replaced by a chip upgrade. However do not expect great results by just replacing one part. Engine upgrade should be done as a system. It means upgrading the chip, your crankshaft, as well as air induction.The GPS is heaven-sent for the male driver who refuses to ask someone in the streets for directions. What was primarily military technology, GPS found widespread civilian use. Aside from a useful navigational tool, the GPS is also a very accurate clock.The car GPS is meant to be mounted on the dashboard. It has a large display so that the driver can see it and drive safely at the same time. The display usually shows a street map that shows the road ahead of you. A female voice gently reminds you when a turn is required. Sometimes that voice may sound insulting when it says that you missed a required turn.Massive computerization on all facets of modern life only meant that electronics has become cheaper. This is very true for car electronics & GPS. The benefits of these gadgets are great for it greatly increases car safety and enjoyment for all.