On Sep 5, 2014, at 10:31 AM, Dave <deltadave@usa.net> wrote:

> Check out the dash of a NASCAR or F1 car vs the typical mid range consumer car.

This:

<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2623514/The-incredible-graphic-reveals-screens-buttons-dials-switches-Sauber-Formula-1-steering-wheel.html>

Now remember that the drivers are doing stuff with all of that, while going at 200+mph sitting at inches above the deck, on a twisty course surrounded by a whole bunch of other drivers doing the same.

That said, my 2010 jetta’s got a fairly informative dashboard, including an actual temp gauge:

<http://media.caranddriver.com/images/11q4/431728/2012-volkswagen-jetta-gli-instrument-cluster-photo-431928-s-1280x782.jpg>

There are about a half-dozen more idiot lights not visible here and the center display is selectable among several options, such as speed (as seen here), trip duration, instantaneous mpg, current trip mpg, mpg since 0.0/SET was last pressed, door and hatchback open/closed status, and maybe a couple others I forget right now.

The little green idiot light bugged me for a little bit, it means ‘your driving lights are on’. Since current law mandates they always be on, it’s always green.

My previous car was a 1980 Honda Civic; it really didn’t have anything more:

<http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/DOTJ-80CivicRed-08.jpg>

And frankly, I don’t remember much more in my first car which was a 1969 chevy nova.

--
Bruce Johnson
University of Arizona
College of Pharmacy
Information Technology Group

Institutions do not have opinions, merely customs