If you could require all passenger vehicles to have one manufacturer-installed survival feature, what would it be?

An automatic lockout to prevent the shallow end of the gene pool people from driving through water under bridges, in blizzards or across scorching deserts. Aside from that a ELT system like aircraft have. It would end being abused though. I know OnStar is out there so it is a start.

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$.02

Good tires, appropriate for the climate and terrain.

Turn signals...oh, wait...nevermind.

Absolute security from unauthorized entry. Your BOG would be safe until you needed it and persons inside would have more options. Other preferences are already options or can be had from the open market.

Having witnessed many near-misses involving distracted drivers on cell phones, I want a mandatory system that detects an active cell phone call from within the vehicle and:

... immediately turns on 4-way hazard flashers

... activates voice prompt "Pull over! Pull over!" audible at both ends of conversation

... escalates audio prompt to the annoying "phone off hook" beeping after 15 seconds

... gives person at the wheel small zaps if vehicle is not in Park within 60 seconds (optional, but satisfying).

Cars should come equipped with the vehicular equivalent of a PLB. Something like OnStar, but not totally reliant on cellular service (It should be something that can take advantage of both cell lines and communication satellites).

That way, if something ever happens while you're in or near your vehicle, you can hopefully get help notified and aware of your location. That way, instead of having to survive for a few days, you might only have to make it for a few hours. I truly think it would end up saving a lot of lives.

I know many people venture outside their homes under the impression that help is just a cell phone call away. Fact is, cell service is often sketchy at best, especially once you get away from suburban areas. Unless you're prepared with some other form of communication it can be quite a while before help comes, if it ever does.

Unlimited year/milage bumper to bumper warranty, that way the vehicle will always be in good repair. Plus the owner can still afford to pay their bills.


In other words.....


Reliability

Warranty doesn't equal reliability. Once had a boss who bought a brand new Hyundai, every couple weeks we would start taking bets on which of us he was going to call for a ride to work from the dealer for his bi monthly warranty repair trip.

I expect to see "black box" data and GPS loggers with crash activated cell/EPIRB, and perhaps video, someday in the not too distant future, followed soon thereafter with a logged data reader in every patrol car. A mixed blessing, at best.