Nifty electronics mods

[proficience]

I've had a few ideas about some cool electronics mods that would make our cars cooler (not faster).

Some little gadgety things that would be awesome:

• power folding mirrors linked to the ignition..
• preventing the DRLs from dimming (on the GTS) when in parkers/low beams modes
• DRLs linked to the proximity key detection area (i.e. DRLs come on when dome lights first come on instead of waiting for handbrake down)
• auto-locking when key is out of the detection zone
• auto-locking at >30km/h etc
• 'Guide me home' low beams that stay on for a few minutes after car is turned off
• automatic door unlock when car is turned off
• Beeps when car is locked/unlocked
• automatic window closing on lock [LeftFootBrake]
• automatic left-mirror parking assist on reverse selection [LeftFootBrake]
• Re-map of cruise control master button to garage door open frequency [LeftFootBrake]
• Automatic AC recirculation mode to outside air on ignition off (and resumed state on ignition on) [LeftFootBrake]
• Setting cruise control does not disable sports mode; it merely overrides it. [LeftFootBrake]
• Selecting manual mode turns on sports transmission mode automatically (if off and we discover manual/sports-on is different to manual/sports-off). [LeftFootBrake]
• Better cruise control algorithms for holding speed up hill and down dale. [LeftFootBrake]

Anyone able to find these mods already done? I'm sure its only a matter of time right... Couldn't find much on these forums

[davey90]

hm... sounds like ECU programming work (unless it's hard coded) , But yeah! I like the sound of those electronics ideas! especially the power folding mirrors linked to the ignition. So when you turn the car off it'll fold towards the window, then vice versa when car is switched on!

[Surok]

all sounds good and can be done with a little microcontroller.

except this.
preventing the DRLs from dimming (on the GTS) when in parkers/low beams modes

its a legal requirement that the DRLS dim with the lights on.

[LeftFootBrake]

Good list. How about also adding...

• automatic AC recirculation mode to outside air on ignition off (and resumed state on ignition on)
• automatic window closing on lock
• automatic left-mirror parking assist on reverse selection

BTW, I have my lights on auto, but I'm yet to figure out precisely what this results in. What mode do you run in and any comments?

[proficience]

Originally Posted by LeftFootBrake

• automatic AC recirculation mode to outside air on ignition off (and resumed state on ignition on)

Any benefits of leaving open air when car isn't running? I always leave it closed to prolong the new car smell as long as I possibly can

Originally Posted by LeftFootBrake

• automatic window closing on lock
• automatic left-mirror parking assist on reverse selection

Yep. These would be awesome!

Originally Posted by LeftFootBrake

BTW, I have my lights on auto, but I'm yet to figure out precisely what this results in. What mode do you run in and any comments?

I try to run it in auto mode, but I don't like how it goes to parker mode at around sunset and dims the DRLs unnecessarily... I also don't like how it turns the HIDs on/off so quickly when driving through underpasses/short tunnels - not very good for the life of the HIDs methinks... Its ok for long tunnels/carparks etc though...

[LeftFootBrake]

Originally Posted by proficience

Any benefits of leaving open air when car isn't running? I always leave it closed to prolong the new car smell as long as I possibly can

I read somewhere (I think maybe even the 86's manual) that doing so helps prevent the "stale" smell that accumulates. The downside of keeping it open would be if you parked in a dust bowl, I suppose.

I try to run it in auto mode, but I don't like how it goes to parker mode at around sunset and dims the DRLs unnecessarily... I also don't like how it turns the HIDs on/off so quickly when driving through underpasses/short tunnels - not very good for the life of the HIDs methinks... Its ok for long tunnels/carparks etc though...

Thanks for that. I think one of the advantages of HIDs is that they have a really long lifespan. Not sure if it's operating hours or power cycles that contribute most to it, though?

[Skorov]

I would be very much into these ideas, as I'm a sucker for little features. Especially the auto window up on lock.
Like Surok said, most of these could be coded into a microcontroller. Just need someone with the right assembly code smarts.

[davey90]

Originally Posted by proficience

Any benefits of leaving open air when car isn't running? I always leave it closed to prolong the new car smell as long as I possibly can

Yeah, I love the new car smell but....it's toxic they say...

http://www.caradvice.com.au/159321/n...cars-revealed/

However, there is a remedy! New car scent oil

http://www.naturesgardencandles.com/...s/item/rf-aaa8

[fuddbutter]

a lot of these things could be done with relays going onto the ignition switch etc.

I am getting Viper Smart Start 3.0 http://www.vipersecurity.com.au/viper-smartstart

you can program it to do things also

[davey90]

Originally Posted by fuddbutter

a lot of these things could be done with relays going onto the ignition switch etc.

I am getting Viper Smart Start 3.0 http://www.vipersecurity.com.au/viper-smartstart

you can program it to do things also

That's cool and freaky at the same time... What if you lost your phone? Then someone can open your car without your keys

[fuddbutter]

You can put password protects on the app's, plus password protect on the phone.

also, it integrates with the standard remote, so you can still get into the car and drive.

[Surok]

mm intriguing..

the only thing stopping me from doing all this to my car, is that i do not want to rip it apart and have it undriveable for a month as i figure out every wire and design some hardware to do what i want.

also.. i dont even have mine yet... the wait is killing me..

[AL008]

Power folding mirrors upon ignition....

Wouldn't that just be the case of splicing a wire from the ignition into the button that is used to open and fold the mirrors?

It would be similar to allowing voltage and current to pass through the switch, having the ignition provide the power to the folding mirrors.

[Surok]

a little more complicated than that because it would be continuously activating the button without some sort of controller.