| Car manufacturers are incorporating an inordinate | | | | picks up on X band, so much the better, but |
| amount of technology into their vehicles | | | | make sure you can disable it. X band is a |
| nowadays. Despite their best efforts, however, | | | | common source of false alarms (especially near |
| there are a number of things you can do to geek | | | | traffic lights).OBD IIOBD stands for On-Board |
| your ride. From one little gadget to a full-fledged | | | | Diagnostics. This system is built in to nearly all |
| car mod, there's always something else that | | | | vehicles sold after 1996. If you have a laptop in |
| makes your car one step closer to the | | | | your car, you can usually purchase a special cable |
| batmobile.GPS, OnStar and navigation | | | | that will allow you to view a real-time stream of |
| SystemsHate being lost? GPS is the answer. The | | | | data from nearly every sensor in the car. Want |
| latest in-car navigation systems feature voice | | | | to know the left front wheel speed in real-time? |
| recognition and touchscreen technology. GM's | | | | You got it. OBD II provides many different data |
| OnStar provides peace-of-mind in the case of an | | | | streams. You can view the horsepower and |
| accident, but some say that the system enables | | | | torque at any RPM, see how fast you can do |
| Big Brother to track your every move. More | | | | 0-60mph, or find the actual gas mileage at any |
| advanced navigation systems can direct you to | | | | given speed and save some money at the |
| the nearest gas station or pizza joint instead of | | | | pump.OBD technology also helps to diagnose |
| requiring a specific address. Some can even | | | | problems with your vehicle. When the "check |
| provide you with other data like stock quotes, | | | | engine" light comes on, you'll be able to tell |
| news and sports scores.War drivingIf you haven't | | | | whether it's a real problem or just a faulty circuit, |
| heard of war driving, it is the practice of driving | | | | and you can even reset it yourself without having |
| around, locating wireless networks, and "sharing" | | | | to take the car in (make sure you know what |
| other people's bandwidth. Black-hat hackers | | | | you're doing).Get things goingA feature typically |
| sometimes use war driving simply to find | | | | sought after in colder climates.Wouldn't it be nice if |
| vulnerable networks or as a method of | | | | your vehicle sat idling, heated and defrosted, in |
| anonymity. This practice obviously requires a | | | | the morning? You can install a remote starter that |
| portable computer which leads to our next tip...Put | | | | enables you to start the car from indoors and let |
| a computer (or two) insideHow cool would it be | | | | it warm up. This is a feature typically sought after |
| to have a computer at your disposal in the car? | | | | in colder climates, but it can also be used to start |
| Many police departments now outfit their cars | | | | the A/C and cool things down.Creature |
| with a laptop computer mounted at an angle over | | | | comfortsAssuming you've got the basics covered |
| the passenger seat. Hardcore geeks will do the | | | | like power locks and A/C, there are many |
| same. Once you put one computer in your car, | | | | features that you should consider when buying a |
| why not add a file server for music and storage? | | | | new car. Heated seats, cruise control, dual-zone |
| You can fit it under the seat or in the trunk and | | | | climate control, sunroof... A geek's ride may not |
| connect it to other devices in the car via a | | | | have all the creature comforts, but if you're |
| wireless network.What do you do with a | | | | buying a new car, it only adds to the tech factor. |
| computer in your car? Bring your collection of | | | | Other cool features to look for in a new car |
| music and movies along. Connect it to OBD (see | | | | include:> Automatic tire pressure monitoring |
| below). Get online from anywhere. I can hear you | | | | > Adaptive cruise control |
| now: "Anywhere?" well, anywhere with a cell | | | | > Headlights that point in the direction of a turn |
| phone signal. Verizon has a service that enables | | | | > Backup camera |
| you to get online as much as you want for $60 a | | | | > Adjustable suspension |
| month (on top of your regular cell phone bill).Hold | | | | > Push-button start (No actual key required) |
| stillHere's a simple one. Get a grip pad to set on | | | | > Bluetooth to integrate with your phone |
| the dash or the center console. This gives you a | | | | > Side/curtain airbags |
| place to set your cell phone within easy reach. | | | | > Traction control |
| You can also set your iPod or sunglasses down. | | | | > Halogen/Xenon lightsIf your car has all these |
| The great thing is, you can usually take a corner | | | | features, well, you're probably a little too much of |
| fairly fast and your stuff won't move an | | | | a geek. But I'd sure like to check out your car |
| inch.Radar and laser detectors; jammersIf you | | | | sometime.Alex Smith is a technical consultant and |
| have a lead foot, it's worth investing in a radar | | | | web designer based in Charlotte, North Carolina. |
| detector. There are many models available from | | | | You can visit for a complete overview of his |
| $40 to $400. Make sure to get a model that can | | | | services. |
| detect K, Ka, and laser. If your chosen detector | | | | |