Indy-Cator rolls out LCD-equipped shift knob

Those looking to turn their car into an updated version of K.I.T.T. may want to give Indy-Cator's latest creation some consideration, which manages to spice up an otherwise ordinary shift knob by outfitting it with a built-in LCD. In addition to adding that touch of excess, the knob supposedly "increases driving safety" and even "helps reduce fuel consumption by up to 15 percent," apparently by helping to adapt your driving style. If that sounds like the shift knob you've been waiting for, you can get one of these now in your choice of red or blue for $169.

[Via Autoblog]

[kingofwale @ Apr 28th 2007 2:27PM]

why stop at just 'increasing safety' and 'improving fuel consumption'??

why not also add "it will guarantee you getting laid" and "promoting at work"


Seriously, how would that thing increase safety? if anything, it will distract you from looking at the road ahead.

[Matt @ Apr 28th 2007 2:28PM]

Order placed for the red one. It's gonna look SO awesome in my Mazda 3 SP23.

[Matt @ Apr 28th 2007 2:35PM]

Also, please note that if you follow the "Read" link above, you will not be able to add the item to your shopping cart.

If you plan to buy one, do the following:

1. Go to http://www.tmtuning.com/vw/
2. In the left-side list, click "Interior".
3. To the right of that, click "Shift & E-brake".
4. The Indy-Cator knob is in the very top-left of the items that appear.

Now, when you click the little cart icon, the window in the backround will update to show 1 item in cart. Without that main window, you can't add to the cart.

[brett @ Apr 28th 2007 2:49PM]

Wow, this thing really fills a need. Now i'll know what gear I'm in by looking at my gearshift...

[warren.colbert @ Apr 28th 2007 3:19PM]

Man, i was thinking the same thing. Great product...

[zack_s_moore @ Apr 28th 2007 3:19PM]

if you have to look at your gearshift to know what gear you're in, you need to spend more time learning your car's sounds & feel.

[McGinley @ Apr 28th 2007 3:23PM]

Cars are for geeks...

Go segway!

[Big @ Apr 28th 2007 3:32PM]

I like this alot.
When do we get LED screens for our steerring wheels?

[Paul @ Apr 28th 2007 3:39PM]

I want an LCD on my airbag so that when it gets deployed it can let me know fun facts about the impact, like collision speed, amount of force etc, how many windows broke etc...

[brett @ Apr 28th 2007 3:47PM]

uh, yeah. to those who are confused, my first comment was sarcasm.

[ethana2 @ Apr 28th 2007 4:43PM]

Why do these idiot humans insist on using their own brains to pilot massive vehicles?

Makes me sad. Lay off cars for a while. We have the internet and the postal service. And quit sending letters through the postal service, too. It is for shipping stuff bought online. Society is too slow at adapting to huge leaps in technology.

At least people are realizing they need their driving skills augmented. It's a start, with cruise control, traction control, etc. Perhaps we will continue to improve in this respect. [e-mail]

[Kevlar @ Apr 28th 2007 5:32PM]

ethana2: Leave the 'idiot humans' alone ethana. Let them develop at their own pace, and I'm sure they will eventually achieve something grand.

[McGinley @ Apr 28th 2007 5:17PM]

This thing wont increase any functionality,but it looks great,and it does the same thing that any gearstick does right now.

I like it.

[Meltz; @ Apr 28th 2007 5:19PM]

Hey that's pretty sick lookin

[benjamin @ Apr 28th 2007 7:01PM]

are there really drivers out there that are that stoned they forget what gear they just changed into?,, dont hondas already have that info on their gauge clusters? or is that only the earlier models,, either way,, it shows a lack of need for this toy, whats next will they make it flash in time with the stereo?
(anyway,, arnt most cars autos now?)

[fearless_fx @ Apr 28th 2007 7:32PM]

iKnob, anyone?

[ian16 @ Apr 28th 2007 9:22PM]

the only hondas that have something to let u know wat gear you are in are the automatic transmission cars. but now a days if ur driving a stick u should know wat gear ur in. seems like something fun i'd consider buying it.

[Guy @ Apr 29th 2007 2:01AM]

Not sure why this hasn't been said yet but, how can you read the display if your hand is covering it??? I don't know anyone that drives a stick that constantly takes their hand off the thing to look at it. Cute nonfunctional idea though, just sell it for what it is.

[Vinay @ Apr 29th 2007 3:55AM]

Such a stupid idea. If the gearshift is going to indicate which gear it is on, then what about the, umm, more important diagram of where the other gear positions lie?

I'm guessing this was invented by someone not used to a stick-shift.

[Simon HL @ Apr 29th 2007 8:45AM]

Next up, to improve driving safety even more, the gas pedal that shows you how fast you're driving, just by removing your foot and staring down between your legs.

[Matt @ Apr 29th 2007 12:04PM]

Damn, all the hate amazes me. It's just a cool add-on, plain and simple. Anyone who gets in the car and sees this thing is gonna love it. It's tasteful, well-designed, and dims itself in the dark. Lighten up, people.

Of COURSE you can tell what gear you're in by its position or a glance at the tach. Aside from its "tell you when to shift to save fuel" feature (which most of us would turn off) it's there to look awesome. And look awesome it does.

Also, it's an easy mod for those looking to have some fun with their car... usually getting under the shift boot is pretty simple, and this could be a good foray into modding for a novice.

[benjamin @ Apr 29th 2007 1:35PM]

is it really that simple to install? . asides,, really saving gas? how long would it take for the average driver (that is clever enough to know what gear he is in) to recoup the 169$ price tag?
tasteful? really? or is that the opinion of the sort of person who likes neons lining the floorpan also?

if i ever hop in a friends car & see that,, i would firstly smash it with a hammer, then remove what is left & throw it in the nearest vat of stupid-toy eating acid,, if it were a strangers car,, i would be polite enough to keep my mouth shut while accepting the ride, then laugh at them afterwards.

it wont be long until this overpriced novelty item will be in the workshop junk pile along with other bad ideas like fluffy dice, & those funny wobbly head dogs, your grandma used to have on the parcel tray

[Matt @ Apr 29th 2007 2:00PM]

Yes, the install is very simple in my car, much simpler than the short-throw shift I installed a few months ago.

Nobody buying this should be interested in the "fuel savings". Also, nobody should be buying it as a driving aid of any kind. Most importantly, nobody should be buying this if they don't have $169 to spend on the wow factor. Maybe it doesn't wow you, but it does most people. I'll be sure to cover it up if I ever get a snob like you in my car.

You're entitled to your opinion, and you're certainly right about neon in the footwells, or ground effects. Subjectivity aside, this accessory is CERTAINLY much more tasteful than either of those. I'm also entitled to my opinion, which is that you need to grow up. Very creative use of punctuation, though.

[bryan_oliveri @ May 26th 2009 2:14AM]

would it fit my 2000 mustang?

[benjamin @ Apr 30th 2007 5:26AM]

snob? hmpf! well to call me a snob implied that i am of class, & dont like toys of a lower class :) so, thanx.

in your opinion,, me, grow up? ahhh, well thats fair,, i remember my peers telling me the same thing 5 - 10 years ago when i did think neons were cool,,, (oh how stupid do i feel admitting that now) be interested to know if you keep this toy & transplant it from car to car until one day you own that ferrari(or equiv) .....

[KC @ Apr 30th 2007 4:46AM]

I'd like to get the same knob for my door to tell me if the door is opened or closed. Now that would be a better idea.

[Mux @ Apr 30th 2007 5:57AM]

I can't still understand how it works... if you have a manual gear shift, YOU decide the right gear, with your hand and foot, how can this knob knows which gear is in ???
If anyone knows please tell me! Thanks!

[Sean @ Feb 21st 2009 6:45PM]

Yeah, benjamin. If you ever broke anything in my car because you disapproved I would punch you in the face while kicking you out of my car. Why would you break something of your friend's on purpose? you're a douchebag