Distressing: A reduced driver-vehicle connection

There was a time when backyard mechanics could plunge confidently into the workings of their automobiles. In doing so, these people forged a connection with their cars that went beyond simply relying upon it for the daily commute.

Those days are all but gone. Today's cars are laced with technology that resists shade-tree overhauls, which reduces the number of people who are willing to spend a Saturday afternoon exploring their car -- and building that connection.

When autonomous cars become standard, and drivers do not personally maintain nor steer their vehicles, expect that connection to grow fainter still.