Why a temperature gauge is more important than heated seats The vast majority of drivers would be happy for car manufacturers to ditch optional extras in return for better basic features. Seventy-one per cent of motorists would happily give up heated seats, but most miss having two reversing lights and a temperature gauge on their cars, according to an AA poll of 21,000 members. Andy Smith, AA patrol of the year, said: "Our members tell us it's gone too far on some models and they want practical over frills. Having two reversing lights makes it easier to reverse down a dim narrow lane, for example, and a temperature gauge can help indicate when the engine is struggling, say when towing or crawling up a hill in heavy traffic. Seventy per cent said they would happily forgo an electric parking brake, 66 per cent wouldn't miss electrical adjustment on seats and 56 per cent would do without rain-sensing wipers. However, only nine per cent said they would be happy to lose their electric driver windows. Women are more willing to sacrifice their car's creature comforts than men, according to the survey. Men are less likely to part with heated seats, air-conditioning, parking sensors, electric mirrors, electric passenger windows, cruise control and a trip computer, while women place greater importance on a heated windscreen, electric parking brake, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights.