A large portion of the new car purchase process is evaluating the pros and cons and prices of various vehicles finding out which features are considered standard equipment and are included with the purchase of each vehicle and which options are available and worth investing in. It is not wise to not get too caught up in the comfort and convenience features and completely overlook the safety features of the vehicles. Seatbelts are in all new vehicles, easy to understand and use and they are very effective. However, in order to be protected, seatbelts and any of their advanced safety features are only effective if all occupants are buckled up. Seatbelts clearly present a simple opportunity to all occupants of the vehicle to protect their own lives. With that in mind there are some other common safety features that might not be so visually apparent or comprehensible regarding the safety benefits they provide to you and your passengers. Included among these more obscure features are antilock brakes, brake assist and traction control.
Antilock Brakes, often abbreviated on vehicle spec sheets to ABS, utilize sensors that determine the speed of the wheel and transmit that information to an integrated computer system that synchronizes the braking process. The anti-lock braking system aboard the new Honda Accord affords the driver a level of control making the driving experience all the more enjoyable. The ABS system senses when you step down hard on the break pedal, in most cases to avoid an accident, and will coordinate the rapid pulsation of the brakes between the on and off positions which prevents the wheels from locking up. Without ABS, when the brake pedal is hit hard there is a immense probability that the vehicle will continue to forge ahead with the wheels, locked in the braked position, dragging along, often causing the vehicle to slide sideways. This problem is intensified because you will also be unable to steer the car. This is especially common on slick paved roads. Because antilock brakes are so effective at accomplishing their safety purpose, you should seriously consider the life saving potential of by making sure any vehicle you purchase has antilock brakes.
Brake Assist, or BAS, works in conjunction with anti lock brakes. Using computerized sensors, brake assist senses the speed at which the brake pedal is depressed and engages the antilock brake system and the maximum amount of braking power is applied. Antilock brakes are activated based on how hard the driver steps down on the brake pedal. Some drivers unintentionally do not step down on the brake soon enough or hard enough. Brake Assist was designed to bridge this gap by essentially monitoring and reporting the level of the driver's state of panic - how quickly they depress, not how far down they push the brake pedal. Break assist was the safety feature brainchild of Mercedes-Benz and is only available from a limited number of manufacturer's at this time and typically is part of the standard equipment package if it is available, which makes it virtually free which makes it worthwhile. If it is only available as an additional option on the vehicle you intend to purchase, there are generally more worthy safety features to look for and if necessary, invest your money in.
Traction Control is one such feature that is worthy of investment on any car you intend to purchase. It works in conjunction with the antilock brake system but performs a different, and arguably a more important one. There are generally two different types of traction control systems-low speed and all speed. Low speed traction control is connected to the vehicles anti lock brake system. If the traction control system detects one wheel slipping, it will electronically send a command to the antilock brake system to apply brake pressure to only the slipping wheel. This limits the wheel spin and sends the power to another wheel which will stop the wheel from spinning, thus enabling all wheels to have maximum traction while the vehicle is being driven. All speed traction control works with both the antilock brake system and the powertrain. When the vehicle is traveling at high speeds on slippery roadways, computers and electronic sensors will, as determined necessary by the system, send signals to the anti lock brake system, engine and/or transmission to apply brake pressure, reduce the engine's throttle, and/or adjust the transmissions current gear position. Traction control can reduce the chances of losing control of the vehicle or getting stuck during inclement roadway weather related conditions. All speed traction control is definitely an option worth investing in, but both low speed and all speed are both proven to be very effective and worthwhile safety features that should be a component of any new vehicle you purchase
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