| We don't have flying cars yet, but super | | | | tilting up or down, the steering wheel can be |
| expensive luxury and sports cars can already | | | | pulled closer to you, or pushed further away, |
| park themselves, adjust the window tint, or | | | | allowing increased comfort, especially on |
| automatically slam the brakes to prevent an | | | | long trips. In some luxury models, this is a |
| accident. While those options haven't | | | | power option and can be set as part of your |
| filtered down to the majority of vehicles | | | | memory seat system. |
| yet, here are some amazing car features in | | | | |
| ordinary vehicles that keep you safe, make | | | | Advanced Airbag Systems: Once upon a time, |
| driving easier, or are just plain cool. | | | | cars didn't even have seat belts. Now |
| | | | intuitive safety systems use body panel |
| Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Controls: This | | | | sensors to determine where an impact comes |
| "safety feature" is a must have for music | | | | from, how severe the accident is, and uses |
| lovers. Most systems will let you adjust the | | | | this information to deploy the proper airbags |
| volume, CD track, change CDs, or switch | | | | at a rate proportionate to the force of the |
| between different CD and radio without taking | | | | accident, occupant weight, and seat position. |
| your hands off the wheel, making enjoying | | | | |
| your music nearly effortless. | | | | Stability Control Systems: Taking traction |
| | | | control one step further, these systems |
| Intelligent key: This is a type of remote | | | | monitor individual wheel speed and direction, |
| keyless entry that allows you to enter your | | | | as well as driver input, to determine if |
| vehicle and start it without taking it out of | | | | control is ever lost, and can increase or |
| your pocket. Some of these systems also have | | | | decrease power to individual wheels to help |
| a sleek push button start. | | | | the driver maintain control. These systems |
| | | | are so effective that they will eliminate any |
| Touch Screen GPS: Not only will these | | | | loss of traction, even full throttle |
| systems guide you through unfamiliar terrain, | | | | acceleration in rear wheel drive, 300+ |
| the touch screen makes them incredibly easy | | | | horsepower vehicles on gravel or mud. |
| to operate. | | | | |
| | | | Adaptive Cruise Control: This technology |
| Memory Seats: This feature allows you to | | | | allows the car to slow down or speed up in |
| save two different settings for the driver's | | | | relation to surrounding traffic. |
| seat, so if someone else drives your vehicle, | | | | |
| just press a button and it returns to your | | | | Bluetooth: Talk hands free on your cell |
| saved setting. Some models even link the | | | | phone using your vehicle's speakers and a |
| setting to each key, and will adjust | | | | hidden microphone. Unlike other systems, it |
| automatically. | | | | uses your cell phone minutes instead of |
| | | | requiring an additional service. |
| Heated and Cooled Seats: Leather has always | | | | |
| had a reputation for being cold in the winter | | | | Most of these options aren't standard in |
| and hot in the summer, but with heated and | | | | economy cars yet, but they may be soon. Side |
| cooled seats, drivers' bottoms will be | | | | air bags are standard equipment in many cars, |
| comfortable in any season. | | | | and all these features can be found in |
| | | | vehicles less than $35,000, and most in |
| Telescopic Steering Column: In addition to | | | | vehicles around $20,000 to $25,000. |