Car Accessories

Part of the great fun in buying a new car is in choosing from all of the different accessories and features that can come with your new car model and getting to try them out. Many of the new car models coming out today have some impressive safety features and "toy features" designed to make the car a much more safe and enjoyable experience for the driver and the passengers. If you don't keep your wits about you, though and do a little research before going onto the lot to buy your car, you run the risk of ending up looking more like a kid in a candy store - and coming home with the subsequent bellyache.

To help prepare you for some of the fun and frills of car features, here's a quick run down on what you might expect to find and how these "toys" and gadgets work, so you can decide on the ones that are right for you before you buy.

Safety Features:

Rearview cameras: Becoming more popular in new luxury vehicles, rearview cameras have the ability to show the driver what is behind their car without the driver having to turn their head. Mainly used to check the lower spaces that a rearview mirror might miss, this technology has already saved the lives of children who might otherwise have been backed over accidentally.
Proximity alerts: Proximity alerts are capable of notifying a driver if they are drifting into or lane changing into a lane where another car might be in your blind spot. Also helpful for those who drive long distances and may sometimes have the habit of dozing off at the wheel, these advanced sensors are getting to the place where they will be able to tell by your eyes, the lilt of your head and even your breathing patterns that you have possibly fallen asleep and alert you through various methods if you start to drift out of your lane.
Side airbags: With front airbags for passengers and drivers being standard equipment on all vehicles, the side airbags are gaining significant ground and being offered in more and more cars to add extra protection against a side impact accident. It is only a matter of time before this safety feature becomes standard and mandatory on all new U.S. automobiles.
Adaptive headlights: Adaptive headlights are "smart" headlights that grow brighter or dimmer depending on the lighting conditions and the road ahead. Streets that are well lit-will automatically cause the headlights to dim slightly, while streets that are poorly light or those long, windy country roads will cause the headlights to grow significantly brighter. These adaptive headlights can also change their beam shape and location so that they move to follow the curve of the road if necessary.

Gadgets and Gizmos

Navigators and GPS locators: Though this feature has had trouble in some recent years with gaining in popularity due to the continued high investment price, the navigator features and GPS locators can be a fun tool to have if you tend to take trips in your car very often. Don't be swayed by the fancy commercials for these vehicles, however, if you generally only use your car for the daily commute. You aren't likely to need directions more than once or twice a year and this expense may not be worth it.
OnStar: OnStar is a service that comes standard on most GM vehicles for free for one year. A comprehensive service that also uses GPS locators, OnStar provides its customers with a one-button link to a customer service representative who may be able to help unlock your car doors if you accidently lock your keys in the car, call for assistance if you are involved in an accident, or help you get from one place to another if you find yourself lost. Keep in mind that OnStar has a monthly fee associated with it, so while you may fall in love with it your first year out the door, you're going to have to start paying for it once that year is up unless you manage to work additional time into the negotiations with the salesperson.
Advanced stereo systems: XML radios IPod jacks, advanced MP3 players, CD changers and now, even DVD and Blue Ray players for the kids in the back, these toys can add significant enjoyment to your entire driving experience.
Keyless entry systems:The ability to enter your car without using your keys has been around for awhile but the technology is becoming even more sophisticated than it has been. Some cars will open now at your approach rather than needing you to press a button on a key fob. Others may start the car for you, turning on the heater or air conditioner in advance of your arrival.