7 Interesting Car Features You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Cars have come a long way since their inception over a century ago. Nowadays, they are equipped with a plethora of advanced technologies and features that make driving safer and more convenient.

While most of us are familiar with basic features like air conditioning, power windows, and GPS navigation, there are several innovative car features that you may not have heard of.

In this article, we will explore seven interesting car features that you may not be aware of.

Heads-Up Display (HUD)

A Heads-Up Display (HUD) is a feature that displays essential information on the windshield, eliminating the need for drivers to look down at the dashboard. This technology was initially developed for fighter planes, but it has since been incorporated into cars.

The information displayed on the HUD includes speed, navigation directions, and incoming calls, among others. HUDs are especially helpful at night since they reduce the need for drivers to take their eyes off the road.

Gesture Control

Gesture control is a feature that allows drivers to control certain functions in the car by using hand gestures. For instance, a driver can adjust the volume of the music system by making a clockwise or anticlockwise motion with their hand.

Gesture control is particularly useful when driving on bumpy roads, where pressing buttons may be challenging. However, this technology is still in its infancy, and its accuracy may vary from one car model to another.

Night Vision

Driving at night can be challenging, even for experienced drivers. This is where night vision comes in. Night vision is a feature that uses infrared technology to detect objects on the road that are beyond the range of the headlights.

The system displays the images on a screen in the dashboard, allowing drivers to see obstacles and pedestrians that may not be visible to the naked eye.

Adaptive Cruise Control

Adaptive cruise control is a feature that uses sensors and cameras to maintain a safe distance between the car and the vehicle in front. The system automatically adjusts the speed of the car to match that of the car in front, and it can also bring the car to a complete stop if necessary.

Adaptive cruise control is quite useful in heavy traffic since it reduces the need for drivers to keep accelerating and decelerating. If you drive a Ford F-150, it might be best to check the 2021 F-150 owner’s manual to see all of its features.

Lane Departure Warning

Lane departure warning is a feature that alerts drivers when they are veering out of their lane without signaling. The system uses cameras to detect the lane markings on the road, and it gives an audible and visual warning when the car is about to leave the lane.

Lane departure warning helps drivers who may be fatigued or distracted, reducing the risk of accidents.

Active Park Assist

Parallel parking can be a daunting task, even for experienced drivers. Active Park assist is a feature that takes the hassle out of parking by automatically steering the car into a parking space.

The driver only needs to control the accelerator and brake pedals, while the car handles the steering. Active Park assist is helpful in urban areas where parking spaces are limited.

Blind Spot Detection

Blind spot detection is a feature that alerts drivers when there is a vehicle in their blind spot. The system uses sensors to detect the presence of other cars in the blind spot and gives an audible and visual warning when it is unsafe to change lanes.

Blind spot detection is especially useful on highways and other multi-lane roads, reducing the risk of accidents.