Safety should be at the top of your list when it comes to buying a car. Fortunately, many modern safety features have been standard for years, meaning they are easy to find in today's used cars.
9 Safety Features You Can Find on Many Used Cars
1. Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
ABS prevents the wheels from locking up during emergency braking. This helps maintain steerability, allowing drivers to maneuver around obstacles when braking hard. ABS has been a standard feature in most cars for over a decade, so even older cars are likely to have it.
2. Stability and Traction Control
Stability control helps prevent skids and regain steering control by reducing engine power or applying the brakes to individual wheels during a loss of traction. Traction control, on the other hand, prevents wheel spin during acceleration by reducing engine power or applying brakes to individual wheels. These features are standard in cars made after the mid-2000s.
3. Airbags
Front airbags have been standard for a long time, but side and curtain airbags are also common in many pre-owned vehicles. These airbags provide extra protection in the event of a side impact or rollover.
4. Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
TPMS alerts you when one or more of your tires are getting low on air. This feature has been mandatory in new cars since the late 2000s, so most pre-owned cars will have this feature.
5. Rearview Camera
Rearview cameras provide a view of the area behind the car, making reversing safer and more convenient. This feature has become increasingly common in the past decade and was made mandatory in all new cars manufactured from May 2018 onward.
6. Advanced Headlights
Better headlights can improve visibility at night, making driving safer. Look for cars with adaptive headlights that adjust the direction and range of the vehicle's lights according to the speed, steering, and elevation of the car.
7. Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
EBD distributes braking force between the front and rear brakes to maximize stopping power. Brake Assist detects emergency braking by the driver and increases braking force. These features work alongside ABS to improve vehicle control and reduce stopping distances.
8. LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) System
The LATCH system makes child seat installation easier and more secure. The system has been a standard feature in cars since 2002. If you're buying a pre-owned car and plan to transport young children, check for the presence and condition of the LATCH system.
9. Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist
Lane departure warnings alert the driver if the vehicle begins to move out of its lane without a turn signal being used. Lane-keeping assist can automatically take corrective action to gently steer the car back into its lane.
Shopping for a pre-owned car doesn't mean you have to compromise on safety. Visit Lee's Auto Sales of Fayetteville, NC, to browse our inventory.
