When you find yourself habitually driving in snow and other wintery conditions, there is a combination of features to look for when you are searching for a new vehicle (Especially if you live in Northern Ontario). With the right combination of safety features and components, even an inexperienced driver will have no trouble driving in the snow. Similarly, these features can assist experienced drivers to have a safer journey regardless if they're driving a sedan, an SUV, or a pickup truck.
Ultimately, the driver will be the key factor when driving in tough winter conditions. The less experience a driver has with tackling snow- or ice-covered roads, the more critical specific components, technologies, and systems designed to aid a driver in foul weather become. We're outlining some key winter safety features you should look for when you're evaluating new vehicles.
Top Vehicle Safety Features for Driving in the Snow
Adaptive Headlights: A great feature for any vehicle driving in snowy conditions is Adaptive headlights, which primarily come in two different forms. The first form will rotate the headlights to light the area in which the steering wheel gets turned. The second version uses cornering lights which are mounted slightly to the side of the main headlights and illuminate the appropriate direction when you turn the steering wheel to the left or right.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) and Stability Control: These features work hand in hand to detect when a vehicle makes a sideways slide and then apply braking to whichever wheel or wheels will help to bring the slide under control.
Automatic High Beams: When engaged, Auto High Beams will switch on whenever the vehicle's headlights come on. A sensor in the headlight then detects headlights or taillights and switches off the high beams automatically.
Blind-Spot Monitoring: Driving in heavy snow can be tricky. Blind-Spot sensors (usually installed on a vehicle's side mirrors) have the ability to do just that, detect vehicles that you may not be able to see in your blind spots. This can help prevent a driver from swerving into a lane that's already occupied. One of the most common ways to lose control on a slippery road is to make a sudden steering adjustment to avoid a vehicle that you might not have noticed in a neighboring lane.
Forward Collision Warning and Emergency Braking: This Technology uses a combination of cameras, sensors, and lasers to detect hazards, which can include stopped vehicles on the road. It will then employ the anti-lock braking (ABS) system to stop the vehicle.
Headlight Washers and Wipers: These wipers/washers are mounted on a vehicle's headlights and help to clear snow and road salt from the lights to deliver better illumination.
Heated Mirrors: This feature helps melt ice and snow on the side mirrors of a vehicle before or during a drive.
Heated Windshield and Wipers: Neither of these is a common feature on a vehicle, but both will help save the driver time and energy when snow falls or ice forms.
LED Headlights and Taillights: These types of lights are brighter than standard halogen ones. With LEDs, you have the ability to see farther ahead, and traffic driving behind you will be able to see your taillights sooner.
Rain-Sensing Wipers: These wipers will automatically engage when the system detects moisture on the windshield, including snow.
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: This safety feature warns of approaching traffic from either side of your vehicle when you are in reverse. Parking Lot collisions will commonly occur when one vehicle backs into another or into its path. During slippery conditions, coming to a complete stop becomes even more difficult, which is why this feature becomes very useful.
Looking for a Vehicle with some or all of these Safety Features? Check out what we have on our lot that might make a perfect match... http://bit.ly/3wPen06
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