Airbags:
One of the first things you need to look at is what kind of airbags, and how many airbags come with the used vehicle you’re looking at. While all vehicles these days come with the basic front passenger and side airbags, some vehicles have more than others. And, some have modern and advanced airbag functions. For example, look for a car with head-protecting side airbags and “smart” frontal airbags. The side airbags include ones that deploy from the seat or door trim, or potentially curtain airbags that cover the side windows. The side curtain airbags are especially helpful at protecting heads from potential debris of glass. Other airbags to look out for, “smart” frontal airbags, include advanced multistage systems. These systems know when there is someone in the front passenger seat, and it can further adjust the deployment of airbags to help protect smaller occupants.
Stability control:
One very underrated safety feature is something like electronic stability control. Most modern-day cars will have this feature, but it’s something to make sure of. This system works hard to keep the vehicle from skidding out of control and staying on its intending path. For those who live in colder climates that get a lot of snow or ice, or even just for rainy days, the added security of electronic stability control can be life-changing. This system is also helpful if you’re looking at a larger used vehicle, as it can help prevent potential rollovers.
Advanced safety features:
After you’ve made sure the vehicle you are looking at has a good suite of all the basic safety features, consider looking at more advanced features. Safety technology is always progressing, and there are some incredible safety features making their way into cars these days. Something like blind-spot monitoring can be extremely effective, especially for larger vehicles that you can’t see as well out of. This system works well with lane departure warning, which helps on the highway whenever you want to change lanes, or whenever your vehicle thinks you’re drifting out of your lane. Rear cross-traffic alert is another impressive feature, which helps whenever you’re backing up, especially in the case of a cyclist or pedestrian. A rearview camera is typically found in any vehicle that’s only a few years old. But if you are looking at an older vehicle, you may want to check for this feature, it can help with parking as well as the safety of small children. Speaking of parking, if you do have issues with something like parallel parking, there are automatic parking systems! Finally, some cars are available with driver fatigue systems that can sense when you’re getting drowsy, and alert you that you are nodding off.
Find Like-New Used Cars at CMA’s Honda of Winchester
No matter what features you put on your ‘Must Have’ list, it’s always important to go into the car buying process with things that you will not compromise on. Safety should be a top priority for everyone, especially if you are looking for a family-friendly vehicle. From certified pre-owned Honda models to other top brands, check out our full selection of used cars, and start the car search today!