With each passing year, cars are becoming more advanced, thanks to cutting-edge technology and manufacturers’ commitment to enhancing safety, convenience, and user experience. Modern vehicles are now designed to tackle various seasonal challenges and lifestyle demands.
Choosing a car equipped to handle the local environment can make a significant difference for Lansing residents, who are familiar with the challenges of harsh winters. As a Robert Dolinsky attorney aptly puts it: “Driving a vehicle suitable to the climate or environmental conditions isn't just about comfort—it's also a matter of safety. Ensuring your car is equipped to handle rain, snow, or heat can mean the difference between arriving safely and facing a preventable accident.”
In the sections below, we’ll explore the must-have car features for Lansing drivers. Whether you are navigating icy roads or commuting to work, these features will ensure your time behind the wheel is safer and more comfortable. Let’s dive in.
Anyone who has experienced the discomfort of gripping an icy cold steering wheel will immediately appreciate the value of a heated steering wheel. While it adds a touch of luxury, it’s far from just an indulgence. Heated steering wheels have several practical purposes, making them a must-have for Lansing drivers.
Warm hands improve grip and dexterity, which is crucial in snowy or icy conditions where precise handling can make all the difference. Heated steering wheels eliminate the need for bulky gloves that can limit finger movement and provide a direct and comfortable driving experience.
A heated steering wheel also improves energy efficiency by providing quick, targeted warmth without excessive energy consumption. This is particularly useful on short trips or while waiting for the cabin heater to warm up. When your hands are already warm, there’s often less need to crank the cabin heater to maximum, contributing to overall energy savings.
A few Michigan winters will make you appreciate a car that heats up before you even get inside, and this is exactly what the remote start feature does. The remote start system is equally great for scorching summers as it allows you to pre-cool your car before you step in. Overall, it eliminates the wait time for the cabin to reach a comfortable temperature. Start the car remotely and preheat or pre-cool it based on the weather while you're still inside your home or office.
The remote start feature also offers significant health benefits by reducing the risk of frostbite or heat exhaustion. Children and the elderly are particularly sensitive to extreme temperatures, and remote start ensures the car is ready for them before they even step inside.
It’s worth noting that remote start functions are generally smarter and more environmentally friendly in electric vehicles(EVs). Often paired with smartphone apps, remote start in EVs allows drivers to schedule pre-conditioning and adjust cabin temperatures precisely. Since EVs don’t idle during remote start, this process is more energy-efficient and better for the environment. For environmentally conscious drivers, EVs may align well with sustainability goals.
Navigating snowy and icy roads is a reality for Lansing drivers, and all-wheel drive is an essential feature for handling these conditions. AWD improves traction and stability, especially when driving on unplowed streets or during snowstorms. It’s also beneficial in rainy or foggy conditions, helping reduce hydroplaning risk.
An AWD vehicle provides peace of mind and confidence when driving on slippery roads, making it a smart choice for drivers in Lansing and throughout Michigan.
All-Weather tires are a great option for Lansing drivers seeking convenience, safety, and reliable performance year-round. They provide improved traction in snowy and icy conditions while maintaining good performance in warmer weather.
With all-weather tires, there’s no need for seasonal tire changes, saving you time, money, and hassle. You won’t have to worry about switching between winter and summer tires twice a year. Many new cars come equipped with high-quality all-weather tires, offering excellent grip and handling for year-round driving. Pair all-wheel tires with AWD, and you can confidently tackle Michigan’s unpredictable road conditions.
If your vehicle isn’t equipped with all-weather tires, you can have them fitted easily. Just be sure to have a professional install them to ensure they’re properly mounted and balanced.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are technologies designed to enhance vehicle safety and provide a more comfortable driving experience. These systems are becoming incredibly popular in modern cars, and many manufacturers now offer them as standard or optional features for many vehicles.
Key features of ADAS include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, rearview cameras, blind spot monitoring, adaptive headlights, forward collision warnings, etc. Here's a brief overview of some common ADAS features:
Automatic Emergency Braking: Detects potential collisions and automatically applies the brakes to prevent or mitigate an impact.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): An upgrade to the traditional cruise control that's been around for a long time. ACC takes things further by adjusting speed based on traffic conditions and automatically slowing down or speeding up to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead.
Rear View Cameras: These cameras provide a clear view of what's behind the vehicle, making parking and reversing safer by helping drivers avoid obstacles and collisions.
Blind Spot Monitoring: This system alerts drivers when there’s a vehicle in their blind spot, helping to prevent accidents during lane changes.
Adaptive Headlights: Designed to adjust their direction and range based on the car's speed, steering angle, and elevation, providing better road illumination during turns or at higher speeds.
Forward Collision Warnings: This system detects potential collisions with objects or vehicles ahead and warns the driver to take action, preventing accidents by alerting the driver early.
As you can see, ADAS brings a more enjoyable and less stressful driving experience, making it an important feature to prioritize in a car.
Real-time updates ensure the navigation system provides the most current information about road conditions, traffic, and detours. This allows drivers to make timely decisions about the best routes, avoiding unexpected delays and improving overall travel efficiency. Drivers can also get the estimated arrival time (ETA) based on current traffic conditions, providing a more accurate prediction.
For drivers in unfamiliar locations, a navigation system with real-time updates can help guide them confidently and prevent them from getting lost and encountering unexpected hazards.
Conclusion
From heated steering wheels and remote start systems to all-wheel drive and advanced driver assistance systems, modern vehicles are more equipped than ever to handle the challenges of local roads. Investing in these features ensures a smoother, safer, and more efficient driving experience, allowing drivers to navigate Lansing’s diverse conditions with confidence.
Support City Pulse - Donate Today!
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here