9 car safety features that could save your life

Basic features in a car can save lives. Take seat belt as an example - a simple but is probably the most essential part of the vehicle.

As technology advances, automakers are bringing in more complex mechanism to make the cars safer. Today, car manufacturers use sensors and cameras to stop collisions and even keep the cars in their respective lanes.

Let’s take a look the hi-tech safety features that are today available in cars.

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Electronic Stability Control Systems (ESCS)

Electronic Stability Control, also known as Electronic Stability Program or Dynamic Stability Control, improves vehicle stability.

In this system, a driver’s intended path is monitored by sensors. If the car goes off the intended path, the sensors prevent the car from sliding or spinning out of control. The system automatically applies brakes. Some systems also reduce engine power until control is regained.

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Antilock Braking System (ABS)

ABS assists the braking system and controls the braking power delivered to the wheels. During emergency braking, it doesn't allow the wheels to lock suddenly, and thereby stops the vehicle from skidding.

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Airbags

Airbags work as a passive safety feature in a vehicle. In case of an accident, the air bags become active and inflate. This provide cushioning to your body to prevents injuries.

Though the front airbags are standard, some manufacturers give additional airbags on the side for extra safety.

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Pedestrian safety design

This technology helps in reducing pedestrian accidents in case they collide with the car. This is achieved by designing cars in such a way that the pedestrian is pushed up onto the car in case of a collision, thereby reducing chances of injury.

These days, automakers also use energy-absorbing material for bumper, bonnet, and the windshield to provide further safety. The softer material, however, does not compromise the structural integrity of the car.

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Lane Departure Warning System

This technology helps the drivers by warning them in case their car is about to move out of lane.

In this system, a computer identifies the lines on the road with the help of a camera, which is mounted in the front fascia of the vehicle or near the rear view mirror.

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Continuously Variable Transmission

The transmission that does not have any fixed gears is called CVT or Continuously Variable Transmission.

Conventional transmissions (both manual and automatic) consists of defined set of gear ratios or speeds. Due to this, we call them as ‘6-speed manual transmission" or a "6-speed automatic."

In these we need to shift from one gear to the next to increase or decrease speed.

In CVT, however, the speed can increase or decrease without any effect on the engine as there are no gears.

It means, in such a transmission, a vehicle can move from second to fifth gear with any effect on the engine and vice versa. CVT helps in achieving maximum efficiency of the engine by allowing it to operate at an optimal speed.

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Driving on clean diesel

Though not popular in countries like India, many countries have opted for diesel that has substantially lowe sulphur content. Such fuel is known as Ultra-low-sulphur diesel or ULSD.

ULSD helps to curb emission in diesel vehicles, thereby lowering pollution. The mileage of the vehicle, however, drops with the usage of this fuel, as it loses energy content while refining.

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Collision Avoidance Systems

Collision Avoidance systems is part of adaptive cruise control, which helps to avoid collisions.

The technology uses radar to keep a check on the vehicles ahead, and decreases the speed automatically by autonomous braking and by reducing the throttle.

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Modern automatic transmissions

Modern automatic transmissions are quite different than the older ones mechanically. As a result, the newer systems result in giving better mileage. The automatic transmissions today are controlled by intelligent systems (read computers) that shift gears more efficiently.

This newer automatic transmissions have more gears compared to older technology. This means, the newer transmissions are better able to match the engine's torque and power curve with what's needed while driving.

They are more efficient because the computer shifts gears at the right rpm (revolutions per minute), resulting in better mileage.

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