The Best Optional Extras to Consider when Buying a New Car

When you buy a car, you’re offered a bunch of options. Everything from upgraded sound systems to heated seats are on offer. You can do without some of them, but the rest go a long way in terms of safety and convenience. Here are five options and features you shouldn’t pass up.

Get a bird’s eye view of your surroundings
Backup cameras have been standard since 2018 and go a long way in helping you see what’s behind you when you’re moving in reverse. There’s an even better way to see what’s happening around you, which covers all sides of your car, however.
Bird’s eye (or surround view) systems mount an array of cameras around your car, including bumpers, side view mirrors, trunk/tailgate and grille. Together, they stitch an artificial 360-degree view of your surroundings above your vehicle.
This is great for parallel parking or easing your car out or into tight spaces. With some systems, you’ll even get visual guidelines showing your car’s current orientation and its expected path of travel based on the steering wheel angle.

Blind spot monitoring
Blind spot monitoring systems use sensors around to alert you of a car or other object on the sides and rear of your car. You may see a little light appear in your side mirror or hear an alert if someone is in your blind spot.
This is especially useful when merging onto the freeway or changing lanes. It could save you from colliding with another vehicle.

Automatic braking
An automatic braking system can prevent a collision with another vehicle, person or object and is an essential part of modern safety technology. It reduces speed or stops your vehicle entirely if need be.
A series of sensors, including radar, video, infrared or ultrasonic, scan for objects in front of the vehicle and apply the brakes automatically. In some cars, it works in reverse as well. Let’s say you’re backing out of a parking spot at a supermarket. Someone with a shopping cart walks behind your vehicle. If you have automatic braking, your car will stop on its own and avoid hitting the person.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Car companies don’t invest as much time and money into their navigation systems as Apple and Google do. If you love your Waze, Apple Maps, or Google Maps apps, the easiest way to integrate them into your car is with Apple Car- Play or Android Auto.
You get an interface between your phone and car that gives you access to your phone’s apps on your car’s infotainment screen. Your phone essentially becomes one with your vehicle, and you can control it using your steering wheel buttons and car microphone.
Aside from using your favorite navigation app, you’ll have access to music and podcast apps, your smart assistant, messenger apps, and more. You won’t be able to use anything too distracting, such as mobile games.

Automatic start/stop technology
It may feel strange for your automobile to shut off and then restart its engine whenever you come to a complete stop, but this feature has one significant benefit, especially considering the current gas prices.
AAA conducted a study in 2014 and concluded that start/stop technology could save up to 7% in fuel costs, or $179 per year. The test was based on driving 15,000 miles a year in a vehicle that averages 20 MPG with fuel prices of $3.65. This number comes closer to $250 saved per year by today’s prices and accounting for inflation.
In full-size trucks, saving just a couple of MPG make a big difference compared to more fuel-efficient cars, bringing savings even higher.