Guide and tips
Navigation system, parking aid or heated seats: modern cars offer numerous extras that can increase comfort and safety. However, not every optional extra pays off in the long term. In our guide, you can find out which equipment features really make sense, what you should look out for when buying a car and which extras also play a role when reselling.
The driver assistance systems are installed as standard functions in every new car, which increases the price of the vehicle. Small cars in particular are affected by this, as they are not yet equipped with these systems as standard. Without these systems, vehicles will not receive type approval in the EU. The regulation aims to reduce the number of road accidents and increase road safety.
From 2022, this regulation will initially apply to newly developed vehicles, but from 7 July 2024 at the latest, all new vehicles must be equipped with the additional systems. These driver assistance systems will become mandatory in order to improve road safety.
But what can these systems do and how do they work? We take a closer look at the mandatory driver assistance systems.
Controlled by the indicator and steering wheel angle, the cornering light illuminates dark areas at the edge of the road and junctions and ensures a better field of vision. This is intended to protect pedestrians in particular, who can otherwise be easily overlooked.
It automatically helps the driver to maintain the desired distance from the vehicle in front and sends a warning signal if the vehicle is travelling too close. In conjunction with the brake assistant, the optimum braking force is calculated and then applied in an emergency. Rear-end collisions can thus be reduced by more than 50 per cent.
With adaptive cruise control, the position and speed of the vehicle in front are determined by a sensor and the speed and distance of the following vehicle equipped with this system are adaptively controlled with engine and brake intervention (longitudinal control). Adaptive cruise control systems are mostly used in vehicles with automatic transmissions, as the gear changes are carried out automatically by the transmission. With manual gearboxes, the driver is prompted to change gear by a flashing display.
Additional brake light that provides a special warning to following traffic in the event of heavy braking and emergency braking by lighting up several times per second. If the vehicle comes to a standstill, it lights up permanently and activates the hazard warning lights
Switches the high beam on and off automatically and illuminates the road optimally. If the system recognises the headlights of oncoming vehicles with the help of the camera sensor, it dips the headlights immediately. The system also reacts to the ambient lighting in built-up areas. Thanks to an "intelligent camera", the adaptive high beam assistant is even able to regulate the headlight range so that the cut-off line is below the bumper of the next vehicle. And at a distance of up to 300 metres! In the event of sudden changes in light, smooth transitions are also created to make it easier for the driver's eye to adapt.
Unlike the cornering light, which is switched on, the dynamic bend lighting allows the bi-xenon modules of the lighting system to swivel and thus illuminate bends up to 25 metres further.
Distributes the drive power in stages and electronically controlled to four wheels, which is particularly advantageous in wet, snowy and icy conditions. Starting off in adverse conditions is also made easier.
Nowadays, this is standard equipment. It prevents the wheels from locking in the event of emergency braking so that the car can still be steered. It also makes it easier to stay in lane on slippery roads. As a rule, ABS is electronically linked to the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).
Microsleep can be fatal - a quarter of all serious accidents on motorways are caused by drowsy drivers. The attention assistant detects driver fatigue both by video monitoring of the eyes and by electronically recognising steering behaviour. Tired drivers often make small driving errors and then try to correct them abruptly. The display then advises the driver to take a break, for example by lighting up a coffee cup. If the driver falls into a microsleep anyway, a mechanical warning (e.g. seatbelt jiggling) or an acoustic signal is emitted.
As soon as the driver abruptly presses the brake pedal, the system recognises a hazardous situation and supports immediate braking by increasing the brake pressure at lightning speed and thus generating maximum braking effect. Mandatory for cars and light commercial vehicles since the end of 2009.
Signals to the driver whether a parking space is large enough and - if required - takes over parking. The assistant automatically steers the car into the free parking bay. All the driver has to do is accelerate and brake. Tedious cranking is now a thing of the past.
Sensors at the rear and on the side warn of close proximity to obstacles. Some parking aids are also equipped with a mini camera. Lines in the image show which area you are heading for - depending on how you have turned the steering wheel.
If the vehicle threatens to skid, the ESP brakes individual wheels in a targeted manner and thus keeps the car on course. ESP also prevents the wheels from spinning if the car starts off too quickly. In addition to the vehicle controller, which counteracts skidding, the ESP system always includes an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and traction control (ASR).
Helps the driver to comply with the recommended legal speed limit. Either a camera behind the windscreen recognises the speed limits on signs or the vehicle's location is determined via GPS (satellite navigation) to inform the driver what speed applies on the route. This is then shown to the driver in the display or speedometer. Depending on the settings, the systems also issue a warning message to the driver if a speed limit is exceeded.
In the event of an accident, prepares the vehicle occupants for the impending collision by tightening the seat belt and positioning the seats upright. Some manufacturers now offer this system as standard.
Regulates the temperature and purifies the air, thus ensuring a more pleasant climate in the car. This is not only comfortable, but also has a safety aspect. At the height of summer, the driver keeps a cool head and in autumn and winter, the air conditioning keeps the windows free of damp condensation. Air conditioning is now standard equipment even in small cars.
Whether smartphones, tablets, USB sticks, MP3 players and other external audio devices can be used in the car depends on the appropriate access. Standardised interfaces are already standard. Many on-board systems also have wireless Bluetooth connections.
Navigates the driver to the desired destination by voice control and map using GPS. Warns of traffic obstructions due to accidents or traffic jams. Calculates the estimated time required to reach the destination, taking into account the current traffic situation. As a general rule, destinations should not be entered while driving. Good systems are therefore already equipped with voice control.
Autonomous emergency braking systems use radar or laser sensors to recognise whether an accident is imminent. The system, which co-operates with the distance assistant, first warns the driver visually and acoustically if the distance is too short, then by applying partial braking. If there is no reaction, emergency braking is initiated automatically. Even if a collision can no longer be prevented, the emergency brake assist reduces the collision speed and therefore the force of the collision. Emergency Brake Assist is often coupled with an occupant protection system. According to studies, 38 per cent of all rear-end collisions could be prevented by the system.
In the event of an accident, an emergency call is sent and the coordinates of the accident location are transmitted directly to an emergency call centre. At the same time, a voice connection is established. The system, which has had to be installed in all new cars since spring 2018, can be triggered both automatically and manually. This means that witnesses to a serious accident in their car can also trigger the emergency call at the touch of a button.
Probes the amount of rain on the windscreen using infrared measurement and adjusts the wiper speed accordingly.
More than half of all collisions are rear-end collisions, which often result in dangerous cervical spine injuries. The system integrated into the front seats counteracts this by distributing the forces generated in a rear-end collision over the entire back up to the head and reducing head movement in relation to the upper body.
Heats the driver's seat and front passenger seat and is usually adjustable in several stages. Can also be booked for the rear seats in luxury cars. Even if the air in the vehicle has not yet warmed up, the seat heating already provides pleasant warmth.
A camera or infrared sensors are used to determine lane markings such as centre or verge markings and compare them with the car's lane. If the distance to the lane markings is not maintained, a small motor in the steering wheel or seatbelt generates vibrations and alerts the driver. Fatalities in car accidents could be reduced by 30 per cent with standard equipment.
A convenience feature that also offers the advantage of travelling more safely in a preheated, ice- and snow-free car. Modern systems can be switched on and off remotely - even via smartphone.
A camera behind the windscreen recognises speed indications on signs and shows them on the display or speedometer. In some systems, the data recorded in this way is also compared with the map material of the navigation system. However, the driver still has to adjust the speed independently.
Detects vehicles in the area not visible from the wing mirrors using short-range radar sensors and warns the driver of a lane change, usually with a red light in the wing mirror. Some systems also warn the driver with an acoustic alarm signal when the indicator is activated.