General
What Is a Rear Seat Reminder?
If you opened and shut a second-row door before driving somewhere, a rear seat reminder will prompt you to check for children, pets, or ice cream before getting out at your destination.
Glossary Articles
General
What Is Rear Cross-Traffic Alert?
Rear cross-traffic alert is an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) that uses sensors to detect objects entering a vehicle’s path while backing up. Its warnings to the driver can be audible, haptic (vibration), and visual.
General
What Are Rain-Sensing Wipers?
Rain-sensing wipers are automatic windshield wipers that use infrared sensors to detect moisture on the windshield. When the sensors detect a pre-determined amount of moisture, they activate the wipers, clearing the glass to improve driver visibility.
General
What Is Premium Audio?
Premium audio is a car sound system with multiple speakers, high amplifier power, quality components (usually branded with well-known audio company names), and clarity in music reproduction and sound processing, often tuned to the acoustics of that specific cabin.
General
What Is Rear Air-Conditioning?
Rear air-conditioning comprises air vents dedicated to the back row(s) with separate climate-control settings, integrated into the main settings up front, with a dedicated panel in the second row, or both. In rare cases on large luxury vehicles or limousines, the rear air-conditioning may also have its own compressor.
General
What Is a Power Tailgate?
A power tailgate is a convenience feature on a pickup truck that gently lifts and lowers its tailgate, whether the user’s arms are loaded or not. A power tailgate can be operated by a button on the truck or its key fob, or it can be triggered by a motion, like a foot kicking under the bumper.
General
What Are Power Seats?
Power seats use electric controls to adjust the positions of the front seats. They can be moved forward or back, up or down, and tilted or reclined. Additional adjustments may include headrest height, side bolsters, thigh cushions, and more.
General
What Is Push-Button Start?
Push-button start is keyless ignition allowing a driver to start the car by pushing a button rather than inserting and turning a key. The car communicates with the key fob inside the vehicle via radio signals, “unlocking” the ignition and enabling the push button to initiate operation.
General
What Is Phone-as-a-Key?
Phone-as-a-key (PaaK) technology works through an automaker-licensed smartphone app enabling owners to lock, unlock, and remote start their connected vehicles via their smartphones.
General
What Are Parking Sensors and Assist?
Parking sensors and assist are part of a driver assist system, using visual, audible, and often haptic cues to help drivers park their vehicles. Basic systems provide predictive guidelines on rearview monitors and sensors to detect objects when they become too close. Advanced parking assist systems can autonomously park a car when the driver activates the function from outside the vehicle.