Auto-leveling headlights are an anti-glare safety measure for a vehicle carrying a heavy load that tips the headlamps’ projection angle. Auto-leveling, or self-leveling, headlights adjust the cut-off line, which is the beams’ farthest boundary, to maintain proper visibility for the driver but avoid blinding other road users.
A proximity key (also called a “smart key” or “intelligent key”) is an electronic fob used for keyless entry and ignition systems in vehicles. Proximity keys pair with push-button starters, enabling drivers to unlock, enter, and start their cars without removing the fob from their pockets or purses.
The “key” transmits low-frequency (LF) radio waves to communicate with a vehicle to lock and unlock doors and start the engine when within a short range. Antennae within the vehicle identify the rolling code radio pulse generator inside the fob.
A bedliner is a protective covering for the exposed floor and walls of a pickup truck’s open cargo hold to guard against scratches and dents. A bedliner can be a spray-on coating or a drop-in insert. You can purchase either type as manufacturer options on a new vehicle or aftermarket products.
Heated mirrors use a heating element similar to those used for rear window defrosters to melt snow and ice from your side mirror, helping maintain visibility. They eliminate the need to scrape your exterior side mirrors.
A block heater is an electrical device that warms a vehicle’s engine body and fluids to ensure the engine can start in winter conditions and freezing temps. Preconditioning the engine also puts less stress on the engine for driving through the cold. In such climates, engine block heaters are a popular option among truck buyers.
A limited-slip differential is a set of staggered gears that can divert more torque through the drive axle to the wheel that has more traction, thus limiting the amount of slippage a vehicle experiences driving on slick surfaces.
Cruise control is a system that allows the driver to set their car to drive at a specific speed. The driver selects the speed, then takes their foot off the accelerator, and the vehicle will cruise at the set speed. To deactivate, the driver can tap the brakes or disengage the system. The benefits of using the cruise control feature are better fuel efficiency and reduced foot fatigue during long drives.
A self-driving car is an independent or self-governing vehicle. Capable of safe operation under standard rules of travel without human intervention.
Range is the calculated distance an electric vehicle can travel on a full battery charge, and a gasoline-powered or hybrid vehicle can travel with a full tank of gas. EV range varies based on driving conditions and driver behavior, so all ranges are estimates. Similarly, gas-powered-vehicle range depends on multiple factors, including environmental conditions, the state of engine tune, driving behavior, and more.
A shooting brake is a 2-door sports wagon. Before SUVs existed, the term descended from when aristocratic European parties used horsedrawn wagons to reach the hunting grounds. These wagons had two doors and space to transport their gear. After carriages became horseless and motorized, the term evolved as much as the vehicle itself.
