Safety has certainly peaked in recent years thanks to cutting-edge innovations. And with Kia offering so many great features designed to enhance passenger protection, it’s easy to overlook those you might not think much about or have a need for. Here are just a few hidden safety features in Kia models to keep in mind.
Seat Belt Pretensioners
Seat belts are standard in every vehicle, so they typically don’t feel like anything special to most passengers. Whether you think about them or not, Kia has you covered. The manufacturer offers seatbelts with pretensioners to boost safety for all seating positions. But what are they and how exactly do they help prevent injury? Pretensioners lock the seat belt straps firmly against your body for a snug fit to help reduce excess movement during a collision. Add in standard three-point seat belts for all passengers, and you have a car that keeps you strapped in safely and securely.
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
It can be hard to catch obstacles behind you that rest in your blind spot. Fortunately, Kia offers advanced features such as a rear cross-traffic alert designed to push your reversing skills to the pro level. It comes standard on all trims of the 2018 Optima but is available as an optional upgrade on most Kia models.
So how does it work? The rear cross-traffic alert system uses radar sensors attached to the rear bumper to detect any road hazards, such as passing vehicles, pedestrians, and objects, that could be blocking your path. If there is something in the way, a warning light will pop up on the rear-view mirror.
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Even if you’re a careful driver and stray from potential accidents, it’s nice knowing that Kia offers active safety systems to keep you protected just in case. One of these is autonomous emergency braking.
Much like the rear cross-traffic alert, this system uses a radar sensor to alert you of a potential collision with the car in front. It applies the brakes without the need for driver input to help reduce the force of impact and potential injury to passengers. Some vehicles, such as the 2018 Kia Niro, even add on pedestrian detection as a plus to their autonomous emergency braking package.
Tire Pressure Monitoring
Driving with under-inflated tires may seem minor now but could affect your safety down the road. It also has damaging effects on your car, as it can lead to a blowout and reduce fuel efficiency. Tire pressure monitoring is your answer for staying one step ahead. It works well to monitor air pressure levels on all four tires of your Kia model.
If one or more levels dip past a certain range, a warning light will notify you of the problem. So don’t fret if you forget to check your tires with a pressure gauge — Kia’s tire pressure monitoring system is here to keep your tires’ health on point.
With so many safety features included in each package, it can be tough to keep track of them all. From basics such as seatbelt pretensioners to advanced systems like automatic braking and tire pressure monitoring, you’d be surprised just how well these hidden features work to keep you and your family safe.
Image via kia.com licensed via CC BY 2.0
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