7. Auto-Leveling Suspension: When you're driving in high crosswinds, the system automatically adjusts the suspension of the vehicle to counteract the conditions. It's an increasingly popular feature on large SUVs.

8. Active Cruise Control: Using radar, active cruise control keeps your vehicle a safe distance from the car directly ahead. It can also bring your car to a complete and quick stop if the driver in front of you slams on the brakes.

9. Self-Drying Brakes: In rainy conditions, cars with wet brakes take longer to stop. Self-drying systems intermittently brake very lightly every few seconds in wet conditions, whisking water away from the disc rotors.

10. Emergency Braking Assist: The system can sense how hard you press on the brake pedal; if extra force is detected, the brakes get a boost, giving you even more emergency stopping power.

11. Heads-Up Display: Ever find yourself glancing away from the road to check your speed or change the radio station? Heads-up display projects information such as your speed onto the windshield, reducing the need to take your eyes off the road.

12. Adaptive Headlights: By illuminating the path your car will follow, adaptive headlights can reduce the chance of a surprise around the corner. Automotive pioneer Preston Tucker had the idea way back in 1948, but it's only recently been perfected. The lights also automatically level, adjusting for dips and rises in the road.

13. Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems: Basic tire pressure monitoring systems sound an alarm or provide some other alert if a tire is low or suddenly losing pressure. More sophisticated systems tell you exactly how much air is in each tire.

14. Hill Start Assist: For manual transmission drivers who get nervous going uphill, hill start assist gives you a few more seconds to get on the gas and let out the clutch. It's available for incline-anxious automatic transmission owners as well.

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