Stay Safe this Winter with the Latest Features from FCA

Winter weather poses additional risks to drivers. Reduced visibility and traction can create dangerous conditions. If you live somewhere that experiences ice, snow, and freezing rain, the risks are even greater. It’s important to practice additional safety, keep up with your vehicle’s maintenance, and stay alert all year long, but even more so during the winter. However, FCA models offer an entire suite of driver assistance features, collision-resistant vehicle construction, and technologies that increase traction in adverse conditions. The Heritage CDJR Harrisburg, Owings Mills & Parkville team is here to break down some of the best safety features from Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, and FIAT® to protect you and your family when the roads get slippery this winter.

Premium Traction Technology

Slippery winter road conditions require extra care while driving, but FCA models feature intelligent technology features to make it easier to navigate situations with reduced traction. FCA’s intelligent All-Wheel Drive is available on many models, including the Chrysler Pacifica, FIAT 500X, Dodge Charger, and Buick Enclave. This advanced system can send power to the wheels with the most traction. Standard features like 4-wheel ABS, electronic brake distribution, brake assist, and hill start assist all offer support without being invasive. The tire pressure monitoring system will alert you if one of your tires has low pressure, which can affect braking, handling, and traction. Traction control utilizes the sensors and systems already equipped in the vehicle to reduce understeer or oversteer, both of which can result in an accident. All of these features are so responsive that drivers don’t even notice how much they contribute to the smooth handling and drive of FCA models.

Active Safety Features

For 2021, the available driver assistance features and packages improve upon previous generations, including safety features designed to prevent avoidable accidents, as well as react to the unavoidable ones. Thanks to industry-leading autonomous driving technology, radar, and cameras, it's never been safer to drive a new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, or RAM model.

• LaneSense® Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist – By monitoring the markings, curbs, and road edges using the forward-facing camera, LaneSense can notify you when you deviate from your lane. It can even make steering adjustments when needed.
• Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking – Using a distance-measuring laser, your vehicle can detect potential obstacles ahead and alert you to avoid a collision.
• Blind Spot Monitoring – Using radar sensors mounted on the rear of the vehicle, this feature can detect cars in your blind spot. When a vehicle is detected there by the system, it will notify the driver.
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go – Cruise into the 21st Century. This feature uses frontal radar and cameras to detect the traffic ahead and maintain distance as well as speed. In heavy congestion, the vehicle can automatically stop and move forward with creeping traffic.

Passive Safety Features

In addition to the driver assistance features available on many models, passive safety features are quietly working behind the scenes and keeping you and your passengers safe. Robust frames and seatbelts that work in concert with other advanced safety technology are just the beginning. FCA has also added systems that enhance braking and handling performance for safety. These features inspire driving confidence that can help you tackle a variety of road conditions.

• Electronic Stability Control – In instances of strong oversteer or understeer while cornering, your advanced vehicle automatically works to regain and maintain predictability.
• All-Speed Traction Control – This system keeps your drive wheels planted in the event of excessive throttle input on surfaces like ice, mud, and wet roads.
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) – ABS keeps your wheels from locking up when brakes are applied heavily, making sure your vehicle comes to a stop when you need it to.
• SOS Call – In the event of an accident, this feature can automatically notify emergency services to bring roadside assistance.
• Steel Safety Frame – Using the latest in super-strong lightweight materials, FCA engineers build vehicles with strong bones designed for rigidity and quiet acoustics, as well as optimal protection for passengers inside (pictured below).

Prevention and Protection

Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles has always been dedicated to protecting their customers, and thanks to some amazing advancements in safety technology, your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM isn’t just built for an incredible driving experience. It’s also built to protect you, your family, other motorists, and pedestrians in revolutionary ways. For more information about these automakers' innovations in safety technology or to see these features in action for yourself, contact the team at Heritage CDJR Harrisburg, Owings Mills & Parkville today or visit our showroom at Find A Store Near You.

Image Credit: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles