Car brands are always coming up with new technology and features to help make their vehicles stand out from the rest, and that means sometimes they give the new pieces of tech strange names to make them stand out a little bit more.
Motoring solutions company MotorEasy recently came up with a list of seven terms that can seem incredibly confusing to drivers, but are very easy to understand once you know.
Vauxhall OnStar
Available on all Vauxhalls, OnStar is an assistance system that provides drivers with crash response, roadside assistance and vehicle diagnostics – making a motorist’s life behind the wheel much easier, especially in times of serious incidents. However, it will be taken out of Vauxhall’s models from 2020 as the brand’s owner PSA Group puts its own system in.
Audi Mechatronics
Put simply, this is Audi’s version of the Volkswagen Group DSG gearbox, which is an automatic transmission that operates both the clutch and gears. It is a portmanteau of ‘mechanics’ and ‘electronics’ to give the name of Audi’s transmission its own twist.
MirrorLink
This is a mobile compatible system that gives drivers an easy way to navigate through mobile applications on their vehicle’s touchscreen. With larger buttons than on mobile phones, the MirrorLink system is simple to use while on the move.
ADAS
The acronym ADAS means ‘advanced driver-assistance systems’ and classifies all technologies that aid the driver while moving. It brings cruise control, lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking and parking assistance under its umbrella, with many other systems classed under ADAS.
Volkswagens Climate Windscreen
This is Volkswagen's name for a heated windscreen, but unlike many other heated windscreens, the latest Volkswagen one doesn’t come with wires built into the glass. The Volkswagen screen uses a thin layer of silver to conduct heat and prevent freezing or misting.
TPMS
TPMS is a ‘tyre pressure monitor system’ and gives drivers a warning when there are issues with the car’s tyres, for example if they’re not at a high enough pressure or are damaged. They are found in most cars nowadays.
Mercedes-Benz Distronic Plus
This is Mercedes-Benz version of the semi-autonomous adaptive cruise control, which looks after the car’s speed, distance from the vehicle in front and lane discipline. It reduces fatigue on the driver and makes driving longer distances much easier.
