Airbags
They work together with seat belts, not instead of them. Do not put objects on the dashboard above an airbag, and never fit a rear-facing child seat on a seat with an active front airbag.
Safety
New car safety
A modern car is packed with systems that help it brake, keep it on its line and warn you of danger. They genuinely reduce risk, but they work within the limits of physics and their own sensors. The better you understand those limits, the more relaxed your first journeys will be — especially in winter and with children on board.
An electronic assistant backs up the driver but does not replace their attention or a safe following distance.
We describe safety systems in general terms: the equipment and settings vary from car to car. Exactly how the systems in your car work, and how to switch them off or adjust them, is explained in the owner's manual.
Systems and habits
Six topics worth getting to grips with in the first weeks of ownership.
ABS
The anti-lock braking system keeps the car steerable under hard braking. A pulsing pedal and a grinding noise when it activates are normal — keep your foot firmly on the pedal.
ESP
The electronic stability programme brakes individual wheels when the car starts to slide. It helps on slippery roads but cannot override the laws of physics: at too high a speed it will not be enough.
Driver assistance
Lane keeping, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking rely on cameras and radar. Dirt, snow, low sun and poor road markings make them less reliable.
Child seats
Choose a seat for the child's height and weight and check how it fits in your particular car. Before buying, try installing it on the seat and tightening the straps.
The first winter
Fit winter tyres in good time, check the washer fluid and wiper blades, and clear snow from sensors and cameras. Find an empty open space and try out how the car brakes on a slippery surface.
Getting to know your car
Make your first journeys in a new car on familiar routes and at quiet times. Get used to its size, the feel of the pedals and the sound of each system's warnings, so they do not distract you in a tricky situation.
Adjust the seat, steering wheel, mirrors and head restraints before setting off. Find out where on the screen the assistance systems are switched on and off, and how the car shows that they are active. Those few minutes pay off in confidence behind the wheel.
Read next
- First months
The first months with a new car: running-in by the manual, the service book, preparing for the first service and seasonal tyres.
- Body types
Saloon, hatchback, estate, crossover, MPV or pickup: which body type and class suit your journeys and your family.
- Questions
Answers to common questions about this guide, the paperwork when buying and the first year of owning a new car.
Sources
- Vehicle owner's manual and service book (general provisions)
Information on laws and regulations reflects the versions in force when the material was prepared. Rules change over time, and every manufacturer sets its own warranty and service terms, so before any important decision check the current texts, your contract and your vehicle's documents.