5 car features to check before you buy

Today’s new cars are full of surprises that didn’t exist when many people bought their last vehicle. Here are five things that you could easily overlook when car shopping. They could become rude surprises down the road.

1. Smart-phone compatibility. Many cars now come with Bluetooth wireless phone capability, but not all systems work with all phones. So as part of your pre-purchase walk-around, make sure to pair your phone and test all the features.
   
2. Infotainment controls. Many modern cars come with large, in-dash screens through which you can control the audio, climate, navigation, and communication systems. But some systems are overly complicated and very distracting to use while driving. Moreover, infotainment systems such as the Cadillac CUE and MyLincoln Touch use touch-sensitive buttons that are difficult to operate accurately, especially in a moving car. During your test drive, try some typical functions, such as changing the radio volume, setting a radio preset, adjusting the temperature and airflow direction, and turning on seat heaters to see how easy or distracting it is. (Read our infotainment-system survey results in "High-tech headaches.")
   
3. Performance tires. Big wheels might look cool, but the high-performance, low-profile tires they come with can be impractical and expensive. Many mainstream sedans come with performance tires that are more expensive to replace. And even some SUVs come with summer tires that aren’t suitable for snow. So before you commit to a car, make sure its tires meet your needs and that you know how much they will cost to replace.
4. No spares. More cars are coming with no spare tire; all you get is a can of sealant and maybe an air compressor. But if you blow out a sidewall you’ll need a tow. Check to see whether your car has a spare or a sealant kit, and if it does, make sure you know how to use it.
5. Child-seat fit. Even with today’s “easy to use” LATCH anchors, our child-seat experts have trouble installing some seats securely. So take your child seats with you on your test drive to ensure that you can get a snug fit.

Visit our 2014 Autos Spotlight special section to find all of our new and updated articles, including Top Picks 2014, Who makes the best cars, Best & worst new cars, Best & worst used cars, Used car reliability, and New car Ratings & road tests.

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