When you’re looking for a new or used car, there are many new safety features that you may see.

Here’s what they’re called and what they do.

1. Stability control (ESC)
ESC will help you keep control of your car in a skid. This electronic system can stop drivers from losing control of their car in sudden manoeuvres or skids, and independent studies have shown it could prevent up to a third of all road accidents. This safety feature is commonly known as ESC, but other acronyms used by manufacturers include: ASC, DSC, DTSC, ESP, ESP+, VDC, VSA and VSC.
2. Electronic brake-force distribution (EBD)
This enhancement of anti-lock brakes (ABS) reduces brake force if grip differs at each wheel, helping to bring the car to a halt predictably and in a straight line.
3. Lane-keeping technology
Citroën’s Lane Departure Warning System vibrates the base of the driver’s seat when the car strays across motorway lanes without indicating. There are more advanced systems that automatically make steering adjustments to keep you in the centre of the lane, but these are very new.
4. A stable body shell
A stable car body shell resists crash forces well and provides better protection for those in the cabin. Look for cars with a good Euro NCAP crash-test score.
5. Side curtain airbags
Curtain airbags are a great safety feature. These usually drop down from the roof lining above the windows to protect the heads of front and rear passengers in the event of a side-on crash.
6. Seat-mounted side airbags
These help protect the pelvis, chest and abdomen in a side-on crash. Seat-mounted side airbags are preferable to door-mounted airbags as they stay in the correct position when the seat is moved.
7. Dual-stage airbags
These inflate less rapidly in lower severity impacts, reducing the chance of airbag-related injuries.
8. Good head restraints
Whiplash can be prevented with well-positioned headrests. Poorly-adjusted head restraints account for many whiplash injuries. The top of the head restraint should sit level with the top of a person’s head for it to be effective.
 9. Smart seatbelt reminder
Most people are good at putting on seatbelts, but not using them is still a major factor in many road accident statistics. The best systems don’t just remind the driver to buckle up, they sense which seats are occupied and alert the driver if any other belts haven’t been fastened.
10. Pre-tensioned and load-limited seatbelts
Seatbelt pre-tensioners take up any slack in the belt when they detect a crash is imminent. Load limiters, on the other hand, prevent injury by allowing the belt to stretch slightly in a crash if too high a load is placed on the seat’s occupant.
11. Isofix child seat mounts
Isofix is a system for fitting child seats that uses mounting points built into the car seats, rather than the adult seat belt. Three-point Isofix systems are best, as they have a ‘top tether’ as well as two lower anchorages.

Questions and Answers
Q. I have an intermittent but annoying problem on my 2002 Seat Leon 2.0. After a cold start I drive the car gently until it reaches operating temperature, then when I begin normal driving the turbo doesn’t work, the car still runs fine and is still fairly quick, but without the assistance of the turbo. However if I pull over, switch the engine off then restart it, the turbo kicks in as normal and the performance is good. It has done this for a few months now and it is getting more frequent. Thanks.
A. It is most likely to be a problem with the waste gate valve (a pressure release valve that regulates the turbo pressure) it can stick open giving no boost. I would suggest cleaning out the value or if not replacing it.

Q. I have an Opel Omega, 2.5 V6 and I have a quick question that I would like someone to help or advise me on please. I have a thick creamy white oil build up inside the oil filer cap and I was wondering if this is a sign of possible problems or just condensation. The car has no other problems with the car that I can see and the car drives well.
A. As long as the car is running OK, and has not got a misfire and no instant loss of pressure build up in the coolant system, it should be fine. There is an oil breather pipe that goes from the bottom of the engine to the top that can cause this condensation and that is what causes the white creamy build up. You could try cleaning out the breather pipe or if not replace it.
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