If you're buying ANY type of new vehicle these days, do yourself (and your loved ones) a favor by making sure that is has Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Many government agencies and consumer advocacy groups point to ESC as one of the most important safety features available today, and the technology will soon be required on all vehicles.
Sometimes referred to as Electronic Stability Program (ESP), ESC is a safety technology that uses a variety of sensors to monitor wheel speed, vehicle direction and other variables. If the system determines that a driver is close to losing control of a vehicle, the throttle and/or individual wheel brakes are manipulated to bring the vehicle back under control. It's not a perfect system, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that ESC could save up to 9,600 lives and prevent close to 238,000 injuries in auto accidents if all vehicles were equipped with it.
Glossary: Electronic Stability Control
2. Traction Control
Another electronic safety technology, traction Control senses wheelslip, a situation that occurs when a tire freely moves against a road
surface without gaining traction. This may happen more often in winter climates and on slippery surfaces. The traction control system can
sense that slippage and then send more power to the wheels that are receving traction. Like ESC, traction control may go under various
manufacturer brand names, but be sure to ask for it specifically.
Glossary: Traction Control
3. Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) is a safety technology that varies the braking force used on each vehicle wheel in order to
optimize stopping power and driving stability. Many vehicles equipped with ABS (Anti Lock Braking Systems) also employ EBD as well, and EBD
may also be referred to with a manufacturer-specific brand name.
Glossary: Electronic Brake Force Distribution
4. Side Curtain Airbags
Many vehicles have standard front air bags for the driver and front passenger, but you should make sure that your vehicle is also equipped with side-curtain airbags that cover the second and third rows as well. Given that many minivan owners will be using their vehicle to transport their children in the second and third rows, having air bag coverage in those areas is a must.
5. Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
A relatively recent development as far as safety technologies go, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) monitors the tire inflation levels in your tires using strategically-positioned sensors. Once the TPMS detects a tire that isn't fully inflated, a light (or some other indicator) appears on the dash and alerts the driver to the low tire pressure situation. Keeping your tires properly inflated and in good working order is a must for any vehicle, and the TPMS helps make that job even easier.
6. Active Head Restraints
One of the most painful types of injuries suffered in car accidents are neck and spine injuries, which can often be made worse by a lack of proper head restraint systems. Every driver should make sure that their head restraint is at the proper height to provide a proper cushion for the head and neck during an accident. An active head restraint system takes that a step further by physically moving the restraint closer to the driver's head and neck at the point of impact, which can reduce neck trauma.
7. LATCH Safety Seat System
In order to standardize the attachment of child safety seats in passenger vehicles, automakers adopted the "Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children" system, commonly known as LATCH. LATCH-ready vehicles provide two lower metal hooks (usually located between the seat and back cushion) for the attachment of clasps connected to child safety seats. A third LATCH anchor allows an upper hook and tether to be affixed, and usually is located on the vehicle ceiling or behind the seat in which the child safety seat is installed. The LATCH system is now required on all vehicles sold in the United States, having become a requirement by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in September 2002.
Related: LATCH Safety Seat System
8. Roadside Assistance There are several automotive roadside assistance programs offered in North America, including the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the Canadian Automobile Assiociation (CAA). Both of these services provide a toll free number that drivers can call for towing services, discounts on vehicle repairs and other benefits. Many auto manufacturers are now also offering road side assistance (usually for a limited time) as part of their warranty coverage programs, so be sure to check with your auto dealer for more details.
9. Backup Camera/Sensor
Given that minivans tends to be much larger than traditional passenger vehicles--and may have limited rearward visibility-- having a backup camera or sensor can be a wise investment. Every year, hundreds of young children (and family pets) are killed or seriously injured after being struck or ran over by a relative driving a minivan, simply because the driver couldn't see them behind the vehicle.
10. Accident Notification Service
Offered in many GM vehicles, OnStar is a service that relies on GPS satellites and a large network of phone operators. When an OnStar-equipped vehicle gets in an accident, the OnStar system immediately notifies the OnStar emergency center, which then contacts the driver and alerts the closest accident responder. This can literally shave minutes off the time it takes to receive medical treatment after an accident, and can truly be a life-saving feature.