Ask Our Experts

CR members ask the experts at our Auto Test Center about new safety technology, and how to tell if their car has Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

Q. What’s the di erence between lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane centering? I’m confused because I’ve seen all three terms used in advertising. Which one sounds an alert, and which one actually takes control of the car?

Lane-departure warning is just that: It alerts drivers when they either drive on or cross over a lane line. Both lanekeeping assist and centering include some automated steering. If a driver crosses over a painted line, lane-keeping assist may actively steer the car back between the lines. Lane centering uses the steering to keep a car centered in its lane. Each automaker’s system can work di erently, so try them out during a test drive. Q. A car I want to buy advertises “adaptive cruise control.” Is this different from the cruise control I have on my 2005 car? Yes. Adaptive cruise control will apply light braking as drivers approach a vehicle traveling in the same lane in front of them. The car will then automatically accelerate back to the speed set by the driver if the car ahead either changes lanes or speeds up. Some systems work only at highway speeds, and others work in stop-and-go tra c as well. Check the owner’s manual to see what the system’s limitations are.

Q. I bought a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. On the dashboard, there is a button labeled “ESC” that turns electronic stability control on and off. When should I turn it on, and when should I turn it off? Is it safe to leave it on all the time? Electronic stability control selectively applies the brakes to keep a car from sliding out of control when it detects a loss of traction. It signi cantly reduces

51%

The amount by which ESC reduces the risk of singlevehicle crashes, according to IIHS.

single-vehicle and rollover crashes, and has been required on all new vehicles since 2012. There are very few scenarios in which you would turn ESC o — such as when a vehicle is stuck in mud or fresh snow. In everyday driving, always leave it on.

Q. How do I know if my car has Android Auto or Apple CarPlay? Android Auto and Apple CarPlay mirror some smartphone apps— such as voice recognition, music, podcasts, and navigation—on a vehicle’s touch screen, and usually start automatically if you plug an unlocked phone into the vehicle’s USB charging port. Wireless connections are typically not supported, with a few exceptions. Some cars require a few more steps, so be sure to check your owner’s manual. Several newer cars with touch screens can be upgraded to include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, either remotely or at a dealer. Check the Android or Apple websites or call your dealer to nd out more.