Dear drivers! In this article, we are going to explain various car modifications, their complete sets and additional options. Nowadays, all car brands offer their clients number of modifications with huge list of options. Let us try to figure out which of them are really needed and which are not so important to acquire. We consider the list of basic options, which are equipped in modern automobiles and will choose the most useful and necessary ones.

Selecting a complete set

To select a complete set, first, define the terms. What does mean complete set and what types they can be?

The basic complete set is the set of standard options which you may configure your ideal car on the basis of this version. When you order a new car, the buyer must choose one of the base configurations, then add to it available options or packages of options. All these can be done on the websites or with dealers of each automaker.

For example, Ford Motor Company offers Ford Mondeo with four options for basic configurations:

• Ambiente
• Trend
• Titanium
• Titanium Plus

Minimal base complete set is the most simple set of equipment, having less options and being most affordable. For example, minimum basic version of Ford Mondeo is Ambiente. Obviously, the maximum is Titanium Plus, which includes almost all possible options.

Car options

Here are the main options that modern car manufacturers offer.

Comfort:

• Power steering
• Air conditioning
• Climate control
• Front and rear power windows
• Electro-adjustable side mirrors
• Electric rearview mirrors
• Electric parking brake
• Disc brake of rear wheel
• Additional protection of engine crankcase
• Cruise control
• Automatic windscreen wipers with rain sensor
• Thermal  barrier glazing
• Tinted rear window
• Electric tailgate
• Door closers
• Keyless access system and engine start button
• Multimedia/Audio/navigation system
• Multifunctional steering wheel
• Leather-trimmed steering wheel and chosen gearbox knob
• Adjustable steering wheel
• Electro-adjustable front seats
• Memory for driver's seat and mirror settings
• Panoramic roof
• Electric sunroof
• Upholstery leather
• Ventilation front seats
• Front seat armrest
• Center armrest for the rear passengers (standard for business class)

Protection against unauthorized use:

• Remote Control Central Door Locking
• Anti-theft alarm system
• Electronic immobilizer

Headlights:

• Dynamic xenon/led headlights with wipers
• Fog lights
• Led daytime running lights
• Automatic headlights
• Automatic switching high beam/low beam

Winter options (heating):

• Heated windshield
• Heated side mirrors
• Heated washer nozzles
• Heated front and rear seats
• Heated steering wheel

Parking Assistant:

• Front and rear parking sensors
• Rearview camera
• Automatic parking system

Security:

• Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
• ESP (electronic stability program)
• Automatic braking system
• Help system when driving on the rise
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Isofix child seat
• Airbags

Exterior Design

• Colour of the body (base color / metallic / pearl)
• Body-colored plastic elements (door handles, mirrors, bumpers and moldings)
• Wheels (steel / alloy, size)
• Muffler with chrome nozzle/two mufflers

In fact, list all the options of all car brands is just physically impossible. Each automaker constantly invents something new. Some models in the list of options generally offers such funny things like "increased ground clearance" or "suspension adapted for your country roads". However, you have to understand that in fact, people simply praising their car model, although it is not a real extra option for extra charge.

The most useful complete set options

So, we now know what are the additional options. Some of them are quite useful, others are rather luxury, whereas few of them are not really practical but there are options, without them, the car is better to deny.

• Air conditioning
• Power steering
• Front power Windows
• Winter options
  • Heated seats
  • Heated windshield
  • Heated side mirrors
• Front and rear parking sensors
• ESP - stability control system
• Central lock, alarm, and immobilizer

Now, let us explain why we consider these options are necessary.

Air conditioning

An Air conditioning in the summer is necessary not less than a heater in winter. During the heat, you feel like you are in a microwave in the car without air conditioning. In my opinion, this is even insecure when the driver is very hot and only thinks about driving fast to reach the destination.

The only disadvantage of the air conditioning is that it will stupidly cool and does not regulate temperature. If you do not follow the instructions, you can catch a cold easily, so perfect choice would be climate control system that controls the temperature of the air in the cabin. Climate control is more expensive, but it automatically maintains the desired temperature of the air, and thus creates comfort and simultaneously cares about your health. In my opinion, the climate system is one of the most important elements in the car.

Power steering

For a healthy strong man, power steering may not be necessary, perhaps even it can increase comfort. However, women do not have to buy a car without a power steering system as it will require some effort on every turn.

The absence of the power steering particularly difficult during the parking, when you have to twist the steering wheel and operate the pedals. Of course, it's much easier to park with a power steering.

Front power windows

If rear doors of the car are not equipped with power windows, it is not a big deal, however, front power windows are something that must be there. Now, front power windows are often installed even in the most standard base complete sets of all cars, but if you desire to get an old car without the front power windows, then you need to think again: are you ready to twist the handle each time to open and close the window?

Winter options (heating)

Let us list of the most necessary elements that your car should have during winter. They will be very useful for you at negative temperatures.

Heated seats are especially good when the car is fully frozen. As soon as you sit down, start the engine, you can immediately turn on the heating system and it will warm you in a minute.

The electrically heated windshield is a very handy option in a situation when your car is covered by a layer of frost or ice. If you often leave your car outside in winter, you will definitely need this.

This electric heating system will clean windshield literally in a minute, and you can drive immediately as the engine is warm enough. If you do not have this option, you have to wait 5-10 minutes until the engine warms up and hot air blows the glass. The only disadvantage of the electric heated windshield is its high price when buying a car as well as replacing the existing windshield.

Heated side mirrors are also one of the most important winter options. If heated windshield and seats are used only for the first 10-15 minutes after starting the engine, heated side mirrors are very handy in every minute of the drive.

No matter how hot the cabin is, exterior mirrors will stay frozen, and keep driving in a such condition is a direct way to the accident. Heated side mirrors keep mirrors clean, restores the review and ensures safety in any weather. This function is useful not only in winter but also during rainy or foggy weather of any season. Heated exterior mirrors is one of the most useful and practical equipment for your auto.

Parking sensors

Parking sensors are just needed during parking in the urban environment, where there are not enough spaces to park. Especially, this is very useful for female drivers to park easily.

Parking radar or Park Distance Control (PDC) scans the space between the bumper and the obstacle and mini monitor informs the driver about the distance and if the distance is very close, it will make a noise with a signal. This enables you to park literally back-to-back without risking of scratching your bumper. Along with the rearview camera and parking sensors, parking radar is also very useful features of the modern car.

If possible, do not doubt about installing parking assistance equipment. It will pay off at the first parking a lot when you are in a difficult circumstance in order to avoid damage to the car.

ESP (electronic stability program)

ESP is a security option and its value which cannot be overemphasized. We can confidently assert that it has saved more lives than any other car security system. In the United States, it is illegal to produce cars that were not equipped with ESP system, although the climate is more or less stable than other countries.

This system is called differently (ESC, ASC, VSC) by different manufacturers, but the core remains the same. Especially, this system is extremely useful on slippery roads. It corrects many drivers' errors and saves the path in the direction while in the same situation, the car without ESP could have already be out of road. My advice to you is to try to buy a car with ESP. Perhaps this system will save you more than once.

Central locking

Central lock, alarm and immobilizer are the options that are so common that there is no point to mention in the list of options. This package is currently being installed even on the cheapest model in the most affordable options. You can say, central locking is a topic of the last century. Now, keyless access is a system when the car itself opens the door locks. Some cars are equipped with a keyless access with engine start button. This advanced option is gradually becoming more accessible and today, you can see more and more on inexpensive cars.

Car options. Conclusion

To summarize, I would like to attract your attention to the fact that the more complex systems are included in the complete set of the car, the higher the chance of failure. We can say that full complete sets are not only expensive but also reduce the overall reliability of the car.

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