Features and Options

Trailer hitch

A metal device attached to a structurally sound section of a vehicle's frame that is used to support a trailer while coupling it to the vehicle

Roof rack

A metal or plastic device attached to a vehicle that is used to anchor cargo to the vehicle's roof

Light bar

Additional lighting mounted on a metal or plastic frame that is attached to a vehicle's roof, and that is typically available on trucks and SUVs

Plus size wheels

Also known as "up-sized wheels". Wheel and tire packages that are larger in diameter than those included in a vehicle's standard equipment

Convertible wind blocker

Also known as an "aeroboard". An on a convertible vehicle, the glass or plastic shield that prevents reversion of high-velocity air as it passes over the low-pressure, low-velocity air in the passenger compartment

Rear spoiler

An aerodynamic device attached to a vehicle's trunk lid or liftgate consisting of one or more airfoils supported by uprights that allows air to flow over it as well as under it, resulting in decreased lift and increased stability at high speeds

Spoiler

An attachment to a vehicle (or component of its body) originally introduced for the purpose of directing airflow over such device (or the entire vehicle) to decrease lift and increase stability at high speeds, but that is sometimes used on consumer vehicles solely for aesthetic reasons

Power steering

An electric and/or hydraulic system that multiplies, for ease and comfort, the force a driver exerts on the steering wheel

Block heater

An electric heater installed into a freeze plug hole in an engine block that preheats engine coolant in order to help start a vehicle under extremely cold weather conditions

Universal remote transmitter

An electronic device integrated into a key or key fob that controls a vehicle's remote-operated accessories

Variable valve timing

An engine feature that allows the lift, timing or duration of the engine's valvetrain to be changed dynamically while it is in operation

Soft-close doors

Doors that will pull themselves shut if they are not fully latched by the occupants

Tow hooks

Metal hooks or eyelets, either fixed or removable, that are attached to a structurally sound section of a vehicle's frame and used as pickup points for tow cables

Wheel locks

Special lugnuts intended to prevent wheel theft that can only be installed or removed with a specific wrench or key

Remote window operation

The control of a vehicle's power window system by one or more buttons on an electronic key fob or smart key

Remote trunk release

The control of a vehicle's power-activated release using a button on an electronic key fob or smart key

Power activated release

The electronically controlled release of a vehicle's hatch or trunk (in contrast to a conventional cable-activated release mechanism)

Snowplow prep

The hardware needed to attach a factory-optional, removable snowplow to a vehicle's front bumper and/or frame

Wheel covers

A decorative metal or plastic disc that obscures a vehicle's stamped steel wheels, lug nuts and/or hubs from view

Fuel injection system

A device that atomizes fuel by forcibly pumping it through a small nozzle under high pressure and delivers it to the vehicle's engine

Easy entry

A device that automatically retracts a vehicle's power seats and/or steering column when the engine is switched off

Bed extender

A device that may be added to a pickup truck's bed when the tailgate is open, that sits on top of the tailgate, and that forms an enclosure that permits items that extend past the bed and onto the tailgate to be carried without risk of falling out

Cruise control

A device that, when engaged by the driver, automatically controls a vehicle's speed

Carburetor

A device used on older internal combustion gasoline engines that is mounted on the engine's intake manifold and supplies fuel to the engine

Diesel engine hour meter

A digital or analog display that shows the amount of time (in total hours) that a diesel vehicle's engine has run over its lifetime

Remote start

A feature of a vehicles' electronic key fob that controls the vehicle's ignition

Cylinder deactivation

A feature of some engines that allows the engine to turn off two or more cylinders in order to maximize fuel efficiency

Speed-sensitive wipers

A feature that increases the speed of the wipers with vehicle speed

Retained accessory power

A feature that permits the operation of a vehicle's power accessories after the key is removed from the ignition for a set period of time or until a door is opened

Rain-sensing wipers

A feature that uses rainfall sensors to engage the wipers and adjust wiper speed accordingly

Sunroof

A fixed or operable opening in the roof of a vehicle that is covered with a metal or glass plug

Trailer wiring

A flat, four-way, weatherproof connector located near a vehicle's trailer hitch used to complete the circuits for a trailer's ground, running, left signal, right signal and break lights

Direct injection system

A fuel injection system in which the injection nozzles are located inside the combustion chamber of each piston

Bed liner

A heavy-duty plastic liner or spray-on coating that protects the inner painted surface of a pickup truck's cargo box

Beverage cooler

A refrigerated storage area intended to cool beverages using a vehicle's air conditioning system or a separate phase-cooling system

Two-stage unlocking

A remote electronic door lock system that opens the drivers door on the first press and the other doors on the second press

Sunshade

A removable or retractable device that limits or prevents light from passing through a vehicle's window

Sliding rear window

A small window inside a truck's rear windshield that opens and closes by sliding on a system of metal or plastic rails attached to the windshield

Lip spoiler

A spoiler that is flush-mounted to a vehicle's trunk lid or liftgate that allows air to flow over it but not under it (and that is usually installed for aesthetic purposes)

Roof spoiler

A spoiler that is mounted from the rearward-facing edge of a vehicle's roof to the liftgate just above the rear windshield, or to the upper edge of the rear windshield itself (and that is usually installed for aesthetic purposes)

Bumpers

A supplemental device designed to protect a vehicle's frame and/or body from collision damage

Keyless ignition

A system that allows the activation by the driver of a push-button to start a vehicle if proximity sensors detect the electronic key inside the vehicle

Tint

A transparent plastic film applied to a vehicle's windows that reduces visible light transmission and, in some cases, rejects heat by reducing UV and infrared transmissions

Smoked glass

A vehicle window that has been infused with pigment during manufacturing in order to provide enough opacity to obscure the vehicle's interior from view

Privacy glass

A vehicle window with a factory-installed tint, utilizing either a mylar covering or smoked glass, that has enough opacity to obscure the vehicle's interior from view

Heated windshield

A windshield with tiny embedded heating elements that act to resist fogging

Intermittent wipers

A wiper setting that causes the wipers to pause for a driver-selected period between wipes

Adjustable pedals

Accelerator and break pedals that can be moved closer to or further away from the driver's seat

Cargo area features

Built-in amenities that serve a specific purpose in the cargo areas of a vehicle

Optional equipment

Equipment that is not included in the manufacturer's base configuration of a vehicle

Bed features

Factory-installed, optional accessories that add functionality or longevity to a truck's bed, such as a bed extender, tonneau cover or bed liner, that are typically available on trucks and SUVs

Auxiliary features

Factory-installed, optional parts that supplement similar existing systems, such as a transmission cooler, engine cooler or a secondary gas tank, that are typically available on trucks and SUVs

Heated windshield wiper rests

Heating elements below the wipers that melt ice and snow when they freeze to the glass

Cargo tie downs

Hooks, straps or eyelets that function as anchors for cargo nets and ropes used to secure objects

Passenger memory settings

Preset power seat positions for the passenger that can be recalled using a button

Running boards

Rocker panel extensions that function as steps to aid the driver and passengers in the entering and exiting of tall vehicles

Electric battery type

The type of battery used to power the electric motor in a hybrid or electric vehicle: lead-acid, flooded, gel, lithium ion, absorbed glass mat, Zebra Na/NiCL2 or NiZn traction

Convertible roof type

The type of convertible roof tops, including soft tops, hard tops, T-tops, Targa-style tops, and tops that are manual or power operated

Electric motor type

The type of electric motor in a hybrid or electric vehicle used to power the drive wheels: permanent magnet motor or other traction motor

Bed type

Type of truck bed: long, short, flare-side, step-side, dually and flat beds for trucks, and dump beds and tanks for SUVs

One-touch windows

Vehicle windows with a changeover switch that is capable of automatically rolling the window glass completely up or down (as well as functioning as a conventional momentary power window switch)