The Electric Starter
One of Cadillac's safety innovations includes the electric starter. Starting your car with the push of a button or with the start of a key is standard today. But can you imagine there was a time none of it existed? Before the invention of the electric starter, drivers had to hand-crank their vehicles to start their engines. The electric starter debuted in the 1912 Cadillac models.
Hand-cranking resulted in severe injuries and required lots of muscle. Byron Carter, a friend of the Cadillac founder Henry Leland, died due to an injury resulting from a backfire during hand cranking. The accident was the main reason Mr. Leland called on Charles Kettering from DELCO to create the electric starter.
Eliminating the hand crank made the Cadillac safer to drive. It also made the vehicle more accessible to disabled persons and those who disliked hand cranking. The next time you browse through the inventory for Bradenton cars for sale, take a moment to appreciate the electric starter as a safety innovation.
The SynchroMesh Gear Box
Cadillac's safety continues to increases with the synchroMesh gear box. Besides the hand crank, the next biggest challenge of operating a manual automobile was shifting gears. Changing gears resulted in gear friction and power loss. Even after practice, many drivers experienced embarrassing moments with gear shifts. The synchromesh gearbox by General Motors(GM) made it possible for drivers to switch gears without matching the speed of the engine with the driveline. The gearbox debuted in Cadillac's 1928 models before spreading to other GM vehicle lines.
Shatter Proof Glass
Before the release of the 1928 Cadillac models, automobiles used ordinary glass plates for windshields and windows. In the event of an accident, the shattered glass resulted in severe injuries in the victims. If you shattered your windscreen in an accident today, the glass will break but will be held together but the lamination.
Selectable Suspension Ride
Many cars now support suspension parameters, which gives you the comfort of enjoying a drive, no matter how rough the terrain is. Over the years, suspension systems have improved but started in Cadillac automobiles in 1933. Cadillac created a system that had five different suspension settings that drivers could change with a lever placed on the left of the steering column. Today, Cadillac has a high-tech Magnetic Ride Control, which debuted in 2002. This fluid suspension system helps your car to react quickly and put the shock absorbers into action.
Collision Detection
Today's cars have advanced collision detection, which helps you navigate blind spots, and also identify objects either in front of you or behind you. Cadillac introduced a proprietary collision detection system in 1959 through the Cyclone XP-74 Concept Car.
Hands-free Driving
In 2017, Cadillac introduced a Level 2 hands-free driving system named the Super Cruise. This is one of the greatest of Cadillac's safety innovations. The Super Cruise works together with Adaptive Cruise Control which controls your braking and acceleration. Once connected, Super Cruise can control movement, in-vehicle cameras and the radar system. If you are looking for a Cadillac for sale with this feature, the 2018 and 2019 CT6 are the models to look for.
Bradenton Cars for Sale
Each Cadillac's safety innovations discussed has paved the way for safer driving. As you look for a Cadillac for sale, take a moment to appreciate the years of ingenuity and high-tech safety features by Cadillac. We'd love to walk you through our standardized safety features in person. Don't hesitate to visit us at (941) 932-8852 or visit us at 4780 14th St. Monday - Saturday.
