Watching our little ones grow up can be exciting-watching them explore and discover the world around them-but that exploration can turn stressful when it involves them learning to drive and heading out into the world all on their own. Luckily, Chevy has come up with a way to make this rite of passage a little less terrifying: Teen Driver mode. As a used Chevy dealer near Powell, we know safety is important everywhere but especially here and especially to you.
When you put family and community first, it creates a unique sense of responsibility that can be felt throughout-and as one of the safest small towns in Ohio, we feel it is our duty to support and improve that sense of safety. One way we do this is by offering quality used vehicles that come equipped with safety features like Chevy's Teen Driver mode.
When it was first revealed on the 2016 Chevy Malibu, Teen Driver was revered for its unique safety attributes that specifically target young drivers. According to data assembled by Powell in 2013, the largest demographic consists of children aged 17 and under. With so many up-and-coming young drivers, safety is more important than ever for our town-and with the tools provided in Chevy's Teen Driver mode, we can make a difference and better promote safe driving habits.
What Is Teen Driver Mode?
A first of its kind, Teen Driver mode changed the way parents and teens approached safe driving and still does today. Teen Driver is primarily a learning tool used to help shape the driving habits of young and inexperienced drivers. It does this through a combination of communication features and control features.
One of the most useful tools is the Report Card, which records information when a registered Teen Driver key fob is used. The system records a whole slew of data, compiling it for easy viewing. Parents can see how far the vehicle was driven during their teen's drive and if they were speeding. Instances where stability control, antilock brakes, Forward Collision Alert, and Automatic Emergency Braking were activated are also recorded. In some models, if properly equipped, the Report Card will even indicate if the teen driver was tailgating. In short, the system records dangerous and reckless driving habits.
Setting Limits
To access the Report Card, drivers enter a PIN and select the Report Card to view. Information provided on the Report Card can open the channel of communication and allow parents to coach their young drivers, correcting bad driving behavior before it becomes a habit. Certain indicators-like maximum speed or stereo volume-can also be controlled by the parent.
Once a vehicle with Teen Driver is purchased, the vehicle owner can go into the settings and program custom restrictions for specific settings. These settings are assigned to a key fob of their choosing, making that the designated Teen Driver fob; then, whenever this fob is detected, Teen Driver is automatically activated for the duration of operation.
Volume control is one of the settings that can be customized, setting a limit on how loud music can be played. This is obviously important as excessively loud music can impact driver awareness and response time. According to a study posted by the National Library of Medicine, inexperienced drivers were more affected by music and other auditory stimuli than experienced drivers; furthermore, experienced drivers knew how to react to distractions appropriately, whereas inexperienced drivers showed no conspicuous reaction and made no driving adjustments.
The Speed Limiter is another important setting available in Teen Driver mode, allowing a limit of 85 mph to be set. At 85 mph, the limit is set high enough that teen drivers can keep up with quick traffic but not so high that they can endanger themselves or others on the highway. The Speed Warning is where control comes into play, with warnings that can be programmed to go off between 40 mph and 75 mph; an audible chime will alert the teen to their excessive speed, and a notice will be displayed on the Driver Information Center screen.
Buckle-to-Drive is another important system that can't necessarily be controlled but does offer important safety restrictions. When Buckle-to-Drive is active, drivers cannot shift out of PARK unless their seat belts are buckled. This hold lasts for 20 seconds after the driver presses on the brakes. On some vehicles, the Buckle-to-Drive feature is automatic and can't be disabled, enforcing proper driver safety.
Another setting that can be controlled is the Sirius XM Station Filter, which is only available for active subscribers. This system may be a little less of a driver safety setting as much as it is a guidance setting. It allows for explicit content to be blocked, preventing your teen driver from being exposed to adult language while driving.
Which Chevys Offer Teen Driver?
According to Chevy, teens are far more likely to speed than their older counterparts. Chevy also notes that only 43.1% of high school students wear seat belts when riding with someone in the vehicle. It has been proven that wearing your seatbelt can mean the difference between life and death, making Teen Driver mode that much more valuable.
With so much at stake, you might be wondering which Chevy vehicles offer Teen Driver mode. Whether you are buying your Chevy as a shared family vehicle or planning on giving it to your new driver, finding one with this program can completely change your young driver's experience. Thanks to Chevy's dedication to safety, Teen Driver can be found on almost all bowtie brand vehicles.
From small to large, Teen Driver comes standard on Chevy's sedans, CUVs, SUVs, trucks, and EVs. The only vehicles that aren't equipped with Teen Driver mode are performance or commercial vehicles. That means if you want to keep your teen from hitting 100 mph in your new Stingray, well, you're out of luck.
Despite the lack of performance vehicles that are teen-ready, Chevy has gone above and beyond by equipping nearly all of their other vehicles with this incredible program. The Malibu-one of the industry's last sedans-comes standard with Teen Driver on all trim levels. This model's fuel-efficient styling and compact design make it a fantastic option for new drivers.
For a vehicle that can tackle grocery runs and carpools, consider the snappy Trax, the sporty Blazer, the iconic Tahoe or Suburban, or the jack-of-all-trades Equinox. There are plenty of CUVs and SUVs to choose from, making it easy to get a vehicle for the whole family. Even Chevy trucks-from the agile Colorado to the heavy-duty Silverado 3500-come standard with Teen Driver. Don't worry: even EV fans are treated to the Teen Driver makeover, with the Bolt EV and the Bolt EUV sporting this incredibly helpful program.
Good Habits Make Good Drivers
For a little less than ten years, Teen Driver mode has been instilling positive driving habits in our most impressionable drivers. Developing good driving habits is the first and potentially most important step in learning to drive. There is nothing worse than an avoidable tragedy, which is why we encourage all Powell drivers to consider the benefits of getting a car with Teen Driver mode.
Teaching your inexperienced driver the importance of obeying the speed limit, staying focused, and wearing your seatbelt is something that benefits more than just your family; as a member of our community, one driver's safety affects everybody on the road. So, when you are in the market for a new or used Chevy and have a new or soon-to-be-new driver at home, consider choosing a vehicle with Teen Driver.