Android Auto is designed to help keep your hands off your phone and your eyes on the road, but that doesn't mean it's totally distraction-free. In fact, getting preoccupied with your car's screen can be just as dangerous as glancing at your phone.

Also: I saw the future of Android Auto, and now Google has me dreading my own car

Fortunately, Android Auto has several built-in safety features to make your daily drive a little safer while still letting you control your navigation, music, and more. I've used these options myself, and while I can't say I necessarily enjoy them all, they have helped me stay more focused on my drive.

Here's a look at four safety features you should be using if you're not already.

This is foremost a convenience option, but it's also a safety setting. If you don't have Android Auto set to automatically connect and launch, you should. If you're using your phone to fire up Android Auto while driving, that's time your eyes aren't on the road. If you auto-launch, things like your maps and music are ready immediately.

If you're using navigation and playing music or a podcast, you'll want to make sure you're taking advantage of one of the best Android Auto upgrades in recent years -- split-screen mode. Instead of bouncing back and forth between apps, split-screen lets you see all your important information at once.