Lleva

Lleva
 

My question is if this way of using "llevar" is common and if I am understanding it correctly.

When I working with our Spanish speaking installers, they will ask me if something gets a certain items installed on it. For instance. . .

¿Los frentes llevan agarraderas o jaladeras? (knobs or pulls, this is how they say it)

Am I understanding it correctly when "llevar" is used in this form?

This use of "llevar" as to bear/hold/carry/need is very common and I think you're understanding it right. :)

And it's also very handy...

· La palabra "examen" no lleva acento.
The word "examen" doesn't bear an accent.
· Llevo un clavel en la solapa.
I'm wearing a carnation on my lapel.
· Esta receta lleva mantequilla, pero puedes usar margarina.
This recipe needs butter, but you can use margarine instead.
· La diferencia entre la n y la ñ es que la ñ lleva tilde.
The difference between n and ñ is that ñ has a tilde.

Angélica, when I've said llevar for "wear (an article of clothing)" I've been corrected and advised to say usar instead. Is that a regional synonym?

The verb 'usar' can be used to ask what someone will wear (or what kind of clothing is typically worn) at a function/event/place/time.

¿Qué ropa usas para dormir?

@Glen: Although "llevar" is not the most common verb in daily conversations for wearing clothes, it is absolutely standard Spanish.
According to the DRAE: (Verbo transitivo) Traer puesto el vestido, la ropa, etc.

- La modelo lleva un conjunto de falda y pantalón muy apropiado para ir a la oficina.
- María llevaba (puesto) un vestido horrible.
- Ese señor lleva un sombrero muy elegante.

"Usar" is certainly the most commonly heard, but you could also say "tener/llevar/traer (puesto)".

- La modelo tenía/llevaba/traía un traje sastre demasiado serio. / La modelo estaba usando un traje...
- María trae un vestido precioso.
- El sombrero que tienes/traes/llevas puesto se ve muy elegante. / El sombrero que estás usando...