The ever-increasing number of road accidents have propelled carmakers to introduce modern car safety features in the models they produce. Most manufacturers have been upgrading their tech for years, consequently increasing the price of new cars.
What’s good to know is that aftermarket versions of almost all these car safety features are available. A little mathematical calculation may help you decide whether to add aftermarket technologies to your old vehicle or go for a brand new car with all the safety features built in.
Can safety features be added to older cars?
Yes, you can add most modern technology features to an old car. Since smart safety features are also available as aftermarket parts, they are comparatively cheaper than built-in features.
Which car safety features can you add to an old model car?
The following modern technological safety features can be easily added to your old car.
1-Collision Avoidance System
The first and perhaps most crucial safety feature that you can add to your older car is the collision avoidance system. Almost all modern vehicles come equipped with this system, which saves millions of lives on roads annually. It consists of a camera, a dashboard display, and sensors. The collision avoidance system includes lane-departure warning. While you can DIY-install simpler systems, always get a professional to install sophisticated versions.
2-Blind Spot Detection
Blindspot detection is another safety feature that you can add to your older car. It works with sensors that monitor within 8-10 feet of the vehicle. An alert icon flashes to warn drivers that there is something in their blind spot. Here, it is advisable to take a professional's services to get it installed because it takes hours.
3- Parking Sensors
Parking sensors are the most demanding safety feature nowadays because of the availability of limited parking spaces. The system alerts you of the low walls and other objects while reversing, parking, or turning. It works with sensors installed on the bumpers of the vehicle. The dash-mounted display warns drivers when they are dangerously close to any object.
4-Back-Up Cameras
Australian road safety standards require each vehicle to come with a rearview camera because nearly 250 people, especially children, die each year of backover accidents. The rearview camera gives you a wide-angle view of the backside while reversing or parking. A camera above the number plate and an LCD to view the video signals received from the camera work together to do the job.
5-Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
Tyre pressure monitoring is also crucial for road safety, and you can easily get it installed on your old model car. The system includes tyre pressure sensors in tyre valve caps connecting to a tiny monitor plugged into the cigarette lighter power port or a smart device. It monitors the tyre pressure of all the four wheels and alerts you in case of any emergency.
6-Bluetooth Hands-Free Calling Kits
Although Australian road safety laws prohibit cell phone use during driving, you can manage to pick the critical and emergency calls through a hands-free calling kit. It is inexpensive to add. You may then use Bluetooth to connect it to your smartphone. You may also play music from your phone to your vehicles' speakers via these kits.
7-Head Up Display
The HUD is a safety feature that keeps the drivers informed of their speed and navigation on the windscreen. Both simple and advanced systems are available, offering various functionalities. An HUD consists of a projector mounted on your vehicle's dashboard. It projects all the driver-related information on the windshield. A simple system costs $40-100, while the advanced systems may cost $800-1000.
8-GPS and Navigation
GPS and built-in navigation systems have become standard safety features nowadays. Thanks to the technological revolution, you can now install the system into your old car. It shows digital maps and provides turn-by-turn guidance to the drivers through voice, visual, or real-time aids. It is available in the form of a plug-and-play system that costs $60-100. You can connect it with a dash display packed in the system or connect it to your cell phone display.
9-Engine Diagnostics
Monitoring your car's health is essential during long drives, and this is what the engine diagnostics feature provides you. It connects with a telephone application that monitors oil levels and guides what the engine check lights are saying. You only need to plug it into a port in the car and connect it to the application. It even reminds about needed maintenance work and servicing.
10-Touchscreen Display
Finally, you will need a touchscreen display. It is the gateway to all these technologies because it allows you to connect many other applications. It helps you access things like navigation, satellite radio, and a rearview camera or smartphone apps. The touchscreen display works like a factory-fitted screen.
Buy only from reputable sellers
Whatever car safety system you want to add to your old vehicle, buy the system or auto part from a certified car part dealer. The best way to locate reputable sellers is to use our Car Part Finder. It saves you time and money by connecting you to the best sellers who will vie with their best quotes.
By Ghazanfar