It may come as a surprise to some, but the state of your car can often affect how good or bad of a driver you are. Sometimes having better upgrades or updates to your car can help you to drive more safely and consistently. Even if you are an excellent driver, there could still be a few upgrades that you should consider adding to your vehicle. With a few simple add-ons and alterations, you can make sure that your vehicle is comfortable to drive, safer, and more efficient.
Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS)
Over the last few years, advanced driver assist systems have exploded in popularity, and they are now coming pre-installed on most modern vehicles. That type of system usually comprises multiple sensors and cameras that are located in strategic areas throughout a vehicle. In addition to helping you see behind your vehicle, many of them also have sensors on the side mirrors so that you can safely merge at high speeds.
While there are not yet specific studies related to how exact ADAS can help drivers to be safer, there is still anecdotal evidence. These systems prevent drivers from drifting into the wrong lane, changing lanes while a car or motorcycle is in the blind spot, and backing or pulling into objects that are not visible through mirrors or windows. It may take some getting used to, but once you start driving with a driver assist system and utilizing the information it gives you, you will become a safer driver for yourself and other drivers on the road.
Upgraded Headlights
If your vehicle is more than a few years old, then you might want to consider upgrading to LED headlights. Quite a bit of research still needs to be done on the subject, but some experts believe that LED headlights provide a clearer view at night in front of a vehicle and to the sides. After you have your new headlights installed, you must be sure that they are properly adjusted for maximum efficiency.
While getting your headlights upgraded to LED ones, you can also see if it is possible to have your headlights automated for your older car. This will ensure that your headlights are on when they need to be, especially at those pesky hours around dusk and dawn when drivers often forget to turn them on. Additionally, automated headlights can help when driving in areas where you might need your high-beam headlights but there is also other traffic. The car can detect when other cars are close and when to turn the high-beams off or on, improving your visibility while you drive.
Tinted Windows
There are quite a few reasons why you might want to have your vehicle’s windows tinted. In addition to improving your comfort and privacy, tinted windows could also reduce glare. During certain hours of the day, sunlight can make it very difficult to see in certain directions, and a tinted window is going to minimize those harsh UV rays so that you have improved visibility. Window tinting is also going to protect the inside of your vehicle from unnecessary sun damage.
If you live in a particularly hot area, like the southern United States, chances are good that your car windows are already tinted to prevent your car from getting too hot on the hottest days of summer. However, window tinting can be beneficial for drivers in other areas as well. In addition to reducing glare, the tinting professionals use on your car windows can benefit you in an accident. If your glass windows shatter the tinting helps it to stay together better, protecting you from the broken glass or being thrown from the vehicle in a more severe accident.
New Tires
Another simple upgrade that could potentially make you a much better drive is a new set of tires. While stock tires are usually adequate, they probably aren’t going to give you maximum control over your vehicle. Upgraded tires are going to have improved grip, and that will make it easier to turn and make quick stops. As an added bonus, high-quality tires might also end up saving you quite a bit of money by improving your vehicle’s gas mileage.
If you live in an area with a mild climate and are planning to travel or move to somewhere that has more rain or snow, you will likely want to upgrade your tires. Snow tires will likely not be necessary unless you are driving in intense snow often, but all season tires will help you to have better grip on the road during wet driving conditions. Make sure you have all season tires on all four of your tires for best results. You will also need to have your tires rotated regularly to ensure they last for as long as possible.
While some of these upgrades are relatively easy to install, like putting on new tires or changing out your headlights, most major mechanical projects should be left to professional mechanics. Working on your vehicle without the correct tools and training could result in expensive or potentially dangerous problems down the road. Consider investing in some or all of these upgrades for your car to make yourself a safer, more reliable, and overall better driver no matter what the driving conditions are. Talk to a local auto supply store to see where you can get started on your specific year, make, and model.
