Feeling left behind with your older car that doesn’t have all the bells and whistles as the new ones on the market?
You don’t have to put yourself in debt by buying a new car just to have a more high tech and comfortable ride.
Buying a used car, or keeping your already paid off car for longer, is a very economical way to get around. And you can still have a modern cruiser by adding some aftermarket devices.
Giving your car a high tech makeover is simply practical and even rewarding. Don’t look at your friends’ new car in envy. Upgrade your ride instead.
In this article, I will go over some easy ways to make your car more comfortable, modern and high tech.
1 – Soundproof it
One of the worst aspects of having a used car is how loud it can be inside the cabin. You can make it much quieter by doing some soundproofing.
Start with buying the right tires. Touring tires are the quietest type as the tread doesn’t channel and compress air into them. The asymmetrical and narrower tread of a touring tire is much quieter and will reduce the sound by at least a couple of decibels.
Quieting the rattles is also an easy way to make for a quiet cabin. Using sound deadening mats inside the cabin and trunk will help. Your exhaust could be one of the biggest noise makers in your car. Adding some sound proofing to your trunk will quiet it right down.
Follow this step-by-step installation for a quick and easy fix.
2 – Use a heads up display (HUD)
What seems like it is out of a science fiction movie, these high tech navigation tools project a map onto a transparent screen in front of your steering wheel. You have a safe way to use a GPS navigator that allows you to keep your eyes on the road while following the navigation.
This system is becoming quite common on newer, luxury brands like Porsche and Jaguar. But, you can have your own even in your used car for just a few hundred dollars.
With innovation coming at a fast pace, the Internet of Things can connect your used car to its surroundings.
3 – Add a rear view camera and parking sensor
According to the National Safety Council, 1 in 5 accidents happens in a parking lot. That’s 20%, which means you are more likely to get into an accident in a parking lot than anywhere else.
Having a rearview camera can put the odds back in your favor and help avoid an accident.
Seeing behind your car is always tricky. Using a camera takes all of the guesswork out of it. In fact, cars manufactured after May of 2018 are required to have one installed as a standard feature since they are so effective at preventing accidents.
Parking sensors can also be installed aftermarket. Using soundwaves, much like a bat, it can detect when you are getting too close to any surrounding objects. You may need a professional to install it, but it is still much cheaper than fixing any scratches or dents in your car. It may be used, but you still want it looking new!
4 – Use Bluetooth
Using a phone can get you fined in many states these days. The only safe and legal way to make a call is to use a handsfree device with Bluetooth. You can make calls without even taking your eyes off the road by using just your voice.
Many new cars come with this already installed, but you can use your smartphone with it very easily.
You can also install a stereo that features Bluetooth. With your voice command, you can scroll through radio stations or find your favorite song. Turn on Spotify without taking your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road.
5 – Use a personal assistant
Adding to the connectivity topic, you can have a virtual assistant that rides along with you in your car. By adding a device that plugs into the OBD-ii port of your car, you can now have access to the Internet of Things.
This means that the assistant can call for help if a crash is detected, lets you know when your car needs maintenance and can even allow people to see where you are in your car when they use the same app.
You can be reminded that you need to buy milk when you are near your favorite supermarket or let you know that there is traffic ahead before you turn onto the highway.
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