Advancements in safety features happen over a period of years and eventually become standard in all newer vehicles. If you purchase a used vehicle that does not include some of the newer safety features you should consider the cost of the technology, the cost of the installation and the helpfulness that it will provide to you in increasing your safety on the road. Especially if you are not skilled in a particular aspect of driving you should consider getting assistance by adding one of these features.
As mentioned in our other article, HOW TO MODERNIZE YOUR CARS INTERIOR, changes in technology happen more frequently as time goes on. This technology not only affects entertainment, comfort and driving features but it also impacts safety features. In the distant future cars will become autonomous and that software technology will be operated by Tesla, Google, Apple and some other industry leaders. Cars will be sold with this autonomous technology included but for older cars that don’t have it originally included, there will be kits that allow it to be installed in older vehicles.
Until then we have some less exciting but very safe features that can be added to a used vehicle to make it safer and more convenient to drive. The features are listed below in two categories, either high level of helpfulness or low level of helpfulness. This is only based on our thoughts of which features more related to preventing traffic accidents and which features might help indirectly. Ultimately, your personal situation will determine how helpful any of these features will be.
| HIGH LEVEL OF HELPFULNESS | LOW LEVEL OF HELPFULNESS |
| Back-Up Camera / Front End Camera | Tire Pressure Valve Stem Sensor |
| Side Mirror Turn Signal Indicator | Wiper Blades |
| Blind Spot Monitoring | Car Finder |
| Parking Sensors | Dash Camera |
| Rearview Mirror Camera |
Back-Up Camera
A back-up camera is a very helpful feature. It assists drivers whenever their vehicle is in reverse. While backing up is not something that drivers do often when compared to driving forward, and while it may not pose a threat to the driver, backing up does result in injuries to people and pets and damages to objects that are behind the vehicle and not visible to the driver.
For all drivers, even the most skilled at reversing, visibility is low, which poses potential dangers. For other drivers, backing up is difficult because of maneuvering, the driving motion is in reverse, turning the wheel is in the opposite direction and judging distances from behind is challenging because it is not done frequently.
A back-up camera helps to solve many of these challenges by not only providing full visibility of what is behind the vehicle but also including virtual graphic grid lines that help guide your positioning and stay in between parking lines and away from curbs. For drivers with limited physical mobility, being able to back up without twisting their body to see behind them is very helpful because they can just look at the monitor in the dashboard.
The cost and installation of a back-up camera is affordable depending on what type you choose and what your budget is. You can explore some pricing options by viewing this Amazon link. There are two main types of installations, if your vehicle already has an existing monitor and if your vehicle does not have an existing monitor.
Existing Monitor – If you already have an existing monitor in your vehicle then all you have to do is buy the back-up camera and pay to have it installed. There are back-up camera kits that are compatible with your vehicle and connect to your existing system as an auxiliary component. The camera has to be mounted at the rear of the vehicle and the wires have to be ran through to the front of the vehicle and properly connected so that the camera function operates automatically when the vehicle is in reverse. *Some people that have an existing monitor may want to go the extra step and replace it with a more up to date version because they can also get the benefit of other features and not just the back-up camera.
No Existing Monitor – If your vehicle is a little older and does not already have an existing monitor in the vehicles dashboard then the cost and installation will be more expensive because in addition to installing the back-up camera you will also have to install a monitor unit in the vehicles dashboard in order to view the camera images. This requires more labor because the dashboard has to be removed in order for the existing radio unit to be taken out and replaced with a radio unit with a screen.
In addition to a back-up camera, a front-end camera can also be added to a used vehicle in order to update the safety. The purpose is very similar for both cameras, the front-end camera helps a drive see objects that are directly in front of the. Sometimes an object can be low and out of the driver’s line of sight or it can be difficult to accurately judge the length of a vehicles front end. Therefore installing a front-end camera would be most helpful when pulling in to park because the image that appears on the monitor will have guidelines that show the vehicles exact distance from surrounding objects.
Please explore some options for back-up and front-end cameras from our affiliate partner.
Side Mirror Turn Signal Indicator
Another way to update the safety of a used vehicle is by adding a side mirror indicator. This is a helpful feature because it gives warning to vehicles on the side that are slightly out of visibility range of the front and rear turn signals, providing an extra layer of safety when switching lanes or making a turn.
Some vehicles, depending on the make and model, may already have a side indicator located somewhere on the fender. Sometimes these provide enough blinking visibility but the side mirror turn signal indicator is positioned higher than any of the other turn signals. So that height and side location helps catch the eye of distracted drivers when making quick lane change decisions.
In addition to the extra layer of safety and blinking visibility that the side mirror turn signal indicator provides it also looks cool and adds a modern feel to the exterior of the vehicle, since it is a modern feature and the LED light that it uses. Putting turn signals in side mirrors is an option that has become more and more popular with car makers and many vehicles come standard with them now.
There are two main types of side mirror turn signal indicators, the ones that are located on the front of the mirror covers and the ones that illuminate through the side mirrors. There are different styles that are available to be added to an older vehicle, they come in different colors and different shapes. To explore some options that are compatible with your vehicle please visit our affiliate partner.
The cost and installation of side mirror turn signal indicators is affordable. The indicator is a basic LED light with a wire that connects to the vehicles turn signal wire. Most indicators can be mounted in place with adhesive tape that is on the back of the indicator. Instructions are easy to understand and installation requires moderate experience with basic installation.
Unless you are in the process of having other items installed that also requires wiring in the front area of the vehicle. We would recommend installing the side mirror turn signal indicators yourself because installation could be more expensive than the indicators. Try searching for a helpful installation video on YouTube.
If you want a complete upgrade to your side mirrors, some new style mirrors are compatible with older vehicles and in that situation the side mirrors can be switched out. This is not available with many vehicle make and models because the mounting set up and physical shape of the A pillar is different and a lot of expensive retrofitting would be required in order to install it. But if the side mirror happens to fit properly then it is worth considering switching because it will completely update and modernize the look and safety features of that space on the vehicle.
Blind Spot Monitoring
Another safety feature that can be added to a used vehicle to make it safer is a blind spot monitoring system. This technology has recently become standard in newer vehicles. It is a small image that appears in the side mirror that is connected to a sensor that illuminates whenever another vehicle is in the blind spot position, warning the driver and making it easier to change lanes.
This small but important feature helps reduce traffic collisions and prevents other vehicles from swerving out of the way to avoid another vehicle changing lanes that are not clear. Having this assistance is helpful to drivers that drive in cities with heavy traffic by providing an additional layer of safety; and it makes the vehicle look more modern when this technology appears in the corner of the side mirror.
The cost and installation for an aftermarket blind spot monitoring system is affordable. It is a standard device, the flashing signal component is mounted on the side mirror or some systems are mounted inside the vehicle. The sensor, that detects passing vehicles, is mounted on the outside near the side mirror and the wires have to be connected and ran to a wire for power.
Instructions are easy to understand and installation requires moderate experience with basic installation. We would recommend installing the blind spot monitoring system yourself because installation could be more expensive than the system. Try searching for a helpful installation video on YouTube.
Parking Sensors
Another safety feature that can be added to a used vehicle to assists drivers are parking sensors. This is an alert system that beeps when a vehicle is close to an object to help warn the driver of the impending impact. The beeping starts off gradual and becomes more rapid as the vehicle gets closer to an object until it becomes a constant beep, which means that it is inches from an object.
This is a helpful feature while parking because gauging a vehicles distance from objects in tight spaces can be difficult. Sometimes drivers tap other vehicles when parking because they are trying to fit in a small space and can’t accurately judge the portion of the bumper that they can’t see from inside the vehicle. This causes minor scrapes and scratches to the bumper the rims and sometimes cracks to the headlights and taillights.
Cost and installation of parking sensors is affordable but moderately difficult. The system consists of the sensors units and the wiring. The most difficult part of the installation for the average person is mounting the sensors which, some systems require drilling holes into the bumper so that the sensors can be mounted flush.
There are also stick-on sensors in which the sensors units are flat and designed to stick on the surface of the bumper, only raised up a fraction of an inch and a small hole is drilled to run each wire through. The drilling is the difficult aspect of this installation. Even though it only requires a basic level of drill use, the average person may not have a drill or be use to operating one and if a mistake is made it can only be corrected with minor body work. If someone is not confident in their drilling skills than we would suggest they hire a professional to perform the installation.
There are similarities in the purpose of parking sensors and back-up and front cameras, they both primarily assists drivers in parking and maneuvering in tight spaces, so it is redundant to get both and we suggest determining which one works better for your personal situation and budget before deciding on a purchase.
Tire Pressure Valve Stem Sensors
Another safety feature that can be added to a used vehicle to assist drivers are tire pressure valve stem sensors. These would be considered low level helpfulness because they assist a driver indirectly by alerting them whenever the tire pressure drops. Since tire pressure does not change frequently and normally remains consistent, it is not an issue that drivers encounter on a daily basis.
However, proper tire pressure is essential to performance of the vehicle and if it is too low it can affect steering, braking and uneven wear on tires, which can lead to reduced control and possibly a collision. The way it works it that there is a small sensor on the inside of the valve cover that reads the tire pressure and transmits it to a downloadable app on your phone. You can set your recommended pressure settings and receive alerts when the pressure is low. There are also valve caps that display a pressurized visual sensor that indicates tire pressure, not as high tech but still effective.
The cost and installation for the tire pressure valve stem sensors is affordable. They work just like normal valve stem covers by simply screwing on and off. The only drawback is that if you want to use the sensors they do not come with custom logos to match your vehicle. They have a nice design and standard style, a step up from the basic black plastic covers but they do not come with specific vehicle logos.
Wiper Blades
Another low level safety feature to assists drivers are silicone and heated wiper blades. These blades are designed to repeal water better than standard wiper blades. Depending on what part of the country you live in bad weather may or may not happen often but in the event of inclement weather wiper blades become essential for visibility. If a driver cannot see a distance in front of them it could lead to a collision.
A used vehicle has standard wiper blades but silicone and heated wiper blades have advanced designs that repeal water and debris more effectively than standard blades. If you live in a location with snow or freezing temperatures than heated wiper blades are helpful because they have the dual feature of melting the ice or snow while also clearing it from the windshield.
The cost and installation is affordable, since wiper blades have to be replaced periodically, we suggest considering replacing your standard wiper blades with either silicone or heated wiper blades when you are ready to replace. It is a good feeling to be driving in inclement weather and have the confidence to make it to your destination safely by maintaining visibility, we think you will notice a difference.
Installation is simple with easy instructions to follow for silicone wipers. Heated wipers require two steps, the first being to remove the old blades and to mount the new blades. And the second step being to connect the wire to power the heating function.
Please visit our affiliate partner to look at different styles, options and prices of wiper blades.
Car Finder
Another low level safety feature that can assists drivers is not typical thought of because it is not a physical feature, instead it is a type of software but we will include it because safety is moving in the direction of software and autonomous driving capabilities.
Car finder software, which is available on smartphones with iOS. Allows drivers to conveniently mark the location that they park their vehicle in, leave the vehicle and conduct their business and upon returning to the vehicle be able to track down the vehicles location through their smartphone.
This is helpful because it allows drivers to efficiently locate their vehicle without getting lost. Some parking lots are large and can be confusing, they can also be targeted by thieves and if a driver is walking around lost at night searching for their vehicle then it increases the chances of them being a target.
The car finder software will assist a driver in getting to their vehicle by simply opening the app and following the route (multi-level structures pose a challenge for the software determining the correct level, some advanced dynamic applications have the capability).
The cost and installation is affordable and in many cases it is free. It uses a basic GPS technology that comes standard in all smartphones. It can be accessed several different ways either automatically through Apple Carplay or Android Auto, available for those used car drivers that have upgraded their infotainment system. If not, drivers can simply mark the parking location on the map in their phone or they can download a third party app.
Please view this YouTube how-to video from GottaBeMobile https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR6J0K5Gtxk in order to get walkthrough instructions on how the software works.
Please visit our affiliate partner to view different styles, options and prices of GPS car trackers.
Dashboard Camera
Another low level safety feature that can assist drivers is a dashboard camera. These cameras are designed for vehicles, they are mounted on the dashboard and record the view from the front windshield. This is not a preventative measure that avoids collision instead it helps show exactly what happened if an accident occurs. Some dashboard camera systems also come with audio that can be a record for interactions with law enforcement or road rage incidents. This type of material can be very helpful in insurance claims, civil lawsuits and criminal investigations.
The cost and installation of a dash cam is affordable, the camera unit is small and mounted on the dashboard with adhesive. Some systems are battery powered and do not require any wiring and others are wired, which require a basic connection to a power source.
Rearview Mirror Camera
Another low level safety feature that can assist drivers is a rearview mirror camera. Many rearview mirror cameras combine several technologies, a front camera, a rear camera and a recording camera all in one, all with the ability to be displayed on the mirror along with the standard reflective mirror function according to which one you select.
Depending on what other features you already have installed in your vehicle, a rearview mirror camera might be a redundant technology. If you already have an upgraded infotainment system with integrated camera technology than you do not also need an additional rearview mirror camera. The ideal situation for choosing a rearview mirror camera is if you do not have any of the other features.
The cost and installation of a rearview mirror camera is affordable. There are two main types of mirrors, the type that is mounted directly in front of the existing rearview mirror, which is not very aesthetically pleasing but easier to install. And the full replacement rearview mirror camera that is mounted in place of the existing rearview mirror, which looks better but requires full removal of the existing mirror. In addition, both types require mounting of the rear camera lens and running and connecting wires.
Please visit our affiliate partner to look at different styles, options and prices of rearview mirror cameras. You can also view this YouTube review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyL5mSyrODQ to get more information.
