When buying a car, most people focus on things like speed, horsepower and comfort and don’t think so much about safety. That is quite ironic, since the main purpose of a vehicle is to get your from point A to point B safely. To be honest, car manufacturers work constantly on improving the safety of their new vehicles, but only a small number of people can afford to buy a new car so frequently. That leaves us with only one option – upgrading our existing car. Here are some things you can do to boost your car’s safety, which you should definitely consider. Not only will the car be safer to drive, but you’ll also increase its resale value. So, let’s take a look at some of those things.
Replacing the tires
One of the most important elements when it comes to safety are the tires. They keep your car safely connected to the road and allow you make quick and sudden changes in direction or speed. There are so many different types of tires nowadays, which is good news. You should start by identifying the type of roads you’re using the most and then choose the tires that have a suitable tread pattern. You should also consider getting a set with a built-in steel belt under the treads, which will make your tires much more resistant to punctures. Basically, you should get the best set you can afford. Also, don’t forget your spare tire. It should be properly stored, maintained and inflated in case you need it.
Suspension
Just like tries, the suspension has a great impact on the overall performance of your car. The suspension system controls the spring and suspension movement, keeping tire wear under control. It also provides consistent handling and braking and controls vehicle bounce. As you can see, the suspension should be in perfect condition if you want your car to be safer. Never settle for cheap parts of dubious quality, because they are much more likely to break down. Instead, opt for quality car parts that are recommended by the car manufacturer.
Collision avoidance systems
While many modern cars have decent visibility, but every experienced driver will tell you that there is no way you can notice everything happening around you while driving. One way to solve this problems is to install a collision-avoidance system, which alerts you when you’re in danger of a forward collision or running into an imminent obstruction or when you accidentally depart your lane. Having parking sensors and a rear camera installed will help you eliminate all blind spots and help you improve the safety of your car.
Install a third brake light
No matter how careful you are when driving, it still doesn’t mean you won’t get into trouble on the road. Unfortunately, a lot depends on other people around you and how careful they are. What you can do, though, is let the other drivers know what you’re up to by installing a third, pulsing brake light, which would provide another way of alerting other drivers. You’d, thus, lower the chances of getting bumped from the rear.
Gadgets
It’s a fact that we use gadgets almost all the time, even when driving. We are now accustomed to using GPS navigation and since many older cars don’t have it installed, drivers rely on their phones or tablets. It’s important to have a phone mount installed in a position that will provide good road visibility and you should get a unit that uses voice controls, so that you don’t have to remove your hands from the wheel. Also, try to get a Bluetooth hands-free unit, rather than one which requires cables, since they can get entangled and be an obstacle to your driving.
These five tips should help you make your car and your driving much safer than before. Remember that regardless of how experienced you are, there are always some elements you can’t control, which could be potentially dangerous. The only thing you can do is minimize them by making sure your car is in good condition and staying alert at all times. Since you probably can’t afford getting a new car each time a new safety feature is introduced, you need to focus on maintaining your current car and possibly upgrading it to enjoy the safest possible ride.
