How to modernize your old car to make it safer and easier to drive
A shortage of semiconductors and other supply chain issues have driven down the pool of new cars. This, of course, has caused prices to soar. People are turning to the used car market to score a better deal.
Crooks know how to take advantage of these situations, and they’re targeting used car shoppers with elaborate schemes. Tap or click here for tips on spotting used car scams.
The unstable market might have you holding on to your old car. Whether you drive a classic or a 10-year-old car, safety should still be your chief concern. Here are some ways to bring your vehicle up to speed.
Backup camera
A law requiring all vehicles to come equipped with backup cameras was enacted in 2018. If your car is older than that, you may not have one.
You may be happy with standard rearview mirrors, but nobody is saying to stop using those. Adding a backup camera offers these important benefits:
- A wider view of what’s behind you.
- It virtually eliminates blind spots.
- You can better see small children and animals behind your vehicles.
- Parallel parking is easier.
Aftermarket cameras are affordable and can be purchased with or without a screen (if your car already has a display, you can connect the camera to it). Some kits come with a screen you simply strap over your existing mirror.
GPS
Is your glove compartment full of old maps you got from the gas station? While you can hold onto those, you’ll have an easier time getting around with a global positioning system.
You can get a standalone GPS unit that installs inside your dashboard or mounts elsewhere in your car. You get traffic reporting and map updates; some units even come with safety options such as lane assist.
Yes, you can use your smartphone, but you’ll have to ensure it’s plugged in when navigating, or your battery will drain quickly. You’ll also worry about data usage and your cellular signal dropping out during a trip.
$100 for a tank of gas? Top 10 most expensive vehicles at the pump
Gas prices have been hitting record highs, and it’s getting more difficult to justify a leisurely drive to nowhere.
People have been turning to or considering alternative fuel vehicles to reduce the impact of the climbing cost of gas. Electric cars don’t need gas to operate, so it should be cheaper to own one, right? Not exactly. Tap or click here for our report on the cost of ownership for an EV.