Six Essential Tech Upgrades to Make To Your Old Car

Most new cars are decked out in high tech gadgets, some for driving pleasure and others for safety. If you drive an older model, you don’t have to feel technology has left you in the dust. There are many aftermarket products you can install in your old car. Here are six must-have tech upgrades to bring your old car into the 21st century.

6 Tech Upgrades to Make to Your Old Car

1. Bluetooth Receiver

Using a cell phone while driving is a leading cause of distracted driving accidentsTrending Most Common Car Accident Fatalities Defensive Driving. A Bluetooth wireless device connects your phone to your car’s stereo system so that you can take calls and play music over the car speakers without handling your phone.

A product like the Aukey Bluetooth Audio Transmitter and ReceiverAukey Bluetooth Audio Receiver Review 2017 5?IR=T plugs into your car stereo’s auxiliary port. Alternatively, install a Bluetooth-enabled stereo like the Kenwood KMM-BT322UCar Receiver Kmm Bt322u Usa. If your car still has a cassette player, use a Bluetooth cassette adaptorBest Bluetooth Cassette Adapter. 

2. Head-up Display

A head-up display (HUD) is a unit that is placed on top of your dash that projects information onto a clear built-in display screen or onto the windshield. A HUD displays driver information such as car speed, navigation, and mileage. By projecting onto the screen or windshield, it puts the information directly in the driver’s line of sight. The Garmin HUDCar Tech Tom Tom Gps And Sat Nav Garmin Hud 1204503 Review Reviews and HUDWAY GlassGlass Hudway.co are good choices. Both require you to download the relevant navigation apps on your smartphone.  

3. Dashcam

Installing a dashcam means you can record videos of your road trips, add an extra level of security against car thieves, or keep an eye on your teen’s driving behavior. But the number one reason people install dash cam is to provide evidence to insurance companies on how an accident occurred.

The Nextbase 522GWDash Cams 522gw Dash Cam En Gb is the first dash cam that comes with built-in Alexa for voice operation. The compact Garmin Dash Cam MiniEn US US P 621281 Buy.garmin.com, the size of a car key, fits discreetly behind the rearview mirror, and automatically records when a collision happens.

4. Rear Backup Camera

In 2018, the U.S. Department of Transportation made it mandatory that all new cars sold in America have rear backup camerasMoney Cars 2018 05 02 Backup Cameras 572079002 Story. While older cars are exempt from this rule, if you want this safety feature, there are aftermarket rear backup cameras available.

One of the easiest to install is the Yada Wireless Backup CameraIndex.php?id=digital Wireless Backup Camera With Dash Monitor#DESCRIPTION 0 Letsyada.com that features night vision. If you don’t want a bulky display screen cluttering your dashboard, opt for the Master Tailgaters Rearview MirrorRear View Mirrors With Lcd Products Master Tailgaters 4 3 Lcd Rear View Mirror With 1080p 30fps Hd Dvr Dual Way Video Recorder Collections that displays images on your rearview mirror and doubles up as a dashcam. 

5. Radar Blind-Spot Sensor Kit

Blind-spot monitoring alerts you when a vehicle is in your blind spot when changing lanes. These use sensors attached to the inside of the rear bumper to relay a warning sound and a flashing LED light.

The Brandmotion RDBS-1500Radar Blind Spot Radar Blind Spot System With Cross Traffic Detection Rdbs 1500.html Blind Spot Monitoring is as close to a factory-installed blind-spot monitoring system as you can get and is highly accurate. If the Brandmotion is too pricey, opt for the Goshers Radar Blind Spot Detection SystemRadar Blind Spot Detection System Bsds Rd1630. Both feature cross-traffic detection when backing up.

6. OBD Adapter

Since 1996, all cars sold in America have an onboard diagnostic system called OBD-II, a diagnostic tool that issues alerts such as “engine light” and “change oil” warnings and helps technicians quickly identify certain problems. You can install your own OBD adaptor that will send diagnostic information to an app on your smartphone. Try the OBDLink LX Bluetooth Scan ToolObdlink Lxbt or Bluedriver Pro Scan ToolBluedriver Scan Tool Products; both are affordable and user-friendly.

What if My Car Is Too Old for the Latest Tech?

Suzanne Kantra, editor of Car Emergency Essentials GuideTechlicious.com says older cars often experience more issues as parts wear out, and they may not have all the latest bells and whistles to let you know when a part is failing. If your car is too old for tech upgrades, like tire pressure management sensors, there are emergency items you can keep in your car.

"To prevent getting stranded in a desolate or dangerous area, there are a couple of products I recommend all owners, especially those of older vehicles, keep in their cars," said Kantra. "The first is a portable battery jump starter, like the JumPackXL from Cobra2TenrqZ Amzn.to. It’s small enough to fit in your glovebox, powerful enough to jump most vehicles and easy to use, even if you’re a complete automotive novice."

"I also suggest an emergency flat repair kit. Slime sells one38YsmDf Amzn.to that includes both tire sealant, to fill small punctures, and an electric pump, which comes in handy for both inflating your tire after a flat and for regular top-offs.” 

While driver assistance tools help improve safety, you should still practice safe driving, stick to speed limits, and maintain safe following distances. Driving sensibly can prevent accidents and unwelcome traffic violationsTraffic Tickets Fines Penalties And Violations Defensive Driving.

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