Old Banger to High-Tech Cruiser: Best Car Tech Upgrades

Do you ever look at your car and think it is time for an upgrade? If the answer is yes, you don’t necessarily need to get an entirely new vehicle. You could simply make some enhancements and improvements to the one that you have already. There is so much modern technology out there which can be installed into all sorts of cars to enhance your driving experience. Here, we are going to be running through just a few of the most popular ones which you could look to get yourself to improve your safety, entertainment, comfort and navigation.

Improved Audio Equipment

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If you are tired of your favourite tunes sounding terrible when you are behind the wheel, you could invest in some new audio equipment. Of course, with so many options on the market, you need to do your research before you settle on the one which is right for you. It is worth checking out a great buyer’s guide for choosing the best car amplifier for your money so you can really pump up the volume. However, this may not be the easiest upgrade in the world to make and you may need the professionals to install it for you.

In-Dash Audio/Entertainment/Navigation System

There are new features coming out all the time to turn your dashboard into a high-tech screen. So much more than simply a radio, it can also act as a navigation, entertainment, and communication system. Not only do you not have to worry about directions, you could even be getting the latest traffic updates so you know which roads to take and which ones you should be avoiding. New systems are currently being released to include voice recognition so you can control everything totally hands-free. Welcome to the future!

Back-Up Camera

Every year, thousands of accidents and hundreds of injuries and even deaths are caused by people backing up their cars. A lot of the time this is caused by the reduced vision that you have when you are reversing, but this problem can be largely addressed by installing a back-up camera in your car. In fact, this type of technology is now a requirement of new vehicles. There are plenty of options on the market these days so that you can easily install a camera on the back of your car, allowing you to watch a live video through a small mounted monitor, a rearview mirror/display or even through the dashboard itself. As an additional option, you could also put one on the front of your car to record any accidents should you need to prove your innocence to insurance companies etc.

Alarm System

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When you start to install all this technology onto your car, it is also worth thinking about the ways that you can protect it. There are plenty of alarm systems out there which can give you a helping hand in this regard, so check out the ones that are going to give you maximum protection without going off when you don’t want them to and annoying all your neighbours no end!

Phone Dock

A pretty simple car upgrade but a useful one nevertheless, a phone dock is great for keeping your smartphone so you can still navigate with it. You can also get ones which charge it at the same time, giving you a much-needed boost of power when you arrive at your destination. Importantly, it gives you somewhere to keep your phone where it is not causing you constant distractions. People using their smartphones while driving is a growing cause of accidents in the modern world.

Diagnostics Reader

It always helps to have a little more information about your car, and a diagnostics reader can give you some all-important additional data. Perhaps you want to see how your car is doing mileage-wise or whether it will pass a smog test. These readers plug directly into your car and some of the most high-tech ones even give you the chance to read them through your phone via Bluetooth and even have features like showing you exactly where you are parked. No longer will you have to go through the frustration of endlessly searching the parking lot!

Seat Heaters and Massagers

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Why not turn your car into your own personal spa treatment with seat heaters and massagers? Though heated seats have been around for a long time now, they are starting to become a lot more standard in newer models of car. But if you have an older vehicle, don’t despair as there are lots of heat car seat cushions for an affordable price. Spend a little more and you can get ones which come with cooling and massaging features built in. Drive in total comfort and style!

Parking Sensors

Countless little knocks and bumps are caused when people are parking, but the latest cars have this covered and some will even take the wheel for you. Parking sensors are designed to activate when you shift into reverse using sound or lights to let you know when you are coming close to hitting anything. Of course, the more you spend, the more features that you are likely to get. You may need to get them professionally installed, though there are some which can be installed easily enough from home.    

There are plenty of gadgets out there which can improve your car and your driving experience as a whole, and these are just a few of them. And there are options to suit people on all budgets, so you don’t have to spend a huge amount of money to have a better all-round vehicle. First of all, you will probably want to concentrate on your safety, but your comfort and entertainment options also play a role in your overall driving enjoyment. If you spend hours and hours behind the wheel, there is no telling how much these things could make your life that little bit easier.

About Sean Mackay

Sean writes about cars, golf and events going on in British Columbia, Canada. He is also the editor for The Automotive Review - an automotive publication bringing a West Coast flavour to its editorials.
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