Car accessories that make life easier
Modern cars are full of modern technology. Some solutions increase safety, others are used to reduce fuel consumption. There are also systems that increase comfort.
Until recently, the most interesting accessories were reserved for high-end cars. The change in the situation was facilitated by increased competition for customers, rising expectations of drivers, as well as popularization and falling prices for new technologies. Many practical solutions are already being implemented in popular models. What additional options are worth recommending?
Rearview Camera
Attractive lines falling on the back of modern cars limit the field of view. Mirrors do not always give full information about what is happening behind the car. For this reason, it is worth investing in a rear view camera. It allows you to maneuver with millimeter precision and allows you to see obstacles that are below the lower edge of the rear window and would only be visible in the mirrors from a greater distance. The simplest cameras only present an image. In more advanced systems, the driver can count along lines that illustrate the path and make it easier to judge the distance to an obstacle.
Parking sensors
The bumpers of most modern cars do not have unpainted plastic bumpers that could protect the bumpers from the effects of minor collisions. Even an imperceptible touch on a wall or a parking post can leave an indelible mark on the bumper. For this reason, it is worth investing in parking sensors. Currently, they cost little more than a visit to a mechanic. But that's not the only reason we recommend them. Modern sensors accurately measure the distance to an obstacle, which is especially useful when parallel parking in a limited space - we can safely drive up to the bumpers in front and behind, which reduces the time of maneuver.
Bluetooth hands-free kit
Almost every driver has a mobile phone. Using it while driving in such a way that you need to hold the device in your hand is not allowed - a fine of PLN 200 and five demerit points. But the main thing is not the sanctions. Experts compare driver distraction during a conversation without a hands-free kit to driving a car at 0,8% blood alcohol. This can be avoided by ordering a Bluetooth hands-free kit in the car. You only need to pair your phone with the car's electronics once, and the devices will automatically connect later. The electronics will take care of turning off the sound of the radio after answering the call, and the interlocutor will be heard through the speakers installed in the car. Bluetooth hands-free kits are no longer an exclusive accessory. For example, in the new Fiat Tipo - in the Tipo and Pop versions - they cost PLN 500, while in the Easy and Lounge versions they do not require an additional payment.
Multifunction steering wheel
The driver must be as focused as possible on the road. One solution to reduce his distraction while driving is the multifunction steering wheel. Built-in buttons allow you to change radio stations and audio sources, adjust the volume level, and answer or reject phone calls. All operations can be performed without taking your hands off the steering wheel.
navigation
Falling prices for electronics meant that navigation was no longer an exclusive product. This applies not only to portable devices, but also to systems offered by car manufacturers. For example, the UConnect NAV system for the Fiat Tipo in the Easy version is offered for PLN 1500. What does factory navigation say? This is the part of the car that remains visually consistent with the rest of the cabin. You don't have to worry about gluing your device to glass or finding the best way to arrange power cables. Navigation positions have undermined smartphones – it is enough that they receive a strong enough signal and opening applications or pages turns them into navigation devices. However, this is not an ideal solution. Starting navigation will drain the battery faster. When you travel abroad, the cost of using navigation increases dramatically due to data roaming charges.
USB connector
Cassettes, CDs, audio from external sources through the AUX jack—car audio systems have evolved rapidly over the past twenty years. The latest trends are Bluetooth streaming and playback from external media such as USB sticks. The second of these solutions seems to be the most convenient. A flash drive of more than a dozen millimeters with a capacity of 8 or 16 GB is capable of storing hundreds of music albums. Streaming audio is also a convenient solution. Sound files can be stored, for example, on a phone and then sent to the car's multimedia system via Bluetooth. The solution is wireless, but only in theory. Transferring data will drain your phone's battery faster. In the car, this is not a major problem, because we can regularly replenish the power - whether it be from a USB socket or from a 12V car charger.
Cruise control
The length of motorways and expressways in Poland is constantly growing. Traffic on these types of routes is usually unstable. Owners of vehicles with cruise control can enjoy complete driving comfort. This is an electronic system that allows you to set the speed that the car must maintain, regardless of the slope of the road or the strength of the wind. Cruise control is most often programmed with buttons on the steering wheel or paddles on the steering column.
