Forward collision warning/ Lane departure warning:
— automatic braking isn’t available as an aftermarket option — it will warn drivers so they can slow down or maneuver away. Blind spot detection and rear cameras are two others she considers critical.
“But at the same time, you have to say, ‘Hey I have this 10-yearold car, maybe it’s time to turn it in,’” she said.
The quality of aftermarket systems varies considerably. Read reviews or ask a trusted mechanic for recommendations.
Here are four safety features to consider:
Sinclair suggests a system from Mobileye, a tech company that also supplies most major automakers. Mobileye’s cameras and software can recognize other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and even speed limit signs. The system alerts drivers when they leave a lane and when a collision is up to 2.7 seconds away. Sinclair says it costs around $1,000 to buy the system and have it installed by a Mobileye technician.
There are many less expensive and easy-to-install dashboard cameras that double as collision warning systems. Garmin’s Dash Cam 35 monitors up to 130 feet in front of the vehicle; if the driver is going 30 mph or faster, it will issue audio and visual alerts of impending collisions. The Dash Cam 35 costs $130 on Amazon. com.
Blind spot detection:
Blind spot systems use sensors to monitor the sides of the vehicle and flash an icon to the driver if something is in the way. Sinclair recommends Goshers Blind Spot Detection System, which costs $239. It monitors within 10 feet of the vehicle. Sinclair recommends having a professional install the system; it took her mechanic four hours to do it.
Backup camera:
According to government statistics, roughly 250 people are killed each year in backover accidents, many of them children. China’s Yada brand makes a weather-proof camera with night vision that attaches to the rear of the car. When the car is in reverse, it sends images wirelessly to a 4.3-inch monitor. Pep Boys sells the system for $129. If you don’t want a monitor in your car, Auto Vox has one that displays the image in your rearview mirror. It’s $139 on Amazon.com.
Emergency assistance:
Hum, developed by Verizon, works like General Motors’ OnStar system. It will automatically call emergency services if the car has been in an accident. It sends alerts to drivers’ phones if there’s a mechanical problem and lets drivers press a button if they need roadside assistance. Hum works in cars built in 1996 or later. It costs $10 per month; a two-year subscription is required. There are also one-time set-up and activation fees totaling $50.