Cars used to be simple vehicles to get from A to B in as safe a way as possible (for “simple” read “incredibly advanced in their day but simple now”). These days they are much more technically advanced with in-car gadgets ranging from digital radios and DVD players to a games console in the back seat. Undoubtedly, things have moved forward. So here are some ideas of the extras currently available to the forward-thinking motorist:
Parallel Park Assist System
In 2014, you have to be able to parallel park (or reverse park) to pass your driving test. This has been the case for a while, but it wasn’t always this way, and a generation of drivers who passed their test only 25-30 years ago were never tested on this basic skill.
Kia’s parallel park assist system offers a helping hand, and is built in as standard on a number of its models including the cee’d ‘4 Tech’. This not only uses sensors to check whether a space is big enough, but it also takes over the steering so that all the driver has to do is vary the speed.
Driving monitors
If you’d like to improve your fuel consumption, wear and tear on your vehicle and general safety, it could be worth considering getting a little electronic companion to monitor your performance.
The most basic, aimed at individuals, is in the form of an app. The AA offers the Drivescore app, which sits on your phone. It will monitor your speed, braking and other things, and offer you a report. Meanwhile, Direct Line’s DrivePlus Plug-In, plugs into your car and gives you access to your driving data. An online portal then offers you feedback and advice on how to improve your road skills.
Driver monitoring (known as telematics) is big business in the corporate world. Many companies offer systems based around phones and tablets that the drivers already own. The real work happens in the analysis of the driving, done centrally and shown to the fleet manager in graphical forms.
Cameras
If you don’t want to share all your driver data with an insurer, a journey recorder could be an alternative: the Smart-i Drive is a high definition (720P) vehicle collision camera with its own monitor that will capture the driver’s view of the road. Should you be involved in an accident in which your version of events is disputed, you will have a record of what you actually saw. Spy Camera Gadgets offers a similar device.
Most of these charge through USB adapters linked to the power outlets in your vehicle; never forget to leave everything reachable and untangled for safety.
Entertainment
We started off by stating that many people wanted more entertainment in their cars, if not for the driver then for their passengers. Numerous options are available; Parrot and Armour Auto offer built-in kits for a couple of hundred pounds. These will communicate through Bluetooth to your phone and play your music or satnav instructions through your car’s speakers without the need for an ungainly car kit. But never lose sight of warnings from the AA and elsewhere that although you might be hands free, you can’t afford to concentrate on a phone call when you’re driving – tell people you’ll call back and focus on the drive.
Meanwhile, if it’s just entertainment you want, check the SanDisk Connect Wireless Flash Drive. It’s not strictly a car accessory, but it carries music and if your stereo has a USB port, you can plug it in.
Navigation
For those with lower-spec cars, standalone satnavs can be a good option and are available from a range of manufacturers. However, people with car kits for their phones might want to note that Google Maps operates as a satnav unit in itself and there are app versions of the standalone satnavs available from the various app stores. If you’re using this and Bluetoothing the announcements through your car stereo, make sure your phone is attached to a charger – the combination chews up battery power.
Lane departure warning system
Kia’s Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) is standard on the cee’d ‘4 Tech’ and does what it says on the tin. During a long drive, in particular, it’s easy to get tired and not realise you’re drifting into someone else’s lane, even if only slightly. This piece of kit gives you a warning beep and an image on the dashboard. It works by looking at the road markings and working out where the car is in relation to them, so you’ll be aware and able to take action immediately there is a problem.
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