Do you own an older car that doesn't have the latest safety features? If so, you'll want to invest in making your car a safer and more reliable vehicle for your trips to work or Sunday cruises. When you own an older or classic car, it's critical to look into car safety upgrades to ensure that you and your passengers are secure.
But where do you start? Read on to learn how you can make an older car safer to drive.
Evaluate the Exterior of Your Car for Signs of Wear
One of the first steps you take should be to examine your car's exterior. Especially if you own a car that's been neglected by previous owners or spent years sitting in the sun, there could be clear signs of wear. Left untreated, these issues could indicate other problems with your car — and lead to bigger problems later.
Dents, rust, and other physical blemishes may suggest that your car has been in an accident or poorly treated. And if the outside of your car looks rusty, there's a good chance that the parts beneath the surface need some attention, too. For instance, any part in your car that's made out of rubber could be dry, brittle, and dangerous.
Doing a VIN check is the best way to gain a thorough understanding of your car's history. You'll be able to learn if your car is a salvage car or if it's been labeled as a stolen vehicle. And if you're still on the fence about purchasing an older or classic car, you'll be able to compare what a seller is telling you about the car with its record.
Car Safety Upgrades Include Halogen Lights
Old cars tend to come with older sealed beam headlights, which aren't known for the brightness. When you're driving in the dark, a better set of headlights is essential for your safety. So if you're doing a classic car rebuild, make new headlights part of your plan.
Sealed beam lights have been the norm in cars for decades. But if your older car has older sealed beam lights installed, you might be struggling to see the road during nighttime drives. This presents a safety hazard when you need to be alert for children, deer, or other unexpected objects that obstruct the road.
Fortunately, there are several options to deal with the problem. You can look into getting conversion kits or talk with a mechanic to find the right lighting solution that works with your car.
LED lights offer a cooler and brighter light, though it doesn't always mesh with the vintage vibe of your car. As an alternative, you can gain a higher wattage bulb by upgrading to new halogen lights. You'll get a brighter light that still retains a sense of warmth.
For whichever option you choose, test the lights so you are sure they offer more visibility for those nighttime trips.
Are Your Seatbelts Current?
When it comes to classic car upgrades, you'll want to put new seatbelts at the top of your list — especially if your car was built in the 1960s or earlier. Before the mid-1960s, cars did not need to have any form of seatbelt. And if a car did have a seatbelt, it only went across your lap.
Safety records were pretty poor in the 1950s and decades earlier because of this. Getting in a crash meant that a driver or passenger would feel the brunt of the oncoming car. With high impact crashes, a passenger could be propelled into the air and through the windshield.
With grim outcomes during accidents, driver safety needed to change. Thanks to some innovations in 1959, the three-point seatbelt became the gold standard for seatbelts. It anchors your waist and shoulders, which helps you in the event of a crash.
It wasn't until a few years later that this seatbelt became a requirement, however — and only in the front seat. Depending on how many updates the previous owner made to your classic car, you may have a vehicle with outdated seatbelts.
A modernized classic car needs to sport a modern three-point seatbelt if it's going to be safe to drive. Work with a mechanic or dealership to add these to your car's seats. And if you oversee a lot of classic cars, get an accurate report on your vehicles as you decide what and how to upgrade.
Check Your Car's Tires
When you get an older car, you'll also want to check the tires. You won't always know how long the current tires have been on the car. And the quality of the tires may be questionable, too.
As a general rule, it's smart to check your tire tread regularly. The average car tire may only last a few years with normal mileage. But other conditions, including humidity, driving style, and location, can impact how your tires age.
If you're not packing on the miles, you still may see enough wear that it's worth upgrading your tires. And experts suggest swapping out your tires for new ones after ten years no matter how few miles you've put on them.
Choosing not to assess the tires puts you and your passengers at risk. The rubber in tires won't last forever. It will develop cracks on the inside and outside that could cause the tread to break off from the tire when you're driving.
There are a few steps you can take first. Do a visual check of the surface for cracks and measure the tread. Ultimately, if you're not sure about the condition of your tires, it's better to invest in new ones.
A Modernized Classic Car Needs Better Brakes
Knowing how to make a classic car reliable means assessing your brakes. If you own a classic car, there's a good chance that you have a car with old and potentially unreliable brakes. Many old braking systems will fail completely if one part of the system stops working.
Disc brakes are the better option. These are found in most cars today because they provide more control when you're trying to stop your car. The idea behind this system is that friction caused by depressing the brake pedal forces the car to slow down.
Drum brakes are anther option. While they don't offer the same stopping power as disc brakes, they do represent an upgrade over old brakes that may currently be in your car. No matter what brake system you choose, make sure that you go with a reputable service person to make the upgrade.
If you're not sure about the status of your car's brakes, there is a way to get more information. A vehicle history report can give you a window into how hard the previous owner drove your car — and what that might mean for the brakes. It's always better to have an honest and clear understanding of a car so you know where you're starting.
Retrofit an Older Car with a Backup Camera
Is it possible to include a backup camera in your classic car rebuild? Absolutely. This is a tremendous safety feature that you'll be happy to have if you normally park in a driveway or tight space.
Backup cameras have become a fixture in a lot of newer cars — and for good reason. They allow you to see what is behind your vehicle. You'll be able to notice pets, children, or objects that could damage your vehicle before it's too late.
And many backup cameras go a step further. They feature graphics that help you adjust your direction if you're getting too close to a nearby vehicle or object. Whether you have a simple camera or elaborate one, the safety benefits are worth the addition.
Many of the backup cameras available for purchase are wireless, so there's no need to worry about connecting any wires. You should be able to place a small camera around the rear license plate on your vehicle. As long as you have a smart phone that you can access near your dashboard, you'll be able to see what's happening behind your car.
This is the easiest solution and it's something you can do yourself. While there are more complex packages that include front-facing cameras, too, the installation is more complicated. If you choose to have cameras on both sides of your vehicles, it's better to leave installation to the experts.
Upgrade Your Radio
It's easy to think of a car radio as simply a source of music and entertainment. But having a strong radio signal and technology presence in your car could be helpful in the event of an emergency. If you're stuck in a snow drift or need to let someone know where you are, you might want to add a new radio to your vintage car restoration plans.
An older car might have an old radio with limited options. And this won't help you very much. You'll want to see what's possible given the limitations of your vehicle, but you may be able to swap out your older car radio for a more modern unit.
Consider a new system that enables you to connect with your phone through Bluetooth. You'll be able to do hands-free calling, which is safer for you and anyone around your vehicle. And ultimately, you'll be able to communicate with anyone from family members to emergency services and listen to whatever music is on your phone.
To go a step further, look into adding internet access. This may come with a monthly fee, but it offers another layer of protection — and entertainment for the passengers in your car. You can track your location and even measure data on your car's efficiency.
Switch to a Heftier Locking System
When you park your car in a new neighborhood while you're visiting a friend or stopping for dinner, you don't want to have to worry that it will get stolen. But if you're driving a stunning classic car, your car may be more of target for theft. To make things worse, older cars tend to have unreliable locks that just beg a criminal to tamper with them.
If you keep important documents or new purchases in your car, you're asking for trouble. A pristine car loaded with pricey goods could find itself the subject of a carjacking.
Because of this, one of your classic car upgrades should be adding new locks for all of your doors and trunk. Older locks lack the complexity of newer ones. Any experienced car thief knows this, and they will be able to get in your car by picking the lock.
Consult with a locksmith near you to see what suggestions they have. They will know how to rekey your lock so that it is not as vulnerable. Your old key, and any tryout keys that a car thief has, should no longer work once this takes place.
A locksmith also might suggest replacing the locks altogether. No matter the price, this is a worthwhile investment. Part of the thrill of owning a classic car is being able to show it off, but you don't want to see it stolen due to a faulty lock.
Refurbishing Cars Will Give You a Safer Ride
Driving an older car can be a fun experience, but you want it to be a safe one, too. Don't let the vintage style distract from the need to make car safety upgrades. With some new parts and modernizations, you'll be able to cruise in your restored classic car with confidence.
When you're ready to learn more about your car's history, contact us and we can provide the information you need!
