Nowadays, there is a huge list of car accessories that aim to improve the appearance of vehicles and provide them with more comfort and convenience.
However, many of these parts and accessories may present several dangers for you and your car. Read on and find out which ones you should avoid putting on your shopping list.
List of unsafe car accessories
Seat covers containing side airbags
Most newer car models have been trying to add as many safety features as possible. This includes the addition of airbags in your seats.
Like any airbag, in the event of an accident, it will pop out and remove whatever is in its way. These airbags are supposed to deploy and protect the head and the chest area.
However, adding a seat cover to any seat may prevent the airbags from working as they are supposed to. It might cause delays in the deployment of airbags or inflate at an unpredictable angle and with greater force. It might also push the passenger in a direction that might cause greater risk.
Steering cover
People often think that these covers can make your car look cool. But note it can be downright unsafe, leading to slippage in crucial moments. The ill-fitting steering covers purchased from the non-authorized accessory shop can slip on the steering wheel and cause the driver to lose control.
If you still want to use a steering cover for the steering wheel, please get a suitable material. As such, a type of material that is not slippery and absorbs sweat. You may refer to your car dealer, as they usually have quality assurance and a warranty for your safety.
Dashboard cover
A dashboard cover protects against sun damage, which can lead to the lightening of your exterior and even cause your dashboard material to crack.
However, dashboard covers are dangerous as they could prevent the front passenger airbag from deploying properly during a crash, leading to serious injuries.
Headlight & tail light tinting
Lights are on cars for a reason, namely so that you can see where you’re going, other drivers can see you, and you can signal your intentions to slow down, change lanes, or reverse to other drivers. They’re undoubtedly important, and they are supposed to be seen at all times.
However, some people opt to cover the lenses for the sake of ‘style’ with a layer of tint that makes reds, ambers, and whites darker overall.
This can be an elegantly sporty look, but it can be dangerous to you and other road users. Tinted car lights can increase the risk of accidents because they reduce the rate of light intensity. In fact, it can also complicate the level of lighting transparency and reduce the driver’s visibility, especially at night. Your presence on the road can hardly be seen by the other drivers at night.
Dummy buckles for seatbelt
Dummy buckles were originally meant for plus-sized individuals. However, it has been misused by people who refuse to buckle up while driving.
Instead, people are using this to avoid the ‘annoying’ chimes a modern car emits when the belt buckle isn’t fastened. According to The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), the accessory can cause safety components such as airbags to function sub-optimally, which can, in turn, lead to loss of protection for the driver and passengers during an accident.
Reports show that 30% of 1,000 road accident cases from 2017 until last year involved those who were not wearing seat belts but were using dummy buckles instead.
Non-OEM carpet
Vehicle mats, also known as automobile floor mats, are among the common car accessories. They prevent dirt from shoes, such as mud or sand, from sticking and staining the car floor.
But take note that the use of vehicle carpets that do not follow the correct and appropriate size can endanger your life.As such, purchasing non-OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) carpets can be harmful. They are not cut to the right size for your vehicle’s floor. Some may get stuck to the accelerator or brake pedal and cause loss of control of the vehicle and a consequent accident.
Although the carpets sold by original accessory dealers may be more expensive than non-OEM, they are tailor-made for specific vehicles and a safer bet for your car.
Get the right car accessories that are safe for your car
Customizing your vehicle to your tastes is something we all do to some degree. However, before making any major changes, please refer experts about how the mods may affect not only you but drivers around you as well.
Remember, your safety comes first.
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