Destress Your Drive with Easy Vehicle Updates
Does driving on the road make you anxious? If so, you are definitely not alone. I know I talk frequently of my fondness for solo road trips. But I have to tell you that I do suffer from extraordinary driving dread. I just don’t let it stop me from doing the things that bring me joy. So I find ways to minimize the stress of driving so that I can get to the places I want to go with excitement and ease rather than anxiety and fear.
Whether you suffer from driving anxiety or not, who doesn’t want their road trips and other driving experiences to be as comfortable and stress free as possible? Consider these five vehicle updates that can make your car trips easier and less stressful.
1. Choose the right vehicle.
With a seemingly unlimited variety of motor vehicles on the market, it can feel like a minefield trying to navigate the purchase of electric cars for sale in San Diego. The first step in easier driving is to choose the right vehicle for you. You want to stay within your budget while also choosing a car that you are comfortable driving. You likely will have a plethora of questions as you go through the process but resources like Edmunds are valuable in providing helpful information about certain vehicles on the market.
After you have created a shortlist of vehicle options, visit your local dealerships to test drive each one before making your final decision. Every make and model handles differently and you want to be sure that you feel safe and confident driving it. You may also want to consider and compare the safety ratings of your shortlisted vehicles. Ideally, you want the safety ratings as well as all of the other category ratings to be five stars or as near to 100% as possible. Additionally, if you opt for an electric car you will need to keep in mind the extra expenses to include in your budget. For example, you will need to ensure that you have Dedicated Electrical Circuits in place in order for an EV charger to be installed in your home.
2. Get a car cam.
Car cams are different from the backup cameras that assist you in seeing behind your vehicle while driving in reverse. Backup cameras are standard requirements in all vehicles manufactured after May 1, 2018, so any new car that you are considering purchasing will automatically be equipped with a backup cam.
Rearview mirror or dashboard cameras are accessories that can be added to your vehicle for similar use in backing up, especially if your car was manufactured before May 2018. But these cameras also provide extra protection in safeguarding your vehicle while it is unattended as well as protecting you from insurance scams in the event that a claim has been filed. The accident detection feature of these dash cams is designed to record anything that happens to your vehicle while you are driving or while it is parked. A dash cam can protect your insurance in case of an accident by simply giving you an extra level of assurance and by providing proof of what happened in the incident. This evidence is vital for you and your solicitor if taken to court.
3. Explore self-driving technology options.
Many newly manufactured vehicles are coming fully equipped with advanced self-driving technology. By using a variety of sensors designed to perceive your surroundings, self-driving cars are able to interpret sensory information with little or no human input that will identify obstacles, relevant road signage, and appropriate navigation paths. Most cars today with self-driving technology are classified as level 1 which is defined as hands on shared control of the vehicle. Level 5 autonomous vehicles, which are completely controlled by self-driving technology (and steering wheel optional), are not currently available on the market.
One of the self-driving features that I currently rely on for stress mitigation is the radar controlled cruise control. If you are cruising along at a comfortable speed and look down at your GPS just as the car in front of you is slowing down, the car’s radar will engage and the breaks will automatically be applied without any human intervention whatsoever. This feature has given me much security on long road trips when your attention starts to waiver from highway blindness.
4. Self-parking technology.
Since I discussed self-driving technology, it is definitely worth exploring self-parking options as well. Have you ever tried to squeeze your car into the tiniest parallel parking spot on a busy city street while passers-by seem to be watching and judging every cut of your wheel as you try to park as gracefully as possible? Yeah, me, too. Parallel parking on a busy and cramped city street is one of my most dreaded driving responsibilities. Is there really a way that my car will park itself without the distraction of my poor depth perception?
Some high end car manufactures are equipping their vehicles with self-parking technology. Apparently all you have to do is hit a button, relax, and let your car park itself without any worries about who is judging or whose car you might accidentally hit!
5. Do your research in advance.
Being a good driver and minimizing the stress of driving and owning a vehicle is so important. To make the process as simple and rewarding as possible, doing research into things like the best car insurance of 2022 in advance will help increase your driving and vehicle knowledge so you are prepared for all sorts of driving situations, as well as some of the finances involved in vehicle ownership. Ideally, we all want our car owning experience to be just as enjoyable as the time we spend on the road.
In the event that you have an accident, you would want to find a qualified local car accident attorney to protect your rights and navigate any insurance litigation that could result. You will also want to know fuel costs for your new vehicle or decide if an electric car is more preferable and suitable for your needs. If, however, you decide to stick with your existing vehicle in the aftermath of the accident and need to get it repaired, you should look for a collision damage specialist that can provide services like cracked windshield repair to ensure a comprehensive job from top to bottom. A vehicle is a major investment and you want to make sure that the decision you make now will remain beneficial in the future.
I hope you have found these car considerations helpful for your next vehicle purchase. Stay cool, stay calm, and drive safely.
Driving easy on the edge,
Shelbee
Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
14 Comments
Marsha Banks
I love back up cameras! I use them all of the time and have to remind myself to use the mirrors, too! I like the idea of the GPS thing. It seems like those abrupt stops happen all of the time! Parallel parking…what’s that? We went to a cute little town last week. My husband easily parallel parked (on the first time, no less). I told him the last time I parallel parked was when I took the driving test for my drivers license…almost five decades ago! I’ll drive around a block before even attempting one!
Thanks for the tips, Shelbee!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my gosh, Marsha, you crack me up! I hate parallel parking, too, and will avoid it if I can! I actually do not like using the back up cam for backing up. My depth perception is all off and I have to turn around and look out the window instead. I can’t even use the mirrors properly for backing up! But the radar on the cruise control is game changing! It really helps minimize the stress…until I can’t use it anymore because the traffic is too heavy. Then it totally stresses me out! Haha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Anne M Bray
As a prequel to car shopping (2009!) I tried out different models using rentals! It was the perfect way to test them out. No sales pressure! Just me, alone with the car, driving to work.
I think I tried out 3 different cars, and the Prius was the clear winner. It’s still going strong, over 200,000 miles later.
About parallel parking, have you ever tried it on a one way street on the “wrong” side? Talk about mind bending! Well, unless you have the auto park… does it work on the “wrong” side?
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
OMG, Anne, that is a brilliant suggestion! Smarty Pants! I am going to edit my post to include that! My 2012 Rav4 is still going with over 100,000 miles. It is Jeff’s work vehicle now and I have a new Highlander on the way to replace my little Corolla. We needed more space for festival season!
I grew up on a one way street that had parallel parking! But now that I am thinking about it the parallel spots were on the “right” side and the “wrong” side had diagonal spots. I bet it is super mind-bending to navigate that! What happened to the days we could just hire a driver? Oh wait, that was never my life! Haha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
I love my backup cam!! Self-parking would be super nice!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I cannot get used the backup cam. I would self-parking and self-backing up! Haha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
Living in such a small town, driving to cities can make me quite anxious but I do it anyway. I wast just remarking on our trip to Newport this week that parking in cities causes me so much anxiety because I am just awful at parking and can’t even parallel park at all. I was never really taught and we don’t have that around us with plenty of large parking lots I almost always find a pull through spot so when I know I probably won’t find that I do get nervous. I would love a self-parking car!… if I could just get over my fear of having a car drive iteself… that just does not seem natural.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my gosh, Joanne, thank you for this comment! I hear you, I feel you, and if I could have a driver for the rest of my life that would not disappoint me at all! Cruise control used to freak me out when it was brand new because I wasn’t controlling it. I agree that a self driving car is super unnatural and freaky! But there was a time when we thought it was crazy to fly, too! Now people walk onto airplanes without a concern.
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
I have been amazed by all the safety features in our Nissan Leaf – notification when you edge out of your lane without a turn indicator, adaptive cruise control, a notice (which you can set) for when you are over X mph over the speed limit (ours is set at 10). Those are just off the top of my head.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
It is so crazy, isn’t it, Michelle? Especially for us older generations who remember driving cars that didn’t even have power steering! Haha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Donna B Reidland
It is important to drive a car we’re comfortable with if at all possible. I like a mid-sized SUV, not too big and definitely not too small. I think I’m too much of a control freak for a self-driving car but I definitely need the self-parking option!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I agree with you, Donna! I downsized from an SUV to a small sedan and I really miss the SUV. So I am happy to go back to that for the next car. I think some of the self driving technology is super freaky and definitely makes me feel like I am not in control of the vehicle! But self parking would be nice.
xoxo
Shelbee
Carol
A year ago, I traded in my 2002 Toyota Camry for a 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid. The new car has so many bells and whistles, sensors, monitors, computers . . . on and on. A year later, I still don’t know how to use all of the car’s features. But, I really like driving it! BTW, I love that photo of you in the sunglasses — gorgeous!
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Carol! My new Highlander just arrived and I am picking it up tomorrow. After three years of driving my Corolla, I only just figured out how to change the radar distance and I am sure there are features that I never did know how to use! So I totally relate to you. More than the fun new features, I am excited for the new car smell again!
xoxo
Shelbee