10 potential dangers in cars that users rarely notice

These days, when a new car is launched, a custom kit is available shortly after. This allows customers to customize their cars to their needs. While some accessories can be very useful and make life easier, there are also accessories that can be dangerous. Here is a list of 10 such accessories that you should avoid completely.

Cheap floor mats

Floor mats are one of the first accessories that new car owners add. However, many people choose cheap floor mats that are made of hard plastic. These floor mats are also not cut properly to fit the actual floor of the car. This is extremely dangerous and can accidentally cause the mat to get stuck in the brake or accelerator pedal, causing an accident on the road.

Using cheap carpets or installing them incorrectly can easily cause the accelerator and brake pedals to get stuck.

There have been quite a few incidents in the past involving floor mats and car owners have to be extremely careful while choosing floor mats.

Steering wheel cover

A beaded steering wheel cover that claims to massage your hands, but also poses risks

Steering wheel covers do add a new feel and allow the owner to customize with their choice of colors. However, many cheap covers are poorly designed and do not hold the steering wheel properly. The biggest risk with such covers is that they are loose enough to allow the steering wheel to slip, causing the driver to lose control.

Hard metal front bumper

Many aftermarket bumpers are simply designed to protect the stock bumper and front of the car. But most of them are not designed to work with the car's important safety features like the soft crash areas that reduce pedestrian injury and the airbag sensors.

Front bumpers like this are dangerous to the community.

This means that cars with metal bumpers can actually be a safety hazard to other vehicles and even the driver himself.

Headlight blackness

Blacked out headlights or taillights may look cool, but they pose a safety risk.

Blacking out the headlights may make the car look sportier, but they can be dangerous because they completely reduce the intensity of the headlights. In addition, when the lights are turned off at night, it also makes it difficult for other vehicles to see the car's presence on the road.

Car decorations

Many people use the rear windshield shelf (mainly sedans) as a decorative table and start placing soft objects, pillows and all sorts of things. However, these objects can block the rearview mirror and limit the driver's vision, causing danger.

It is not advisable to leave toys in the car in the front and rear windshield area.

In addition, when braking suddenly, decorative objects can be dislodged from their position and fly into the rear passengers. This can also startle the driver and cause loss of concentration.

Ceiling mounted video screens

Ceiling-mounted video screens in cars may entertain passengers but completely block the driver's rear view.

Such screens are usually installed on the ceiling of the car in the front or rear. This also distracts the driver. The best way is to place the screen in the headrest of the front row.

Color temperature for car lights

Cars with colorful lights are rare but not impossible to find, but there is still a demand. This type of lights often makes the car look beautiful, but in reality, it reduces the intensity and does not provide enough light.

In addition, such flashing lights are extremely distracting to others on the road, leading to accidents.

Improper wiring

There are many car accessories that require rewiring the car's wiring when installed. For example, adding a high-end audio system or changing the standard headlights to xenon headlights requires a lot of changes in the wiring system. If the wiring is not done properly, it can lead to overheating and eventually short circuit, causing a fire.

To ensure safety, users should purchase genuine accessories and have them installed by trained professionals who know how to handle complex car wiring systems.

Steering wheel knob

This accessory is loved by many “old drivers” but is also called “suicide knobs” because they are extremely dangerous to use. Drivers use one hand to turn the steering wheel quickly and easily.

However, this type of control knob is not recommended by any car manufacturer and is not included in driving school textbooks. Besides, the quality of such knobs is unpredictable.

So, imagine if the knob breaks or pops off while turning the steering wheel, it will cause the driver to lose control. In the event of a frontal collision, the steering wheel with this knob can easily cause injury to the driver. In addition, the knob can also get stuck in the sleeve or hair (women) during use.

Using non-genuine belt hooks

Seat belts can save lives if used properly. However, they can also be deadly. There are many well-designed hooks available on the market or replacements for damaged “original” hooks. But these hooks are prone to getting stuck because they are not compatible with the vehicle’s locking pins.

A recent incident in India involved such an accessory. A family was travelling in a car when it suddenly caught fire. The driver, a jeweler based in Bengaluru, tried to get his wife and children out of the car but was unable to unbuckle their seat belts. Police investigations found that an incompatible seat belt hook was the cause.