Over the years while I have been working in the automotive business, (19 years) I have seen some strange accessories put on vehicles. Some accessories I can understand such as window tint. Then as time goes on people start to change and have to make the accessory very much their own. Like the window tint, it gets so dark even if you put your face on the window you would not see anything on the other side. What amazes me the most is this would be a driver’s window! Here are the top 5 worst automotive accessories.
5. Bumper stickers. It is okay to have one, maybe even one that is placed nice in a window but ten, twenty, or the whole back of a vehicle covered is too much. If you are trying to get some one to vote the way you do at least have the current election going on. I still see Bush/Cheney bumper stickers. All of us do like reading a funny bumper sticker, but make it one funny one so that thought sticks (no pun intended) with us. Trying to have multiple just looks as if you are a stand up comic with out a job.
4. Neon Lights under a car. What is the point? Is the road that important that you must light it up in order for all to see what you are driving over at that moment in time? Then you bring it to a shop and can’t understand why the battery or alternator keeps dying. Actually I believe that this person works for a road inspection crew and is asking for help to verify the work is done properly. So please turn off the lights, we are not at a car show driving down the road.
3. Hanging Mirror Accessories. You get in a friends car and thirty items are hanging from the review mirror. They start driving and these items are distracting you from everything that you do, including talking to the driver and giving directions to your next stop. If this stuff is so important why do you have it in your car where it can be stolen and sun baked? Then the ones that really get you are crystal and reflect the light right back into your eyes. Is the car vehicle not pretty enough already? If not, get a new car!
2. Blasting, Thumping, Stereo. We all have experienced this. Sitting in our cars at a stoplight, then it starts. A thump, then another. Then we can hear nothing but someone else’s car stereo. They have the windows down so they don’t blow their own eardrums. Is it not ridiculous? I do not go out driving to listen to what some one else wants to listen to. I drive my car to get somewhere and enjoy the ride privately. No one but the people in my car knows what I am listening to on the radio. It should be that way for all. Respect other drivers and they will respect you back.
1. Hydraulic Operated Lifts Kits. I love to see the vehicles bouncing at the car shows! It is totally amazing to see the height that some of these vehicles can hit. But seeing them jump going down the road is distracting for other drivers. I think everything has a time and a place. Being respectful of others when we are all trying to commute to work and then home, might save someone from an accident to where a drive is no longer possible.