The Best Auto Accessories To Have In Your Car At All Times

January 15, 2023

Everyone's car is unique and can become sort of their mini home away from home. Customizing one's car and adding cool, must-have car gadgets is half the fun of owning a vehicle of one's own. Whether it is a new car or an old gem, there are plenty of interior and exterior accessories and gadgets which can be used to personalize the ride of your dreams. Following is a list of key components - some for safety and some for comfort - that all motorists should consider adding to their collection of car additions.

Emergency Roadside Kit

An emergency roadside kit is an essential item in any car owner's ensemble. Vehicle operators can never be sure what may happen en route to their destination; they may get in an accident themselves or come across one on the road. Of course, some services are quick to respond to incidents, but it is essential to have a kit of one’s own in case of dire circumstances. Local auto shops, as well as many automotive and hardware retailers, often have premade kits which are great for keeping in the trunk or back seat. With that being said, some may prefer to build their own kits by using things they already own. Crucial items to include in any kit are traffic cones/warning triangles, flares, a fire extinguisher, warm clothes/blanket, sixty-piece first aid kit, gloves, duct tape, jumper cables, motor oil (SAE 5W and SAE 0W will flow better in winter conditions), flashlight, and a toolkit.

An emergency roadside kit is always a good start for auto accessories; the next slide presents the ideal follow-up step.

Spare Wheel/Tire

Having a spare wheel or tire is another essential part of every car-owners auto accessory repertoire. Again, a spare tire is a safety precaution which is nice to have in case of emergency situations. Not surprisingly, many new cars are being released without the inclusion of a spare in the design; reason being that many automakers are trying to lower production costs by equipping cars with run-flat tires or attempting to reduce car weight. There are a few reasons for automakers to exclude a spare from their car design, but unfortunately, this may leave customers stranded roadside without a backup option. Therefore, as a precautionary accessory, motorists should consider keeping a spare wheel and tire in their trunk if they do not already have one, as well as a jack, lug wrench and wheel wedges to make the change.

The following is a car accessory which is ideal for traveler phone access.

Phone Holder

Phone mounts are always a great addition to car dashboards, making for ideal mobile access. However, this should not be used as an excuse to text and drive or partake in distracted driving of any kind. A phone stand is ideal for displaying phone navigation, quick call access (useful with Bluetooth functions) and music selection (ideally with a passenger seat companion). There are countless brands and styles, for phone mounts, sold as car accessories with a variety of advantages and perks coming into retailers at wide range prices. Phone holders are ideal for anybody on the road, which is perfect for accompanying the next auto accessory on the docket.

Dash Cams

Dash cams are a fantasticaddition for a couple of reasons. First of all, dashcams are in-car video and audio recording systems which capture a drivers trip for future reference. Also, having a dashcam in the car is a great way to protect oneself in the instance of a car accident. In the case of an accident, a dashcam ensures that there is video proof of what happened in the fender bender and may be useful for proving innocence as primary evidence in court or with insurance companies. Dashcams are also useful for monitoring actions which take place inside the vehicle. For example, many taxies and 3rd party driving services have cams documenting the inside of their vehicle (responsibly used and erased after trips) to protect themselves regarding wrongful customer accusations or those who try to leave without paying. Ideal for accompanying any new tech, the next accessory is oft-used for protecting in-car devices.

Sunshades

Sunshades are effective at keeping your car’s core temperature more desirable during extreme temperatures. For hot summer months, sunshades may be used to reflect sunlight and lowering the heat inside a car to a more reasonable temperature for comfort. Sunshades may also be used for increasing core temperature of a car during the winter seasons by absorbing heat while drivers are absent. Such uses are ideal for car owners wishing to maintain a healthy car temperature year-round. Also, sunshades are useful for protecting electronics and interior of vehicles by preventing direct sun exposure. UV rays may do damage to valuable tech in any car and are entirely preventable.

Up next is a crucial feature to add to vehicles in dense traffic areas.

Blindspot Mirrors

Driving may be tough at times depending on where drivers are geographically. For drivers in the city who are used to congested roads and heavy traffic, it may be easy to get in a fender bender if one does not pay attention to their blind spots. Blindspot mirrors are a smart way to ensure that drivers have the best vision when switching lanes. These clever mirror attachments are also ideal for seeing smaller than usual travelers in your tough-to-see areas, such as bikers. Backing up is another solid reason to consider blindspot mirrors for a vehicle. Reverse parking, parallel parking or backing out of a spot is an easy way to get in an accident or unfortunately, hit a pedestrian. Therefore, it is comforting to know one has increased vision when moving a vehicle in reverse.

Speaking of precautionary steps, the following is a clever device for preventing lost items.

Dropped Item Prevention

Everyone has been there before, dropping items into the black hole of any vehicle is the worst. Trying to adjust the seat, or surveying passengers to find the smallest pair of hands to squeeze between the seat and center console is a pain. Popular devices on the market provide a simple solution for ensuring that any items about to fall into no-man’s-land are saved from eternal solitude. Items may range in price from as little as eighteen dollars to as high as one hundred. Some products may even include item holders which are perfect for taking advantage of that prime inner vehicle real estate.

Next up is the ideal solution for staying comfortable during those long car trips.

Seat Cushion

There is nothing better than a fun road trip with a few good friends and an exciting destination, but no matter the company trips may get uncomfortable quickly after sitting for a couple of hours. Seat cushions provide the perfect relief from standard car seats by adding that extra layer of cushion needed to make it through any trip. Seat cushions are a favorite car accessory for many and have variations for fitting unique needs; heating and cooling seat cushions are ideal for adding that extra warmth or cooling down quicker during extreme weather seasons. Orthopedic cushions are another popular feature to add to vehicles which ensure proper posture among drivers as well as relieve stress on the spine and tailbone regions.

The following is a crucial accessory to keep in the car for those unlucky days when drivers get pulled over.

Organizer For Important Documents

Proof of insurance, vehicle registration, and a driver's license make up only a few of the essential documents and information one should keep in their car at all times. Whether it is an unfortunate accident or getting pulled over for going a little too quick, it is the responsibility of all drivers to ensure that their cars are equipped with these necessary documents at all times. Having an organizer or holder for those crucial records is an excellent strategy for ensuring that one is prepared for any situation they may face. Organizers may be as inexpensive as ten dollars and are often small enough to be kept in the glove box or center console.

Coming up next is a simple one to forget, but protects your car's interior and saves you valuable clean-up time.

Rubber Floor Mats

Winter months for northern regions can get pretty intense. Snow and ice make for challenging roads and shoveling driveways, but also allow snow to get tracked into any car. Rubber floor mats are a great way for preventing interior damage to car floors such as water damage and salt stains carried in by winter boots or shoes. Rigid dividers and a well-designed size for most vehicles, rubber mats are simple to clean in comparison to carpet models, by requiring at minimum a simple spray down with a hose or bucket of water. Having a selection of car mats in the front and back seating areas will save vehicles in the long run and are completely removable for when warmer seasons come around.

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