As you browse through any car accessories store, you’ll see all sorts of products ranging from useless knick-knacks to game-changing equipment. But which car accessories are useless, and which are practical solutions for the everyday driver?
There’s no shortage of useful in-car accessories. Think about dashcams that help you prove what happened during a road incident, fire extinguishers that can stop a small flame from destroying a whole vehicle, and many more. These practical accessories are no doubt worth the money, so don’t think twice about investing in them.
Before shopping at Brother Car Accessories or any other car accessories store, read this guide first. You'll know what to spend your money on to get the best value possible.
#1 Dashcam
One of the most popular in-car accessories these days is the dashcam. Some people may opt for the single camera pointed at the road ahead, while others prefer multi-camera systems.
No matter how many you have, dashcams are useful for proving what happened during collisions and other road incidents. With a dashcam’s video footage, there’s no need to stress over filing police reports or insurance claims because the recording will speak for itself.
#2 USB Ports
Most small accessories these days can be powered by a USB cable. So, another practical accessory to have would be a USB port adaptor that plugs into your cigarette lighter.
That way, you can charge your smartphone, tablet, and even a small fan if you need to.
Newer car models come with built-in USB ports as a standard feature, but for older cars, a USB port adaptor will be a handy device that serves the same purpose.
#3 Fire Extinguisher
Fire extinguishers are useful yet easily overlooked car accessories. Even the smallest fire extinguisher can put out a small car fire within seconds, helping prevent bigger fires that can send a whole vehicle in flames.
Imagine how you can help another driver’s day if you have a fire extinguisher on hand—it can mean the difference between life and death. A small 1kg fire extinguisher is adequate for automotive use and putting minor flames while waiting for the fire responders to arrive. They're also safe for you to leave in your car even on a hot Aussie day.
#4 Phone Mount
It’s dangerous (and illegal) to use a phone while driving, unless you’re using the phone hands-off, and it is securely mounted.
A simple phone mount is another affordable but practical accessory you must have.
Even if you’re not using the phone to make calls, mounting your phone as it shows you directions will also keep you driving safe.
#5 Car Vacuum
Cars don’t get dirty overnight. What happens, instead, is that they gather dirt and debris over time. You can get a handle on all that dust with a car vacuum and eliminate dirt before it becomes a problem.
They make car vacuums for all budgets these days. So, finding one that suits you won’t be a challenge. Plus, you can plug them directly into your car through the cigarette lighter or a USB port.
#6 Jumper Cables
Jumper cables are another example of a practical car accessory that can save you or another stranded motorist. If your battery fails when you try to start your vehicle, you’ll be glad you chose to invest in a set of jumper cables.
Just make sure to buy high-quality jumper cables suited to your vehicle. That way, you can trust them to work correctly when the time comes.
#7 Portable Jump Starter
Okay, so you’re a survivalist who wants to take it to the next level—a more practical and self-reliant solution to a dead battery would be a portable jump starter. Unlike the jumper cables you saw in #6, you won’t need another vehicle to help start your car.
Instead, the portable jump starter has a built-in battery to deliver the charge you need to get your motor running.
Just make sure you keep that jump starter charged, or else it's all for naught.
#8 First Aid Kit
When you search online for ‘car accessories near me’ and drop by your local auto accessories shop, don’t forget to pick up a first aid kit. These don’t cost much, and even the smallest ones will help you deal with minor injuries or emergencies on the road.
Keep it within easy reach—the glove compartment would be the perfect place for it. If you accidentally cut yourself while doing some light repairs, you’ll be glad you have something to patch up that wound and get right back to work.
#9 Anti-Slip Dashboard Pad
Suppose you’re the kind of person who likes to put things on their dashboard—maybe your sunglasses, papers, chewing gum or what have you.
In that case, there’s nothing cheaper and more practical than an anti-slip dashboard pad. These pads cost next to nothing, but they’ll prevent your stuff from sliding off or flying at ‘ya as you navigate a turn.
#10 Trunk and Seat Organizer
If you've got a lot of stuff in your car, you'll need more than just a dashboard pad. Another practical add-on would be a trunk or seat organiser.
Not only will an organiser make it easy for you to find things you need, but it’ll also keep your car looking neat overall.
#11 Auto Document Case
There’s always some critical paperwork you’ll want to keep in your vehicle, like insurance and tax documents, and perhaps your car’s service booklet or maintenance records.
Whatever they are, keeping them organised and protected with an auto document case is so much easier.
Don’t let the high-sounding name fool you. Any standard paper organiser will do. Just make sure it’s one you can store away neatly in your vehicle.
#12 OBD Scanner
So far, we’ve looked at practical car accessories that are affordable and cheap to get. After that, we’ll look at slightly pricier (but still incredibly practical) car accessories for the final two.
The first is the onboard diagnostics (OBD) scanner, which you plug into your car's OBD port (typically near the steering wheel) to download fault codes.
Those fault codes will tell you what’s wrong with your car. You can then use that information to diagnose the root cause or ensure that your mechanic performs the correct repairs.
#13 Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Lastly, we have the tyre pressure monitoring system or TPMS. The system consists of sensors that you attach to each tyre’s valve. Then, those sensors transmit data to a display unit on your dashboard.
These systems are efficient because they diagnose a leak earlier on, helping you avoid flats that could leave you stranded alone on the road. Plus, they even have alarms to warn you of sudden air loss.
Want to get your hands on some of these practical car accessories? Skip the “car accessories near me” Google search and go straight to CarpartAU’s Directories. You can find your nearest car accessories store that you can visit immediately.
By Ray Hasbollah