Car accessories are additional products or tools that can be added to a vehicle to enhance the driving experience, making it more comfortable, safer, organized or convenient. These can be as basic as phone mounts, seat organizers or more useful like tyre pressure checks, dash cams, etc. There are accessories available for the driver to select as needed, as opposed to factory features. A well-chosen mixture can help make everyday journeys easier, less stressful and even minimise minor incidents on the road.
For most drivers, the average of hours spent in the car is a minimum of 60 hours per week, and many cars have only the essentials. The gap can be filled with a few good quality accessories that won’t cost much and don’t need any mechanical expertise to install. This guide covers ideas that are easy to follow and can be used on the roads every day, not just during your occasional road trips.
Why Everyday Accessories Matter More Than You Think
When buying a car it’s easy to think that car accessories are an added bonus, something that you can only add when you have spare money left over. In fact, many of them have solutions to problems that occur practically every day. Some common frustrations are a cracked phone screen while sliding it off the seat, or the battery in the phone dying while on a long drive, or a cluttered back seat with loose items. Typical problems can be solved forever with small, cost-effective add-on items.
There’s a safety angle as well. Things such as dash cams, tire gauges, and emergency kits aren’t just about convenience. They are able to defend you legally after an incident, detect a maintenance problem early, or handle a road side emergency without panic. When you think of accessories as tools, instead of luxuries, that’s how you’ll shop for them.
Phone Mounts and Charging Accessories
Nearly all people rely on their cellphone for navigation, voice commands, or music during driving. A secure mount allows the phone to stay visible, so you don’t have to look down or hold it, and in many places, it’s required by law, and it’s safer.
When selecting a mount consider the following:
- A strong grip that won’t loosen from road vibration
- Easy one-hand adjustment for quick mounting
- Compatibility with your dashboard or air vent setup
Use with a good car charger. Fast charging USB adapters are cheap and avoid the usual issue where the device runs out of battery in the middle of charging, particularly when GPS apps are running in the background. Wireless charging mounts do both things in one accessory, which helps to keep the dashboard clean.
Dash Cams for Safety and Peace of Mind
A dash cam takes pictures of the road in front of you, and sometimes behind you, as you drive. In recent years, it has become one of the more popular accessories, mainly because it will provide you with actual protection when you would otherwise have to take your word for it.
In a minor collision, a dash cam recording can help speed up an insurance claim or defuse the situation. Many also record unusual roadside incidents which can be useful information if it is required later. Find a dash cam that has good night vision, no loop recording (so it won’t fill up), and an easy mounting system that does not obstruct your view.
If you’re in a busy area or need extra coverage in case of a rear-end crash, you may want to consider some dash cams that have a rear-facing camera.
Organizers to Reduce Clutter
A cluttered car isn’t just messy. Loose items sliding around during braking or turning can be a real distraction, and in a sudden stop, they can even become a hazard. Organizers solve this in a simple way.
Popular organizing accessories include:
- Backseat organizers with pockets for tablets, snacks, and small items
- Trunk organizers that keep groceries, tools, or emergency supplies in place
- Console organizers for keeping coins, sunglasses, and chargers within reach
- Seat gap fillers that stop small items from falling between the seat and console
These accessories are especially useful for parents driving with kids, or anyone who uses their car for both work and personal errands. A tidy car also makes cleaning far less of a chore.
Tools for Basic Vehicle Maintenance
It’s not essential that you have mechanical skills to maintain a handful of tools inside your vehicle. They will save you a visit to the shop, or enable you to spot an issue before it costs you money.
One of the most basic and useful items for a driver to have on board is a tire pressure gauge. Monthly pressure check for fuel efficiency and long tire life and takes less than a minute. A portable air compressor is helpful, too: If you have to inflate a tire on the road, you will save a lot of time if you do it right here and now instead of driving on a flat one and hoping to find a gas station.
A basic tool kit, jumper cables or portable jump starter and flashlight are also items that are beneficial to have. There are no large items involved here, but each could make a small, but not so desirable, problem.
Comfort Accessories for Daily Commutes
Comfort accessories are not just about luxury, as over time, the body suffers from long commutes and stop and go traffic. They treat all day, everyday discomfort.
Lucretia seat cushions with lumbar support will help alleviate lower back strain, especially for drivers who are seated longer than usual. Sunshades reduce glare and help to keep the interior cooler, particularly in warmer regions and during the summer. Steering wheel covers enhance grip and can help a lot when the temperature is soaring high or so dropping low that the steering wheel is too hot or too cold to hold on to comfortably.
Anything from seat belt cushions to headrest pillows can help make driving more comfortable, even in the shortest trips, and particularly on trips over 30 minutes.
Safety and Emergency Essentials
While most drives go smoothly, unexpected situations do happen. A well-prepared car includes a few safety essentials that don’t take up much room but can matter a great deal when something goes wrong.
Consider keeping the following in your vehicle:
- A basic first aid kit
- A reflective warning triangle or roadside flares
- A fire extinguisher rated for vehicle use
- An emergency blanket and a few bottles of water
These items are easy to forget because they’re rarely needed, but that’s exactly why they’re worth having. A short list of preparation items now can prevent a much harder situation later.
Accessories That Improve Air Quality and Comfort Inside the Cabin
While air quality in the car is often overlooked, it can have a significant impact on comfort levels while driving, particularly in urban areas with lots of traffic or during allergy season. A cabin air freshener or diffuser can be a simple solution, and some are now available that can be adjusted for different scents and fragrance levels.
A compact car air freshener works in seconds to make the air in the car fresher, especially for individuals experiencing dust, pet hair or allergens. Pet owners or families with young children will also find seat covers useful for keeping their seats fresh, especially if they are waterproof or easy to clean.
These add-ons are nothing particularly sophisticated, but they all add to making the time spent in the car more enjoyable – which is more important than people think on long or repetitive trips.
Choosing the Right Accessories for Your Needs
Not all accessories are created equal for all drivers, and a lot of accessories can also be taken in hordes, resulting in messiness. Before buying anything, it is important to consider your routine.
Before you ask yourself, ask some questions:
- Do you drive mostly short trips or long commutes?
- Do you often carry passengers, kids, or pets?
- Is your main concern safety, comfort, or organization?
- How much storage space do you realistically have available?
It’s better to begin with two or three accessories that alleviate your most frequent problem of the day than to purchase a big set. As needs are identified over time, additional amounts can always be added.
Final Thought
You don’t have to spend a ton of money or have to be super complicated to make a difference for your vehicle. Most of the items a driver would need for day to day driving can be covered by a phone mount, a dash cam, some organizers and a basic emergency kit. The idea is not to get a ton of electronics in your car, but rather a few useful tools that address real-world issues you encounter while driving.
It’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon, and it’s best to start small, focus on what works for you, and then build up. These are all small things that can make each drive a little safer, more comfortable and more orderly than the next.
