Having an automobile goes beyond the mere point A to point B thing; it’s about doing everything possible to ensure your driving experience with your family is as smooth and safe as possible. Whether you are an avid traveller, serious about commuting, or just seeking to customise your automobile a little, there are a few automobile accessories that could be of a lot of help to you.
Car accessories may be essential for vehicle safety, convenience, and enhanced appearance. With the right accessories, you can easily feel like you are driving a new car, even if your current car is old. In this guide, we have listed the top 10 must-have car accessories every car owner should have in India to keep their vehicle safe, comfortable, and perform well.
We’ll move on to the must-have car accessories for a smooth ride.
Why Invest in Car Accessories? Types of Car Accessories:
Investing in car accessories is more than just adding bells and whistles to your car. Think of it as giving your vehicle a well-deserved upgrade, tailored to suit your needs and preferences perfectly.
1. Improved Functionality and Comfort
Accessories can help you finally get organised and at the same time add a layer of comfort to your driving. Phone mounts for example, help with maintaining your line of sight while driving and checking your phone for directions, music and more. Storage organisers also come in handy for keeping essentials in place, which can turn your vehicle into a more functional space (that rhymes!). This can make your daily commutes and long road trips a more enjoyable experience.
2. Personalization and Style
Next, accessories also add a personal flavour to your car. A car is an extension of your personality, so personalising it is a great way to express yourself! LED ambient lights, eye-catching floor mats, or even a car perfume that you like the scent of, accessorising allows you to add a personal touch to your ride
3. Safety Enhancements
Airbags and seat belts are basic necessities for safety, but it’s likely that your car doesn’t have the latest equipment if it’s an older model. Accessories like a 360-degree camera, tyre pressure monitor, and a dash cam can give your car the safety upgrade it needs. First aid kits can further be lifesavers in unexpected situations, giving you peace of mind knowing you’re prepared for whatever the road throws your way.
12 Must-Have Car Accessories
Here are some essential car accessories that you should have in your car –
1. Dashboard Camera
A dashcam is an investment every car owner should not do without. A dash cam documents your drive, providing undeniable visual evidence in the event of an accident. Being able to view the dash cam from the front and the back ensures you are well covered from every angle. Modern dash cam cameras include features such as night vision and G-sensors.
Why You Need It:
- Provides crucial evidence in case of an accident
- Keeps a record of your journeys for personal use or safety
- Protects against insurance fraud
2. Phone Mount
A smartphone mount is an essential device for safe driving and hands-free communication. A smartphone mount ensures your smartphone is securely installed, allowing you to use its GPS functions without distractions. You should look for a smartphone mount with a high gripping force and adjustable positions.
Why You Need It:
- Makes it easier and safer to use GPS during long drives
- Keep your phone in a secure, accessible position
- Reduces distractions while driving
3. Portable Tire Inflator
A portable tyre inflator should be one of the most crucial tools you should always have in your car. In fact, tyre pressure greatly influences your car’s mileage performance. A tyre inflator will let you easily resolve low tyre pressure whenever you are driving. Digital tyre inflators should always be preferred, as they automatically shut off once the tyre is inflated to avoid over-inflation.
Why You Need It:
- Helps maintain optimal tyre pressure, improving fuel efficiency
- Easy to use and portable
- Prevents getting stuck on the road with a flat tyre
4. Car Organiser
Keeping your car clutter-free can sometimes feel like a never-ending battle, especially during long road trips. So if you often go on long road trips, a car organiser offers a convenient solution, providing designated storage space for everything from water bottles and snacks to electronics and documents. With compartments, pockets, and adjustable straps, a car organiser helps keep essentials within easy reach while minimising clutter and maximising space.
5. First Aid Kit + Emergency Kit
In fact, preparation for an emergency makes a lot of sense. A first-aid kit’s essentials, such as band-aids, disinfectant swabs, and gauze, could be used for such purposes. Such an emergency kit should comprise a puncture repair kit, torch, jumper leads, and a fire extinguisher.
Why You Need It:
- For handling minor injuries and roadside emergencies
- Helps you stay prepared for unexpected situations
- Essential for long-distance and remote driving
6. Back Seat Air Bed
Long road trips or camping adventures often require hours of driving or overnight stays in the car. But let’s face it—trying to catch some shut-eye in the back seat of a car can be uncomfortable at best and downright painful at worst. That’s where a back seat air bed comes in handy. Made from durable materials like PVC or flocking, back seat air beds are designed to fit snugly in the back seat of most cars and SUVs (or a pickup-truck if you have one). All you need to do is inflate it using the included air pump or a portable tire inflator. Once inflated, the air bed provides a cushioned surface that conforms to the contours of your back seat, creating a comfortable sleeping space for one or two passengers. Compact and easy to store when not in use, it’s a must-have accessory for anyone who loves hitting the road and exploring the great outdoors.
7. Car Air Purifier
Air purifiers are also useful for improving the air quality in the car’s cabin, eliminating pollutants, dust, and odours. An air purifier will be quite useful for owners who usually drive in pollution-dense environments, such as the inner cities of urban centres.
Why You Need It:
- Reduces pollution, allergens, and bad odours inside the car
- Improves overall air quality for a healthier driving experience
- Useful for people with respiratory conditions
8. USB Car Adapter
In today’s connected world, staying powered up on the go is essential. A USB car adapter ensures your device is always juiced up and ready to go. A USB car adapter plugs into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter or accessory socket, providing one or more USB ports for charging your devices. What’s more is that you can charge multiple devices simultaneously. The USB car adaptor runs on the vehicle’s battery to power up other connected devices. Compact and portable, a USB car adapter is a versatile accessory that’s perfect for road trips, daily commutes, and everything in between. Don’t let a dead phone battery derail your plans. Invest in a USB car adapter so you can keep your devices charged and stay connected wherever life takes you.
9. Jumper Cables
Jumper cables are your car’s lifeline in the face of a dead battery. Easily stored in your trunk, they offer a quick and reliable solution for jump-starting your vehicle, whether you left your lights on overnight or your battery’s reached its limit. Simply connect the cables to both batteries, following the proper procedure to avoid electrical damage. With jumper cables on hand, you’re ready to get back on the road in no time, ensuring you’re prepared for unexpected emergencies wherever your travels take you.
10. Reverse Parking Camera
A reverse camera is a boon for parking and reversing, especially in cars with a lot of blind spots. Mounted on the rear of your car, it provides a clear view of what’s behind you, eliminating blind spots and making manoeuvring safer. As you shift into reverse, the camera activates, displaying real-time footage on your dashboard or rearview mirror screen. This helps you navigate tight spots with ease, whether you’re parallel parking or backing out of a tight parking spot. Easy to install and compact, a reverse camera is a must-have for any vehicle, offering peace of mind and enhancing safety on the road.
11. Sunshades (Windshield + Side Windows)
Car sunshades are very useful in keeping the interior of the car cool during summer days. They prevent direct sunlight from entering the car interior, reducing the workload of the car’s air conditioner and reducing UV damage to the car’s dashboard. Car sunshades are available in materials such as reflective mesh and folded fabrics.
Why You Need It:
- Protects your car’s interior from heat and UV damage
- Keeps the cabin cooler and reduces AC load
- Prevents fading of upholstery and dashboard
12. Portable Vacuum Cleaner
Having a portable vacuum cleaner ensures easier cleaning within the automobile. A vacuum cleaner, be it small and mighty, makes it possible to clean the cabin of crumbs and dirt lodged in the toughest-to-clean spaces.
Why You Need It:
- Keeps your car interior clean and hygienic
- Easy to use and store in the boot
- Removes dirt and debris from seats, carpets, and mats
Other Car Accessories (for Organization, Storage, Cleanliness & Comfort)
1. Car Electric Coffee Maker/Tea Maker: This compact appliance allows you to make fresh coffee/tea right from the comfort of your car. Simply plug it into your car’s 12V power outlet, and you can enjoy a warm beverage while on the road without having to stop. Perfect for early morning commutes to your workplace.
2. Compact Sun-Visor Organizer: Attaching to your existing sun visors, this organiser provides dedicated pockets and slots to neatly store small, miscellaneous items like sunglasses, pens, documents, and more, right within your line of sight. It keeps essentials easily accessible yet prevents them from rolling around your car.
3. Car Mini Dustbin: This small trash bin is designed to fit snugly into a cupholder or door pocket in your car. It provides an actual, dedicated space to throw away small trash items like food wrappers, tissues, and recyclables, keeping your car clean.
3. Seat Cushion: These cushions are ergonomically contoured to support your back’s natural curves when seated. They help improve posture and alleviate built-up pressure and discomfort during long periods of sitting behind the wheel.
4. Neck And Back Support: Using a combination of cushions, these supports gently embrace your neck and lower back. They help maintain a proper posture, helping reduce muscle strain, pain, and fatigue over long road trips.
5. Portable Fridge: A Portable fridge can be easily powered through your car’s power outlet, and can chill drinks, snacks, and meals to keep them fresh on the road. It’s a great solution for times when a cooler isn’t sufficient.
6. Car Seat Hooks: These hooks clip onto the frame of your rear car seats, providing a solid hanging space for bags, purses, groceries and more. Utilising vertical hanging prevents items from sliding around and frees up floor space.
7. Central Armrest: Installing an armrest in the middle of the front row provides a cushy spot to rest arms during long drives. Many also include interior storage space to store some small personal items.
8. Car Seat Gap Filler: These fillers create a seamless bridge between the car’s front seats and centre console, preventing phones, keys, change and other small objects from slipping through the gaps and becoming lost.
9. Car Vent Hook Hanger: Utilising the slats of your vehicle’s air vents, these simple hooks provide a hanging spot for lightweight items like air fresheners, face masks or accessories within easy reach.
10. Collapsible Multi Compartment Boot Organiser: With multiple divided sections and compartments, this organiser helps maximise trunk space by segregating items like luggage bags, food items, and fragile pieces in their own dedicated areas.
11. Car Back Seat Organiser: Hung on the back of the front seats, these organisers provide an assortment of holders, pockets and mesh pouches to contain clutter for rear passengers – perfect for holding electronics, toys, snacks, and more.
Summary
Whether you are seeking security, comfort, or convenience, the right car accessories are always the best option to enhance your driving experience. Car mats for the interior and air purifiers for clean air are examples of car accessories that are not just about style; they offer numerous benefits for the functionality, security, and comfort of your car.
Spending money on high-quality driving accessories tailored to your needs will certainly be the icing on the cake for car owners. The essential accessories listed below will not only improve your driving experience but also retain their value for years to come.
FAQs on Must-Have Car Accessories
Q. Why should I invest in car accessories?
Investing in car accessories can greatly improve your driving experience. From enhancing comfort with seat covers and sunshades to ensuring safety with items like a first aid kit and a dashcam, accessories add value and convenience to your car. They also help protect your car’s interior, improve fuel efficiency, and keep you prepared for emergencies.
Q. What are the most important car accessories for safety?
The most important safety accessories include a first aid kit, an emergency kit (with jumper cables, fire extinguisher, etc.), and a dashcam. These ensure you’re prepared for emergencies and help you stay safe on the road.
Q. Are car air purifiers really necessary?
Yes, especially if you drive in high-pollution areas. A car air purifier improves air quality inside your car by removing pollutants, allergens, and bad odours, creating a healthier environment for you and your passengers.
Q. How can a portable tyre inflator be useful?
A portable tyre inflator is essential for keeping your tyre pressure optimal, which improves fuel efficiency and safety. It’s especially useful during long trips or when you’re stranded without access to a service station.
Q. What are the benefits of using seat covers?
Seat covers protect your car’s upholstery from stains, wear and tear, and spills, while also enhancing the interior’s look. They are available in materials like leatherette or fabric, making it easy to choose one that fits your style and needs.
