Accessories for Intelligent Car Travel

When it’s finally time to hit the open road, make sure your vehicle is tricked out with all the latest car accessories that help make driving a pleasure. Just like improving your wardrobe or upgrading your furniture or appliances, adding tiptop accessories to your car makes the time spent in it feel more like a luxury and less like a chore.

Safety

Although the best way to ensure your overall safety is to make sure you have decent, yet cheap insurance in case of any accident, there are specific accessories that will aid in making your life easier in everyday driving situations. A portable jump starter is a great item to keep in your trunk. Sure, you can sometimes flag down a kind stranger with cables, but it’s safer to take care of the situation quickly yourself especially if your car won’t start at night or you’re in a remote location. Some of these portable boxes are compact enough to fit in your glove box while others are larger and have additional features like a built-in air compressor and USB charging ports.

Blind-spot mirrors are great accessories that can keep you from getting in an accident especially if you have an older model car without safety cameras. This little mirror attaches easily to your side mirrors to catch that moment when passing cars disappear from view. Other mirrors that attach to your rearview mirror are also helpful giving you a wider view of the cars behind you.

Every car should have a first aid kit under the seat or in the glove box. These kits aren’t just for when you get in an accident; they also come in very handy during day-to-day or vacation travel when you’re not near your medicine cabinet. No one ever means to blow out their flip-flop and step on glass, but it happens. Another important safety device is a small escape tool kept either on your keychain or in your console. It doesn’t take up much room, and you hope you’ll never need it, but you sure don’t want to regret not having one.

Organization

One of the most useful accessories of the season is a set of clips that attach to the poles on your headrest and hold your purse or bag within reach. No more scrambling on the floorboard of your car to dig your wallet out at the drive through. No more sinking feeling when you turn a sharp corner and hear all the contents of your bag roll under the seat. The problem is solved with these ingenious hooks.

If you’re too embarrassed to open your trunk in public, there are some very smart organizers that can get you inspection ready. Many styles clip to the inside of the trunk for extra support to keep your groceries, gym clothes, bags of mulch or whatever else you’ve put back there upright and in place. If you prefer to keep your space non-compartmentalized, there are excellent and durable trunk liner options that at least make the clean-up process a breeze. The mats can be pulled out and hosed down with little effort.

Zen

Personal diffusers have become very popular recently and for good reason. Wafting certain scents into the air can change emotions and heighten the senses. If aromatherapy helps you stay calm at work or home, why not the car too? Imagine being stuck in traffic but instead of smelling impatience, you smell relaxing lavender instead. Having trouble keeping your mind on the road? Try peppermint or lemon for a natural pick-me-up. Car diffusers plug into your USB port or old cigarette lighter and take you from zero to Zen in no time.

The Bottom Line

Considering the amount of time you spend in your car, it’s a good idea to make it as safe and comfortable as possible because if you have to be there anyway, you might as well enjoy the ride. Car accessories that help you achieve this bliss and peace of mind are just as important as the tunes coming through your speakers.