Smart car accessories that earn their keep

Make summer driving simpler with seven practical car accessories.

Almost as long as manufacturers have been building cars, third-party makers have been designing gadgets and accessories to improve and personalise cars or just help owners get more out of them in a specific way.

Today, the choice of accessories available is overwhelming. With so much choice, it’s hard to know what’s worth it. Here are seven accessories that can make your car safer, more comfortable and easier to drive in this summer.

Window shades and tinting

The old-fashioned windscreen shade is a car-accessory staple for good reason – it is simple, effective and inexpensive.

Simply using this device will bring cabin temperatures down noticeably compared to an unscreened, parked car while helping to protect fragile cabin trims and upholstery.

If you hate coming back to a hot car, consider adding rear or side-window shades and – if you have the budget – tinting.

Dash cam and touchscreen upgrade

Previously only offering forward vision, today’s dash cams now capture rear and side vision, and some record footage when parked. Handy evidence that can help with insurance claims or incident reports.

You'll also increasingly see aftermarket touchscreens that mount to the dash and bundle a dash cam into a full standalone infotainment unit, offering Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity, navigation functionality, hands-free calling and other modern must-haves. Just ensure you mount the device so it does not obstruct airbags or the driver's view.

USB charge port

Today's cars are built for today's electronic realities. Older cars, however, often lack ports to keep everyone's devices fully charged on the go. A multi-port USB car charger is an inexpensive way to keep devices powered on summer road trips.

Seat hoodie

These water-resistant slip-over covers protect seats from wet gear and sand without a full fitted cover. The seat hoodie allows you to protect your upholstery from spills, wet beach clothes and other summer mess without spending as much. They're also much easier to dry and clean, with most styles quick to remove and machine washable. When installing, be mindful not to block seat-mounted airbags or child-seat anchors.

Jumpstart and power bank

A portable jump starter can help with a flat battery and many powerful units double as power banks for phones or small camp gear. Think power fans, portable fridges, coolers and other handy devices.

Magnetic fly screen

If you've ever attempted to sit in a stationary car with the windows down and enjoy the summer breeze, you'll know how quickly Australia's insect population can ruin the fun. Clip-on fly screens let air in while keeping insects out when parked.

Emergency and first-aid kit

A well-stocked car first aid kit is one of the most useful additions to your vehicle,  not just for you and your family, but potentially for other road users, too.

There are all types of kits on offer, from sub-$100 kits that provide first-aid essentials to full survival and recovery kits that cost hundreds of dollars. It’s an investment designed to keep you safe, support you in remote conditions and help get your vehicle back on track when the unexpected happens.

_Disclaimer

_{Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.}