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Having the right tools and accessories can make your life a lot more pleasant. When it comes to owning a car, it seems like there are a million things you need to have in your garage. In this guide, we’ll tell you some important accessories and tools to have handy. They’ll make your life a little easier and result in a better car-owning experience.
What are Car Tools for?
At its core, car tools are built for making your life easier as you work on your car. This refers to mechanical projects that you’re doing – like changing your oil, finding and fixing an oil leak, or putting on snow tires.
If you’re someone who does car repairs on your own, then this list is going to help you a lot. It will save you time and money in the long run.
What are Car Accessories for?
Car accessories, on the other hand, have nothing to do with repairing or upgrading your car. They’re used to make your driving experience more pleasant. It might refer to tech upgrades that make you more comfortable or small additions that help the performance of your car.
What’s the Point of Having Car Tools and Accessories?
These car tools and accessories will make your car-owning experience more enjoyable. It will save you time working under the hood and help you feel more comfortable while you’re driving to work.
Owning a car with no tools or accessories is perfectly fine. You’ll just run into more inconveniences and wish there was something that could help you.
If you want to make the most of owning and operating a car, then take a look at our list below.
Best Tools and Accessories for Your Vehicle
Let’s get started and tell you about some tools and accessories that will make your life more enjoyable. These are in no particular order, and they all include a link that will take you directly to the product on Amazon.
Car Battery Jump Starter
NOCO Boost X GBX45 1250A 12V
Nothing ruins your morning like a dead battery in your car. This becomes even worse when there aren’t any other cars around that can give you a jump. If you want to avoid this problem, grab this portable car battery jump starter.
It has enough juice in it to jump your car and bring it back to life. This kit can jump-start your car up to 20 times from a single charge. Since it’s compact, you can easily throw it in your trunk so you always have it handy.
Tool Box
DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set, 192-Piece (DWMT75049)
A car owner is only as good as their tool kit. If you pick up this set from DEWALT, you’ll be the best mechanic on the block. It has 192 pieces – that’s to say it includes everything you could ever dream of.
Since it’s DeWalt we’re talking about, you know that these tools will last for a long time. They’re made specifically for people who are looking to turn their own wrench on their car.
It all comes in a single tool kit. There are plenty of labels and indicators, so you know where things are supposed to go when you put them back. We also suggest throwing this in your trunk so you always have it when you need it.
Professional Budget Scan Tool
A good scan tool will tell you what’s wrong with your car without going to the mechanic. This budget scan tool has some professional-grade qualities that we love. It will tell you secrets about your airbags, ABS, check engine light and ECU.
It plugs into your car and then you can read all the diagnostic reports from this tool’s screen. It takes the guesswork out of car repairs in many cases.
Radar Detector
UNIDEN R3 EXTREME LONG RANGE Laser/Radar Detector
Nothing stops your joyride faster than a police car. If you’re someone who likes to go fast, you need something to give you a heads up when police are in the area. That’s where a radar detector comes in handy.
This option has intelligent features that let you understand what’s going on without using your hands. It has long-range and it’s really easy to set up. Check with your local laws to see if owning a radar detector is legal, and we definitely don’t suggest speeding on the highway.
Breathalyzer
Drinking and driving are very dangerous and super illegal. If you want to make sure that you’re okay to drive, it makes sense to have a breathalyzer in your car. It can help prevent a tragedy behind the wheel. If you blow above the legal limit, you need to either sleep it off or grab an Uber.
Rooftop Cargo
Thule Motion XT XXL Rooftop Cargo
Sometimes it feels like there just isn’t enough room in your car. We’ve all been there – trying to pack for a nice vacation and running out of room within your car. You’ll wind up with people sitting on suitcases and squeezing themselves between luggage.
Alternatively, you can grab a massive and convenient rooftop cargo bin from Thule. This goes right onto your roof rack and secures quickly and safely. Inside, you have 22 cubic feet of room – that’s enough for everyone’s bags and then some!
We like this option because it looks stylish, as opposed to other options on the market. Since it’s from Thule, you know that it’s a cargo carrier that you can trust.
HUD (Heads-Up Display)
If you want to feel like Bond when you’re driving, a HUD is the best way to affordably do so. This heads-up display from A8 is a little screen that goes on your dash and gives you useful information.
Some of the info you can generate is your speed, RPMs, engine temperature, shift reminder, mileage indicator, and fuel consumption. The installation is almost immediate and it works on any OBD2 car. It has a reflective screen that all the data is projected onto, and you can install it anywhere on your dash.
Automatic Cup Holder Hand Sanitizer
Rocky Creek Touchless Sanitizer Dispenser
Many people feel the need to sanitize their hands right when they get in the car. If you’re one of these people, then this touchless option is perfect. It fits right into your cup holder and it ejects hand sanitizer without the need to pump or touch the nozzle at all.
The container is refillable and you can put your favorite hand sanitizer inside. There’s also an LED light built in so you can easily find it in the dark and add a splash of color to your car’s interior.
Tire Inflator Air Compressor
NORSHIRE Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor
We always talk about how important it is to check the health of your tires. Healthy tires will improve your performance, gas mileage, and create a safer driving experience. A quick way to pump up your tires when they’re low is with this mini tire inflator.
We hate getting that “low tire pressure” indication without having a pump handy. You can go to a gas station and throw some quarters in a machine, struggling the whole time – or you can reach for this inflator from Norshire. It fits perfectly in your glove box and it’s always ready for you.
It automatically stops filling the tire when it gets to the right pressure. When it’s time to recharge, you can throw it right in your car’s cigarette lighter.
Sunglasses Visor Clip
2-Pack Car Glasses Holder Universal Car Visor Sunglasses Holder
Having your glasses or sunglasses within reach is really important in your car. This clip attaches right to your visor. It quickly opens and allows you to store a pair of glasses without a big, gaudy holder. They have a few different color options to help the clip blend into your visor.
Oil Drain Pan
Lumax LX-1632 Black 15 Quart Drainmaster
Changing your own oil is a great idea for anyone who has a car. Rather than trying to line up an empty container under your oil reservoir, grab this oil drain pan. It has a wide mouth that makes it easy to catch the oil as it drips from your car.
Everyone hates dropping the bolt into the bucket of oil – that’s why this pan has a little filter guard that will catch large items that are dropped. These guys really thought of everything when they put together this pan.
Cordless Impact Ratchet
DEWALT 20V MAX XR Cordless Impact Wrench Kit with Detent Pin Anvil, 1/2-Inch, Tool Only (DCF894B)
If you’re doing your own work, an air ratchet is a must-have. This expedites the process of loosening and tightening bolts. It speeds up the process of doing any work on your car, and you’ll be so thankful for it.
We chose the DeWalt option since it is offered at a great price and has some incredible reliability. It’s a durable, long-lasting option to keep in your garage. Just hook up an air compressor and get to work!
Car Battery Carrier
The downside of changing your battery is wrestling with the weight and dealing with the dirt. It will quickly mess up whatever clothes you’re wearing, and it’s really awkward to even grab the battery. For a convenient solution, try a car battery carrier.
This grabs on the sides of your battery and helps you lift it out of your car. Use the handle to transport the battery around, and use the same carrier to load the replacement battery into your car. It makes your life a lot easier and saves your clothes.
Flexible Funnel
Basic Oil Funnel – Engine Fluids, Gasoline, Kerosene Funnel with Flexible Spout Extension
Flexible funnels are great for two things: beer bongs, and getting liquid into your car without spilling it everywhere. In this case, we’re talking about the latter.
Gone are the days of trying to carefully eye the right position to pour oil, antifreeze, or windshield wiper fluid into the hole. The flexible arm of this funnel lets you easily pour liquids into their corresponding areas.
Conclusion
The right tools and accessories can make everything so much easier. This list was hand-picked for people just like you. Whether you lease or own your car, you’ll greatly benefit from having the right tools in your garage and accessories in your car.
