I’m a Mechanic: 11 Car Accessories the Middle Class Should Consider Buying
Written by
Angela Mae
Edited by
Levi Leidy
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Cars can be expensive. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average person spent $48,644 on a new car this past summer.
Given this, you might not want to spend extra money on accessories. But if you can afford it, certain accessories are well worth the price — if only for the peace of mind they bring.
GOBankingRates spoke with Tim Rodifer, technical director for Mr. Transmission, Milex Complete Auto Care, about which car accessories people in the middle class should consider getting. Here’s what he said.
Portable Battery Jump-Start Pack
“Batteries can fail without notice — you can be out at the store and plan to leave when you find out your car won’t start,” said Rodifer.
Common reasons for this can be age, rust or damage. Sometimes, a car battery dies because other things are drawing too much power from it. A portable battery jump-start pack could come in handy for cases such as these.
“These jump packs are convenient in the moment and can also be purchased with an accessory charger,” said Rodifer.
You can get a portable battery jump-start pack for around $100 on Amazon.
Portable Tire Pressure Air Pump and Gauge
“Tires can lose air with weather changes or very small leaks,” said Rodifer. “It is important that you don’t drive on a low tire not only because it could damage the tire but it is unsafe. You should regularly check your tire pressures and keep inflated to vehicle/tire specifications.”
Given this, you might want to get a portable tire air pump and gauge for your car. They cost around $60 to $90 online, and can tell you the PSI of your tires. You can also set how much air you want to put in your tires directly from the device.
Dash Cam
A dash cam, or dash camera, is another must-have accessory. You can put one on the front or rear dashboard for extra security.
“These are great options for safety and protection,” said Rodifer. “Some models offer impressive features like 360-degree views that can be viewed prior to getting to your vehicle. They can also record accidents, if your vehicle was hit when it is parked or someone attempts a break in.”
One dash cam on Amazon costs between $130-$200. Unlike some dash cams, it has night vision capabilities. If you don’t need that feature, you can always find a less expensive one.
OBD-II Scanner
Modern vehicles typically have an OBD-II port. This is your car’s on-board diagnostics system and is key for understanding any issues that crop up. With an OBD-II scanner, you can check codes if a warning light comes on — before you head to the mechanic.
“You can pull codes if a tire light comes on and see what tire is low or just pull codes if the check engine light is illuminated,” said Rodifer. “This could help if you need to call someone to see if the vehicle is safe to drive or if immediate attention is needed.”
An OBD-II scanner costs anywhere from $80 to $120 online. Just make sure you choose one that suits your vehicle.
Emergency Breakdown Kit
Even the highest-rated or newest vehicles can have issues. And if something happens while driving, you’ll want to be prepared.
“If something does happen and you have to pull to the side of the road, an emergency kit will give you reflectors that can be put behind your vehicle at a distance that can make it safer for the car to be parked,” said Rodifer. “A good-quality kit is always useful just in case you need it.”
An emergency breakdown kit goes for $30 to $50 on Amazon. This particular one includes a tire pressure gauge, gloves, snow scraper, cable ties, raincoat, safety vest, reflective triangle and many tools.
Infrared Temp Light
Another car accessory to consider is an infrared temp light. They cost about $20 online and are handy in a pinch.
“This is a great tool to check the temperature of different components of your car to identify issues — for example, your A/C system,” said Rodifer. “It can also help identify brake issues, overheating problems or other things within your home.”
Other Accessories To Consider
If you have a little wiggle room in your budget, here are a few other car accessories Rodifer suggested getting.
- Battery tester: “If you think your battery is showing signs of failure, you can easily hook a tester up and check the condition of the battery,” he said.
- Bluetooth adapter: Grab one of these if you drive an older vehicle without Bluetooth compatibility.
- Heated seat covers: These add a touch of comfort, especially on chilly winter drives or when you don’t want to run the heater.
- Wet/dry shop vaccuum: These are useful for cleaning out your car without having to go to a professional. “Because this device can also suck up liquids it becomes handy for both the garage and around the house depending on how big a spill is or leak,” said Rodifer.
- All-weather floor mats: “Brands like WeatherTech are highly durable and practical (I’ve personally used and liked them),” he said.
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