Becoming a car owner is exciting! You’ve found the perfect vehicle for your budget and your lifestyle, and you can’t wait to hit the road. But before you do, it’s important to ensure that you and your vehicle are properly equipped for wherever the road takes you. For example, consider travelling with accessories or equipment to help make your drive safer and more convenient.
We’ve come up with a list of the top 10 must-haves for new car owners. Each of these items are helpful to always have in your vehicle, so that you’re prepared for any situation.
1. AAA Emergency Road Kit
A roadside emergency safety kit is one of the most important items to always keep in your vehicle. AAA is a leading brand in roadside safety, and their 42-piece kits ensure that you have the tools and equipment you need on hand for many situations. The AAA Emergency Road Kit is stocked with components for cars, trucks and RVs. This kit features booster cables, an LED flashlight, batteries, first aid equipment and more. You can find the AAA Emergency Road Kit online or in hardware stores.
2. Emergency Window Hammer and Seatbelt Cutting Tool
In the event of a collision, this emergency tool helps you to escape from your vehicle if you become trapped. This tool is equipped with a hammer on one end to break open car windows and a cutter on the other end for cutting jammed seatbelts.
3. Tire Traction Aid Tool
This tool is not only beneficial in winter but also in other weather conditions. Tire traction aid helps your vehicle to gain traction on slippery surfaces, such as snow, mud and grass. Many traction aid tools are built to fit most or all car tires, so you can keep it for future vehicle purchases, too.
4. Sunshade Windshield Cover
Windshield sunshades help keep vehicle interior temperatures cool in the summer and prevents frost buildup in the winter. You can find windshield sunshades at many local retailers, or you can even have one custom made for your vehicle.
5. Portable Air Compressor and Gauge
If your vehicle doesn’t automatically monitor your tire pressure, you should consider a portable air compressor. It’s important to ensure that your tires are always properly inflated. Over-inflation put your tires at risk of bursting on the road, and under-inflation can eventually lead to rim damage.
6. Headlight Restoration Kit
This kit is especially useful in the fall and winter months when it begins to get dark earlier. The headlight restoration kit removes haze and corrosion from headlight lenses and provides protection against UV rays. This kit is beneficial to help ensure that you’re always visible to others on the road.
7. Cordless Vacuum
Keeping this item on hand is up to your personal preference. Although it isn’t an essential tool, a cordless vacuum is convenient and helps to ensure the interior of your vehicle is clean and free of debris.
8. All-Purpose Car Cleaner (Multi-Surface)
All-purpose car cleaner both cleans and disinfects all surfaces of your vehicle. All-purpose cleaner has been especially beneficial against COVID-19 by disinfecting high touch point areas inside your car. All-purpose car cleaner is available online and in store at a variety of retailers.
9. Front Dashcam and Rear Camera
Dashcams and rear vehicle cameras are great accessories for your vehicle. In the event of an incident or collision, dashcams encourage accountability on the road. They even provide insurance benefits and can help lower your premiums over time. There are many dashcam brands available, and they offer an array of capabilities. Some cameras record only when your vehicle is on, while others record even when you’re parked, and your vehicle is turned off.
10. Phone Holder and Phone Charger
Phone holders help to keep your phone close to you while encouraging safe driving behaviour at the same time. Although it’s against the law to operate a mobile device while driving, a phone holder lets you set your phone nearby, should you need it in case of an emergency. There are many phone holder types available: some are designed to be mounted, while others fit securely in your cup holder.
You should also keep a phone charger handy to ensure you can make calls in urgent situations. Many phone holders have built-in phone charging capability, too.
Be Prepared to Hit the Road
These available tools and accessories provide you with added peace of mind and they ensure that you’ll be prepared for any situation on the road. No matter what challenges or road condition lie ahead, you’ll be equipped with safe solutions.
And now you can safely enjoy the drive!
