What accessories do I need?

[Raizinman]

In purchasing a new car, what accessories do you feel you pretty much need. I'm not speaking about optional wheels or spoilers, but more like:

1) Ice brush scraper
2) Cigarette lighter charger cord for cell phone
3) Floor mats
4) Seat covers
5) Wipes for windows
6) Sun glasses
7) Jump drive of music

What else??

 

[jlee]

Tires that don't suck.

 

[Midwayman]

Emergency kit? Flares, small medical kit, jumper cables, blanket, hat, gloves etc.

 

[JulesMaximus]

 

[boomerang]

Seat covers?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Emergency kit? Flares, small medical kit, jumper cables, blanket, hat, gloves etc.

I don't have any of that in my car.

 

[JulesMaximus]

In purchasing a new car, what accessories do you feel you pretty much need. I'm not speaking about optional wheels or spoilers, but more like:

1) Ice brush scraper
2) Cigarette lighter charger cord for cell phone
3) Floor mats
4) Seat covers
5) Wipes for windows
6) Sun glasses
7) Jump drive of music

What else??

Factory floor mats are something I always get and I replace them every 2-3 years. Keeps the car looking new and clean.

I wear sunglasses in and out of the car so I wouldn't really call that an automotive accessory. Maybe a microfiber towel for cleaning your glasses.

Satellite radio is a necessity for me. I've had this in every car I've owned for the past 10 years at least.

 

[Uppsala9496]

Bought weathertech floor mats for both cars. Nice and easy to keep clean and are great in the winter.

 

[pauldun170]

Tires that don't suck.

What he said

 

[pauldun170]

A "AAA" membership card.
Pack of peppermint gum.

 

[FeuerFrei]

• 
  Window shade to protect upholstery/rear deck speakers from sun damage.

• Squeegee for those times when water/fog clouds the window. Why wait for it to clear itself?

• Lug wrench

• Jack

• Air compressor

• Towels - bath and paper

• Steering wheel cover - If you've got big hands you'll enjoy a beefy wheel.

• Knife

• Flashlight

• Plastic bin to hold all this crap in the trunk.

 

[JulesMaximus]

• Window shade to protect upholstery/rear deck speakers from sun damage. (Tint your windows)

• Squeegee for those times when water/fog clouds the window. Why wait for it to clear itself? (Um, cars come with those, they're called windshield wipers)

• Lug wrench (Cars come with this too)

• Jack (And this)

• Air compressor (WTF are you going to carry around an air compressor for??? to inflate volleyballs? Every gas station has compressed air and if you have a flat it's not going to do you any good anyway)

• Towels - bath and paper (A few paper towels in the glove box is always a good idea)

• Steering wheel cover - If you've got big hands you'll enjoy a beefy wheel. (Those look so ghetto-don't be that guy)

• Knife

• Flashlight (Those are handy to have-could go in the glove box)

• Plastic bin to hold all this crap in the trunk. (Totally unnecessary since I eliminated most of the things you mentioned)

Fixed

 

[nOOky]

Husky or Weathertec floor liners for the winter, seat covers for the summer because I run a lot and get in sweaty all the time.

Ice scraper, spare gloves and hat, cell phone charger, cargo organizer for the back to carry groceries that folds up, spare money hidden and extra sun glasses and readers because I am old and blind as a bat up close.

I also generally replace all the factory speakers (at least) and add a sub.

 

[Yuriman]

Any modern cellphone is a flashlight.

I keep a set of sockets in my car, but it's more out of principle.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Kleenex (for you, not the car).

A few shop rags.

Flashlight.

Snow brush and ice scraper (winter).

Tire pressure gauge. Takes up virtually no room.

Small tape measure. Can't tell you how many shopping trips I've been on where having a pocket tape measure came in handy. How wide is that shelf? How tall is that planter? The only way to have it at all times is if it's in the car.

Speaking of which: Grocery store membership cards. I carry exactly two cards in my wallet, and I'm not carrying around another three or four semi-useless cards just for grocery trips, so I keep them in the car.

Custom windshield sun screen. Makes a big difference in the summer, but only if you're not lazy and you actually use it. I'm not a fan at all of tinted windows and their reduced visibility, but I suppose that in some harsh climates they may be a necessity.

I've carried glass wipes before, but they always dry out before I use more than a couple. Just clean your glass regularly and you'll have very little need for them. BTW, Invisible Glass is good stuff.

 

[Demo24]

I keep some napkins (generally from restaurants), air guage, small multi tool, car phone charger, emergency jacket, jumper cables, and whatever the car comes with. All of that is hidden away in the glovebox or in with the spare tire.

 

[ControlD]

Fixed

I disagree with your take on carrying a small air compressor. I can't think of a single gas station around here that still has compressed air. Years ago they all had it, but not anymore. If you have a completely blown tire the only thing you can do is put the spare on. If you have a slower leak, having a small compressor that plugs into the 12V outlet can get you to a repair place no problem. I have used mine twice for just that purpose over the last 5 years or so, and that made the $30 investment well worth it.

 

[pauldun170]

Fixed

 

[JulesMaximus]

I disagree with your take on carrying a small air compressor. I can't think of a single gas station around here that still has compressed air. Years ago they all had it, but not anymore. If you have a completely blown tire the only thing you can do is put the spare on. If you have a slower leak, having a small compressor that plugs into the 12V outlet can get you to a repair place no problem. I have used mine twice for just that purpose over the last 5 years or so, and that made the $30 investment well worth it.

Putting the spare tire on would also get you a repair place no problem. I've never carried a compressor and the last time I had to use my spare tire was in 1996 (I pulled over and changed it myself).

I'm kind of a minimalist though when I travel. Carrying a bunch of useless crap around in my car is not something I like doing. Open my trunk right now and you'll find it completely empty.

If my car doesn't start I'll call a tow truck. If I get a flat I'll put the spare on. If I'm stuck in a blizzard... oh wait, that isn't even possible.

The only accessory I really need is a cell phone really.

 

[ControlD]

Putting the spare tire on would also get you a repair place no problem. I've never carried a compressor and the last time I had to use my spare tire was in 1996 (I pulled over and changed it myself).

That's true. It's just a much bigger PITA.

I can respect not having a ton of crap in the car though.

 

[FeuerFrei]

• 
  Window shade to protect upholstery/rear deck speakers from sun damage. (Tint your windows) (No)

• Squeegee for those times when water/fog clouds the window. Why wait for it to clear itself? (Um, cars come with those, they're called windshield wipers) (I like to see left and right and rear as well. Besides it's a golden opportunity to easily clean your windows.)

• Lug wrench (Cars come with this too) (yeah, but you can do better)

• Jack (And this)(Not one you want to use. Too flimsy.)

• Air compressor (WTF are you going to carry around an air compressor for??? to inflate volleyballs? Every gas station has compressed air and if you have a flat it's not going to do you any good anyway)(most of the time when my tires goes flat I can air it up and drive 5 miles to a repair shop. No tire changing.)

• Towels - bath and paper (A few paper towels in the glove box is always a good idea)(paper towels for cleaning hands, car windows; bath towels for giving wet people a ride, spilled drinks, rain inside, dusting)

• Steering wheel cover - If you've got big hands you'll enjoy a beefy wheel. (Those look so ghetto-don't be that guy) (There are tasteful ones.)

• Knife

• Flashlight (Those are handy to have-could go in the glove box) (That's where I keep mine - and the knife.)

• Plastic bin to hold all this crap in the trunk. (Totally unnecessary since I eliminated most of the things you mentioned) (Hmm. My bin contains 2 sets of socket wrenches, air compressor, 4 hand towels, roll of shop towels, squeegee, oil filter, empty plastic bag, back brace; Missing window cleaner)

Fixed

Well this was a nightmare to edit.

 

[JEDIYoda]

waffle maker
deep fryer
microwave
Coffee maker
blender
wet bar
portable toilet
you get the picture......

 

[twinrider1]

Combo window breaker/seatbelt cutter.

 

[Zivic]

In purchasing a new car, what accessories do you feel you pretty much need. I'm not speaking about optional wheels or spoilers, but more like:

1) Ice brush scraper
2) Cigarette lighter charger cord for cell phone
3) Floor mats
4) Seat covers
5) Wipes for windows
6) Sun glasses
7) Jump drive of music

What else??

window tint
good floormats
if driven yr round (winter) and is an auto, a two-way remote start
clear bra on hood
fumoto valve if doing your own oil changes
bluetooth connectivity