By Alan Detwiler


Add-on accessories for your car will make your ride more enjoyable. A power cord from your cell phone to the cigarette lighter socket will keep your phone running without draining its battery. An iceless cooler will conveniently keep a drink cold. A heated mug will keep coffee hot as long as the car is running. Add-on accessories add enjoyment to your ride. Below is information and comments about five types of accessories. To locate the items online, use the link to Leisure ideas at the end of this article.

12-volt heated mug - A mug with a plug for getting power from the cigarette lighter socket. It keeps a liquid such as coffee hot for as long as the vehicle is running. Some models have a thermostat to set the temperature.

Example models:

* Wagan Tech Heated Travel Mug, removeable cord plugs into cigarette lighter socket, 16-ounce capacity, double wall vacuum insulation to keep drinks hot up to an hour after you unplug, mug fits cup holders, available for about $30.
* New VR3 Stainless Steel Heated Insulated Travel Mug Cup, plugs into cigarette lighter socket, 14-ounce capacity, base sized to fit cup holder, about $10 plus shipping.
* Bell & Howell Hot N' Go Heated Car Mug, heats to 145 degrees F in 30 minutes, 16-ounce capacity, priced about $18.
* JLR Gear Smart Mug, set the temperature you want, has ready light, 16-ounces, plugs into lighter socket, available online for about $20 plus shipping.


Cooler/warmer - These give the choice of keeping food hot or cold. Can warm food and can cool. Some are sized to hold a can of soda or a mug of coffee, larger units might hold a six pack or more.

Example models:

* Coleman 12-Volt 9-Can Console Cooler/Warmer, cools to 40° F and warms to 120° F, 9-can capacity. Available online for about $60.
* Vector® Thermoelectric Portable Food Cooler/Warmer Chests, cool to 40° below outside temperature, warm to approximately 130° F, 9-foot cord plugs into lighter plug. Two available, 6- and 12-can capacity, priced $75 and $85.
* Koolatron 18-quart Food Cooler/Warmer, cools to 40° F below ambient temperature or warms to 125° F, detachable 10-ft. cord, 3-amp draw, holds 23 12-ounce cans. Available for about $110.
* ROADPRO 12-Volt Mini Cooler / Warmer, holds 9 12-ounce cans, about $50.
* 12-Volt 7-Liter Cooler/Warmer 12-Volt 7-Liter Cooler/Warmer, holds 9 12-ounce cans, about $60.
* Pyle - Automotive Travel Cooler/Warmer - PLCOOL6, holds two 12-ounce bottles, 9-foot detachable cord, 12 volt/120 volt/220-volt, about $40 online.
* Rubbermaid® Cooler/Warmer 289377 1.1-gallon capacity, holds 6 12-ounce cans, plugs into cigarette lighter socket, in warming mode, warms to 120-degrees F., tie-down strap and buckle strap for fastening to seat back. 7' long 12v cord. Available online for $80 plus shipping.


Cell phone charger - Plugs into the cigarette lighter socket to power or charge your cell phone.

Example models:

* Virgin Mobile Silver Dolphin Car Charger, for Kyocera phones, plugs into car's power outlet and charges phone in 2.5- to 3.5-hours, http://www.radioshack.com can locate the stores nearest you where you can get this charger, about $15.
* Phoenix Wireless Vehicle Power Adapter for Samsung M300/M510, has coiled cord that plugs into cigarette lighter socket, about $25.
* Quick Cell 3900 Car Charger Nokia, web site lists stores nearest you that stock this charger, about $15.
* Phoenix Vehicle Power Adapter for Samsung Phones, has coiled cord that plugs into cigarette lighter socket, 3.5-mm plug, for many Samsung phones, for about $25.
* Generic Car Charger for Nokia N91, N90, N80, 770, 7370, 6282, 6265i, 6165i, 6155i, 6126, 6103, 6102i, 6102, 6101, 3155i. Available for about $5.


Power inverter - Plugs into the cigarette lighter socket, clips to battery, or wire it in. The vehicle's 12-volts dc is changed to 120-volts ac to power things like laptop computers, coffee makers, cell phones, camcorder battery chargers and other small appliances. Don't go bigger than 400 watts unless you want to go directly to the battery with heavy wire. Even then, high power devices will drain your battery quickly and could fry the alternator if the engine is running.

example models:

* Xantrex X Power Mobile Plug 75, only 75 watts, very light duty, for about $30 online.
* Whistler 400-watt Power Inverter with Circuit Pro, will run TV/DVD combos, laptops, cooling fans, $30 plus shipping.
* Xantrex Technologies XPower Plus 400-Watt Inverter #851-0400, 400 watts for 5-minutes, 600-watts surge for easy startups, and 300-watts continuous power, plugs into car cigarette lighter, automatic shutdown mechanism protects against overload, over-temperature and low battery conditions, two 3-prong grounded AC outlets, and a DC outlet. Available online for about $30.


mp3 player - Down load music or other audio content onto either the player's memory or a separate flash drive. Hours of audio can be stored in a single memory device. Some content can be downloaded for free. Listen to the program any time you choose.

example models:

* VR3 MP3/WMA FM Modulator w/USB Port and Audio, VRFM8BLN, plug a flash drive into its USB port and use Play, Pause, Volume, Shuffle, and Track Selection controls to play MP3 and WMA files, has a mini jack to use a mp3 player or other audio source, has cigarette lighter plug, priced about $35.
* DLO TransCast FM Transmiter for MP3 Players, 0092007, use to play audio from an MP3 player through a car's radio. Gets power from cigarette lighter jack or batteries, 3-foot cord for connecting an audio source, compatible with MP3 players, PSP, and iPod. Available from radioshack.com for about $40 plus shipping. Radio shack will ship free to the store nearest you.
* USB Car MP3/WMA FM Modulator Player W/Audio Input, will accept a standard USB drive to play MP3 files with car's FM radio, plugs in cigarette lighter jack, input jack for audio from CD, DVD or MP3 player. Available online for about $25.
* Belkin TuneCast II Mobile FM Transmitter, will except audio from a MP3 player's headphone jack and transmit it to a car's radio to be played through the car's existing speaker system, powered by batteries or through car's cigarette lighter jack, available for about $24.

Other accessories that can be used to enhance your car include seat covers, floor mats, steering wheel covers, sun shades, head rest covers, litter bags, can and cup holders, inside/outside thermometer, gps/map device, extra loud or novelty sound horns.

Items to keep in your car for repair, emergency, safety and miscellaneous - Jack, lug wrench, trouble light, flares, jumper cables, maps, cell phone and phone numbers, coolant for radiator, drinking water, long storage food, empty container for gasoline, various hand tools, gloves, coat, hat, blanket, rain poncho, and a first aid kit.

By Hamza Ejaz


There are several auto accessories for the owners of the Honda cars to select from. These accessories can be installed in the exterior or the interior of the cars to get benefits like increased performance, durability, protection of the vehicle and increased appeals etc. One of the best things about the Honda cars is that it has never compromised on the quality of its products, which has also become the reason for the popularity of these cars in the various regions of the world.

One can buy the authentic Honda accessories for their cars from the various dealers' offices and the workshops that are opened in the various regions of the world, or can make use of the websites of the dealers to order the Honda accessory that they require by managing their shopping through the World Wide Web.The limitless options for one to select from allows the individuals to shop while finding the match according to their needs and the style preferences for their cars.

This will not only allow the individuals in saving their money but, time and energy as well. Since most of the online retails offer an online discount as a promotional deal to boost their virtual revenues, those who are looking for the Honda car accessories can sift through the galleries and the images of the webpages which are updated on regular basis to find what they are looking for. When buying the Honda auto accessories online it is essential to have the complete knowledge pertaining to the year of the make, shape and other specifications, so that one is able to buy the accessories that can be fit into their cars.

For those models of the Honda for which the accessories are not being manufactured anymore, it may become a problem to purchase their accessories. One great place to find the accessories for the older models of the Honda is the neighborhood junkyard. Do not be fooled by the destroyed looks of the cars. Despite the fact that they are wrecked, they contain genuine accessories that can be bought at drastically slashed prices by the individuals who are looking for the genuine Honda car accessories.

One such example is that of the older than the 1980's Honda car covers, which are relatively difficult to find in the markets since they were much larger to what the size of these car covers is today. However, from the automobile junk-yards, these covers can be bought with ease to protect the car against the wrath of nature and unfavorable condition like humidity, dirt, sunlight which play havoc on any car model.

By Hamza Ejaz


There are those who have cars and then there are those who have Honda cars. The Honda cars are a reflection of the types of the personalities who like sophistication and prefer comfort. The brand name is synonymous with the extended features that offer extreme comfort, performance and style. This is the reason even those who own an old model of the Honda would not replace this brand for any other. In every part of the world, the Honda cars are driven on daily basis to fulfill the transportation needs of the people belonging to the various walks of life. Understanding the needs of these people various accessories for Honda cars have been developed, which facilitate them in their transportation means and needs.

Sometime the people need to travel along with their pets, which can prove to be a nuisance as they keep distracting the driver or irritating the travellers. Now the owners of the Honda cars can make use of the pet barriers that are available with the authentic car accessories dealers and install in in their cars to keep the pets in the cargo area. The best thing about this car accessory is that it does not require any drilling or scraping, which can cause damage to the interior of the car or mar its looks. Some of the Honda car accessories are also installed by the other car owners as well to add more years to their vehicles and benefit from the durability of these accessories.

If one is looking for the genuine accessories but not willing to pay as much as the market rates, the automobile junkyard might be a good place to search. Though the cars might appear to be utterly destroyed they have many items and the accessories that have managed to escape even a scratch and remain in perfect working condition. These genuine Honda accessories can be pulled out of these cars to install in one's cars while saving them up to eighty percent on the cost price.

Sometimes it so happens that in case of the older car models it is difficult to get the specific auto accessories as the company does not manufacture it any more. Same is the case with the car covers for the Honda cars which are older than the year 1980, which were larger than those being manufactured now. The car cover for these Honda cars can however, be searched at the automobile junkyards with ease to help protect your car against the risks of damages caused due to the various factors.

By Richard Jon Aronson


Car accessories are often costly. Before we decide for costlier ones, we should check out the ones which are less expensive. One of the cheap car accessories that many people like to put on their cars is stickers. The car stickers can bear a humorous statement; depict something for a social cause, or just some picture. Bobble heads are also quite cheap and affordable. They are generally of well-known personalities or animals. They look very funny.

Many car accessories are important and necessary items. For instance, floor mats are very important as they save your car from getting dirty. Floor mats are available in different colors and materials. They can be simple or have an attractive design. The rubber floor mats are easy to wash and are more durable. Generally cars tend to get smelly as they gather external world dust and pollutants. So another important car accessory is air fresheners. For some people this car accessory is like a blessing.

The expensive kinds of car accessories are mostly belong to electronic or electrical category. The electronic car accessories include fog light, neon headlights, xenon headlamps, CD player, DVD player, MP3 players, video games for in car entertainment for the whole family while you are driving in top gear. Nowadays PlayStation and Xbox are very popular and it will be a good idea to add a PlayStation or an Xbox to your car with a display to play games. But watching movies or playing games is not advisable as it can distract the driver's attention and cause accidents.

Another expensive electronics car accessory, but really useful especially for highway driving, is a GPS system. GPS basically means global positioning system. A GPS assists drivers to reach their destinations by giving them visual as well as vocal directions. It shows maps on the display while telling you your location and where to take go. A good GPS system is available to you in a range of $600 to $1600. So go for it if you really need it and need to travel long distance frequently. There is another costly car accessory - a radar detector. This forewarns drivers that there is a police officer nearby who is checking for over-speeding cars. A radar detector detects and warns the driver so that you can reduce your speed to permissible limits and get saved from getting an over-speeding ticket. A radar detector is only needed by persons who love high speed driving.

You will find a lot of choices in the world of car accessories like safety gadgets, entertainment gadgets or to customize your car. Have Patience and find the best one and enjoy shopping for them. There are lots of stores who offer so many types of accessories. But one accessory that you should not forget to be fitted is anti-theft systems.

By Kalin Staikov


One of the best things about Mercedes is that it is pretty adaptable. With simple customizations you can tune it up and make it follow your needs and desires. Everyone enthusiastic about the idea will point you dozens of things you can do but when it comes to the actual work on a particular car many don't know where to start. That's why here on this article you will learn many things about the areas on which you can work and what you can do with your car to personalize it and to make it really feel like yours.

Interior is the first thing we need to cover when talking about customization of your Mercedes vehicle. There are many parts you can simply replace if you need to or ensure some proper protection but the stylization is the most exciting thing because it will let you feel your car like it is made for you - just the way you want it to be. Mercedes are known for their splendid way of achieving maximum comfort. However if you look around you will find that there are many things you can do yourself to make your Mercedes automobile look and feel even better.

When talking about interior we can not miss the leather upholstery. No matter how hard you try to sustain its perfect condition it will damage in time. Sunlight and other factors will make the leather lose its characteristics and with time you will be forced to do something about it. The good news is that there are plenty of options available for you. You can replace the whole thing or you can finely retouch it to make it fit your style or perhaps to recover the damage from your last morning coffee.

Many people think that the seats of your car and of course especially the driver's seat should be extremely comfortable and relaxing. This is true because you are the one driving the car and you need that comfort but different people - different needs and different feel for comfort. When thinking about your comfort on the seat it will be good if you thing about the leather of your car too because a fine protective seat cover will provide you with both - comfort for you and protection for the leather of your Mercedes car.

We just talked about the leather of your car and some stylish ideas taking in account the interior of your Mercedes vehicle and stuff like this but in your car there are things that needs your frequent attention and one of them is the floor mat. The need of this however could be pretty unpleasant and if you want to avoid the need of doing all that vacuuming and cleaning work you can just purchase some rubber floor mats and make your work easier. There are many solutions for your floor mat that will provide you the style and comfort you need. It will be good if you check your floor liners too because the dirt and moisture can do its dirty work there too. Again you will be able to pick your solution from numerous options.

Now it is time to move out from the car and check the exterior of it. It is all about style and how you can give that desirable unique look of your Mercedes automobile. Of course all by itself the Mercedes car is an astonishing sight but if you look around you will find that you can make it look even better and you can set it apart from others that look just like it. Put your style in it and make people find the difference seeing your style and your way of seeing what is beautiful in the look of a car.

I will not tell you much about some of the first things a man looks when he sees a beautiful well dressed woman walking on the street but I will tell you this - the wheels of your car are important for the style of your car and the look you want to give to it. You may want to equip your Mercedes with some pretty nice aftermarket solutions. You will find again that there are many solutions and you will be able to pick the right one fitting into your needs and desired style.

It is not a first-need thing but you will still want to think about some nice car covers and you could find both - indoor and outdoor variants. This is important especially if you store the car for long time on a parking outside or in any other place with hazardous and potentially damaging conditions like extreme sunlight in a hot day or others.

There are many aftermarket solutions for your car made from chrome and made exactly to fit the need of everyone. Chrome exhausts, doors and mirror covers are just the beginning of what you will find so don't limit yourself from the vast variety of solutions that are available for you to use. Think about the look of your new Mercedes car as the beginning of the more it can be and all the aftermarket solutions are available for the personal customization you will soon provide to your vehicle.

However when thinking only for the style and what a wonderful sight it is a new Mercedes car some people fail to make the necessary adjustments in order for the longevity of the car to expand. When the summertime comes you will most likely need to think about your car and what you can do for it to not simply make it look better but to make it endure everything that will stand on its way. Simple clean up will always be a good start but you can also check up the engine and protect the leather inside the car. Just wander around the solutions that are available for keeping your car in a good condition. Be resourceful and you will find that the market works for you on the best way taking your Mercedes car into the next step of the more it can be.

By Vicki Churchill


When looking to buy a second hand car you should be extra careful and vigilant as purchasing a car from a private sale does not usually come with the reassurance of a warranty.

Used cars have one major advantage over buying a brand new vehicle and that is the price. Used cars, even if only a year or two old are substantially cheaper than new cars. From the moment a vehicle is driven off a dealer's forecourt the depreciation begins and in the early days the price drop is disproportionate to the vehicles actual wear and tear.

If you are not mechanically minded yourself it is probably a good idea to take someone, preferably a mechanic with you or better still instruct a specialist engineer to examine the vehicle on your behalf. Although this will increase your budget it will not only give you peace of mind but will undoubtedly be money well spent if a serious problem is discovered.

Take your time and do not rush into a purchase just because you think you will lose the sale. Remember there are thousands of used cars out there to choose from.

Decide on your budget and stick to it! Make sure you have included tax, insurance and any accessories you might need on top of the actual cost of the car in your budget. Make sure you are buying the right car for your needs. If it's a family vehicle you are looking for to ferry the kids around, do not get carried away looking at two seated roadsters. It's easily done!

Make sure you research thoroughly and buy several magazines and guides from your local newsagent. This will help you have a better understanding of prices and market trends, as you will find thousands of used cars listed.

When viewing any used cars make sure you do it in the daytime preferably at the seller's home address. Daytime viewings will ensure that any defects to the bodywork are easily noticed and viewing the vehicle at the seller's home address will give you an idea of how the vehicle has been maintained. If the vendor wants to carry out the transaction elsewhere demand that it is a public place. This is for your own safety, as you do not know who you will be dealing with.

It is quite normal for used cars to have had several prior owners so do not be put of by this, but do check the cars log book and service history carefully making sure the documents are in order and all the dates and records check out.

Carry out a H P I check to verify the cars history. You will be able to determine if the vehicle has any outstanding finance or if it has been stolen. Also this check will determine if the vehicle has been subject to an insurance write off or if the mileage has been altered.

Ask the vendor as many questions as possible about the cars history, especially the reason for sale. That said; do not take any reply as an absolute truth!

Take as long as you want with your inspection

Checking the Interior

Ensure all the electrics, including mirrors; windows and central locking are in good working order. Test the seat belts click into their sockets and retract properly. Check the wear on the foot pedals, as this will give you an indication if the vehicle has covered an excessive amount of miles. Lift any seat blankets, which may be hiding burns and stains. Do not be afraid to check under floor mats and upholstery for rot and corrosion. Feel around for any damp or water residue and when inside have a good sniff for any mould or pet smells, as this is a sure sign there may be stains or damp lurking somewhere.

Exterior inspection

Look down the sides of the vehicle as some used cars would have suffered the odd bump or two in their time. Check to see if the panels are in line and free from any filer. Make sure there are no irregular gaps between the doors, bonnet and boot. Check the colour match on each panel for signs of a respray. Feel under the wheel arches and seals for signs of rust.

Most used cars will need some money spent on them and normally this will be tires and exhausts. The minimum tyre tread is 1.6mm so check all the tyres have at least this depth and factor replacement costs into your budget if they are near the mark. Inspect the exhaust, and check that it is not noisy or blowing.

The Engine

Check the engine oil and ensure that it is brown and transparent. Make sure the paintwork in the engine bay matches that of the cars exterior. Check for leaks on hoses and pipes before and after the test drive.

When the engine is started it should idle smoothly. Listen carefully for any irregular rattles or grinding sounds.

The Test Drive

Do not be afraid to ask for a test drive, preferably with you driving the vehicle.

If possible drive the vehicle on a variety of road surfaces so you can feel the cars handling. Check the suspension is solid and the vehicle holds a true line. Listen for any grinding when the steering wheel is at full lock. Once the vehicle is moving listen for any irregular engine noises.

Closing the Deal

Once you are satisfied the vehicle is for you and it has passed the above checks do not be afraid to haggle over the price. Most sellers of used cars are prepared to negotiate over the original asking price. Where possible try to get the seller to include any extras or accessories.

An important point to remember is not to feel pressured into buying a car no matter how good the sales patter is.

If you have any doubts about the purchase then DO NOT BUY as there are many other used cars out there to choose from.

By Daniel Hansen


People are used to buying devices or materials for comfortable and easy driving. From expensive oils to clean the engine, car wash, these things are necessary to keep the car to its optimum performance for safe and sound driving.

But to completely clean the car and maintain its look from inside and out, you need accessory that will both help you clean the car easily and protect the car from further damage caused by unwanted foreign materials brought inside the car through dirty shoes like dust, mud, chewing gum, beverages or other liquid, sand etc., there are no other accessory that can help you maintain the cleanliness and quality of your car's flooring and upholstery than auto floor mats.

Auto floor mats don't only protect the car's interior from dirt, it also adds clean elegant look and soft comfortable touch for its passengers and the driver.

There are two basic types of mats available in the market for your car's flooring, the one-size-fits-all type of mat and the custom-made mat.

A one-size-fits-all type of mat is a free size mat, it is designed to fit in any type of cars from regular car, convertible, estate car, four-by-four, hatchback, limousine, minivan, racing car, sports car, station wagon, SUV, etc. But because it is designed to approximate every car's floor space and design, it can't fit perfectly to each type of car, thus it may not entirely protect the car's flooring and upholstery. Dirt will slowly wear your floor board and will cause you uncomfortable and damaged interiors.

This is why you will need to choose a custom-made auto floor mats for your car. This type of mat is made to fit in your car's flooring, it will cover all the contours in you car's floorboard and effectively protect it from harmful foreign materials. This type of mat is made up with extra durable materials like nylon or rubber nibbed bottom to prevent slippage.

Custom-made auto floor mats can also be personalized to complement to your car's color, and interior and your personality as well.

By Robert A Hull


There are several essential accessories that will enable you to preserve the natural beauty of your vehicle's interior. Learning about them will enable you to provide utmost protection on your automobile for more lasting convenience when riding them.

Two of the most essential accessories include auto floor mats and seat covers. These two are the keys to maintaining cleanliness inside your car and to make it convenient for you to ride on.

First off, seat covers is a great way to maintain your vehicle seat. It can provide protection against various factors that could decrease the quality of your car seat, such as friction, UV rays, moisture, and debris caused by either kids or pets. There are several seat cover materials to choose from and your choice will determine its quality and durability against the above mentioned factors. Among your possible choices in the market are neoprene, velour, sheepskin, and cotton canvas.

If you are particular about the style, then you could also opt for the color of your choice with multiple to choose from. When shopping for these in the market, they are also available in various fits, such that you can have them customized, semi-custom, or you can simply go for universal fits.

In addition to seat covers, auto floor mats are another important interior vehicle accessory. Going for all-weather floor mat is ideal to provide maximum protection on your car's flooring system against dirt, road salt, debris, or spillage from various types of liquid like water, soda, and coffee, among others.

Aside from the initial protection offered by these auto floor mats on your car floor, cleaning it up is also quite easy. Simply direct a quick hose to it and then let it dry off in the air for you to use again. You can also go for custom designed ones for optimum coverage and ideal fit.

If you want to preserve your vehicle, then you need to take good care of its interiors. Thus, you can enjoy convenient, clean, and efficient ride each time out.

By Dan Bodrero


Like any piece of machinery, a car needs an extra amount of maintenance and protection during seasons where the temperature spikes or falls drastically. On such occasions, regularly checking your car for damage and necessary replacements such as car seat covers, windshields, engine oil status, and car floor mats, not only lengthens the service life of your car, but also maintains comfort and cleanliness.

Winter / Extreme Cold

Driving through blizzards, iced roads, and chilly air is way different than driving through the bliss of a summer breeze. While safe driving is imperative all year long, driving during winter requires a lot of precaution and necessary steps to ensure optimum car control, safety and comfort.

Speaking of comfort, changing the interior of a car to suit the cold weather is a must. Ditching those old sets of cotton jeep seat covers and switching to sheepskin car seat covers is one of the best ways to keep warm inside a car while a snowstorm is brewing outside. A great addition to provide some warmth inside a vehicle is a car warmer to complement those thick sheepskin jeep seat covers. Apart from generating heat to the car's interior, car warmers also prevent vehicles from icing up and becoming brittle. Placing thick car floor mats can also help insulate your car and create warmth.

Replacing regular tires with winter tires is also a good option to maintain maneuverability of the vehicle whendriving on snow and ice-covered roads. Winter tires offer better grip and road traction because special treads enable the snow to slide off as the tire rolls.

To keep the car engine in tip-top shape throughout the winter, make sure that you put an antifreeze solution in your radiator every day to keep your engine from frosting. A 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze solution at full level every single day will keep your engine running and protected from the biting cold. Keeping a daily track of the engine oil and other motor fluids, such as steering and brake fluids, is also a must to ensure the optimum performance of the car and your safety as well.

You must also stock on windshield washer fluid in conjunction to replacing the wiper blades as you need to keep the windshield clean when driving out. Battery state must also be checked frequently because extreme cold strips the battery of its charge. Washing and waxing the car on a regular basis not only gives the car a boost in terms of looks during the winter, but also protects the body, the chassis, and the tires from salt corrosion.

Extreme Heat

When driving though extremely hot regions, such as deserts, or areas affected by heat waves, it is best that you prep your vehicle and yourself for the significant rise in temperature. Unchecked vehicles cruising through a heat wave may end up with blown tires or melted rubber accessories under the hood. Hoses, engine belts, and tires are made of rubber. Under extreme heat, they can easily cause a total breakdown of your vehicle.

Checking the pressure of your tires not only prevents them from blowing up, but allows you to see if they need to be replaced. Worn-out tires are very vulnerable of blowing up under tremendous heat. Aside from tires, checking the engine for clogged air filters, corroded battery posts and the coolant level of your car before heading out to the road or desert trail is pretty much an imperative.

You can leave air-conditioning out in the equation, as it is the one that provides interior cooling. Checking the status of the air-conditioning system's refrigerant is one way to keep the cooling system running smooth.

By Dan Bodrero


For most people, owning their first car is a rite of passage, an act that entails responsibility and a mature approach to life; it's much like holding that driver's license for the first time. Owning a car for the first time is a major milestone for anyone, especially for teenagers. Even if they get a used car with faded dashboard covers or a dilapidated pickup truck with missing floor mats, the vehicle will still be a special something that will be remembered for decades.

It is only proper then that relatives and friends of first-time drivers should hand out advice and car accessories to bolster the enthusiasm of fledgling drivers. Accessories would give any ride a heightened degree of glamour and sophistication to that first car --- regardless of whether it's a pre-owned truck or a sleek sports car.

While a traditional air freshener to hang on the rearview mirror is always the staple gift for first-time car owners, giving them custom seat covers is a guaranteed surprise. Complementing such presents with a nice set of specialized floor mats will neatly add to the trick. Gifts like these would be more than appreciated especially if the car is an old or pre-owned vehicle.

For those that came out from the showroom, the stock dashboard covers should be fine; there's no need to replace them for at least two years. Custom seat covers for the car owner work best if they are detailed to the exact requirements of the one who will be using the car most. Asking the car owner subtle questions on how he wants his car's interiors to look is a good way to fish for hints.

For those who aren't quite sure what to get, giving the car owner vouchers or discount coupons from carwash establishments are great options. They are also some of the most useful gifts one can give to a new car owner. Buying first-time car owners some carwash kits (sponges, washcloths, tire shampoos, etc.) or a book on how to use a hydraulic jack and replace a flat wheel are also viable ideas.

Not all car owners know much about a car's engine and how to make it start when it bogs down, so a book on jumpstarting a car is also an excellent gift. For those who are very superstitious, placing some statuettes of saints and other divine figures on the dashboard are good options as well.

For those who can afford expensive accessories, getting a car "pimped" with customized body paint or rigging it with powerful speakers can be arranged. Other, somewhat pricier accessories one can get a first-time car owner are customized racing seats, engine upgrades, or a cool set of tires. They are substantially more expensive than most accessories though --- so much that most people would rather install those accessories to their own cars rather than fitting them to someone else's.

All in all, people can buy first-time car owners a lot of stuff, ranging from the practical ones to the luxury additions and options. The only thing that matters is making sure that the gifts would blend right in. Knowing the year and the model can go along, so it's always best to know what the car's make is before cashing out.

By Dan Bodrero


Breaking from the common mold seems to be the trend for quite a number of car owners these days. Impelled by hit shows like Pimp My Ride, owners of nondescript cars are getting their rides major revamps in the aesthetics and performance departments. Car owners who have the need for speed but can't get past 60 mph resort to getting racing-themed custom seat covers with matching truck floor mats.

As car technology advances, car makers are making headway in giving people the option to choose from cars with regular features such as an SUV with stock SUV seat covers or those with installed accessories in addition to the standard packages. Even a truck loaded with customized interiors pales in comparison to one fitted with a whole slew of accessories and features.

Jeep, one of the world's most famous SUV makers, gives its customers the choice to design and customize certain aspects of their SUVs according to their exact specifications; these aspects range from SUV seat covers to body paint to additional headlamps and tents that can be connected to the rear end of the vehicles. Chevrolet, another car maker with an outstanding lineup of SUVs, also presents their customers the option to install accessories such as seats with custom seat covers, various types of air conditioning systems, and anti-theft security systems.

Of course, the additional car accessories and features mean additional numbers on the price tag. A potential car buyer should weigh the need for an additional car accessory or feature before having it installed by the car maker. Otherwise, the car buyer might be faced with a price that is beyond their budget.

However, there are some accessories and features that some experts believe car makers should install in each of their vehicles so that drivers have the luxury and conveniences necessary for getting around in any town. These are:

o USB Ports
o Integrated live traffic reporting
o LCD screens for movie watching (and of course, in-car DVD systems)
o Blind Spot Warning devices and systems
o Satellite radio

Certain people will prefer more of the above features than others; while others can go without. However, the following accessory options are making waves in today's innovative car accessory trends:

o Built-in iPod adapter - perfect for those who want to drive with their iPods providing some music. This feature is available in recent models from Audi, BMW, Chrysler, and Honda to name a few.
o Sound controls on the steering wheel - no more does the driver have to struggle with other passengers with regards to what's playing on the radio or from the music player. With controls neatly placed in the steering wheel, the driver is really in control. Car makers Jeep, Suzuki, Subaru, and Jaguar among others offer this feature.
o Blind spot warning systems - very useful in terms of keeping the car and its passengers out from harm's way. Sadly, only two car makers --- Volvo and Audi --- offer this optional feature in their cars.
o Bluetooth Cell Systems - almost all cars employ this latest innovation of wireless connection among wireless devices, even down to the lowly Nissan Versa.