There are many add-on devices and gizmos for cars that can provide features to make your ride better. There are accessories that will give you music that is more to your liking. A gps with maps can display the route to take to your chosen destination.
A heated mug will keep coffee hot as long as the car is running. There are other useful functions and nice effects that add-on accessories can provide.
Many car accessories are low enough in price so that they may be well worth installing. This article concentrates on the lower priced accessories. Most are under $50.
Here's the list with some information and comments about each:
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. At www.autoanything.com/products/product_sp.aspx?p_id=1552,about $30.
NexxTech™ Travel Mug with Thermal Control At www.circuitcity.com/ssm/NexxTech-Travel-Mug-631-8375-/sem/rpsm/oid/100379/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do, about $20.
Power Up Thermal Mug. At www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F010%5F004%5F001%5F000&product%5Fid=270%2D4133, about $20.
Cooler/warmer - These give the choice of keeping food or beverage hot or cold. 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:
Wagan Car Cooler/Warmer. At www.autoanything.com/products/product_sp.aspx?p_id=1300 about $75
Koolatron 8 quart Food Cooler/Warmer. At www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10101/s-10101/p-100000200861/mediaCode-ZX/appId-100000200861/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:100000200861, about $80
Vector 6-can Portable Food Cooler & Warmer Chest. At www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10101/s-10101/p-100000154620/mediaCode-ZX/appId-100000154620/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:100000154620">ZX076971R, about $50
Cell phone charger - Plugs into the cigarette lighter socket to power or charge your cell phone.
example models:
Coleman Powermate CMN-PMP400 400 watt. At http:// store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=cmn%2dpmp400, about $60.
Motor Trend power inverter HDL-MTI-12-3716. At http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=HDL%2DMTI%2D12%2D3716, about $60.
Xantrex X Power Mobile Plug 75. At http://www.fisheriessupply.com/online/ln_menu/product.asp/mode/1/product_id/116429/letter/X/N/4294873001/catalog_name/FISCO, about $30.
Go Power GP 175 Modified Sine Wave Inverter. At store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/4,25448.html, about $30.
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, miscellaneous-
Here's the list with some information and comments about each:
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. At www.autoanything.com/products/product_sp.aspx?p_id=1552,about $30.
NexxTech™ Travel Mug with Thermal Control At www.circuitcity.com/ssm/NexxTech-Travel-Mug-631-8375-/sem/rpsm/oid/100379/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do, about $20.
Power Up Thermal Mug. At www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F010%5F004%5F001%5F000&product%5Fid=270%2D4133, about $20.
Cooler/warmer - These give the choice of keeping food or beverage hot or cold. 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:
Wagan Car Cooler/Warmer. At www.autoanything.com/products/product_sp.aspx?p_id=1300 about $75
Koolatron 8 quart Food Cooler/Warmer. At www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10101/s-10101/p-100000200861/mediaCode-ZX/appId-100000200861/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:100000200861, about $80
Vector 6-can Portable Food Cooler & Warmer Chest. At www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10101/s-10101/p-100000154620/mediaCode-ZX/appId-100000154620/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:100000154620">ZX076971R, about $50
Cell phone charger - Plugs into the cigarette lighter socket to power or charge your cell phone.
example models:
Coleman Powermate CMN-PMP400 400 watt. At http:// store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=cmn%2dpmp400, about $60.
Motor Trend power inverter HDL-MTI-12-3716. At http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=HDL%2DMTI%2D12%2D3716, about $60.
Xantrex X Power Mobile Plug 75. At http://www.fisheriessupply.com/online/ln_menu/product.asp/mode/1/product_id/116429/letter/X/N/4294873001/catalog_name/FISCO, about $30.
Go Power GP 175 Modified Sine Wave Inverter. At store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/4,25448.html, about $30.
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, 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: Alan Detwiler
