A gift to the driver - car accessories and gadgets for any wallet

Probably every car owner likes to change something from time to time. Christmas is a great time to surprise a driver, not necessarily a very expensive one.

Car dealerships are under siege several times a year. In autumn and winter, they sell mainly winter tires and batteries, in spring they sell cosmetics and car wash equipment. However, in December, gadgets that can be successfully put under the Christmas tree are at their best.

See also: The most popular car navigators. See comparison

– The trends are different every year. Two or three years ago, all kinds of luminous elements sold well. Drivers bought neon headlights and LEDs for interior and chassis lighting. Today they are looking for less flashy accessories. As gifts, we sell mostly useful things. Often cheaper. Unfortunately, the crisis is visible at every turn, says Andrzej Szczepanski, owner of Auto-Sklep in Rzeszow.

See also: Car sales 2012 Offer of all dealers

Together with him, we studied the offer of the most popular products available on the automotive market. Below is a list of items that every driver should love. More than just another pair of pajamas or warm socks.

car cosmetics

Prices for individual drugs start from just a few zł. For about PLN 60-80, you can assemble a fairly large set that will come in handy for regular car care. This is primarily a shampoo with wax, a spray for caring and polishing the cabin, a polishing paste for varnish, a fragrance and a brush. The set will be slightly more expensive if you choose a natural bristle brush (about PLN 40-50) and genuine leather suede (about PLN 80-120).

Winter Essentials

Preparations that help fight the consequences of winter bad weather will be useful to every driver. Silicone for seals prevents them from freezing to the car body, lock de-icer is an invaluable assistant when it is impossible to open the door after a frosty night. Also worth considering is a windshield de-icer that keeps the traditional scraper working (something to keep in mind too). In case of heavy snow, it is worth having a brush for sweeping the body. A set of winter preparations costs 50-100 zł.

Chains on wheels

While they are optional on most of our roads, they are often very useful. Especially in mountainous and rural areas, where road workers come less often, and the snow stays much longer. Depending on the size, a set of chains for one axle costs from PLN 60 to PLN 300. With them in the trunk, even the farthest ski trip is not terrible.

battery cover

Low temperatures are the enemy of the battery. Previously, drivers sheathed the battery for the winter with leather or cardboard. Today you can buy a cover to order in automotive stores. A warm jacket with holes for clamps and cables costs about PLN 20-30. It prevents the battery from cooling down and helps to start the car in cold weather.

windshield cover

This is the hit of this season. The sheet is made of special material and does not freeze to glass. When parking, it is enough to hook it on the door and the wipers. Not afraid of low temperatures and heavy snowfalls. In the morning you just take it off, shake it off and put it in the trunk. The windshield is ready to go without scratches or sweeping. The price is about PLN 20-50 (depending on the size and manufacturer).

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If your car is parked outdoors, you might want to consider a fabric cover to protect it from the weather. Covers made of thin material cost from PLN 80 to 120. For PLN 200 you can buy a thicker one that is more resistant to damage. In winter, it is useful as protection from snow and frost. In summer, it will act as a barrier to sunlight and bird droppings that damage paintwork.

Caps

This is a good way to decorate a winter set of wheels. Salt, dirt, sand and low temperatures accelerate the wear and corrosion of steel rims. Damage can be easily masked by installing caps. While most dealers pay around PLN 400-500 for a set of original ones, good replacements cost between PLN 10 and 30 apiece.

Loudspeaker system

This is the perfect gift for a driver who travels a lot. There are many kits on the market. The most expensive are the most complex and permanently installed. For about PLN 600 you can buy a system connected to a car audio kit. Such a device allows you to answer and reject calls using voice commands or using the buttons on the control panel. Many of them also have the function of voice dialing the caller from the phone book. But you can buy a simpler and cheaper kit. For example, attached to the sun visor, connects to the phone wirelessly via bluetooth. The cost is from PLN 150 and above.

See also: Hands-Free Kits - Buyer's Guide.

daytime lights

Since the introduction in Poland of mandatory 150-hour low beams, this car has become a very popular gadget. A set of high-quality LED lights can be purchased for about PLN 250-XNUMX. There are many types of lighting fixtures on the market, differing mainly in shape and size. This is a gift that will be useful to anyone who travels a lot, especially during the day.

See also: Daytime running lights - halogen, LED or xenon? Guide

Breathalyzer

approx. PLN 200 is enough for a simple model breathalyzer that reliably measures the amount of alcohol in the breath. This is a device that can come in handy in the most unexpected situations. Having them at hand, the driver at any time will be able to judge whether he can drive without fear after a drunken party.

GPS navigation

Satellite navigation is already standard on many new cars. But most used cars don't have these extras. GPS navigation can be purchased in several forms. It is primarily a separate cigarette lighter-powered device attached to the windshield with a suction cup. Prices for this type of corporate navigation start at around PLN 400. However, the offer also includes navigation integrated into car multimedia stations. Then, in addition to the GPS module, the driver receives a radio, MP3 and DVD players, and often also a TV tuner. Station prices start from PLN 1500-2000.

Радио

A good class radio is a gift that every driver will love. Prices for players of branded players start at around PLN 300. For about PLN 500-700, you can buy a radio with an mp3 player, a color display and, above all, a beautiful mechanism that will improve the sound quality from the speakers. Modern radios have USB ports and allow you to connect portable music players and smartphones.

See also: Car radios - better factory or branded? Guide

Amplifier/speakers

If the recipient of the gift loves to listen to music, you can give him an amplifier or additional speakers. approx. You have to pay PLN 500 for an amplifier, about PLN 300-500 for a bass speaker and a box, at least PLN 200 for two branded three-way speakers. Each of these elements will improve the sound of music in the car, which every driver with sensitive hearing will appreciate.

Governorate Bartosz

photo by Bartosz Guberna