3 car accessories that make a difference

More and more, new cars come with nifty options to help keep you safe, save fuel and even get you there a little faster. Even if you’re not on the hunt for new wheels, you can go the extra mile with these aftermarket accessories that make a difference.

Safety, fuel efficiency and the best route — no matter where the conversation takes place, drivers never seem to tire of those topics. No wonder GPS systems, rear-view cameras and fuel scan gauges are among the top useful accessories on an experienced driver’s list.

Thinking of buying one — or all three? Here are some tips to help you choose wisely.

1. Scan gauge — fuel efficiency in real time

If your car was bought in Canada or the U.S. after 1996, it comes with an On-Board Diagnostic version two — or simply OBD II — connector. Add a scan gauge to the OBD II-port in your car and the minute you start the ignition, the scan gauge goes to work. You’ll get instantaneous, real-time information including:

• Fuel economy. As you speed up, slow down and idle, you’ll get a fuel-efficiency reading.

• Cost per trip. Input a few numbers and determine if it was worth driving to that outlet mall for a sale item.

• Basic trip stats. Driving time, distance travelled and maximum kilometers per hour are also given (which could be useful for monitoring your teenager’s driving habits).

A scan gauge will cost about $200. Visit ScanGauge.com for more information or ask your local car accessory retailer.

2. Rear-view cameras — help with reverse

No vehicle can completely eliminate blind spots. While sonar devices — which use beeps to let you know when you’re approaching an object — are popular, many drivers are turning to rear-view cameras to avoid that stray skateboard or bicycle.

Aftermarket rear-view cameras come with brackets so that they can be installed on your licence plate and transmit video signals to an interior display (either purchased or in-dash). The camera will start to work when your backup lights have been activated.

When shopping for one, consider:

• Image quality. Will you get a clear picture transmitted? What about at night?

• Weatherproof. Is it durable enough to go through heavy periods of rain or a carwash? You also want to ensure the camera comes with an anti-fog lens.

• View angle. Will the camera cover a large enough area for you?

• Wireless or not. While newer models transmit the image wirelessly, others require some wiring smarts.

There are many different aftermarket options available covering a wide price range (approximately $200 to $500), often depending on whether you’re buying just the camera or the camera and a monitor. Also available are combined GPS/rear-view camera devices that start at about $400.

3. GPS navigation — say good-bye to “lost” hours

While drivers have a range of GPS options, your budget may be the deciding factor — especially when it comes to features and professional installation (if required).

Car-specific GPS navigation systems can be portable (great if you use it in more than one car) or installed in your dashboard. Portable ones usually use suction cups to mount on your dash and can be transferred from one car to another.

As with other tech devices, the features you need will determine the price:

• View screen. Is the display area large enough for you to see it clearly? Some are as small as three inches; others as large as seven.

• Map updates. When updating pre-installed maps, or if you want maps from another part of the world, you’ll need to rely on CDs, DVDs or online downloads. Make sure you’re comfortable with the map update process.

• Input options. How easy is it to input information on your destination? Do you need to type in the entire address or is an intersection enough?

• Image options. If you’re not good at reading maps, choose one that displays them in 3D.

There are many other features to consider, including voice activation and text-to-speech voice prompts, traffic alternatives (which require a monthly subscription to a service), information on points of interest and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled models.

Portable GPS systems can run you anywhere from $150 to $1,000. If portability isn’t a concern, you can find in-dash models that act as your car’s entertainment centre, complete with a CD and DVD player and AM/FM radio, and have an input for your MP3 player to boot. As you might expect, these can cost as much as $2,000.

Don’t forget to check out all the helpful safety tips.

Did you like this article? Check out Fuel-efficient driving by the numbers.

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