5 Car gadgets and accessories that will change your commute

Edited and prepared by Oscar Michel, Masters in Journalism, DCU

Great guest post by Christopher Austin, regular blogger and writer. He loves to write articles on car and technology related topics. He keeps sharing his ideas and latest trends in car technology through his articles.

A daily car commute is sometimes a necessary evil, and while sometimes there’s no way to give it up, you can at least do as much as you can to make it as comfortable as possible. Luckily, you’re in the right place – we’ve put together a list of 5 car gadgets and accessories that are sure to change your commute forever. You are welcome.

1. Smart Multimedia System

Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/iphonedigital/29560567134/in/

Music is known to be a good stress-relief agent, so listening to your favorite music during your commute is the first step towards making it more enjoyable. However, you shouldn’t stop at music. Upgrading your car to an Apple Car Play or Android Auto compatible headunit, depending on your smartphone of choice, can enhance your driving even more. A smart multimedia system that’s compatible with your smartphone will not only give you access to your favorite music through the apps you normally use on your phone (think Spotify, iTunes or Google Play Music), but it will also allow you to use other smartphone features such as social media apps, navigation and pretty much anything you can think of. The best part is that they are all optimized for usage during driving, so you won’t be distracted.

2. Dashcam

Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/novecentino/5065829382/

Traffic can get chaotic pretty much anywhere, so having a dashcam as your trusted sidekick is always a good idea to assist you in the event of an unfortunate situation. However, a dashcam doesn’t need to be just another boring preventive gadget. Models such as the Waylens Horizon come with a very nice additional feature: a small dongle that plugs into the car’s OBD-II port and read various car parameters such as speed, torque, engine rpm, acceleration, and so on. The dashcam then includes those parameters into the recorded footage, making your trip video look like an awesome racing game footage – how awesome is that?

3. Seat Cushion

In order to feel comfortable, you need to sit comfortable, and while we’re not underestimating your car’s comfort level in any way, we do feel the need to recommend an upgrade in the form of a seat cushion. Ranging from simple seat cushions that only provide an additional level of comfort, all the way up to cushions that also have heating or cooling functions, and to more complex ones that can also give you a massage, you’re definitely bound to find the one that fits your expectations and requirement, and it will be one of those upgrade that, once bought, will make you question how you could ever live without using them so far.

4. Seat Belt Covers

Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pikerslanefarm/3437205573/in/

One of the most uncomfortable elements of a commute, or better yet, as driving as a whole, is the seat belt. We’re in no way contesting its usefulness, nor imply that you should not wear it – always wear it, as it can literally make the difference between life and death in the event of a crash; what we’re pointing out is that it is not the most comfortable feeling out there having the seat belt across your chest all the time. Unless you have a seat belt cover, that is. With prices in the range of $10, this is one cheap upgrade that will have a tremendous impact on your comfort level, and will indeed change our commute forever.

5. Phone Holder with Charger

A phone holder is a no-brainer when it comes to upgrades – if you have a phone, you need one. However, not all phone holders are the same. If you want to get one that really makes a difference, consider one that also has wireless charging support (assuming your phone also has this feature, that is). That way, not only will your phone be held steadily in place during your commute, but it will also charge the whole way. It’s a win-win.

Extra Entry – Performance Upgrades

Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ralfherbach/34640483422/in/

While mechanical upgrades don’t really fall under the “gadgets and accessories” category, they are upgrades that will impact your commute, so we feel we must include some as well. We’re not talking about full engine tuning or very costly upgrades, but rather modest performance upgrades that bring you the best bang for your buck. A good example is a chip tuning kit, which will increase your engine’s power quickly and easily, giving you some extra roar for some extra sensation. And while with increased power comes increased responsibility, you might also want to consider an upgrade to your brakes, in which case a Brembo brakes kit is just what you need. With just these two simple upgrades, the overall driving experience will change dramatically.

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