What are your must have car accessories/gadgets/tech?

TJ Mackie

Just wondering what you can/can't live without when it comes to your car. Aside from the obvious like dashcams, satnavs and bluetooth - what are some of your must-haves and nice-to-haves when it comes to car tech/maintenance?

wonski

Funnily enough dash cam or sat navigation are not on the top of my list. Bluetooth is, though.

Heated seats at that time of the year are a blessing. Next car will have them, too.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

colm_mcm

Sunroof, last 4 cars had one and would really miss it if the next one didn’t have one.

That said, aircon or cruise would probably be a bigger deal, but most cars would have those.

ShadowHearth

Android auto. I just could not live without it. No more usb keys, cds etc. Just spotify. Need sat nav? No problem - google maps. Best thing ever.

Auto wipers and auto lights too. First car that I own to have those and now I can't imagine going without it.


Nice things, but not essentia:

Open car and lights come up. Might sound stupid, but I park my car at work, which is very dark. I finish work late too. So opening the car actually very handy to see where the hell am I going.

Four Phucs Ache

The most technical thing I've ever had is auto wipers.Hated them.

Can't live without an armrest though.

Eric Cartman

8+ Cylinders

GavRedKing

I've not had much tech or gadgets in cars down through the years, but heated seats in the ST is very welcome for about 3 or 4 months of teh year.

I suppose the heated windscreen is good in the ST, its standard though I think but helpful.

jimbis

2000watt 230v Power inverter.

Eric Cartman

jimbis wrote: »

2000watt 230v Power inverter.

what vehicle is that in ? second battery / alternator ?

Zoney

360 vision! Perfectly centred car parking within lines and avoid kerbs. Parking assist is great too even if it's not really feasible in a busy car park.

Adaptive cruise control is a dream on longer trips especially on busier 100 km/h N roads.

Not sure I'd give up my automatic tail gate, but on the other hand the warning beeping when it lowers is a pain, with the alternative being to hoist it down manually with no gas assistance. The manual notes "some resistance is normal".

I'd be fine giving up auto lights and wipers. Also climate control, actually prefer manual dials.

Least useful feature in the car is the option to change the sound scheme. Jungle beats for indicator sounds isn't top of my list.

jimbis

Eric Cartman wrote: »

what vehicle is that in ? second battery / alternator ?

Transit which has a second battery already. all standard set up though.

steveshort

An engine

Duke O Smiley

Audi's MMI screen or whatever equivalent. I think most new-ish cars have them now anyway, but I'd struggle to go back to something like this:



Also not tech related but tinted windows is another one.

CiniO

I have few favorite must haves like clitmate control, leather steering wheel, auto wipers, auto dimming rear mirror or cruise control, oil temperature indicator, but in general I can enjoy driving any car even the most basic provided that I like it.

Some accessories I find totally useless f.e. heated seats, auto lights, ash tray, etc..

Voodoomelon

There's just no going back from a BMW comfort seat. Whatever about anything else, the seat is crucial.

^^Heated seats totally useless? Madness.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Heated seats. Everything else I can do without. If I had to pick one other option is cruise control.

I have auto lights, HIDs, BT, auto wipers, auto dimming mirrors, heated seats, cruise control in my current car but heated seats is the only one I wouldn’t be willing to give up.

GustavoFring

Xenons or decent LEDs.
Heated seats.

Two things I won't do without.

Heated screens aren't available on a lot of makes but it's number three.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

bop1977

Xenon lights
Auto lights
Auto dimming mirror
Auto wipers
Bluetooth
Cruise control
Heated front windscreen (sadly missed from my 99 focus)
Heated seats (despite voodoomelon’s objection, they rock and they keep take aways hot)
And finally a DSG gearbox.
I’m getting old when I won’t get a car without most if not all of the toys above.

Eric Cartman

Voodoomelon wrote: »

There's just no going back from a BMW comfort seat. Whatever about anything else, the seat is crucial.

^^Heated seats totally useless? Madness.

"thats useless, you don't need that" - people who've never had ad auto dimming mirror or heated seats. Never met a single person who would voluntary do without those.

Voodoomelon

bop1977 wrote: »

Xenon lights
Auto lights
Auto dimming mirror
Auto wipers
Bluetooth
Cruise control
Heated front windscreen (sadly missed from my 99 focus)
Heated seats (despite voodoomelon’s objection, they rock and they keep take aways hot)
And finally a DSG gearbox.
I’m getting old when I won’t get a car without most if not all of the toys above.

You misunderstood my post, Cinio said they were useless, not me!

mickdw

Auto lights and wipers are fantastic.
I always like folding mirrors as you can see the car has locked.
BT, air con and Auto dimming rear mirror are pretty basic now but must haves.

Things I'd like but don't have would be android auto, 300 bhp, radar cruise, auto dipping headlights. Auto gearbox
Remote cabin heater - a lot of the electric / hybrid cars have this.
Electric steering column I thought would be brilliant but it got on my nerves within 1 day.

Voodoomelon

Thought you had an auto Mick, in what way did the electric column bother you?

Eric Cartman

mickdw wrote: »

Auto lights and wipers are fantastic.
I always like folding mirrors as you can see the car has locked.
BT, air con and Auto dimming rear mirror are pretty basic now but must haves.

Things I'd like but don't have would be android auto, 300 bhp, radar cruise, auto dipping headlights. Auto gearbox
Remote cabin heater - a lot of the electric / hybrid cars have this.
Electric steering column I thought would be brilliant but it got on my nerves within 1 day.

A lot of higher end cars, especially diesels have it. I have it on the Range Rover and have used it every single day for the last month, its unreal.

higster

Going beyond “normal” Bluetooth etc...

Memory seats linked to individual keys (I’m 6’3”, she is 5’5”).
Heated seats and steering wheel (current weather might be a factor here)
Keyless entry/exit
& I do like auto dim lights.

TrailerBob

Being that my daily drive is 15 years young.. it hasn't many of the fancy bits like auto anything..

But an armrest at exactly the right height... that it does have.. I don't mind turning on my own wipers, but I can't do without my armrest!

job seeker

Cheap(ish) tax..

beertons

TrailerBob wrote: »

Being that my daily drive is 15 years young.. it hasn't many of the fancy bits like auto anything..

But an armrest at exactly the right height... that it does have.. I don't mind turning on my own wipers, but I can't do without my armrest!

Yes yes. Tried to get one fitted to the van seat, but no joy, wouldn't work.

Indicators are a must have too. Seems alot of the newer cars don't have them fitted.

JoeA3

Climate control.
Heated seats.
Auto lights / wipers, auto dimming mirror.
Xenons / LED’s.
Auto folding mirrors
Decent audio system - with Bluetooth streaming - Nav is a bonus.

Would not consider a modern car without all the above ticked.

Motormadcork

Armrest, comfortable seats, aux and a sunroof if I was lucky.

Wibbs

Xenons. Dashcam. Aircon. Though it's heavy and draws power it's something I'd find hard to go without. More in winter funny enough. Clears condensation in double quick time. In a front wheel drive car? A mechanical Limited Slip Diff. Wouldn't drive one without it TBH. Makes a huge difference. And no *personal opinion* the fake ones that use the brakes are not the same. Bluetooth I wouldn't want. I switch my phone off when driving. I figure we're too bloody contactable and always on these days, so when I get in my car I just want to be me and the jalopy tootling down the road, an oasis on wheels. Don't even have a radio at the moment TBH. Might put one in one of these days. For sat nav I have my phone if I ever needed it. In Ireland anyway. I'm a bit old stylee... :D

Me earlier.

Four Phucs Ache wrote: »

Can't live without an armrest though.

TrailerBob wrote: »

But an armrest at exactly the right height... that it does have.. I don't mind turning on my own wipers, but I can't do without my armrest!

Testify! Mine originally came with no armrest(for weight savings), but I so missed having one. The US version of my car came with one matching the trim, so after getting the base of the armrest(from a fellow Boardsie) I sourced a NOS Acura US market alacantara cover/lid.


Funny enough the colour/wear difference is minimal. I thought it would be much more obvious given near two decades wear and tear, but it seems originally the alacantara was more grey than black.

Even came with a NOS Acura badge to go on top.(haven't fitted it though).


So yeah found I couldn't live without the armrest. Weight diff? More than I expected, about a kilo in new money.

DaveyDave

Heated seats is a big one for me. Considering I almost didn't spec them it's one of my most used features.

Having Android Auto is also a must, Google Maps works really well especially with the live traffic updates and the voice controls are very handy to be able to reply to texts using voice while driving. Spotify and TuneIn internet radio also very good to have. While Bluetooth/AUX is fine, it's nice to be able to change playlists at a red light with the touchscreen.

High beam assist would also be high on my list as I commute on backroads and it's very reliable.

Heated wing mirrors are also quite useful even just to keep the rain drops off on wet days.

If I had a heated windscreen I'd probably add it to this as people seem to swear by them, same with LED headlights. I could live without auto lights/wipers as they're more of a convenience thing that an actual feature.

I've left out Bluetooth, aircon and an armrest as they're standard these days. Notable mention goes to alcantara sport seats.

davycc

GavRedKing wrote: »

I've not had much tech or gadgets in cars down through the years, but heated seats in the ST is very welcome for about 3 or 4 months of teh year.

I suppose the heated windscreen is good in the ST, its standard though I think but helpful.

I had a heated front windscreen on my 1988 Sierra rs Cosworth on of my favorite features along with the recaro seats.
Never saw the need for heated seats personally.

I prefer a brisk drive than sitting there playing with gizmos my current stage one Mk1 Octavia vrs has feck all toys in the cabin bar ac obc but plenty of small upgrade under the bonnet

FUBO

a SPARE WHEEL which is a STUPID option these days should be standard on everything and forget those stupid Run Flats

Wibbs

davycc wrote: »

recaro seats.

Oh God yes. Recaros for the win. Accept no substitutes.

Wibbs

FUBO wrote: »

a SPARE WHEEL which is a STUPID option these days should be standard on everything and don't mind those Run Flats

Agreed 100%. The goo in a can is OK for a nail or whatever, but you're fooked if you get a proper blowout. One advantage of driving a wheeled fossil is it has a spare. Granted a space saver, but I could fit a full size wheel in there and since I have three sets of the things...(did I mention I'm insane?).

the_pen_turner

as someone who has never been in a car with heated seats. can I ask you why you would need it . as an outsider to it I don't see any need. sell it to me

Redsoxfan

I like as many to have as many features as possible, but now that I have lived with and without them, the essentials for me are auto dimming rear-view mirrors, memory seats and climate control.

Dravokivich

I want a sixth gear

Miss having climate control. But I liked it because I just didn't want to twiddle with the air con dials while driving. It's I bit annoying though in my e46 that I can only select one set of vents at a time. Next car I get I'll make sure I can select any combination of vents I may want at any point in time.

Bluetooth would be handy. I got a GPS unit with Bluetooth because I didn't really want to go with after market equipment or something bespoke to the car, with limited transferability.

wonski

the_pen_turner wrote: »

as someone who has never been in a car with heated seats. can I ask you why you would need it . as an outsider to it I don't see any need. sell it to me

You can heat your ass and back in cold mornings while waiting for the heating to reach 20.

I never needed it until I had it.

Feels nice. I just leave it on for few minutes only, but it is a pleasant few minutes. Cold leather is really cold at 6 in the morning, and in the evening, too.

_Kaiser_

Essentials:
- Decent Auto gearbox, paired to a decent engine
- Xenons & DRLs (with the latter coded to always have the rear lights on too)
- Parking sensors with display (amazing how dependent you get on them, especially with a big car)
- Bluetooth
- Some sort of MP3 solution (be it via Bluetooth or preferably natively)
- Climate control
- Decent UI and control interface. Very fond of my Audi MMI. Was not impressed with the BMW E60 iDrive system. Would rather not have some sort of iPad touchscreen setup, but it may be unavoidable in the future
- Leather seats
- Phone charger
- Cruise Control

Nice:
- Auto lights/wipers
- Auto dimming passenger/driver/rear mirrors. Passenger mirror also tilts down automatically when in Reverse
- Heated seats with memory functions
- Coming/Leaving home lights
- Satnav (if it can be updated when needed without costing a fortune at the dealer)

My current A6 has all these and I'm spoiled It'd be very hard to go to something without most/all of those at this stage.. but then I reckon the next car will be another A6 or maybe something "mad" like an Merc S350

Eric Cartman

the_pen_turner wrote: »

as someone who has never been in a car with heated seats. can I ask you why you would need it . as an outsider to it I don't see any need. sell it to me

its like you never even left bed, on your drive to work. bonus points for heated steering wheel

El Horseboxo

Ludicrous mode.

Don't think I could go back to a car without that instant power. Used sparingly though to keep the interest.

Voodoomelon

I honestly have heated seats on 9 months of the year, even more maybe. Most mornings here are cold, certainly less than room temperature so its much more comfortable with a bit of heat. I redirect more of the heat to the seat back too as its more pleasant than on your arse. Maybe its less important with cloth seats, but i'd sorely miss the option with leather.

DaveyDave

Eric Cartman wrote: »

its like you never even left bed, on your drive to work. bonus points for heated steering wheel

Extra bonus points for cooled seats. I don't know how popular it is here but it's very common in the US. You wouldn't think Ireland has the weather for it but there's days where AC feels like it's doing feck all and you get sweaty and clammy. It's nice having a cold arse

I know the Passat has it, but only if you spec the electric seat which of course forces leather for €2k.

On that note I'd like to add dual climate. That's a must have feature for me as the GF is always cold. Right now I'll go between 20-22C and she'll have hers set to 24C.

sammyjo90

I have nothing teccy in my car but from driving my partners lexus the next one must have air con..some way of playing music other than CD/radio (i have no aux) and a damn cup holder that can hold my travel mug!!!
The heated seats wpuld be a nice extra

ShadowHearth

TrailerBob wrote: »

Being that my daily drive is 15 years young.. it hasn't many of the fancy bits like auto anything..

But an armrest at exactly the right height... that it does have.. I don't mind turning on my own wipers, but I can't do without my armrest!

Actually forgot that one. Could not live without one again. Its just weird if the car does not have it these days.

Eric Cartman

DaveyDave wrote: »

Extra bonus points for cooled seats. I don't know how popular it is here but it's very common in the US. You wouldn't think Ireland has the weather for it but there's days where AC feels like it's doing feck all and you get sweaty and clammy. It's nice having a cold arse

I know the Passat has it, but only if you spec the electric seat which of course forces leather for €2k.

On that note I'd like to add dual climate. That's a must have feature for me as the GF is always cold. Right now I'll go between 20-22C and she'll have hers set to 24C.

cooled seats are definitely required. Have them on the range and I'm never going back, even a 20 degree day it makes all the difference.

JoeA3

Heated seats are just so.... awesome. Obviously at this time of year they come into their own but as another poster said I reckon I use them at least 9 months out of the year.

wonski

JoeA3 wrote: »

Heated seats are just so.... awesome. Obviously at this time of year they come into their own but as another poster said I reckon I use them at least 9 months out of the year.

I think we can conclude that all extras are unnecessary until you actually have them

I was lucky enough to pick a banger with electric heated seats, xenons, automatically dimmed rear view mirrors, auto wipers and dual zone climate control among other options which I had in my previous car.

Didn't have them before, but don't think I could give all these up now.

It all adds to the comfort. Comfort is important to me.