5 must-have car accessories that will make your dad’s daily drive even better – News24 | Car Plazas
- A new head unit or speaker upgrade is worth it if your dad loves music.
- Don’t forget a battery booster if he drives a lot of accessories or 4×4.
- A light bar or headlights can help him see better off-road.
- For car news go to Wheels24
You’ve come to the right place if you’re thinking about what to get your dad this Father’s Day and want to buy more than just a pair of fancy socks this year.
We’ve rounded up some awesome items to buy online to upgrade dad’s vehicle. From audio upgrades to light bars, here are five must-have car accessories you can find take a lot to improve life on the road for your father in 2022.
Pioneer Android head unit
1. Multimedia audio upgrade
If your dad’s car comes with an older generation double din audio system that can easily pop out, it might be the ideal time to upgrade to an Android receiver. Google Android-based touchscreen multimedia devices have come down in price, and you can get a decent like this pioneer for around R8 000.
Some of these head units can support both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, although CarPlay receivers are more expensive. It is an ideal upgrade for older sedans, bakkies and vans. Android head units support easy-to-use navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze, so no more excuses from dad when he gets lost on his way to an event because he refuses to ask for directions.
Pioneer Android head unit
Of course, before you buy an audio upgrade, it’s a good idea to call a reputable installer to see if they can install the device for you. To avoid splicing wires to cut into in-car power source wiring, consult fitment centers for the correct head unit/vehicle wiring harness. With the right head unit, and once it’s set up and paired with your dad’s phone for data, he can stream his favorite music and securely access his favorite apps when he’s on the go. A YouTube family account could also pair well with this gift.
Active subwoofer from Blackspider
2. More “Crunk” in the trunk
Suppose your dad already has a car, Bakkie, or SUV with a decent multimedia head unit, but regularly complains about a lack of thumping in the interior. In that case, you might want to get him some subwoofers and an amp. Well, you could have considered that earlier, but now you can buy one All-in-one bass driver that fits under the driver or passenger seat.
Typically measuring around 8 inches, these compact subs come in custom-designed enclosures designed for use in tight spaces. Usually they are also equipped with an amplifier, so all you have to do is connect the woofer to the main unit by a professional installer. OEMs in the premium segment prefer compact woofers because they don’t restrict trunk space.
Active subwoofer from Blackspider
Takealot stock a variety of active compact subwoofers for vehicles, but you can also visit stores like Autostyle to assess the quality of the products on offer before making a purchase. While upgrading the bass drivers, you can also examine mid and high-frequency speakers and tweeters to replace the standard items in the vehicle’s doors. Our advice is to set a budget and stick to it, as you can get carried away with audio upgrades, especially for your old man.
High performance battery bank
3. Emergency power bank
These days most of us have a compact power bank in our laptop bag or somewhere around the house to charge our smartphones and tablets when the inevitable load shedding takes place. But what if you need more juice, say enough to start a vehicle? You can tell your father a powerful power bank like one of these that can be used as a backup power supply or he can use it to start the car.
It’s an especially thoughtful gift if your dad is an adventurer and spends a lot of time camping. We’ve all been to the campsite where the car battery is dead and there’s no one in sight with jumper cables. Or you might even have jumper cables but there are no vehicles around to give you a boost. There are numerous power banks out there, so it’s best to speak to an outdoor adventure center or 4×4 equipment center to find out what battery capacity and wattage is best for your dad’s vehicle.
High performance battery bank
Some of these power banks are large enough to power LTE routers and a few lights around the home, which can also come in handy during the colder months when power outages become more frequent. Takealot offers a range of cables and accessories that allow you to use power banks to run routers and lights. So once you’ve settled on the power bank you want for your dad, maybe invest in some cords he can use around the house too.
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Battery operated tire inflator
4. Portable tire inflator
If your dad is an avid off-roader and usually drives in soft sand, you might want to consider getting one compact tire inflator for him. Arguably the most important component of a vehicle and if you can, help it look after its tires by driving with the correct pressure. Driving with the correct tire pressure extends the life of a tire and ensures that the tire performs as intended by the manufacturer. My dad and I took a chance driving back from the beach with under-inflated tires (back when we were still allowed to drive there).
These portable tire inflators can help your old man make sure he has his tires inflated to the correct operating pressure. Whether he is an off-roader, the product can be used at home before a long car trip or to fill up his car’s spare tire in an emergency. There are numerous makes and models of inflaters on sale and you can easily find one online and have it delivered to their doorstep for Father’s Day.
Battery operated tire inflator
Portable inflators can also come in handy during the summer and for trips to the pool where you can use them to inflate swimming accessories. Hell, your dad could even use the device to inflate grandkids’ football and rugby balls, or it can come in very handy for inflating balloons at birthdays and celebrations. Most 4×4 centers stock inflators, so it’s a good idea to ask for one that fits your dad’s car tire size before you buy.
Hella light bar
5. Driving lights and light bars
While it’s not advisable to drive around on public roads with glaring lights and light strips making it difficult for other road users to see, additional lighting devices can improve your father’s vehicle tremendously. Different lighting can improve his bakkie’s off-road ability by helping him see better at night while bashing Bundu.
We found these Hella light strips on Takealot, and they’re reasonably priced given the brightness on offer. These light bars can come in handy on the roof of the vehicle when mounted on a pole or roof tent. They can also be mounted behind the vehicle to briefly illuminate campsites when working in the dark.
Hella headlights
If your dad’s vehicle comes with a bull bar, you might consider one too Pair of driving lights instead of a light bar to give it an old-school look. Again, using these additional lights on the road can blind oncoming traffic, but as an accessory for use on dark roads or on safari they are an excellent choice. You may want to visit a vehicle accessory retailer to see the different lights available (shapes, sizes, LED/Halogen) to avoid buying something that may be too large for a particular car.
If you are not satisfied with these accessories, you may want to check out these items in the Vehicle Accessories section of your Takealot app. You can even find hand tools, service and maintenance items, car care equipment and even vehicle diagnostic equipment for your dad this Father’s Day – and that’s way nicer than a pair of psychedelic socks.
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