Apart from regular servicing and additions that help with performance, comfort, or convenience, there’s more to cars than meets the eye. Engine and handling components will always be top priorities for most drivers, but overlooked extras can go a long way in personalization and getting more out of your car. Digging deeper into what’s available means you can service your vehicle regardless of make, model, or age, or have the interior restored to near-showroom condition. And you don’t have to spend thousands to see the results.
Shopping for car accessories that go beyond the basics doesn’t have to be tedious or time-consuming. Here’s a short list of penny-pinching extras most car owners miss, but offer more value than their asking price:
Aftermarket Car Manuals
Apart from the factory manual that came with the car, established repair manuals have existed for ages and go into depth about every inch of your vehicle. They’re targeted toward both budding DIY novices and experienced mechanics, covering a wide range of past and present models with detailed info such as ignition timing or diagnosing sensor faults. The information and instructions are laid out in a simple and understandable way, accessible to anyone who wants to get their hands dirty.
For repair newbies, manuals are an invaluable resource that can save you money on exorbitant labour costs, help you understand how cars work, and identify problems before they spiral out of control. They also lay the groundwork for any upgrades, indicating what can or can’t be done, and build experience and confidence when repairing or rebuilding your car.
The leaders in auto repair manuals—Haynes and Chilton—go about their business in slightly different ways. Haynes is respected for detailed data, including diagrams to simplify the repair process and step-by-step instructions. They’re geared more towards everyday drivers but still include detailed data on complex repairs. The manuals appeared in the 1960s and still retain the same format while expanding access to almost every car make and model. They also produce manuals for motorcycles and trucks.
Chilton, US-based and with a longer history, is preferred by experienced mechanics for its further detail. Chilton covers the basics but also particulars, like explaining all diagnostic codes. The manuals aren’t as focused on diagrams but still have comprehensive repair data and instructions for most models. They too delve deeper and now include repair manuals for SUVs, trucks, and vans.
Digital alternatives like ALLDATAdiy, Autozone, and AutoFix still offer detailed repair and servicing info for numerous makes but lack the scope and depth Haynes and Chilton provide.
Multipurpose Seals
Seals and gaskets are widely used in different vehicle systems (engines, drivelines, suspension, wheels, etc.) to prevent leaks, bar dirt and contaminants, maintain pressure and working temperatures, and reduce friction. They’re built to high standards with mechanical, chemical, and heat-resistant materials and designs to ensure your car works as it should. However, they’re also some of the first parts that fail, often signalling bigger issues.
Frequent failures are seen in seals covering the wheel hubs and bearings, seals lining axles and differentials, and various engine seals that ensure enclosed and pressurized working environments with no leaking oil and lubricant or increased friction and heat levels leading to advanced wear. While specialized sizes and features enable different uses, multipurpose seals from established brands like National, SKF, and Timken among others are viable replacement parts in multiple vehicle systems.
Gasket Making Materials
Gaskets line the cylinder head, oil pans, inlet and exhaust manifolds, cooling system parts, fuel pumps, and more. They have the same purpose as seals, keeping engine fluids and gases where they belong, and ensuring engines reach optimal compression and performance. Head gaskets, for instance, seal the cylinder head and engine block while maintaining consistent pressure with no leaks. Worn head gaskets can easily lead to overheating, oil contamination, misfires, leaking coolant, exacerbated corrosion and wear, or complete engine failure.
Head gasket repairs usually entail taking the whole engine apart, dismantling the cylinder head, removing fasteners, clearing debris and excess fluids, slotting in a new head gasket, and reassembly. While gaskets for all vehicular uses are cheap replacements, it’s the labour costs and the invested time that push up repairs at the workshop.
For older vehicles, custom engine rebuilds, and when gaskets simply aren’t available, gasket-making material is the next best option. These come in different variants, from a range of natural and synthetic rubbers, cork, paper, fibre mixtures, reinforced heat-resistant plastics, and more. There are also kits in varied gasket sheet materials and guidelines on where they’re used.
To form or shape gaskets that are hard to find, you’ll also want a decent set of shears or utility knife for smaller and simpler pieces, or a set of punch holes and dies for larger gaskets in more intricate designs. As mentioned, these are the second-best option after gaskets manufactured in OE specs and sizes but also possibly the only option in one-off projects.
Air Fresheners
Not all car accessories are about the engine or sheer performance. Simple additions like car air fresheners bring a wisp of fresh air into the cabin. They’re available in different forms, have a huge scent selection, and are super cheap and easy to find. Choose hanging trees in scents ranging from coconut, vanilla, pine, peach, lemon, cinnamon, or any fragrance that best suits olfactory senses and gets rid of bad odours. Most can last up to 30 days and usually come packaged in multi-packs for value.
Other options are slightly more expensive but also more effective at dealing with different odours and are longer-lasting. These can be spray-on fresheners, vent clips, air purifying bags sitting neatly in open storage areas, small dash-mounted refillable bars, and more. They’ll outlast any scented hanging tree (usually for months at a time) and do better at masking and neutralising a variety of bad smells. Neutralisers do more than just add a perfumed smell to the car cabin and can bring back that new car feel, so they tend to cost a bit more.
Wrap Up
Maintaining and servicing your car at regular intervals does help with performance and longevity. But aside from oil, coolant, and filter changes, or replacing parts nearing their due date (brake pads, spark plugs, timing belts, tyres, etc.), few car owners think of other auto accessories that can lower maintenance prices, help you do repairs or engine rebuilds yourself, or spruce up the interior without spending a load of cash. The products listed above are just a handful of practical yet frequently overlooked automotive accessories sold in-store or online and available in larger automotive chains or specialised family-owned businesses.
