Car modifications come in all shapes and sizes. From cold-air intakes, turbochargers, and performance exhaust systems designed to max out horsepower to spoilers, sport tires, and body kits that can turn even some of the most mundane models into ready-made racers, mods give drivers the opportunity to create a bespoke driving experience. While these flashier, performance-focused mods tend to get all the attention, the truth is that they don’t usually come in that handy on a daily basis. While a carbon fiber spoiler or hood might give your ride an aggressive, athletic look, they’re really not going to make that much of a difference as you sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic or perform some routine maintenance. In the spirit of practicality, here are a few practical modifications that can make living with your car just a little bit easier. From aftermarket products that keep your hood wide open to vinyl decals that ensure you’re not damaging your car to accessories that make for easier cleanup and allow drivers to leverage the power of their smartphone, buckle in as we explore a short list of five must-have automotive accessories.
Hood Struts
If you’re the type of driver who rarely spends time under the hood, the typical prop rod might suit your purposes just fine. If, on the other hand, you like to take maintenance and repair tasks into your own hands, it might be time to consider installing hood struts. These struts use pressurized gas, hydraulic fluid, or springs to keep the hood propped open and offer several advantages over the standard design. Hood struts improve access and allow drivers to reach the deeper depths of the engine compartment while providing a safer alternative to the normal prop rod. The latter function is particularly important, especially considering the typical hood can weigh between 40 and 70 lbs. Unlike prop rods, hood struts can’t be easily knocked out of place, so there is less likelihood of a heavy hood crashing into your head or back while you swap out the spark plugs or replace a belt.
Hood struts are typically offered in three different designs. Hydraulic supports are one of the most durable options, employing hydraulic fluid to prop the hood open for easy access. Gas supports use nitrogen to accomplish the same trick and represent an improvement on the mechanical, spring-loaded supports used on older vehicles. All three options are pretty similar in functionality, so it all comes down to a matter of desired longevity and personal taste.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
In our increasingly screen-obsessed world, it can be tough to part with your phone for even the length of a short commute. We’ve become accustomed to using apps, texting, and taking calls whenever we like, but interacting with your phone when you’re behind the wheel isn’t just a bad idea but banned in many states. This legally imposed limitation can leave drivers feeling a little disconnected, but that’s where connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come in. These features enable drivers to access many of their smartphone’s apps through a vehicle’s touchscreen infotainment display, making for a safer, more connected ride every time you get behind the wheel. From monitoring incoming messages and calls to accessing turn-by-turn GPS directions, searching for nearby restaurants and gas stations, and streaming your favorite tunes through Spotify or Pandora, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto go a long way towards improving a car’s convenience factor.
There’s only one problem: the technology can’t be found on every vehicle. While Apple claims that more than 800 models offer CarPlay support, the feature is conspicuously absent from older vehicles and a few modern holdouts. This lack of connectivity can be frustrating for some drivers, but there are plenty of options for those looking to up their vehicle’s digital arsenal. Drivers can invest in an aftermarket stereo that’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto or buy a second head unit that can be affixed to the dashboard. There are also a few standalone Apple CarPlay/Android Auto touchscreens on the market, though the decision ultimately depends on your budget, the size of the screen, and your own personal taste. These aftermarket options usually involve a little light wiring work and some attention to detail, but the project should be well within the purview of any moderately tech-savvy driver.
Jack Point Stickers
You must ensure you’re using the correct jacking points whenever you lift your vehicle off the ground for maintenance or repair work. Jack points are simply parts of the vehicle’s underbody that have been reinforced to support the full weight of the car, truck, or SUV. These flat metal areas are usually designed with notches that mirror the top of the jack and are located behind the front and rear wheels under a vehicle’s rocker panels.
While some less experienced drivers might think that an automotive jack can be used on any part of the vehicle, those who have been around the block know that jack points should never be ignored. Elevating a vehicle off the ground without using the proper jack points can easily damage the frame or even cause it to slip off the jack when you’re under the car performing an oil change or brake pad replacement.
To emphasize their importance, many automakers have made jack points easily identified with stamped labels and cutouts in the plastic cladding. If this doesn’t offer enough clarity, or you’re worried that your new teen driver might not go looking for the fine print or consult the owner’s manual when they’re performing an impromptu roadside tire replacement, there are always jack point stickers. These vinyl decals, which are typically designed with bright red arrows with the word “JACK,” can be applied just above the jack points to make for quick, easy identification. In addition to improving access and safety, these jack point stickers can also lend a vehicle a unique, utilitarian look.
Extended Lug Nuts
Fitting your vehicle with aftermarket wheels can be an easy way to set it apart from the crowd while improving stability and handling, but it can also present some challenges. The studs on your wheel hub are essentially threaded steel rods that are used to keep the wheels in place. To provide a safe, secure fit, it’s important to ensure that the thread engagement of your lug nut is equal to the diameter of the stud itself. That means a 7/16-20 stud should be able to thread at least 7/16 inch into the lug nut, which equates to around nine full turns. These studs might not be up to the task when upgrading to aftermarket wheels that might be thicker than the original set.
That’s where extended thread (ET) lug nuts come in. Designed with a longer shank than your typical lug nuts, ET lug nuts provide a little extra security by allowing drivers to tighten their wheels down by a few extra turns. That’s just one of the advantages of the ET approach. Longer lug nuts also allow drivers to fit their wheels with spacers that allow a vehicle to accommodate larger wheels and brake packages. ET lug nuts can also help reduce vibrations and make it more difficult for a would-be thief to make off with your wheels, as they often feature a unique design requiring a special key for installation and removal.
Weather-Resistant Floor Mats
Keeping your vehicle’s interior clean can feel like a neverending battle between rain, snow, mud spills, and the occasional fast food wrapper. A clean car doesn’t just provide peace of mind and a sense of calm. It can also have some concrete benefits in terms of safety. A wet, slippery floor mat, or one starting to develop a distinctive moldy appearance, can interfere with your health, whether it’s bunching up under your brake pedal or impacting the vehicle’s air quality. There’s no shortage of forces conspiring to turn your squeaky-clean interior into a four-wheeled rubbish bin, which is why a good set of weather-resistant floor mats can be so helpful. These rubberized floor mats offer additional protection and represent a significant upgrade over the factory-issue floor mats that come with most new vehicles.
While those in warmer climates might be able to get away with a standard set of floor mats, any driver who knows their way around a snowblower will appreciate the sort of protection a set of weather-resistant floor mats can provide. These mats are perfect for soaking up snow and ice, which can make for a wet interior and leave behind stubborn salt stains that can be hard to eliminate. When you’re in need of a little refresh, simply remove the floor mats, shake them out, or hit them with a quick blast from the hose to remove any debris. Giving the carpet a once-over is much easier than getting on your hands and knees, but that’s not the only advantage. In addition to protecting the vehicle’s carpeted interior from spills, food, and environmental contamination, all-weather floor mats provide a clean, sporty look.
The simple, cost-effective modifications I’ve covered can really help elevate your daily driving experience or simplify any repair and maintenance tasks you might encounter. Hood struts provide plenty of room to work under the hood while offering some substantial safety benefits, while jack point stickers ensure you’ll never end up damaging the frame or risk a sudden drop when working underneath your vehicle. Extended thread lug nuts can keep criminals from walking away with your flashy set of aftermarket wheels while keeping everything firmly in place, and there’s really no substitute for a good set of all-weather floor mats. If your vehicle didn’t come standard with a wireless connectivity option like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, an aftermarket upgrade can bring the full power of smartphone technology right to your dashboard display. These features might not up a vehicle’s horsepower, improve its zero-to-60-mph time, or turn many heads as you cruise down the street, but for those who value practicality and convenience, they’ll be well worth the investment in terms of time and money.