What’s the best gadget to give the car lover in your life this holiday season? Here’s a roundup of our favorite car gadgets, from the basic to the wish list items.
It’s hard to take your sweet ride for a spin when you can’t find the keys. Never worry about this again. Cut down on frazzled mornings and frantic, cushion-upending searches.
A great gift for that special, scatterbrained car lover in your life.
No, we don’t advocate texting while driving. But there are plenty of legitimate reasons to keep your phone close at hand, from hands-free calls to music to gps directions.
A phone mount means no more diving between the seats to rescue your device as it slips between the cracks. Keep your technology close at hand and secured.
Hands-free phone calls have never been so easy. And if you’re headed to one of these 15 states or the District of Columbia, bluetooth will keep you in compliance with the hand-held cell phone bans.
Want to play music from your phone? Bluetooth will let you sync your phone’s playlist with your car speakers. No more spotty radio when you get past the city limits – enjoy your favorite music, wherever you are. Wondering what else your car’s bluetooth can do? Check out this CNET article.
When choosing a car charger, make sure you get one that can produce two 2.4-amp charges for a total of 4.8 amps of power. This will give you a charge comparable to a wall outlet. Otherwise, if you’re using maps to get to your destination, you may still end up arriving with less power than you started with.
Other nice features you may want to look for on a usb charger include lights so that you can easily see the plug no matter the time of day or night.
Just be careful to choose a model that charges as fast or faster than a wall outlet. Otherwise, your battery may still be drained, especially if you’re using maps to get to your destination.
Blind spot mirrors are on the low end of the technology spectrum - we get that. They’re also relatively inexpensive. But they can literally be a lifesaver, and it’s hard to put a number on that value. Invest in a blind spot mirror, and prevent vehicles from sneaking up beside you as you try to change lanes.
If you’re willing to invest a little more money in safety, a good backup camera can be yours for about $500. Being able to see what’s behind you while reversing has quickly become a feature that many simply cannot live without. And soon, it may be required for new vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTHSA), new vehicles under 10,000 pounds must have back-up cameras as a standard feature after May 2018.
In the meantime, if your vehicle isn’t already equipped with a back-up camera, invest in an add-on. You’ll avoid running over the objects - and people - in your path. And, with parking sensors enabled, backing into a tight spot has never been easier.
Perfect for the new relocation to Minnesota who’s still adjusting to the cold. Or the hearty Minnesotan who “loves driving in snow” but shivers every time they walk out the door. Never wait for your car to warm up again!
If you live in Minnesota, the approaching holidays often bring slicker, more dangerous driving conditions. Show your love this holidays by keeping those you care about safe on the road with a seatbelt cutter and glass breaker set.
Need to equip your car for the winter? Check out this list of 10 Items to Keep in Your Vehicle. And if you’re new to Minnesota, check out this list of Winter Driving FAQs for Minnesota Newbies.
Car diagnostic tools aren’t just for mechanics anymore. And recent advances in technology mean you can often get diagnostic data sent right to your phone. Perfect for figuring out why the check engine light came on, or for gathering more complex data on your pre-owned luxury vehicle. Check out this Popular Mechanics article for more information. If you have an Android, check out this list of good diagnostic apps. If you’re an iPhone user, the OBD fusion app may be a good choice.
Originally developed for military pilots, heads-up displays or HUDs have now made their way to the automotive industry. Check your speed, get GPS directions, and more without ever taking your eyes off the road. Lifewire has a list of 6 good options available at reasonable prices.
What’s the one thing that will wow the car lover on your list this holiday season? A pre-owned luxury vehicle, of course! Buying a pre-owned luxury vehicle is a great way to get the features you want at an unbeatable value. If you’re thinking about purchasing a used luxury car, call us at (763) 522-2000 or visit our website to check out our inventory.