Category Archives: Car Accessories

Car Accessories

3 Tools That Are A Must For Installing A New Car Stereo

Even probably the most primary automotive audio system entails a number of audio system peppered throughout the size and breadth of the car’s inside. The painstaking technique of routing wires by roof liners, panels, and conduits will likely be time-consuming. A wire puller makes this process quite a bit faster and frustration-free.

Also often called a wireworm, this instrument is usually a flat size of plastic with hooks or eyelets at each ends. Snaking it by tight areas is straightforward because of its inherent rigidity and slipperiness, which permits it to tug wires by conduits which might be in any other case too tight and lengthy to feed cables throughout the standard means.

It is tempting to economize on a wire puller by disassembling the inside panels and liners as an alternative, however even which may not assist in some instances. Most notably, routing wires by tightly packed conduits such because the one discovered on the tailgate is a nightmare with out one. The instrument additionally pays for itself when you should deal with difficult cable runs, such because the one for trunk-mounted subwoofers.

If you are on a decent price range, a fairly thick solid-core copper wire will even work in a pinch. A suitably thick (roughly 6 AWG) size of naked copper wire is inflexible and slick sufficient to be pushed by tight areas. The lack of insulation additionally prevents it from snagging towards the plastics, carpeting, and rubber conduits.

Car Accessories

6 Of The Highest Rated Truck Bed Cover Brands

One of the highest-rated truck mattress cowl manufacturers is TruXedo, which ActualTruck owns. ActualTruck has made a reputation for itself, promoting all types of aftermarket equipment, together with wheels, bumpers, boards, bars, and sure — truck mattress covers. In truth, TruXedo is only one of a number of truck mattress manufacturers owned by ActualTruck, a few of that are simply as common.

In addition to truck mattress covers, the TruXedo model can be used for different merchandise, most of that are associated to tonneau covers or the again of your pickup truck, making it helpful for drivers who use cargo managers and wish to preserve the again of their autos well-organized. TruXedo equipment embrace clamp kits, truck mattress lights, tonneau cleaners, cargo retrievers, and varied storage options.

Of course, it is the tonneau covers themselves that TruXedo is greatest recognized for. The model provides many alternative covers for varied fashions of vehicles, together with Toyota Tacomas, Ford F-150s, Chevy Silverados, and extra. Its merchandise are available in a large span of costs, starting from decrease than $300 to over $1,100, which is probably going why it is common with drivers of all budgets. Nearly all of its covers have excessive scores on Amazon, in addition to on ActualTruck’s web site.

For instance, a TruXedo TruXport Soft Roll-Up cover for the F-150, which prices $330.32, has an total 4.6 out of five-star consumer rating based mostly on over 2,100 buyer scores. Similarly, a TruXedo Lo Pro Soft Roll-Up cover for the Dodge Ram has a mean 4.7 out of 5 rating based mostly on over 2,200 buyer scores and prices $490.74. TruXedo principally makes gentle roll-up tonneau covers — chances are you’ll wish to strive a special model for those who’re searching for tri-fold or extra sturdy merchandise.

Car Accessories

Protecting Yourself On The Road: Why A Dashcam Is A Must-Have Upgrade For Your Car

While most of us consider dashcams as offering us with an additional pair of eyes on the highway, they may also be helpful when your automotive is not shifting. Whether you have left your automotive in a big parking storage or unattended on a metropolis road, a dashcam can seize footage of a thief getting into your automotive, a hit-and-run accident, or a easy door ding when you’re away out of your automobile.

Dashcams do that by working in parking mode, permitting them to watch your automotive even when it isn’t shifting. This function might be particularly helpful in city areas the place vandalism and theft are frequent. When your dashcam is in parking mode, it routinely begins recording if its movement and impression sensors detect any motion or collision involving your automobile. The footage it information might help establish perpetrators and document the occasions main as much as the incident, offering clear proof for insurance coverage claims and police experiences.

Just like a dashcam can function a deterrent for scammers making an attempt to revenue from crash-for-cash schemes, they’ll additionally deter potential vandals and hit-and-run drivers once you’ve left your automotive unattended in a car parking zone or on the road. When criminals know their actions may be recorded, they will most likely assume twice about focusing on the automobile.

Car Accessories

Single DIN Vs Double-DIN Car Stereos, What’s The Difference?

When it involves sound high quality and energy, double-DIN stereos aren’t any higher than a single-DIN radio. They have the identical capabilities and may produce the identical element and sound clarity. Due to their larger measurement, double-DIN stereos have particular benefits like touch-enabled screens, extra bespoke options, smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay & Android Auto), built-in GPS navigation, compatibility with entrance and rear parking cameras, and extra.

However, there are drawbacks to picking a double DIN over a single DIN. Double-DIN radios are sometimes costlier and are tougher to put in with extra wires and connectors. Moreover, upgrading from a single-DIN head unit to a double-DIN would possibly require modifications to the middle console. Not all automobiles are an identical; some would possibly require wiring adaptors and mounting kits to accommodate a double-DIN stereo.

Single-DIN radios are extra reasonably priced, compact, and simple to put in. But upgrading to a double-DIN stereo is the following finest step should you want extra tech integrations like music streaming and smartphone connectivity in your automobile. Remember that set up or mounting kits and wiring adaptors are typically required when upgrading from a inventory to an aftermarket automobile stereo. When unsure, it is at all times finest to seek the advice of an expert.

Car Accessories

How To Check If Your Engine Can Handle A Turbo

turbocharged car engine Petr Smagin/Shutterstock

There’s a fair bit of science behind how engine turbochargers do what they do (air pressure, compression, fuel burn efficiency, etc.), but basically it will improve an engine’s power by around 30 to 40 percent. It’s a fairly common addition for people who want to get more out of their car’s performance without having to replace the engine itself.

Some modern vehicles already include a turbocharger, making the installation of your own somewhat redundant (unless you want to try replacing the turbocharger with one you believe offers even more of a boost), but plenty still leave the factory without. If it doesn’t have one — you can check by flipping through the owner’s manual, looking up your model online, or popping the hood and seeing if something that kind of looks like a snail attached to it — then you should be good to add one on your own. Just make sure you know what you’re looking for first.

Another thing to consider is the cost of installing a turbocharger, and not just the price of the hardware itself, which could be in the hundreds or even thousands of dollars, or the price of labor if you want a professional to do it for you. A turbocharged engine will likely require more regular maintenance, and depending on the setup you might have to switch to premium (i.e. more expensive) gas. Additionally, it may increase your insurance costs, or result in denied claims if you don’t let your provider know about it.

Can my car handle a turbo?

diesel turbocharger Scharfsinn/Shutterstock

Pretty much any gasoline-powered car can manage a turbocharger, but figuring out approximate specs so as to not overtax the engine will take a fair bit of thinking and researching.

  1. Think about how much horsepower you actually want and need. Don’t just aim for the biggest number — consider what you’ll be using that added power for, what kind of driving conditions (traction) you’ll be dealing with, and the size of your engine.
  2. Open the hood and look at the space surrounding the engine itself to make sure there’s enough physical space for a turbocharger. They aren’t massive, but if the area is too cramped it won’t be able to fit regardless.
  3. Be mindful of other factors like airflow (compressing and feeding air into the engine), air pressure, and temperature (generally safe up to around 1750-degrees Fahrenheit).
  4. Focus on efficiency rather than high numbers. The same goes for physical size as a large turbocharger won’t always equate to higher performance.

This is just the start, however. You still need to figure out your specific engine’s specs and compare them to any turbochargers that catch your eye.

Doing the literal math

hand with pen over math homework Kamil Zajaczkowski/Shutterstock

Before you commit to a specific turbocharger, you’ll want to compare and contrast a number of values with your engine’s current capabilities.

  1. Airflow rate: Figure out your engine’s airflow rate by plugging a scan tool into your car’s diagnostic port (somewhere in the dashboard), then use it to check your air/fuel ratio. Multiply that number by your engine’s horsepower, then multiply by a value between .50 and .60 (an approximate value for brake specific fuel consumption, which can’t be easily tested for specifics) divided by 60.
  2. Determine how much boost pressure (in PSI) you want (typically around 10 to 15, with some diesels going up to 40). Also figure out your area’s average atmospheric pressure (14.7 around sea level, but can vary when above or below sea level).
  3. Pressure ratio: Add your local atmospheric pressure to your desired boost pressure, divided by atmospheric pressure to get your pressure ratio.
  4. Trim: Check the size of the turbo’s inducer and exducer (this should be documented in the turbo’s detail info in mm). Divide the inducer’s value squared by the exducer’s value squared, then multiply the results by 100 to calculate the wheel trim.

Now that you have all the numbers you need, it’s time to put them to use.

Putting it all together

mechanic holding turbocharger Palitsyn Evgenii/Shutterstock

Once your various engine metrics and values are calculated, you need to compare them to what the turbo offers.

  1. Consult the turbocharger’s compressor map (these are typically available for all compressors) using your calculated airflow rate and pressure ratio. The closer the intersection of those two values are to the center of each “island” on the graph, the better.
  2. In general, a compressor efficiency around 60 to 70 percent is ideal.
  3. With a compressor chosen, you need to consult the manufacturer for turbine recommendations. Preferably one with a wheel diameter that’s about 15-percent the size of the compressor’s own wheel diameter.

As always, if you’re not comfortable or confident with the idea of sourcing and (or) installing your own turbocharger, consult with a professional instead. Yes, this will add to the costs, but it will also provide peace of mind — and a lot less manual labor and napkin math on your part.

Car Accessories

5 Simple Tips For Maximizing Audio Quality In Your Car

Although your car provides a sequestered space, it tends not to be completely soundproof. Various ambient noises from the road and surroundings, as well as sound from the speakers, can impact the quality of your music. Implementing noise reduction measures can help address this issue.

One effective solution is to install special foam paneling in specific areas of your car to reduce ambient noise from the road, containing the sound within the car and allowing you to fully enjoy your music. Luxury car manufacturers often use this technique to create a quieter driving experience.

The process of installing the foam requires some modification, such as removing surface materials like door panels or carpet to attach it. However, it is a relatively straightforward process – simply remove the surface, apply the foam, and reattach the surface. Depending on your vehicle, this step may require more effort compared to the other tips on this list.

Car Accessories

Want To Add Remote Start To Your Car Before Winter? Here’s How Much It’ll Likely Cost

There are three main types of aftermarket remote starts: one-way, two-way, and smartphone starting. One-way remote starts are the most common and basic. You press the remote start button while the vehicle is locked, and it sends a signal to your vehicle. The vehicle lights flash to signal that the vehicle has turned on. However, you won’t know your vehicle has started via the remote unless you have a view of your vehicle.

On the other hand, a two-way remote start works similarly. When the remote start is successful, there will either be an LED light or an LCD screen telling you your vehicle has started. Finally, a smartphone remote start is the same as a two-way, but you can remotely start your vehicle from your phone, and it will indicate on the smartphone that the vehicle has started.

Each type of remote starter will vary in its starting range, difficulty to install, and compatibility. Base-level remote starts typically start a vehicle within 50 feet –- the best fit for starting your vehicle within close proximity of your home or office. More advanced remote starts can reach around 1,000 feet or more, while some smartphone remote starts have an unlimited range as long as your phone and vehicle are within a cellular network.

Depending on your vehicle’s year, make, and model, it may be more expensive to install. Some remote starts are universal, but some may require additional wiring and extra parts for it to work properly.

Car Accessories

The Best Ryobi Power Tools for Your Car

Ryobi offers a range of power tools that are perfect for working on your car. One essential tool to have in your automotive power tool collection is an impact wrench. While similar to ratchets, impact wrenches have the advantage of delivering higher torque, making them ideal for removing stubborn nuts and fasteners, including rusted or broken ones.

A highly recommended cordless option is the Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 4-Mode 1/2″ High Torque Impact Wrench. This powerful tool can deliver up to 1,170 ft-lbs of breakaway torque and 700 ft-lbs of fastening torque. It features a four-mode speed control, onboard LED lights, a durable gear case, and a 1/2″ anvil with a friction ring for quick socket changes.

However, it’s important to note that unlike a ratchet, the impact wrench doesn’t have a slim design or as much versatility in tight spaces and tough angles. Nevertheless, if you encounter rusted fasteners that seem impossible to remove, the Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 4-Mode 1/2″ High Torque Impact Wrench is the tool you need.

You can purchase the tool by itself from Home Depot for $219, but there is currently a sale on the kit, including the battery and charger, for only $159. Don’t miss out on this excellent deal.

Accessories and Peripherals, Car Accessories

Add Apple CarPlay & Android Auto To Your Current Car With This Affordable Touchscreen

If you’re looking for a convenient and affordable way to add Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and phone screen mirroring to your car, then this wireless heads up car display is the perfect solution. Even if your car is more than a decade old, you can still enjoy the benefits of these advanced features on a large, 9-inch touchscreen.

One of the advantages of this device is its suction mount, which allows for easy installation and removal. You can easily move it between vehicles or take it off for storage, cleaning, or security purposes. Unlike self-adhesive pads, it doesn’t leave any sticky residue behind.

With this heads up display, you can control music playback, access live navigation, and even make calls or send texts using voice commands. This is particularly useful in reducing driver distraction, as it enables you to keep your eyes on the road while still accessing key features. In the future, upcoming releases like Apple’s iOS 17 will enhance the smart abilities of CarPlay even further.

Another notable feature of this device is its built-in speakers. If your car’s speakers are of low quality or not functioning at all, this gadget provides a dual upgrade by offering improved audio quality.

For those who want to add a touch of style to their car, this 9-inch wireless heads up car display is now available at a discounted price of $104.99 (original price: $289.99).

Prices are subject to change.