PETALING JAYA: Vehicles these days have been built with certain conveniences, but there are still some bases that have yet to be covered. Here are a few suggestions from CarSifu that can make travelling more enjoyable with greater peace-of-mind (once the MCO is over and the highways are open, of course).
Dashcam
Also known as an in-car digital video recorder, these have become popular for drivers who have managed to catch interesting footages both ahead and/or behind them.
Such footages can act as evidence against an unfortunate occurrence or simply be a form of deterrence to theft and vandalism.
While we'd love to recommend a few dashcams to buy, this is merely an overview to help those who are thinking to get one and proceed from here on with prices ranging from under RM100 to over RM2,000.
With a plethora of choices available, it should always start with the "needs" first before adding on the "wants" and that starts with a simple budget-oriented option of a "clip-on" solution that draws power directly from a 12V port and generally looks bulky.
Those with deeper pockets can opt for a more compact look the can be neatly integrated into the cabin with the wires tucked away and out of sight. And that's definitely going to cost a pretty penny.
There are also dashcams with an inbuilt G-sensor to detect the car's movement when parked as well as GPS, voice control and even an integrated rear-facing camera for the cabin among others.
The point is, the more abilities it comes with the higher the price point is going to climb. So ideally, a balance should be sought. Ultimately, video quality is of utmost priority and shouldn't be less than 1080p while having the ability to produce clear footages in both day and night scenarios.
Portable tyre inflator
No one wants to be stranded with a flat tyre and while some more luxury-oriented vehicles come with run-flat tyres that allow them to travel a certain distance without any air, many of us are left to deal with a fully deflated tyre.
In this instance, it's always ideal for someone who's always on the road to have one and not need it than to not have and need one.
As long as the puncture isn't severe and was due to a slow leak, having a portable tyre inflator that's powered by a mere 12V port will help allow the vehicle to "limp" directly back to the safety of a tyre repair shop or even your own home.
In-car USB charger
At this point, the 12V port should probably start gaining a greater appreciation and of course, there's always the need to recharge your peripherals - in particular your smartphone.
Be it iOS or Android, there's always the need to recharge that battery and if you've got more than one smartphone, then a dual USB car charger would be the way to go.
It's worth noting though that no matter how multi-ported your in-car car charger may be, charging two or more gadgets at once may resulted in slower charging.
In simple terms, a 2.0-Amp (A) charger plugged into your 12V socket will provide 2.0A to your phone while charging.
Having two phones charging from this same charger means that each phone will be getting 1A each and will take a longer time to charge to full. Also, using a cable that can handle higher amps is a must in order to exploit the charger's abilities.
Portable car jump starter
We've all been there when we expect to hit the road only to be unfortunately notified that the engine would not start.
It's still manageable if the vehicle was still at home or there's a friendly someone to help with jumper cables but if not, you're literally left with a 2.0-tonne hunk of metal.
Provided the problem is isolated to the battery, simply hooking the cables from the portable car jump starter directly to the battery (positive to positive and negative to negative) will allow the vehicle to start.
Always remember to purchase from a reliable brand and source and above all else, ensure that the portable car jump starter is always fully charged.
Flashlight
Let's face it, oftentimes things can go missing in dark crevices for obvious reasons - especially between car seats where the cabin's lights simply cannot illuminate.
To help search for an important item(s), there's no other better tool to have than a little flashlight in times of need.
But other than searching for knick-knacks in the cabin, it's also a great help when trying to get the attention of another motorist or law enforcement and emergency services.
Toll card and reader
Toll card with pre-loaded cash value is really an essential piece of equipment to help fast-track yourself through queues at toll plazas or the parking lot.
Although there is the need to keep it loaded with a pre-paid amount in order to use it, the toll card can undeniably reduce the time taken when waiting in line.
Further more, most major toll roads in Malaysia are going cashless, keeping a toll card is a necessity now.
Use it together with a smart reader will not only allow you to whiz through toll plazas but also let you know your toll card's remaining cash value.
