Walk into any auto parts store or browse a web-based retailer, and you’ll be met with a long list of aftermarket accessories that make lofty promises about their supposed performance, safety, and health benefits. From gadgets that claim to boost horsepower and fuel economy to aftermarket filters and tire repair kits, there are upgrades for every type of driver.
But which ones are worth your hard-earned cash, and which are simply a waste of money? While some might do what it says on the package, others are little more than modern-day automotive snake oil. With so many products flooding the market, it can be tough to distinguish legitimate upgrades from outright scams. Whether you’re preparing for a long road trip, trying to keep an aging vehicle on the road, or just want to help your car, truck, or SUV reach its full potential, it pays to do a little research before prying open your wallet. Luckily, CarBuyerLabs is here to help with a quick guide to a few popular automotive add-ons that are worth the investment, and those that should be avoided at all costs.
Worth It: Portable Jumper Pack
We’ve all been there. You go to start your vehicle on a cold winter morning, and the battery isn’t playing ball. Maybe you forgot to switch off that overhead light, or perhaps you left a power-hungry accessory running through the night. No matter the cause, there are few more frustrating ways to start your day than dealing with a dead battery.
Once upon a time, there were only two solutions for such a predicament: place a potentially expensive call to a roadside service provider or flag down a passing stranger in the parking lot to perform the old jumper-cable tango. Both methods have their downsides and can be non-starters if you find yourself stranded miles from the nearest car.
Advances in portable battery technology have quickly changed the game when it comes to jumpstarting your vehicle. A new generation of portable battery packs gives drivers the ability to jump-start in even the most off-the-grid locales without involving another vehicle.
Entry-level 500A to 1000A lithium-ion packs can be found for as little as $50 to $75, and are well-suited to start most smaller cars and crossovers. A mid-range pack with 1000A to 1500A might run you $75 to $150, but it is equipped to handle larger V8 engines, and can even double as a power bank.
On the high end of the jumper pack spectrum, you have 2000A+ models that are typically built around larger AGM lead-acid batteries. These packs are primed to start almost any passenger vehicle, and often include built-in air compressors and 120V AC outlets that can be used to power a range of accessories.
Waste: Cabin Air Purifier
If you’re looking to breathe a little easier when you’re behind the wheel, there’s no reason to invest in a dedicated cabin air purifier. Often marketed as a way to reduce allergens and odors, their actual effectiveness is a bit suspect.
These products, which are typically powered through your vehicle’s 12-volt outlet or USB port, simply aren’t up to the task. They don’t move enough air to make a noticeable difference and often require drivers to replace the filter regularly.
That brings us to another major issue with these aftermarket air purifiers. They’re almost entirely redundant. Your vehicle already has a cabin air filter that cleans the air as it circulates through the climate control system. These cabin air purification systems work well, and can handle most allergens and odors that might impact your next drive. When the air starts to get a bit stale, simply visit your local auto parts store, spring for a $15 filter replacement, and enjoy a fresh, dust-free cabin.
Worth It: Dash Cam
You would never dream of hitting the road without proper insurance coverage, but that really represents the bare minimum when it comes to protecting your vehicle and bank account from the ravages of the road. While once a relative rarity, dash cams have quickly become a must-have accessory for safety-conscious drivers. Some cars even come with built-in dash cams. According to Autoinsurance.com, some 30% of U.S. drivers already use a dash cam, and it’s easy to understand why once you dive into the statistics.
Data show that 40% of dash cam owners have used their devices to capture a crash or traffic accident, with half using the footage as part of an insurance claim. Solid video evidence can be one of the easiest ways to combat malicious claims or quickly resolve an insurance dispute with an uncooperative driver.
Dash cam technology has dramatically improved in recent years, making such products a more practical option for modern drivers. Older systems were limited in both recording time and convenience, but new dash cams can use sensors and algorithms to automatically activate during a sudden impact or near miss, even when the vehicle is turned off and unattended.
These systems truly run the gamut in terms of price and performance, but have become increasingly affordable as the technology takes hold. Entry-level systems with 1080p recording can be found for as little as $50, while premium systems with 4K video, wide-angle lenses, enhanced night vision, and cloud connectivity can run more than $200. It can be a substantial investment, but it’s a small price to pay for a quick and fair resolution to your insurance claim.
Dash cams also offer thrill-seeking drivers the opportunity to capture some of the best automotive antics. Whether you’re simply looking to log some bragging rights or chart the optimal route around a race track, a dash cam can prove useful in the world of performance driving.
Waste: (Most) OBD-II Performance Chips
When something seems too good to be true, it normally is. While it would be nice to live in a world where a $15 performance chip could boost horsepower, torque, throttle response, and fuel economy, most low-end performance chips are little more than window dressing.
These chips are designed to intercept the signal between your engine sensors and the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to adjust variables like ignition timing and the air-fuel ratio. That’s a pretty big ask for a cheap plastic box that plugs into your vehicle’s OBD-II port. In reality, most of these budget-priced performance chips are basically just some simple circuitry hooked up to a blinking LED that’s more placebo than actual performance-enhancing part. These internal pins often don’t connect to the circuit board itself, and these devices don’t even have the hardware necessary to actually overwrite your ECU’s programming.
In fairness, some OBD-II performance chips do offer real gains, but they’re expensive and can cause serious damage if used improperly. High-quality tuning modules might run you anywhere between $100 and $400, and while they can squeeze some extra power out of a turbocharged engine, they can also put increased strain on your engine and transmission. This can not only lead to premature wear, but can also be one of the quickest ways to void your vehicle’s warranty, trigger a check engine light, or fail an emissions inspection.
Worth It: Spare Tire and Portable Tire Repair Kit
A spare tire was once a standard part of every new vehicle, but that’s changed in recent years. These days, an estimated 40% of new vehicles don’t come with a spare tire as automakers attempt to reduce weight and manufacturing costs while increasing cargo space. This can leave drivers feeling a little deflated.
Fortunately, there are a few simple solutions. The first and most obvious would be simply investing in a dedicated spare tire. You have two options if you decide to go this route: buying a smaller, temporary “donut,” or investing in a full-size spare.
The donut allows drivers to save some valuable trunk space, but it also comes with a number of limitations. These temporary spare tires aren’t designed for long-term use or high speeds, which is why most manufacturers recommend following the 50/50 Rule: Do not exceed 50 mph or travel more than 50 miles in total. A donut can come in handy if you need to limp home after a sudden blowout, but it’s not a permanent solution by any means.
A full-size spare essentially serves as a plug-and-play replacement for your current tire. Simply follow the normal tire replacement procedure, and you’ll be able to continue your driving duties as if nothing happened. A full-size spare is probably worth the investment, as long as you’re not short on cargo space.
No matter which you choose, you will want to ensure your tire is properly tightened, either by using a torque wrench or by visiting your local tire shop for a quick once-over. A donut will usually run you anywhere between $100 to $200, versus $200 to $350+ for a full-size spare.
There’s another option if you’re in the market for a less bulky solution. A portable tire repair kit retails for less than $75. These kits typically include tire plugs, an insertion tool, a tire pressure gauge, and even a portable air compressor. They can easily fix most simple punctures in just a few minutes.
That said, they do have their limitations. These portable repair kits aren’t designed to handle sidewall punctures, blowouts, or large holes, and only serve as temporary solutions. No matter how well you patch the tire, you’ll still need to make an appointment with your local auto shop or dealership as soon as possible to ensure a safe, effective ride.
We should also mention popular tire sealant products like Fix-A-Flat. While they can be had for just around $15, they’re also pretty limited in terms of scope. These tire sealant products are only designed with small punctures in mind, and can actually make permanent tire repair even more difficult once you finally make your way to the tire shop. It might serve as a decent last-ditch solution, but tire sealant products are usually more of a hassle than they’re worth.
Shop Smarter
The best upgrades and accessories are those that solve an actual problem, offer real benefits, or help your vehicle maintain its long-term value. Products like portable jumper packs, dash cams, and spare tires can help drivers easily avoid common worst-case scenarios or enjoy significant savings in lifetime operating costs.
Then there are those products that feel like they’re straight out of an “As Seen on TV” infomercial. A low-cost performance chip might seem like an easy way to enjoy a few extra horsepower, but in most cases, you’ll probably get what you paid for: not a whole lot. Even pricey performance chips can be a real gamble, especially if it ends up nullifying your vehicle’s warranty.
Drivers really just need to ask themselves one simple question about these aftermarket accessories. Will it actually improve the daily driving experience, or is it just a classic case of wishful thinking? With a little research, it’s easy to avoid potential scams and save your hard-earned cash for products that are worth the price.
