Car Accessories You Must Avoid

Car accessories come with both advantages and disadvantages when it comes to value and performance, yet some could potentially waste your money and endanger vehicle occupants’ safety.

Some car accessories are just plain bizarre. From eyelash headlights to truck bed swimming pools, these bizarre gadgets may be popular on TikTok but have no place in modern vehicles.

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Steering wheel covers

A steering wheel cover might appear like an expensive aesthetic upgrade for your vehicle, but it actually provides many practical benefits as well. A foam-like covering cushions your hand during long drives and reduces palm fatigue while protecting its original condition and maintaining resale value.

Some steering wheel covers are even adorned with decorative rhinestones that could become dislodged during an accident and lead to serious injuries for drivers, possibly hindering airbag deployment and possibly leading to airbag malfunction. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), such decorative elements could cause irreparable harm during a crash and compromise airbag deployment as well.

Instead of covering your vehicle in flashy material, try this soft microfiber material that feels smooth to the touch and easy to slip onto most vehicles. The 15-inch universal fit fits most vehicles and is made to resist fading and sweating over time; plus it comes in various colors and designs to match any interior decor scheme – this accessory costs under $20 online!

Car bras

Your car’s front end can become exposed to rocks, bugs, pebbles, debris and other pollutants on the open road, potentially endangering both its paint job and driver safety. Front end masks or car bras provide essential protection from these hazards on the open road.

Some car owners view a vinyl covering for the bumper, grille and hood as adding sleekness and sportiness to their vehicle, while others see it as unnecessary and detracting from its look and function.

Vinyl car bras can trap dirt, grime and dust under their cover that could potentially cause scratches to the paint surface or other damage, and may be hard to remove when washing the vehicle. Paint Protection Film (PPF) provides an alternative that is safer and more effective solution for protecting both front hood and bumper areas of your vehicle.

Bull bars

We’ve all seen them: those enormous metal bars installed on the front end of four-wheel drives known as bull bars. Commonly made with an A-shaped frame and featuring various designs – some might even interfere with airbag functionality and advanced safety features like lane departure warnings if installed incorrectly.

Additionally, some can be quite costly and even invalidate your insurance! They’re more about form than function, making a statement and ideal for drivers looking to make an impressionful statement.

Bull bars typically feature an A-shaped frame and cover only a smaller area in front of your vehicle, leading to reduced production costs. They come in multiple styles such as single hoop, triple hoop and bumper bar options; triple-hoop bull bars are especially popular among 4WD enthusiasts as they provide excellent protection from animal collisions as well as suitable off-road driving capabilities.

Phone holders

While car accessories that add flair and improve functionality are great additions, others can be unnecessary and potentially hazardous; even illegal.

Most states prohibit driving while holding your phone, yet with a carefully designed device mount you can comply with this law and stay safe on the road. Unfortunately, however, many holders are poorly designed and dislodge easily or become projectiles during a crash – making them illegal as well as hazardous.

There are plenty of great mount options out there, from magnetic arms and clamping arms, Alexa integration and wireless charging, to those featuring magnetic arms or clamping arms with Alexa integration and wireless charging capabilities. Simply find one that meets your needs without interfering with visibility on the road or mirrors, preferably one which holds your device with or without its case – like this Belkin mount which fits most smartphone shapes; installation requires some finagling but once in place is secure; it also offers more affordable pricing than some alternatives.