Five Must-Have Accessories In A Rs 5 Lakh Car

No car can tick all the right boxes for everyone. To put this in perspective, a wagon might come with every possible gadget humanly conceivable but it will on a different planet, price-wise. Similarly, a pocket-friendly option will not give you luxurious stuff like radar-guided cruise control and massaging seats. Keeping luxuries aside, we’ll list out five accessories which enhance the safety and security of your beloved Rs 5 lakh car, and provide cleanliness and convenience.

With the competition growing in all segments of the automotive industry, nearly all mainstream car makers have good value-for-money products in the market. In a budget of Rs 5 lakh, chances are that your car already has a music system, central locking and power windows, and you have paid extra for floor mats and mud guards. In this article, we list what you must have in your budget four-wheeler.

Alloy wheels and new tyres

While alloy wheels are aesthetically pleasing, they do serve a valuable purpose. Normally, a budget car gets steel rims as part of the package. But they have a tendency to bend when bombarded with potholes - a common enough situation in our country. Good-quality alloy wheels are not only stronger, but also lighter than steel rims. While they can take meaner punishment on the move, they lessen the unsprung weight of the car, which results in better ride and handling, and even improve the fuel-efficiency a little. A set of four good-quality alloy wheels will cost around Rs 20,000.

On to the tyres, then. Most cars in the said price bracket are built to a cost. Since tyres are something that none of the car manufacturers build themselves, they are procured from tyre companies. While the carmaker will look for the best possible deal to save itself some money, it isn’t the best deal for the end customer. Stock tyres are normally thin and made from poor-quality rubber. While the quality will show in the life of the tyres and how prone they are to punctures, the skinniness means they will offer very little grip, especially on wet roads. To ensure your safety, get a set of tyres which offer better grip in wet conditions and are have better rubber quality. A set of four good-quality tyres can cost between Rs 15 and 20 thousand. Here’s a tip: trading the stock tyres for better ones before you hit 100Km on the odometer can help you save a considerable amount of money.

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Rear parking sensors with camera

If you are targeting a Rs 5 lakh car, chances are that it is your first personal vehicle. And there is nothing more painful than bumping or scratching your little baby on your own. I’ve personally experienced it and I can report that the self-loathing goes on for months. It is especially tricky if you are reversing to park or to evade an oncoming calamity. This is where the reverse parking sensors with a camera come in handy. The set-up not only helps you park or reverse without banging into something else, but also helps you understand the dimensions of your car over time. A pack of four sensors with a colour camera will cost around Rs 5,000.

Seat covers

Standard seats have a fabric cover that is mostly pleasing to look at. But fabric is prone to absorbing dust, which inevitably enters the car from one vent or another. Moreover, fabric seats are completely hopeless when it comes to spillage. A stain courtesy of your favourite curry will always remind you of the time when you just wanted to enjoy a meal in your car but it ended up ruining the seats. This is where seat covers come in. They not only help improve the aesthetics of the cabin, but also prevent the seats from absorbing dust or any kind of spillage. Think about it -- when was the last time you sat somewhere that was covered in man-made muck? Seat covers made from leatherette will do a decent job of keeping your seats free from unwanted droppings. A good set will cost you in the range of Rs 3 to 5 thousand.

Pedal lock and gear lock

Burglars target cars which are easier to get into without drawing too much attention. This is where the combination of a gear lock and a pedal lock comes in, which, when engaged together, prove to be effective in ensuring that your car stays where you parked it. As the name suggests, the pedal lock attaches around the steering wheel from one end and a pedal (accelerator, brake, clutch) from the other end. While you can choose any pedal to engage the lock, it is recommended that you opt for the clutch pedal. With the clutch pedal locked in released position and the steering wheel jammed from the other end, it is impossible for anyone to steal your car.

A gear lock is a simple but effective mechanical device that keeps the gearbox engaged in reverse gear. Even if a burglar manages to get inside your car, selecting a new gear won’t be possible for the devil. With both the locks in place, your car will be immune to almost all the tricks the thief may have up his sleeve. While a good gear lock will come for Rs 1,500 to 2,000, a pedal lock can cost anywhere between Rs 500 and 1,000.

Essentials Kit

Jumper Cables

Imagine this: you are on your way to work on a busy city road or on the highway for a quick weekend getaway and your car battery runs out of juice. While this doesn’t happen very often, but when it unfortunately does, it ruins your day completely. This is where a set of jumper cables comes in. The set is used to jump start a car with the help of an external electricity source and is a must-have in the essentials kit. A good set of jumper cables can cost between 500 and 700 rupees.

Hydraulic jack

It is impossible to predict when and where a tyre will give way. Cars are provided with a scissor jack for emergencies, but the mechanism of the tool is quite a pain to deal with. This is where a hydraulic jack comes in. It is not only easier to operate but sturdier as well, and can lift the car high enough for you to change the tyre on your own. Expect a price range of Rs 1,500 to 2,000 for a long-lasting jack.

Tyre pressure inflator

When you get a punctured tyre, chances are that the air pressure in the spare wheel isn’t optimal, in case it hasn’t been used for a while. And using a spare wheel without gauging its air pressure can lead to an imbalanced ride, reducing the tyre’s life. This is where the tyre pressure inflator comes in. It will help gauge the air pressure and inflate the tyre up to the required mark. A good one of these will cost in the range of Rs 1,500- 2,000.

Tow Cables

Nearly all cars these days come with a tow hook attached to their chassis, and towing them away from the breakdown location must be done using robust cables. That’s where tow cables, made of heavy-duty steel, are solely missed. This tool completes the essential kit and is part of the must-have accessory list for your beloved car. A cable which is about four metres in length and is capable of towing a car weighing up to two tonnes will cost between Rs 400 and 600.

Where should one purchase these accessories from? Well, not from the car dealership, since dealerships have massive profit margins attached with the optional accessories which the sales person will try and pitch. The ideal way is to shop around the local car market and look for car accessory stores. You will find many options in terms of price, quality and brands for the accessories listed above. Another place to shop is over the internet. Search through all the trusted online shopping portals to get the best possible deal. At times, there is even an option to connect with the seller over the same online platform. Inject your negotiation skills and who knows you might crack an even better deal.