Car Tech: 5 Experience-Improving Gadgets for Your Car

The average person spends hundreds of hours of their lives in a car, so why shouldn't they take every step to make sure their experience is amazing? A comfortable car is one of the biggest 'small' pleasures of life. Cruising down the highway, a sunset shining in the rear view mirror, and a mellow song playing on the radio is the stuff of romance - not feeling your teeth get rattled from your skull because of bad tires or worn down shocks. Here are five car experience-enhancing gadgets to make your journeys more enjoyable.

1. A GPS unit.

Some say that getting lost is an adventure. Sure it is - but not when you are in a hurry, trying to meet a deadline. At that point getting lost is the biggest headache of all headaches. A GPS unit can cost around $150, and if you keep it continually updated, you'll always have accurate directions on how to get just about anywhere with public roadways. It removes the stress from travel when you know you aren't lost, that there is a gas station right around the corner, or that you'll make it to your sister's wedding on time.

2. Brighter headlights.

Driving at night can be a calming, relaxing experience, so long as you can see. The standard yellow headlights don't give the best illumination, so you could consider replacing them with LED lights in your choice of color. The blue LEDs tend to be the brightest and provide the best visibility without searing your eyes, or the eyes of passing drivers, too badly.

3. New tires.

While not specifically a gadget, replacing a set of worn down tires with a new set can make a world of difference. And don't be cheap, either; your tires connect you to the road, so you want to make sure you've got quality between you and the hard asphault. But luckily, you don't have to spend a fortune - online vendors such as http://simpletire.com offer tire sets at a great value, so you don't break your bank replacing all four tires.

4. A tire pressure gauge.

This small, $2 tool will ensure that you keep those tires going for a long time. Before setting off on any long trip, or at least once a week, check the air pressure in your tires. If they are low or not equal, take the time to level out the pressure in all tires to the recommended PSI. Low tires are a blow out risk that can cause an accident, and use more gasoline over the long run than well-maintained tires. Taking a few minutes each week can save you hundreds of dollars a year on maintenance and fuel costs.

5. Insurance monitors.

While this doesn't directly affect your vehicle, tagging your car with a temporary monitoring device from your insurance company can result in lower premiums for you, saving money that can be spent further sprucing up your ride.

It's entirely possible to add gadgets to your car without breaking your budget, and these gadgets do more than look awesome, though they do that, too; these devices protect you and your passengers.

This article was contributed to by Rhett Stone, and written by Rianne Hunter, a mother of three and an avid blogger about all things family, home and auto.