- Apple CarPlay
- A spotless interior
- Happy wipers
- A new leather interior that doesn't use any more cow
- Kick-ass floor mats that are half the price of OEM ones
If you're anything like us, you'll find it far harder to choose gifts for your friends and family than yourself. After all, no one knows your needs better than… you. But what about treating your car? There's a good chance that your pride and joy has got you to and from work/school/university and all it's received as thanks is an abused clutch and far too much Girls Aloud on the stereo.
With that in mind, here are 5 treats to give your car this winter.
Apple CarPlay
If there's one automotive invention of the past 10 years that we couldn't live without, it's Apple CarPlay. The simple ability to use our phone's apps on a car's infotainment screen is an absolute godsend, helping us do away with dodgy manufacturer sat-navs and hideous user interfaces from hell. Buy something like the highly regarded Kenwood DMX5020DABS (catchy, huh?) and you'll not only add Apple CarPlay to your motor, but a glorious 6.8-inch touchscreen, wired Android Auto and an input for a reversing camera. Put simply, it'll upgrade your head unit so much that you'll think you've ascended to in-car entertainment heaven.
A spotless interior
While it's all well and good washing the outside of your car every weekend and feeling all smug about the mirror-like shine you've achieved, there's a good chance that the innards of your car contain more bacteria than a badger's bumhole. Why not take a morning out to give your car's interior a proper rub-down with a decent anti-bacterial cleaner like Gtechniq's Tri-Clean? We've used this on our long-term press cars this year and can vouch for its uncanny ability to make your interior feel and smell showroom fresh. Best £15 you'll spend in a long time.
Happy wipers
Grrrrnch. Squeeeeeak. Grrrrrnch. Squeeeeeak. Yes, it reminds you of the horrific noise you heard through the walls of that AirBnB that backed onto a home for randy OAPs, but it's also the sound of your knackered windscreen wipers making a mockery of your attempts to remove rain from your car's most important window. There are few things more satisfying in life than upgrading from perished and totally useless wiper blades to smooth-running, silent aerodynamic wipers. It's not an expensive upgrade, but one that immediately makes your car feel 10 years younger. Get some Bosch wiper blades and see the light.
A new leather interior that doesn't use any more cow
While leather interiors undoubtedly feel top-notch (unless it's too hot or too cold or you're a Vegan), you'll be surprised how quickly they look a bit like a 10-year-old Uber. Seats get shiny, steering wheels polish up and even black leather can somehow look dirty. The good news is that you can make an unbelievable difference by using a good quality leather cleaner on your upholstery. Dodo Juice's Supernatural leather cleaner is widely accepted as the best in the business, and it won't cost an arm and a leg to completely revive your interior. This kit even comes with a sealant to add extra stain-resistance once you've cleaned everything.
Kick-ass floor mats that are half the price of OEM ones
We're still not sure how car makers can justify charging upwards of £50 for floor mats, so if you're after a cheap and easy way to make your interior feel showroom fresh then check out eBay's huge selection of car mats. You'll find whatever you want, whether it's a sporty BMW number with tasteful M stripes or some Union-Jack-adorned mats or your Mini. And if you can't find something specific for your car then there are heaps of universal options – and none of them will break the bank.
Keyword: 5 ways to treat your car this winter