It's your day off and you’re thinking of taking a drive to explore some of the hidden beauty spots in Hong Kong. You’ve got The Peak Gardens, Tai Mo Shan, Repulse Bay and the Science Park on your list. So let's go. Oh, but wait a minute. Do you have everything you need in your car? Besides your GPS navigator, you should at least have a toolbox and a car vacuum cleaner. Not only should your car be kept clean and tidy on the outside, it should also be fresh and comfortable on the inside too. This shopping guide offers a list of essentials to help you make the most out of every drive. Check out what you need.

Car Camcorder

This is something that all cars should have. Hong Kong is notoriously crowded with people and cars. There are many weekend drivers too, making road conditions even more unpredictable. Of course, no one wants to be in an accident, but should one occur, a camcorder offers actual footage of road conditions and important data to protect yourself.

Car Phone Holder

Everyone has a mobile phone these days to play music, navigate or manage a multitude of other tasks. But it’s inconvenient as well as dangerous ( and illegal!) to hold your phone while driving. So if you need to use your phone, get yourself a phone holder to reduce distractions when you drive. Many models are easily detachable and durable as well. Some also have charging function so pick one according to your needs.

Car Charger

Basically, it’s a charger you can use in your car to charge different electronic device. It works by plugging into the cigarette lighter. It normally comes with two USB ports, allowing two electronic devices to be charged at the same time. Most come with 5 major safety features: overload, short circuit, high voltage input, high temperature and low voltage protection to ensure safe use.

Car Air Freshener

Eating or smoking in a car can cause unpleasant odours which never seem to go away and can even affect your mood. An air freshener is a must-have for every car owner so check these out before you buy.

• Washable type: No filter is needed, just add cleaning solution and water to break down odours, harmful substances and antibacterial agents in the air
• Negative ion type: Eating, drinking, smoking, leather or PVC products, formaldehyde and even the smell of fish all leave unpleasant odours in a car; negative ions break down formaldehyde and odours, trap airborne particles and remove bacteria
• Filter type: Cars are exposed to dust, suspended particles, pollutants, bacteria and viruses over a long period of time, sealed compartments also tend to accumulate harmful substances; some car air fresheners have multiple filters or can be combined with negative ions to enhance purifying and odour-absorbing effects

Cleaning Tools

Apart from odours in your car, dust and dirt hidden in the small and large cavities of the car need to be cleaned out regularly and thoroughly.

• Vacuum cleaner: Eat biscuits or chips in a car and you’ll soon have crumbs all over the floor, so get yourself a vacuum cleaner to take care of this problem
• Wash gun: Clean your car with water from a hose

Emergency Tools

The last thing you want is for your car to break down. But if it does, it’s good to have some basic emergency tools to get you again. Or even just to restart your car in the event of a flat battery. However, it is important to check the engine, safety system and charging frequency of your car before you buy. JumpsPower is a popular new generation external battery system which is more convenient and easier to use than traditional jump starters. It’s portable and can be easily stored in your car for emergency use.