Zigwheels PH: Top 5 X-mas gifts for car owners

As most already know, Christmas is the season for gift-giving. The aforementioned is true for everyone, including folks who have just bought home their brand new rides.

So, what are the best gifts you can give to a new car owner? Here are five good examples you can start with.

Jumpstart kit

Unable to start one’s car in the middle of nowhere is a hassle. It can also be a frightening experience for newbie car owners, as having a non-functional car means being practically stuck. And yes, battery drainage can happen to all cars - even those fresh out of the dealership. 

Sure, manual transmission vehicles can be push-started if you can get some help or if you’re lucky enough to have positioned the stalked car on top of a hill, but the same isn’t the case for most automatic models.

As such, one of the best gifts new car owners can receive this Christmas season is a jump-start kit. No, we’re not talking about a jump-start cable but a complete jump-start kit equipped with its own power source. 

For the unfamiliar, the aforementioned product functions like a larger version of a power bank. It can be charged when empty and even used to power other devices besides one’s stalled car.  

When it comes to choosing a good jumpstart kit, start with reputable brands. We won’t list them off here, but the one you’re giving as a gift should at least come with overload and reverse polarity protection. 

Tire inflator and flat kit

Gifting a new car owner a powered tire inflator and a flat repair kit will undoubtedly make for a more self-sufficient and prepared driver. Unlike most mechanical mishaps, which are predictable to some degree, a flat tire can happen to anyone and everyone at any time. 

Due to the unpredictability of flat tires, it can often happen out in the middle of nowhere - several kilometers away from the nearest vulcanizing shop. In some instances, you may even experience more than one flat tire at the same time. So, instead of depending on spare tires, having the means to fix a flat would make for an indispensable tool, especially for folks who drive every day. 

A good tire inflator kit should at least be able to run using the car’s 12-volt accessory outlet. Additionally, it should come with a decently long hose or power cable to be able to reach all of the vehicle’s tires. 

For the flat kit, note that this may come in the form of a plug, patch, or sealant kit. Plug or patch (or a combination of both) are good for most cases, but using sealants can be damaging to the tire. 

Dashcam

A dashcam, preferably one for the front and one for the rear is a good gift for new car owners because it adds an extra layer of security. For starters, it acts as a deterrence and a monitoring device against unscrupulous people. Still, more importantly, the video it records can make for crucial evidence in insurance claims or traffic accident disputes. 

Good modern-day dashcams have at least 1080p of video quality. Ideally, the one you are picking up should also come with a loop recording function so it can automatically free up data storage space as needed. Additionally, a dashcam with a global positioning system and audio recording would be great. 

Wrench set

Let’s face it: not every car owner is a capable mechanic - and that’s fine. Regardless, gifting someone a good and sturdy wrench kit may be a good idea because you will never know until you need the said tools. 

Better yet, the recipient of the wrench set gift may even take the aforementioned gift as a catalyst for their journey to becoming an amateur mechanic. 

When giving someone a set of wrenches, however, make sure that it is of good quality. A good starting point are tool sets made out of chromium-molybdenum alloy for durability. If you’ve got the money, go for drop-forged chromium-vanadium steel. 

Ratcheting wrenches are also nice, but make sure that the set has a good variety ranging from adjustable, combination, and open wrenches - among others. 

Car exterior detailing kit

Every car owner will know the satisfaction of making one’s vehicle shiny and pristine. The aforementioned is doubly true if the car owner did it himself to his brand new vehicle. As such, another great gift for folks who are new to car ownership is an exterior detailing kit. 

A good exterior detailing kit will come with several microfiber towels, a good quality can (or bottle) of car wax, wax applicator pads, car shampoo, and separate cleaning fluids for a vehicle’s windows and tires. 

Final thoughts

Obviously, this list isn’t exhaustive by any means. Still, the items listed above are a good selection of items to give as a gift to a car owner - especially for someone who just started their automotive journey. On the other hand, it is also a good starting point for gift-givers who know nothing about cars.

Also read: 

Here’s a holiday gift guide for car enthusiasts

Party sleighs: Here the best cars to bring for your Christmas parties