This Father's Day, Give Your Dad the Perfect Car-Related Gift

For many of us, Dad and cars go together. Maybe it’s the first time you got behind the wheel, with your Dad in the passenger seat, patiently teaching you the basics of driving. Maybe you remember helping him fix the family car when you were a kid.

As Father’s Day approaches, this holiday is the perfect time to recognize your dad’s key contributions to your life as a driver. Here are some great car-related gift ideas that show how much you appreciate what he has done to make you the safe driver you are today.

Gifts to help Dad deal with car problems

Many dads are fairly knowledgeable about the basics of car maintenance. Here are some cool gifts that will make Dad’s life easier as the family’s car care expert.

A compact jump starter

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Traditional jumper cables have been the go-to item for most people whose cars won’t start. But what happens when there’s no other car around to get a jump from? This gadget solves that problem. It is a rechargeable battery that is powerful enough to jump start your car all by itself. As a bonus, it has USB ports to recharge your smartphone when that battery gets low. You can find it here.

A portable air compressor

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Instead of having to drive to a gas station and feed quarters into an air machine, Dad can simply plug this compressor into his car’s power socket and inflate his tires, wherever he is. If he gets a slow leak or a small puncture out on the road, he can quickly pump up his tire and keep going. It can also be used for bicycle tires and other inflatable items, whether he’s at home or on the go. Get one here.

A car fire extinguisher

The compact Mini Firefighter will fit in most glove compartments or door pockets. A fire extinguisher is one of those items you hope to never use, but need handy just in case. THis one has non-toxic, biodegradable foam that expands, engulfs and quickly extinguishes flames. The versatile Mini Firefighter can be used on gasoline, oil, electrical, grease, wood, textile and plastic fires. Check it out here.

An auto club membership

If your Dad is not into the mechanical aspects of cars, he will definitely appreciate a membership to AAA or similar auto club. If he gets a flat tire or his battery dies, he can simply call for assistance, and a tow truck will be dispatched to his location.

If Dad drives an old or unreliable car, consider getting him a higher-level membership, which can cover long-distance towing if he breaks down far from home. There are often additional membership benefits, like discount movie and amusement park tickets, trip routing, and travel agent services.

Gifts to make Dad's drive better

Whether your Dad drives for business, pleasure or both, here are some gift ideas that will increase his driving enjoyment.

A Bluetooth transmitter that works great

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If Dad’s car is an older model, without either a USB port or an auxiliary jack, this Bluetooth transmitter will let him stream music from his phone directly to his car stereo. It also has hands-free calling capability, plus its own USB port for charging. Update Dad’s infotainment system with this inexpensive item that plugs into his power port. You can find it right here.

Window tinting film

Having a professionally installed window tinting job done on Dad’s car will improve its looks, and will also keep Dad cooler, while protecting him and his car’s interior from the damaging rays of the sun. 3M’s FX Premium Series window film meets high performance standards, is affordable, and comes with a limited lifetime warranty from authorized installers.

Seat covers

If Dad’s car is showing signs of interior wear, a set of seat covers will freshen things up inside. A wide range of materials and styles is available — everything from water-repellent neoprene (ideal for Jeeps) to many versions of camo (perfect for pickups) to fine leather in many different colors (great for the family sedan). Some of these can be installed as a do-it-yourself project, others require professional installation. There is something out there for every vehicle and budget.

Radar detector

We do not advocate speeding, but if your Dad spends a lot of time on the highway, a radar detector can come in handy. It will protect him from speed traps set up in small towns where the limit suddenly drops, as well as those on downhill stretches of highway, where cars tend to naturally go a bit faster.

Gifts that will wow your Dad

The gift of an experience that relates to cars will remain in Dad’s memory for a long time to come. You can even accompany your Dad on many of these, turning your gift into a shared experience that you will both fondly remember. Here are some ideas that will give Dad some quality car-themed time — and he’ll have you to thank for it!

• High-performance street driving or racing school classes
• Tickets to an auto race
• Visit to a car museum
• Tour of an automobile factory
• See a local classic car show
• Rent an exotic sports car or muscle car for the day