Everyone knows that buying gifts for a car enthusiast is easy. If they don’t bother to tell you exactly which part they want out of which catalog, you can usually buy them a gift card from their favorite parts website or tire store and hit a home run.
But what about gifts for people that aren’t that into cars? Practical gifts are always a safe option, but you do run the risk of them looking like a 5 year-old opening a gift that turns out to be socks rather than the latest iPhone. We’re going to look at practical gifts that will still bring a smile to the face of people, and will hopefully turn them into car people.
Bluetooth OBDII Scanner
It may sound and look like an odd gift to begin with, but when you explain to the receiver that they can use this to save vast sums of money, then it’ll be well received. It works by plugging into the ODBII port in the car and connects to your smart phone (either via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi – make sure the device is compatible).
When combined with the correct app (most of which are available for free), the scanner can tell the user about engine trouble codes that have been registered by the vehicle computer, as well as help the owner reset the code once the problem has been fixed.
Scrolling Message Sign
If you have a friend who constantly has to give a middle finger salute to the people behind them, be it for them being tailgated or maybe they drive a Prius, then this is the gift for them. It allows the user to write a personalized message for the cars behind. It can be as friendly or as offensive as they like.
Heated Ice Scraper
Live in Minnesota? Always have to scrape ice off the windscreen before you leave for work? Then invest in one of these. It works in the same way to any normal ice scraper but has the added advantage of being heated. It cuts the work in half and helps heat up your hands while you do it.
Engine Block Heater
You’ll probably have to install this device for the person you buy it for, but it’s a very nice gift for anyone that lives in cold climates. While block heaters are intended for people who live in extreme cold (or who own diesels in cold climates), they’re great for anyone who parks near an electrical outlet and enjoys a warm car.
Essentially, the heater reduces engine warm-up time, making it so that your loved one can hop in their vehicle, turn the key, and feel heated air coming out of the vents in just a minute or two. Contrast this with waiting 3-5 minutes for the engine to warm-up, and you’ll have the gift that “keeps on giving” every time it’s cold.
What’s more, a block heater can save gas, as it means your loved one is far less likely to leave their vehicle running before they leave in the morning. Instead of burning gas to warm up, they can burn gas driving.
Head Up Display
We all have a friend who has an addiction to gadgets. This doesn’t stop when they get into the car and it makes it terrifying to be driven by them. For around $500 (or $300 if you get in early on the crowdfunding) you can treat this person to a Head Up Display unit that will project their texts, GPS, calls, everything that’s phone related onto a screen in your line of sight. You can have it read your texts, use hand gestures to answer calls and even reply to tweets. It’ll at least make these people safer.
