The 4 Car AccessoriesYou Might Want to Avoid
As an enthusiastic car owner, you probably already know the ones. They sit on the shelf at a petrol station forecourt or pop up in your social media feed with an almost suspicious amount of enthusiasm. They are colourful, they look clever, and for a split second, you think: yes, that is exactly what my car needs.
And then, three weeks later, they are wedged under your seat, doing absolutely nothing except collecting crumbs.
South Africa’s car accessories market is a wonderfully busy place.
From Johannesburg to George, car owners like you love personalising, upgrading, and looking after their vehicles. But not every product that promises to improve your drive actually does what it promises to do.
Some accessories are cleverly marketed solutions to problems that do not really exist, and buying them means spending money that could go toward something genuinely useful.
These are the four car accessories that are probably not worth your rand, and what to consider instead.
Seat Belt Pads
Seat belt pads are sold as a comfort solution, soft little pouches that cushion the belt where it crosses your shoulder or neck. They look sweet, they often come in fun prints, and the pitch makes sense on the surface.
The problem is that a seat belt that needs a pad is usually a seat belt that is not adjusted correctly.
Most modern vehicles allow you to raise or lower the seat belt anchor point on the B-pillar, which is the vertical column between the front and rear doors. A simple adjustment takes seconds and removes the discomfort entirely. There is usually no need for the extra product.
There is also a safety consideration.
Aftermarket seat belt pads add bulk, and that can interfere with how the belt sits against your body.
In a collision, every centimetre of slack matters. According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation, seat belt non-compliance remains a significant contributor to road fatalities. Anything that alters how a belt functions is worth approaching with caution.
A better alternative is to adjust your seat belt anchor and check that your seat position supports the correct belt fit. If your discomfort persists, you can consult your dealership.
Cheap Seat Cushions
A thick foam cushion balanced on your car seat sounds like a reasonable comfort upgrade, particularly for those long Gauteng-to-Durban drives.
But in practice, it creates more problems than it solves.
Adding height to a car seat changes your driving position in ways that affect visibility, steering control, and the angle at which your seatbelt crosses your body. Budget foam cushions are also rarely breathable, which on a hot South African summer day means arriving at your destination in a less-than-ideal state.
Genuine lumbar or orthopaedic car seat supports do exist, and they serve a real purpose, but they are purpose-designed, positioned correctly, and do not raise seat height.
The generic foam block from a discount store is a different product entirely.
It is far better to invest in a proper lumbar support cushion from a reputable brand or have your seat professionally adjusted if you are experiencing discomfort on long drives.
Cupholder Extenders
These plastic or silicone inserts promise to turn your standard cupholder into something that fits every size bottle or cup imaginable. And while the concept is not without merit, the execution is where things kind of fall apart.
Most cupholder extenders wobble, topple, and jam. They also tend to trap heat, moisture, and debris beneath them, making them an unpleasant mission to clean. Some versions even grip the console so tightly that removing them without leaving a mark becomes a minor project.
South African roads are not always smooth, and a cupholder insert that works okay in a car park may behave very differently on a potholed side road, and the result of one too many bumps is often the exact spilt coffee situation the cupholder extension was bought to avoid.
It is better to rather get your hands on a quality travel mug designed to fit standard cup holders. A good insulated mug solves the size and spill problem at once.
Stick-On Phone Mounts That Grip Your Dashboard
This one is a favourite in optimistic online shopping carts everywhere.
A suction cup or adhesive phone mount stuck to the dashboard or windscreen, seems like an affordable, flexible solution, but it rarely ends well.
In South Africa’s heat, suction cups lose their grip, and the adhesive mounts leave residue that is famously difficult to remove. Mounts attached to the windscreen can also obstruct your field of vision, which is both a safety issue and a legal one.
Under Regulation 182 of the National Road Traffic Act, drivers are prohibited from operating a vehicle with any obstruction to the driver’s view through the windscreen.
Aside from legality, a phone that vibrates itself loose on a rough road and lands in your lap mid-highway is a hazard that no discount mount is worth.
You can instead try using a vent-clip mount designed for your specific phone model, or look for a mount that integrates with your vehicle’s existing structure rather than adhering to glass or plastic surfaces.
Be Smart with your Car Accessoriesin South Africa
There is a real pleasure in finding a car accessory that actually works, something that protects your vehicle, makes every drive more comfortable, and holds up through a South African summer.
Protect a Car specialises in vehicle protection products that are designed with South African conditions in mind. From paint protection to interior care, the focus is always on products that make a real difference to how your car looks and lasts.
Before reaching for another impulse buy, you should ask yourself: does my car actually need this, or does it just look like it might? The answer will save you money and keep your car in the kind of condition that makes other drivers envious.
Frequently Asked Questions
What car accessories are actually worth buying in South Africa?
The car accessories most worth buying in South Africa are those that address real local conditions. UV-protective window tinting, quality car covers for vehicles parked outdoors, reliable dash cameras, paint protection films, and well-fitted floor mats all deliver genuine value. South Africa’s intense sun and varied road conditions mean that protection-focused accessories tend to offer the best return on investment.
Are aftermarket seat accessories safe to use in South African vehicles?
Some aftermarket seat accessories are safe and useful, particularly orthopedic lumbar supports designed for vehicle use. However, accessories that alter seat belt positioning or raise seat height can affect occupant safety in a collision. Always check that any seat accessory is compatible with your vehicle’s built-in safety features, including side airbags integrated into seat panels.
Is it legal to mount a phone on a car windscreen in South Africa?
South African law prohibits any obstruction to a driver’s clear view through the windscreen, as outlined in the National Road Traffic Act. A phone mount attached to the windscreen may constitute such an obstruction, particularly if positioned within the driver’s primary field of vision. Vent-mounted or console-integrated phone holders are a safer and legally sounder option.
How do I protect my car's interior from South Africa's heat?
The most effective ways to protect a car’s interior from heat damage in South Africa include using a reflective windscreen sunshade when parked, applying UV-protective window film, parking in shade wherever possible, and using quality seat covers made from breathable materials. Dashboard protectors and interior conditioners designed for UV resistance also help prevent cracking and fading over time.
Where can I find quality car protection products in South Africa?
Protect a Car offers a range of vehicle protection products tailored to South African conditions. For paint protection, interior care, and long-term vehicle preservation, it is worth choosing a specialist rather than a general retailer. Quality protection products may cost more upfront but typically offer significantly better durability and results than budget alternatives.
