Aftermarket action
Smart inflation
If you want to know exactly how much air is in your tires at any time, then consider the FOBO Tire or Tire Plus. The systems’ four wireless tire sensors replace your current valve-stem caps. They attach with a special wrench that makes them theft-proof and they also use Bluetooth 4.0 to deliver tire pressure data to your Android or iOS phone. FOBO issues an alert if tire pressures drop below a preset level. If your phone is turned off or is not in the car with you, a wireless in-car monitor will also alert you to pressure issues. Purchase for $150 (replacement tire sensors cost $30) at www.my-fobo. com.
Keep the noise down
When replacing — or adding — more weather stripping, consider B Shape rubber seal strips. This selfadhesive product is claimed to reduce road and wind noise, and dust entering the passenger compartment. It’s also designed as a replacement for weather stripping found on hoods, trunk lids, door openings, etc. The company says the product should be installed during warm weather for best results. For more sound deadening, you can also add B Shape to areas that don’t already have weather stripping. A single 52-foot-long strip sells for $20. Order at www.moonool. com.
Cleaning nooks and crannies
Keeping your vehicle’s interior clean is an ongoing process that can be made a whole lot easier with The Carrand AutoSpa Interior Car
Detail Duster. This handy item’s chenille microfibers are claimed to work their way into tight spots such as cupholders and pockets, and they can tackle larger surfaces, too. The product is designed to grab dust instead of just pushing it and depositing it somewhere else. The Car Detail Duster is compact enough to store inside most glove boxes. Grab one for less than $9 from www.amazon.com.
Cool kids’ roadster
Few people will ever own or even ride in an exotic supercar such as the McLaren 570S, but at least tiny tots aged 3 and under can have that experience in the ride-on version from the Step2. The company has teamed up with McLaren to create this neat sidewalk roadster with some very handy features, including dual (Sippy) cup holders, a storage area beneath the seat and, best of all, an electronic McLaren engine revving sound that’s activated whenever the rider presses the horn button. For parents, the oversize handle, which also comes with its own cup holder, folds underneath the car for easy storage. Order one for $80 from www.step2.com.