Top 10 car gadgets

Satellite radio isn’t as expensive as you might think! All car kits (Amazon, $70) include the actual tuner/radio, mounts and connection necessities. You can buy subscriptions on a month-to-month basis, or you can chip in with someone else for a year’s subscription (SiriusXM, $199 a year).

Just about all of us have one of those USB car chargers now. However, what happens if a passenger needs to charge, too? Or what if you need to charge your iPhone to use for GPS and your tablet for working later? Belkin makes a two-port USB charger (Amazon, $45).

Save your avid traveler from a few minutes of stress with Stick-n-Find stickers. Attach them to keys or wallets, then use the cellphone app to track them down (Brookstone, $50).

Bondi’s cellphone holder has feet and arms that lock a cellphone in place on the rearview mirror. It’s the perfect spot to keep GPS directions or check caller ID without wrecking the car. It comes in a million colors and is available nearly everywhere (Amazon, $15).

Help your long-distance commuter start her day off right with a heated mug of coffee that stays hot for the entire ride (Amazon, $18).

If you live in frigid climates, having remote start can save your family from frostbite. You’d better love it, though. The units aren’t expensive, but we recommend you take the car to professionals and cough up the cash for installation expenses (Sonic Electronix, $80 and up).

Let’s face it: Some of us just need a little parking assistance. Put their minds at ease when parallel parking or backing out of cramped spaces by updating their car with a backup camera (Northern Tool, $120).

Perfect for late-night flat tires or impromptu emergency-lane raves, a flashing light will make them visible to oncoming traffic, keeping everyone safe while digging for the tire iron or busting out bad dance moves (Think Geek, $15 and up).

Sometimes, a fist, finger or thumb isn’t enough to communicate feelings in a particular instance. Some signs only do smiley/scowling faces, but we found a sign that holds 11 messages. So you can sincerely (or sarcastically) say, “Thanks for letting me over” (Amazon, $40).

When AAA anticipates an hours-long wait or your car dies in Utah and you don’t have cell service, you need a way to charge your car battery. You can go the quicker, less expensive jumper-pack option, or you can try a flexible solar battery charger. It takes longer, but it’s much greener (Earthtech Products, $279).