With the growing availability of reasonably-priced, quality 3D printers, it’s easier than ever for hobbyists and tinkerers to make their own models for anything you can think of.
One such way you can put your 3D printer to good use is by designing and printing your own car accessories. You can go for fun, functional, unique, or remix pretty much anything you can think of.
We’ve collected the best of what’s available to organize what’s in your car, improve your entertainment system, handle your thirst, upgrade your ride, and a few things for the kiddos and pets in your life.
If you see something on the list that you’d like printed but don’t have access to a printer, the time, or the material you need, consider using a reliable 3D printing marketplace like Craftcloud by All3DP. You’ll have your parts printed and delivered, ready to ride.
Now, on to the list!
Organization
Every driver has been guilty of having a messy car at some point. Regardless of the reason, we’ve found several organizational prints that’ll help you keep track of all the odds and ends floating around your car.
Seat Gap Organizer
Sometimes everything you need just doesn’t fit by your side in the car. That’s where this design comes in: You can use this seat gap organizer to add some extra storage space between your seat and the divider. This model features a cup holder and a large rectangular holding space with a hole at the bottom for a charging wire.
The designer posted two sizes for this item: one with a 250-mm length and one with a 200-mm length. The maker also pointed out that you can mirror the same model digitally and print it again to make another organizer for the other (passenger side) seat.
The creator of this design suggests printing this organizer in a material that has a high glass transition temperature to withstand the heat inside the car, especially on summer days. They also stated that they printed the model with a 0.2-mm layer height and a 15% infill density.
- Who designed it? Mocodroid
- How printable/popular is it? This seat gap organizer design has over 950 downloads and around 7,600 views. Five makes have been posted.
- Where to find it? Printables
Cup Holder Organizer
Wouldn’t it be great if you could quickly find that pen, coin, or card that you know is somewhere in your car? With this handy cup holder organizer, you can have everything at your fingertips so that next time you have to pay a toll, for example, you’ll be able to easily grab a few coins and get through without holding up the line.
While the original model is designed to fit Euro coins, there’s a remix that’s designed for US coins. The model is a straightforward print, and if you print it with the base down, you won’t need any supports.
- Who designed it? sptzdmnc
- How printable/popular is it? This model may only have 1 make and 1 remix, but it’s been downloaded over 2,000 times.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Cup Holder Trash Container
It’s always nice to have a designated place for a bit of trash in the car. This cute little container has a sliding top and fits nicely in your cup holder.
To ensure the best fit, feel free to edit the provided STL files. If you like the model, you can always scale it up and have a larger one in your home.
- Who designed it? MakeAnything
- How printable/popular is it? This popular model has over 3,400 downloads.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Bag Hanger
Have you ever finished grocery shopping and realized that you don’t want your bags to roll around in the back seat? Well, if you print this handy bag hanger, you won’t have to worry about the contents of your bags getting squished.
Before you print this, you’ll need to measure the headrest seat posts to see which bracket and spacer you’ll want to download (there are two options). The print itself is simple, and there are detailed instructions for assembly on the model page.
Sun Visor Clip
It must be summer somewhere in the world! When you want to keep an extra pair of shades in the car, this is the perfect solution. It also has room for a pen, something that’s always useful to have at hand.
With this model’s curved shape, you’ll likely want some supports.
- Who designed it? dezShop
- How printable/popular is it? While only a recorded make and a remix have been posted, the model has been downloaded over 5,900 times.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Deco
Add some flair to your ride with these prints and make your car really yours!
Alien
You’ve probably seen the popular “Fear This” bumper sticker in a car’s rear window, or a baseball falsely encrusted in the glass. But how often do you see an alien waving at you? This tiny friend (well, you can always scale the print) will make the waiting time in the McDonald’s drive-thru line more pleasant for the people behind you.
Some assembly is required, and the designer notes it’s an easy print, and nothing from the other world (blink blink). They used double-sided tape to mount it to their car window. One maker placed it from the inner side of the car window, and we wonder if it could appear/disappear from sight using a servo motor or a similar mechanism.
- Who designed it? Dewohio
- How printable/popular is it? With more than 3,000 downloads, along with 7 makes, 1 remix, and 890 likes, we can say this design is UFO-mazing.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Vader Hitch Tow Ball Cover
This is a fantastic pop culture decoration that adds a touch of personality to the exterior of your vehicle. Designed to resemble the iconic character from the Star Wars franchise, this tow ball cover is sure to turn heads and make a statement.
Depending on the capabilities of your 3D printing machine, supports may be necessary to ensure the proper formation of overhangs during the printing process. A layer height of 0.2 mm is ideal for capturing Vader’s intricate details.
Skidward
Traffic cones help prevent traffic accidents by catching people’s attention when a car is on the side of the road. Well, with Skidward, we think it might cause more accidents than it will prevent. But what about using it for bicycle riding learning lessons or for teenagers learning to drive in an empty parking lot? It can also be used to mark an RC track.
Yes, you can print it with PLA, but let’s be realistic, TPU would be a better option to resemble a real traffic cone. At least, that’s what the designer suggests. Just keep in mind that, while this model is designed to be printed support-free using PLA, printing it with TPU will require supports. If you want to achieve a better detail level, the designer suggests printing the eyes and the eye inserts at a 0.1-mm layer height.
- Who designed it? TheRadScientist
- How printable/popular is it? We can tell that people have found this model worthwhile by looking at the more than 3,000 downloads, 7 makes, and 2 remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Cigarette Lighter Buttons
Want to keep that cigarette smell out of your car? Then, these cigarette lighter buttons may be a good fit. They will nicely cover those holes in your console and give them an eye-catching look. If you’re not entirely happy with this design, you can also check out one of the remixes.
To achieve the dual-color look, you can change the filament mid-print. The designer suggests printing the letter side down and that supports are not needed.
- Who designed it? linton92
- How printable/popular is it? These popular buttons have 4 shared makes, 2 remixes, over 1,000 likes, and more than 3,000 downloads so far.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Front Fangs
Looking for a way to improve the look of your car? These fangs, originally meant for Halloween, are a great option and are meant to be attached near the front grill of your car! There are three different versions of teeth available on the project page, offering some choices in size and shape.
Although the designer of this model provided no printing advice, one recorded maker posted a great print and listed a few of the settings they used. These include three walls, a 10% infill density, and a 0.2-mm layer height, with no supports activated. The maker also mentioned that they used zip ties to secure the fangs to their car.
- Who designed it? G3ML1NGZ
- How printable/popular is it? This set of front fangs has 28 recorded makes and around 2,700 downloads!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Communication & Entertainment
Smartphones and tablets seem to be ubiquitous nowadays. From navigational purposes to business calls, we’ll help you stay safe and follow the law with these accessories.
Basic Phone Holder
We’ll start with a simple, no-frills standard-sized smartphone holder. It attaches to the windshield with a suction cup, and the designer gives you detailed instructions on the model page.
There are two size options when you’re choosing the files: one for smartphones with a width under 75 mm and another for widths from 75 to 83 mm. However, you can still easily edit the files to fit your smartphone.
The designer recommends printing the model with 50% infill to ensure sufficient rigidity of the final product.
Steering Column Phone Mount
This design is a practical accessory for conveniently mounting your phone on your car’s steering column, and it offers a simple yet effective solution for keeping your phone easily visible while driving. The mount utilizes a velcro strap that wraps around the steering column, providing a stable and secure attachment point that’s compatible with various steering column sizes.
With a width of 10.25 mm, the phone mount accommodates most smartphone models, offering a snug fit and preventing unwanted movement while on the road. The model is just one part that should be mirrored to obtain the other half of the mount.
- Who designed it? walter
- How printable/popular is it? This model has seven makes and two remixes, one of which was made to accommodate larger iPhones and bulky cases.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Rearview Mirror Phone Holder
This creative and versatile accessory was designed with the innovative Polypanel system. The concept consists of snap-together parts, offering endless possibilities for customization. Its intuitive assembly process enables you to construct a phone holder tailored to your preferences and needs.
One notable feature of this holder is its convenient car mirror hanging hooks, making it ideal for navigation purposes. By securely attaching it to your car mirror, you can easily view your GPS app while keeping your eyes on the road.
It was originally designed for the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, but you can personalize it to accommodate different phone sizes with FreeCAD following the designer’s recommendations.
- Who designed it? 3DParts4U
- How printable/popular is it? This model has been downloaded nearly 240 times.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Tablet Holder
If you have someone in the back seat who wants to watch something, this is a great model to secure a tablet. The size is considered “universal”, and the designer confirmed he’s mounted a 12-inch tablet and an iPad with this bracket.
Note that to mount this holder, you’ll need two M6x40 screws, two M8x250 threaded rods, two M6 nuts, and four M8 nuts.
- Who designed it? nikonilex
- How printable/popular is it? This model has two makes and over 4,000 downloads.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Print-in-Place Phone Holder
If you like things a bit fancier, this print-in-place holder comes with a movable auto-gripper that’s fun to make and use.
For best results, the designer recommends 15-30% infill and with Z seam alignment set at random.
Thirst Quenchers
Driving can be a pretty thirsty job. We’re here to help you secure your refreshing beverages with ease.
Large Cup Holder Adapter
This next design is a must-have accessory for those who need to adapt their car’s cup holders to accommodate larger bottles like Yeti tumblers or Nalgene jugs. Designed specifically for 3.2-inch car cup holders, this adapter offers a practical and convenient solution for a wide range of vehicles.
Considering the potential exposure to high temperatures inside a car, especially when parked in the sun, it is recommended to use a filament with higher heat tolerance than PLA for printing this adapter, like ABS.
- Who designed it? roblpetty
- How printable/popular is it? This model has 12 makes, and it’s been downloaded around 1,200 times so far.
- Where to find it? Printables
Slim Cup Holder Adapter
Here’s a fantastic accessory that solves the problem of fitting slim cans (250 ml/12 oz) into standard cup holders. The flexible design of the adapter ensures a snug fit in a wide range of vehicles, accommodating various cup holder sizes and shapes. This flexibility allows you to enjoy your favorite slim cans without worrying about them toppling over or rattling during your drive.
When printing the adapter, it’s suggested to use 0% infill with one perimeter and set the gap speed to zero. This configuration helps achieve the desired flexibility and structural integrity for the adapter.
- Who designed it? ChoiceCityMoto
- How printable/popular is it? This model has 11 makes and has been downloaded over 300 times.
- Where to find it? Printables
Headrest Cup Holder
For those in the back seat, this secure two-cup holder should hold all the beverages you’ll need for the ride.
The designer recommends 20% infill for all parts except the clamp, which should be 60-70%. You’ll also need supports.
- Who designed it? MarcinWojcik
- How printable/popular is it? This model has 2 makes and has been downloaded over 2,200 times.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Maintenance & Upgrades
Believe it or not, 3D printing can help with car maintenance and upgrades. Read on for some simple and cost-effective ways to improve your time in the car.
Wheel Chock
Have you ever left your manual car on an uneven surface without the handbrake or in gear? Well, this situation can turn really bad, really fast. You may want to make sure the car won’t move, especially if you’re underneath and doing some maintenance on your car. A practical solution is provided by Allpa with this wheel chock design. Many comments mention it works well.
One thing to keep in mind is that this model has been designed to fit tires between 15 and 19 inches in diameter. However, you can contact the designer if you need different sizes. Printing recommendations include using 4 or 5 walls, 10% to 15% infill, a strong filament like ASA, a layer height of 0.2 mm, and no supports are needed.
- Who designed it? Allpa
- How printable/popular is it? Many users have expressed their happiness with the results, which makes sense considering the model’s over 2,330 downloads, 12 makes, and even one remix.
- Where to find it? Printables
Tire Valve Cap
Tired of people stealing your tire valve caps? Well, that may keep happening, but at least now you can print a bunch of them instead of having to go to your closest auto parts store or order them at Amazon. Furthermore, if you want to upgrade your standard black caps, you can print them in a variety of fun colors. To take it to the next level, go ahead and remix it, like this designer.
Designed to fit standard Schrader valves, you will find this model highly compatible with many cars and other vehicle tires. Since it’s quite small, adding a 10-mm brim to improve build plate adhesion and printing stability sounds like clever advice from the designer. Want to achieve a good detail level? The designer suggests using a 0.1-mm layer height instead of the standard 0.2 mm.
- Who designed it? pastaoceanfrog
- How printable/popular is it? There are 42 shared makes of this model, along with 5 remixes and around 2,000 downloads.
- Where to find it? Printables
Steering Wheel Knob
Steering wheels have never been designed for one hand. Whether you’ve been taught to drive at “10 and 2” or “8 and 4”, it’s always convenient to steer with two hands.
However, Thingiverse user Fulspeed designed a rotating knob that can be mounted to a car steering wheel, making it easier to maneuver. With only a few nuts and bolts, you can mount it to your steering wheel and start driving with increased capacity for turning.
To make sure that the knob doesn’t deform on a hot day, Fulspeed recommends that the device be printed out of ABS or another high-temperature printing material.
- Who designed it? Fulspeed
- How printable/popular is it? There’s a make of this model as well as four remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Pizza Seat Belt Clip
Pizza is convenient. Unfortunately, driving it home from the restaurant isn’t. Without the help of a child or a friend to restrain the food, sharp turns, and fast braking run a serious risk of ruining dinner plans.
Cults user DraftingJake has a solution for pizza deliverers and party hosts alike: a seatbelt clip that clips onto pizza boxes, keeping them from flying around during a drive. Print two (or several) to keep pizza boxes safely at rest, then have a stress-free drive to the place where the meal will take place.
The designer recommends that each pizza box be secured with two of these clips, so make sure to print at least two (in the downloaded orientation for best printing results) for each box of pizza you want to be able to take home.
- Who designed it? DraftingJake
- How printable/popular is it? This model has over 4,400 views and over 50 downloads.
- Where to find it? Cults
Vent Clip
Mounting things in the interior of your car can be a struggle due to the lack of attachable objects present. This vent clip has two prongs that you can attach to an interior car fan, and the design also features a “quad lock” that you can use to mount accessories, like a phone stand.
To achieve decent precision, the designer recommends using a layer height of 0.2 mm or smaller. They also list that they printed the clip with an infill density between 20-30%, and they didn’t need a raft or supports.
- Who designed it? ryan_slam
- How printable/popular is it? This printable vent clip has 6 recorded makes, 5 remixes, and over 10,300 downloads.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Funnel for Washer Fluid
We all know that the hole to replenish windshield washer fluid is quite small. You’ll be happy you printed this handy funnel that almost guarantees no spills.
When printing, it’s recommended to set your infill to at least 15% and include supports.
- Who designed it? tomaskutta
- How printable/popular is it? It’s a surprise that no one has recorded their make yet, but the design’s been downloaded about 10,070 times.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Gas Cap Tether
If your car’s stock gas cap tether, which keeps the gas cap tied to the car, is missing or you never had one to begin with, this model is a great replacement. According to the designer, this item is meant for an Audi A6 but should work for other car models, too.
The designer used a flexible filament, specifically NinjaFlex TPU, to print this gas cap tether, which makes sense because it’ll need to be able to bend to allow the cap to unscrew. Printing settings used include a 100% infill density, a 0.2-mm layer height, and no supports.
- Who designed it? Evan_VW
- How printable/popular is it? This gas cap tether model has over 1,300 downloads.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Seat Belt Retainer
Have you ever closed your door with the seat belt caught outside? Say goodbye to that ever happening again with this handy seat belt retainer.
Note that this clip merely guides the seat belt, so ensure that you’re using the seat belt as intended. No supports are required for this print, and you can choose your infill level depending on your preferred rigidity.
- Who designed it? Maxik
- How printable/popular is it? This model has over 240 downloads.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Bag Restraint
It’s a very particular feeling when you’re carrying something in the back and you hear a series of tumbles and crashes after taking a curve. Not a very good situation to be in.
So, buckle up your bags. This mechanism is another belt buckle design, but it’s shaped to use seatbelt webbing to match the style of the car. Additionally, it has another hook ending that you can use to fasten your bag or any other item.
- Who designed it? Muzz64
- How printable/popular is it? This model has one community print. You’ll need some seatbelt webbing to complete the model.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Ice Scraper
When winter comes and snow is building up on your windshield, clear it off easily with this scraper. You’ll be happy to have the handle for a better grip.
It’s recommended to print this scraper with a high infill percentage to ensure strength against the frost.
- Who designed it? Beatrice1975
- How printable/popular is it? This scraper has 4 makes and over 3,000 downloads.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Side Mirror Squeegee
Are your side-view mirrors fogging up and affecting your view of the vehicles behind you? Get rid of it today with this adorable and useful mini squeegee. It uses old wiper blades for the rubber portion.
For this design, 20% infill and supports are required. The designer printed it in PLA and used three shells for added strength.
- Who designed it? RaphCayou
- How printable/popular is it? It’s been downloaded over 1,000 times and has 3 remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Small Passengers
Sometimes, kids or pets are the reason we’re in the car. Check out these fun and useful prints to keep the little ones safe and entertained, as well as your car smelling great.
Adjustable Pet Barrier
An overexcited pet in the trunk trying to jump to the front can lead to accidents. This fence is a good way to keep both pets and humans safe. The barrier attaches to the car by the pressure of the rods, so you don’t have to make any permanent changes to the car, and it can be removed at any time.
Additionally, to make it adjustable for your own car, you simply have to change the size of the tubes. So, no matter the size of your car, you can make this model work for you.
- Who designed it? LoSte88
- How printable/popular is it? This design has over 200 downloads, but no makes have been shared yet. You could be the first to try! Some additional components will be needed, such as screws and PVC tubes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Pet Seatbelt Connector
In contrast to the pet barrier, if your pet wants to travel on the seat, this model can also help you make the ride safer. Being able to buckle your pet prevents them from falling at curves or from jumping to the front unsupervised. Tongues can still safely flap in the wind, thanks to this seatbelt connector for pets.
The mechanism is really simple. It’s a seat belt buckle with a space to tie your pet’s leash, and it can connect to your car’s seatbelt mechanism. It should generally work on any seatbelt, as the mechanism is standardized, but you can scale up or down if necessary.
- Who designed it? neotherack
- How printable/popular is it? This model has 1 make and the design has been downloaded over 1,100 times.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Tissue Holder
If someone’s drinking or eating in the car, there’s likely to be a spill at some point. In anticipation of that moment, you’ll be happy to have this holder with towels ready for a cleanup.
This model holds rolls up to 20 cm in length, and printing with supports is recommended.
- Who designed it? damien_marie
- How printable/popular is it? This model has been downloaded over 90 times and has been viewed over 5,500 times.
- Where to find it? Cults
Diaper Bag Buddy
There are going to be times when you’re going to need to pull over for an emergency diaper change. Thankfully, with this secure way of disposing of diapers in the car, you’ll keep everyone from smelling your baby’s dirty business.
This model has two parts: storage for the diaper bags on top and a section for baby powder at the bottom! The designer recommends that the cap be printed in flexible filament.
- Who designed it? HughCowart
- How printable/popular is it? This model has around 80 downloads and over 3,500 views.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Dr. Brain Breaker Puzzle
As former kids, we all know that long car rides can be a source of almost infinite boredom. Staring out the window slowly devolves into arguing with siblings and the classic “Are we there yet?” nagging. Fortunately, 3D printing can come to the rescue, providing stimulating backseat entertainment with Dr. Brain Breaker.
This 3D puzzle with Tetris-like pieces can be stored as an inconspicuous low-poly skull, with a cranium that opens to reveal a tough 3D puzzle. It can easily occupy an hour or two of time for both a little person in the backseat or the Uber passenger riding to the other side of town. Print the skull and puzzle pieces in separate colors for the pop you see in the picture above.
Alternatively, you can always look for travel-ready board games.
- Who designed it? Thomas B
- How printable/popular is it? This 3D puzzle has over 30,300 downloads.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Customizable Baby on Board Sign
Speeding cars are always dangerous, and it’s even scarier when you have a baby on board. This sign is great to stick in your window as a warning for impatient drivers to slow down and relax. The design can be customized with a logo of your choice.
This straightforward design should be easy to print because it’s pretty flat, and switching filaments mid-print could be a good way to achieve the dual-color effect.
- Who designed it? Alx333
- How printable/popular is it? We’re surprised that there’s only 1 make of this awesome customizable sign, but it’s been downloaded over 300 times.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
License: The text of "The 35 Best 3D Printed Car Accessories in 2024" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.