What you need to know about auto upgrades
Not every car owner has the car of their dreams.
Many have had to settle for lesser models, and some have had to buy lemons in order to fit a budget that is conducive to our economy. But for you car owners, who want to optimize your vehicles, and get more for your money, there are options available to improve your car that won’t empty your pockets.
First, before you upgrade, or optimize vehicle performance, it is always best to review the owner’s manual to check the limitations of your vehicle and then see what auto-parts brand that the car manufacturer recommends. This will insure that whatever after-market parts that you choose to install are not only compatible, but won’t over exert your engine’s power.
Now that you are ready to begin upgrading your car, it is an old rule of thumb that the most important part of your car is the suspension/tire system. Why? Because these are the parts of your car that engage with the road, and, they therefore define the experience of the driver. Even the most powerful, sophisticated engine will become irrelevant with wobbly or flat tires, or a destabilized alignment.
Sports tires are for sports cars. Be sure that you buy tires that are in conjunction with your cars performance guidelines. And be sure that you keep the tires in season, as winter tires will add unnecessary weight to your vehicle in the summer. Have regular scheduled maintenance done throughout your suspension system to avoid costly overhauls. But regularly changing breaking fluid and engine oil is the best start.
Yes, there are affordable suspension upgrades that range from $65-$135 and can be found at most national chains. You can ask a mechanic to modify the factory settings. An upgrade in minor suspension parts costs less than $100. The most basic are shocks, struts, and lighter wheels. Wheels can be bought used and most used-parts warehouses and junkyards will insure their products and services.
Sparkplugs, fuses and air filter: All three of these car parts can be bought for less than $15 and most can be installed without the help of a certified mechanic. Sparkplugs will boost engine performance as will an air filter; both will allow your car to run with a higher transmission of energy within the (motor) system. A new air filter will also extend your car’s maintenance cycles and overall lifespan of the vehicle.
Fuses insure that all systems are functioning. Temperature regulators and other cogs in the engine are often regulated with fuses that are found inside the dashboard, glove box, or on the driver side of the vehicle. Fuses that aren’t working or are misplaced can compromise the integrity of the car’s performance.
Finally, the last thing you will want to do is buy a new car brain. Car brains are basically software chips that regulate the cars performance. Car brains start at $5 and expensive ones can be bought for $25. This simple installment can not only increase torque, improve gas mileage, and modify gear ratios, it can also add value to a veritable jalopy.
Car brains are a simple and easy way to overcome the technical drawbacks that every vehicle has. It can also improve your engine performance: you can purchase car brains that save gas mileage; others increase torque; some do a range of modifications to your vehicle specs to boost the overall ride of the car.
Be careful! Some upgrades nullify warranties and others change performance aspects of your vehicle that you may have enjoyed. Often times with brains, you will need to take your car to a local dealership in order to make sure that the new car brain hasn’t shut off any engine mechanisms that may regulate other functions in the car.
—Javier Johnson
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