The average length of car ownership is on the rise, pushing seven years of driving. That means more people are squeezing more miles out of their cars. This is probably a reflection of reduced purchasing power than anything.
Regardless, the interest to get more out of their four wheels has increased a lot over the years. Some of us want more power, while others are looking to increase gas mileage. There are a number of car upgrades that you should prioritize before purchasing a fancy spoiler or chrome exhaust pipe.
If you want the best bang for your buck, consider getting these eight performance upgrades on your car.
1. A New Set of Wheels
While this isn’t the cheapest car upgrade on our list, it’s one of the most vital. Your wheels directly impact your car’s handling, gas mileage, and comfort. You’ll feel it right away after getting a new tire change.
Everything is smoother, quieter, and driving becomes less of a chore. When you do purchase a new set of tires, make sure to get them rotated every 6,000 miles.
Depending on where you live, you may want to consider investing in some all-season tires. These tires may not get the highest rating in quietness, but they will last you a long time and retain grip in rain, snow, or ice.
2. Car Alignment
We can’t stress how important it is to get your tires aligned. Poor alignment can lower fuel efficiency by as much as 10%. That could mean hundreds of dollars in wasted gas each year.
Tires that are out of alignment wear unevenly, which means more vibrations and uneven tread wear. This upgrade is free at a lot of auto shops, so take advantage of it often.
3. Air Filter Replacement
Another gas mileage hog, a dirty air filter can also reduce gas mileage by 10%. The air filter also sucks out the performance from your car, too. Replacement of an air filter can give you a sizeable boost in your car’s speed.
A high-flow air filter can give you an extra 3-5 horsepower and some torque as well. Jumping from a dirty, clogged low-flow filter to a brand new high-flow can make a dramatic difference in power. It’s not the most glamorous road to becoming a Fast and Furious car, but it works.
4. A Fresh Battery
Battery health will be noted on the dashboard’s color-coded maintenance system. It will tell you when it’s time to change your battery based on a green-to-yellow indicator. Yellow means it’s time to replace, while red or no color is basically saying you should have changed it yesterday.
The average car battery should last three to five years. By your third year, you need to be watching for signs of a failing battery. When you crank the car, do your lights dim? Does your car chug occasionally while idle?
The longest-lasting gel-based batteries can push six years and have a very low failure rate. Cheap batteries only run $80, but you should get a premium battery if you experience wild temperature swings.
5. New Brake Pads
Anyone driving a truck, van, or SUV should be keeping close tabs on their brake pads. This is especially true if you do a lot of driving on the highway. The general rule of thumb is to get them replaced every 40k for city-dwellers and 80k miles for highway drivers.
When it comes to ceramic brakes vs semi-metallic pads, each offers their own benefits. Ceramic pads are more expensive, but they do provide quieter braking. They also generate less dust, keeping your wheels cleaner.
Semi-metallic pads are cheaper and they operate better in colder temps. They don’t last as long as ceramic pads, so they will cost more over time. Whichever pad you decide to get, try to see if you can find someone to install them.
Dealerships and mechanics will charge a ton for brake pad replacement.
6. Upgrade Your Brake Lines
Brake pads won’t save you if your brake lines are all worn out. In fact, if you’re looking for better braking, you should upgrade them. Stainless steel brake lines have superior braking and durability than factory defaults.
This is a car upgrade that you have to experience for yourself. Braking becomes more responsive and requires less effort to push.
7. Quality Windshield Wipers
A great pair of windshield wipers will make you feel like you used to drive around in a dirty car before the upgrade. Wiper blades deteriorate over time, creating little cracks where the water starts to streak. The effect is subtle at first, but visibility is lowered.
Even if you never get snow, consider upgrading to some winter blades for superior durability. You should get twice as much mileage out of winter blades compared to standard blades.
8. Update the ECM
What’s an ECM you might ask? ECM stands for the electronic computing machine, which is what controls the engine’s RPMs. This is the brains of your car, and it can have a big impact on gas mileage.
If your car does a lot of idling, you might want to update the ECM to lower the RPM below the default setting. For truck drivers, a Cummings ECM upgrade can save hundreds in gas every year. Tunings can be made to match your driving style, application, and performance upgrades based on a number of engines.
More Car Upgrades
After you take care of all these car upgrades, reward yourself with a full car detailing. Keeping your car clean (we don’t mean just vacuuming) is hard to do on your own. A good detail once a year will keep dirt and odors from sneaking up on you.
If you’re looking for more car-related guides and tips like these, check out the Man-Stuff Archives at IzzyWeb. They have everything from relationship advice, buying guides, fatherhood advice, to grooming tips. Everything you need is right there, just bookmark the page so you don’t forget.
