When you invest in a high-quality, luxury vehicle, you want to make it your own. You might pick out the perfect paint color or opt for the sunroof package, for example. Some drivers take things even further with aftermarket modifications. Installing custom rims, in-dash media players and more are all great ways to take your investment to the next level of comfort and coolness.
But just because aftermarket upgrades are possible doesn’t always mean they’re a smart investment. In fact, there are many vehicle mods that tread the line between what’s street-legal and what’s not. Others just aren’t practical for the cost. Still others can even void the warranty on your vehicle!
Before you make any upgrades or modifications to your vehicle, make sure you’re paying close attention to the ramifications of what you’re working on. Here are a few vehicle mods you can and should stay away from, and why they’re best left avoided:
- High-grade tinting: Pay close attention to your state’s tint laws before you black out your vehicle’s windows. The last thing you want is two bills from a foreign auto repair shop in Conway, AR: one to install the tint and one to remove it after you start getting ticketed!
- Underbody lighting: Non-standard lighting is cool to have, but if you do choose to install it, don’t plan on using it on the road. Under-car lighting will get you a ticket faster than you can apologize! Think about the cost of installation versus the cost of tickets before opting for this neat but impractical upgrade.
- Stray-piping: Many drivers love the unimpeded roar of their cars when the muffler is expanded or removed. Before you put a “fat can” muffler on your ride or remove the muffler altogether (called stray-piping), remember that law enforcement can and will ticket you for a noise violation. They could even issue a fix-it ticket, negating the cost of installing these mods to begin with.
- Lift and lower: Lifting and lowering your suspension may not warrant you a ticket, but it will make driving your car a nightmare. Trying to navigate even the lowest curbs with a lowered car can result in scraped bumpers, lost heat shields and myriad other problems that put your car at unnecessary risk. Raised vehicles require all sorts of extra suspension and can succumb to wear and tear just as fast thanks to more vibration.
Of all the great upgrades and modifications you can make to your vehicle, the above shouldn’t be your first choices. Not only are many of them violations that will warrant ticketing, they could also be doing more harm than good to your vehicle. Unless you enjoy spending unnecessary time and money at a foreign auto repair shop in Conway, AR, it’s best to avoid them. Instead, opt for practical modifications, like a better intercooling system, upgraded spark plugs, performance brakes or anything else you can reap the benefit of as a daily driver. For more information, talk to the experts at Riverdale Automotive!