Buying a vehicle whether used or new is always fun but what is even more exciting is customizing the car or truck to your particular taste. Car customization has always been big business but these days it is even bigger with hundreds of manufacturers offering all kinds of different things you can add to your car.
Depending on what you want and your budget, there are many different customizations you could do. Here are some of the most popular and most useful things you can add to your vehicle.
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Tires
Tires are the only contact point between the vehicle and the road. Making sure you have good tires will play a huge role in the economy, traction, speed, and safety of your vehicle. Considering how expensive fuel is these days, everyone is interested in getting a few extra miles out of each gallon. Good tires also play a big role in how your car stops in emergency situations. If your tires are starting to look worn out, it would be a good idea to upgrade them. When upgrading, get a tire that is designed specifically for what you want and where you want to drive.
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Lights
If you do a lot of night-time driving then having good lights is vital. Also, installing things like fog lights and extra rear lights can be helpful in extreme weather. A lot of cars come with simple halogen bulbs, which you can upgrade to LEDs and get a lot more light and much better visibility. This is important not only for your visibility but also helps with the safety of other cars on the road.
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Interior
There are so many things you can customize in the cabin of the vehicle depending on what you use and need the most. If you live in a hot climate then getting a steering wheel cover will be helpful. Similarly, to help with the heat, installing car mats will help keep the floor clean and will also help keep your AC running nicely since the suction for the AC is near the foot compartment. You could also put in an armrest if you don’t have one, and even some cupholders if you don’t have those either. For the interior, you can also invest in some sound insulation on the floor, doors, and roof to give you a comfortable ride.
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Audio
For people who spend a lot of time on the road having good audio is important. Whether you want to listen to an audiobook and learn while you drive or to your favorite songs and be able to feel each individual instrument, a decent audio system is a must. You can start off by upgrading the head unit and also the door speakers. If you want to go for a bigger audio upgrade then consider installing an amplifier and some component speakers, a subwoofer, and possibly some tweeters. There are many different qualities of speakers in this category, you’re bound to find the ones that will have you bopping happily to the music!
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Electrical
If you drive a non-hybrid vehicle then you could benefit from improving the electrical system. This can include upgrading the battery and getting a better alternator, which will give you a better voltage to all the components in the vehicle, such as the fuel pump, AC compressor, lights, audio, and anything else that requires electricity. Upgrading the electrical systems is especially good for vehicles that operate in extreme weather. It will add some weight to the vehicle but the difference will be negligible.
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Protection
In terms of vehicle protection, there are a couple of things you can do. The first is to get a security system installed which will make it a bit harder for criminals to break in. The other thing to do is get some paint protection in the form of a ceramic coating. This will not only make your car shinier and easier to wash but it will protect the original coat of paint. You can also get a similar coating for the windows and windshield on the car.
Things such as upgrading the suspension or throwing on a turbocharger are also doable but they require a bit more paperwork because you usually need to be certified legally to do these things on your car. The other issue is that these are rather technical upgrades and you might need to add on a lot of other things to make them work.
However, if you are willing to put in the time and the money to make them happen, it is possible. When upgrading your vehicle make sure you aren’t making any major changes if you want to keep things simple. If you do want to make drastic changes make sure you get it done by a reputable professional.