Getting a car and your driving license should not be the end of the road when it comes to learning how to drive and how to drive better.
Many people think that as soon as they are permitted to drive, there is nothing more to learn – but every time you get in your vehicle you have the opportunity to learn something new, whether it is a new route, understanding how different vehicles work and need to use the road, or even just practice in dealing with other road users and their quirks.
If you want to improve your driving, some of the things you can do include making every day about learning and adding some simple adjustments and modifications to your car to improve handling and safety.
Simple Modifications
When most people think about modifying a car, they immediately think about Fast and Furious-style changes. We aren’t talking sleek body kits, wings, and NOS here, however. Some modifications might be preferred by piston heads because they add speed or power or looks, but the changes that you should be considering are made for better handling, more efficient performance, and better braking – as well as improving the general experience.
New Tires
If you’ve bought your car straight of the production line (or even second- or third hand), the likelihood is that it will have just the stock options for the tires.
Tires are one of the best ways you can improve performance, efficiency, and safety without too much effort – although prices can get steep if you want the very best but not always especially if you are looking into Tiregent wheels, you will need four of them after all.
The best tires are ones designed for the weather, sized for your vehicle, and inflated properly. You’ll notice better fuel economy, better grip, and a more comfortable ride.
High-Performance Brakes
The next thing to consider is your brakes. Again, stock cars have basic braking systems, which are fine in their own way, safe enough to pass the rigorous safety testing – but you should always aim for more.
To improve stopping power, reduce brake fade, and give you more confidence in your handling, think about changing up your pads, rotors and calipers for a system built for performance.
Upgraded Suspension
Whether you are a racer or not, too much body roll is not only uncomfortable it can also be dangerous – so you want to upgrade your suspension to allow for more responsive and agile handling, giving that sense of luxury to the vehicle. You can add coilovers, performance springs, or even adjustable sway bars – all with the aim of achieving a more planted feel, especially when cornering.
Performance Exhaust
This is probably the only point on this list of modifications that would be used for both style and performance – but the right exhaust can improve the way your car responds and how it drives. Obviously, a performance exhaust will sound pretty sweet, but it can also increase horsepower, encourage optimal exhaust flow, and reduce backpressure too.
ECU
The Engine Control Unit (ECU) is the epicenter of all the controls and peripherals – and with a laptop, a connection, and a little bit of knowledge you can map your ECU to prioritize the modifications that you want to have right there in the cockpit as it were.
Controls here range from air-to-fuel ratios through to ignition timing, and if you cannot learn it yourself, there are plenty of performance engineers who would love to have a shot.
New Stereo
Okay, so this one might not be about performance – but it will help your enjoyment of the drive. If not already installed, you can upgrade your car stereo at a car shop, adding a touchscreen display that connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth. Now, you can listen to your favorite tunes, talk handsfree to your family, and make use of the Sat Nav – all without touching your phone.
Simple changes, like the ones above, can make all the difference to your driving experience.