Whether you’re looking to make your car race track ready or simply want a little more “get up and go”, there are a ton of easy and fun ways you can modify your car and more importantly, make your used car faster.
1. Sticking to a Service Schedule
Before you start making mods to your ride, you need to have a handle on car-care 101. Keep a car maintenance schedule, even on certified used cars, and pay extra attention to engine fluids, and tire mechanics like wear and alignment. Not sure where to start? You can find awesome guides to creating a car maintenance schedule over at Toyota Service Houston.
With regular servicing you can have a professional check ignition timing and make any necessary adjustments to fuel and boost pressures.
2. Help Your Car Breathe Easier
Most cars sold today come with restrictive exhaust and inlet systems. They do it mostly to cut down on noise so that you have a quiet ride; but quiet and fast rarely go together.
These systems are a sure-fire way to slow you down. With a full exhaust system that includes a decat pipe and induction kit, you can easily gain 5 to 10 percent extra power, pushing your cars performance to the next level.
3. Explore Different Car Fueling Options
Most cars already come with a reliable fuel economy but if you want to give your car an extra speed capabilities, try boosting it up with nitrous.
Although the cost of installing a nitrous kit can be hefty up-front, gas refills are relatively inexpensive and if you’re looking for some serious speed, most people agree that it’s worth the expense.
4. Lighten the Load
For certified used car owners that really want to take their speed to the next level, stripping your car is a step in the right direction.
Removing all unnecessary weight from your car interior is a great way to increase performance. Try removing extra seats, interior trims, spare tires and any sound deadening materials to lighten your load.
5. Upgrade Your Fan
Your engine powers your car by compressing and then igniting a mix of fuel and air inside the cylinders. When there is more air/fuel present in the cylinders, you get more power.
Investing in a turbo or supercharged conversion can help you achieve maximum power and dramatically make your used car faster.
Mike Calvert Toyota advised that this is one of the more common modifications they see done in their service department.
6. Don’t Forget About the Brakes
All the extra modifications in the world are worthless when certified used cars don’t have a great set of brakes to rely on. Maximum performance isn’t just about tons of power and acceleration.
In fact, good brakes help your car perform better because they allow you to maximize acceleration and let you stay on the gas until the last possible minute.
7. Change Your Tread
Just like your brake system, your tires should be adjusted to fit your speed needs. Lots of extra power is useless if you can’t effectively transfer it to the road. Toyota Dealership Houston made the note that most used cars have really “standard” tread when they’re sold, and that better performance definitely begs for an upgrade.
As you bump up your power, you’ll also need to invest in fat, sticky tires. With all the extra grip you get from amped up tires you’ll see improvement in your car’s acceleration, cornering speeds and a reduction in braking distances.
With a few simple modifications, you can take any number of used cars and make them faster and more efficient on the road. If you are unsure of where to start, be sure to consult a trusted mechanic to help you embark on the journey to owning a faster and higher performing certified used car with confidence.