Your car’s suspension is one of its most important parts. It’s what keeps your car stable , safe, and in control of the road. That said, your suspension isn’t the only thing you should think about when looking to improve your car’s stability .
There are several modifications you can make to your car’s chassis, body , and wheel/tire setup that will help you improve traction and stability. Here are five of the most effective and easiest .
1 . Tire Tread Depth and Width
This is one of the easiest car modification options, but it’s also one of the best ways to improve traction. As tires wear down, their tread depth dwindles. A tire should never completely wear down, as this can lead to instability . If a tire has tread depth less than 2/32″, it needs to be replaced. Likewise , a tire with a tread width of less than 3/32″ also needs to be replaced.
The best way is to have your tires inspected and replaced at your regular service intervals. You can also check your own tires at home. Before getting behind the wheel , take a quarter and insert it into the grooves of your tire. If you can see Washington’s head on the quarter, you need new tires .
2 . Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignments are another effective car modification for improving traction and stability. They keep your wheels aligned properly, which improves handling and increases your vehicle’s contact with the road . If your wheels are not properly aligned, your car will experience excessive oversteer or understeer , which could lead to instability.
Wheel alignments can be very costly, which is why you should always have them inspected and maintained regularly . At minimum , you need to get them checked after major collisions or repairs.
3 . Tire Pressure and Profile
Tire pressure is also a very important car modification for traction and stability. Underinflated tires cause the car to bounce around more and can impact the vehicle’s center of gravity. When a tire is underinflated , it tends to roll in corners without gripping the road properly .
To make sure you’re getting the right tire pressure , install a tire gauge in your vehicle. If your vehicle has a rack and/or pinion system, the tire pressure sensor is a component that measures how much air is in the tire. However, this sensor might not always be accurate. Instead, use a reliable tire pressure gauge . The best ones are those made with aluminum.
4 . Suspension Assistance
Your car’s suspension assists with traction and stability by controlling how much your car bounces up and down . Whether you have struts , shocks, springs, or absorbers, your suspension is what keeps your vehicle stable.
Some suspensions help more than others . For example , coilovers are more expensive than struts and shock absorbers but offer better handling and cornering ability. On the other hand, air suspension systems are more expensive than struts but offer better ride quality.
5 . Braking System Maintenance
If your brakes aren’t working properly, then your car won’t be safe to drive. As brake pads wear down , they lose their ability to slow the car down effectively . If your brakes are squeaking loudly, they need to be replaced immediately.
To make sure you’re getting the most out of your brake system , look at the brake fluid levels and make sure they’re low . If they’re low, it’s time to replace the fluid entirely.
While these car modifications for improving traction and stability are effective, they don’t always work for everyone. Some cars just handle better than others . However , there are always ways to improve your car’s handling and stability.
