Modifications to Avoid
A Camry with a huge rear wing. An exhaust louder than a child’s scream. A car so low it scrapes leaves. What on earth were they thinking? Everyone has a different idea of ​​what constitutes a tasteful car modification.
Avoid modifications that change the factory suspension geometry unless the product has been thoroughly tested and specific known problems with the factory settings have been resolved. If the suspension geometry is changed, the vehicle may handle more poorly and cause an accident. Beware of excessive negative camber on public roads.
Avoid modifications that endanger the safety of your vehicle, violate local laws, or damage your engine or the environment. Don’t roll coal and be a nuisance to those around you. Will modifications void my warranty?Some engine modifications may result in a warranty claim being denied. In this case, the dealer or manufacturer may need to prove that the modifications caused the error.
However, warranties are not an “all or nothing” deal. Even if you choose to modify your engine, these changes will not affect your warranty against recalled defective airbags or headlight assemblies. Cosmetic modifications and cat-back exhausts are usually safe. Every dealer is different, and some are not comfortable working on a car that has aftermarket parts installed.
If your vehicle is still under warranty, you may have to wait to have any performance modifications installed. This includes aftermarket tweaks that change the ECU programming to alter engine performance.
Do I need to inform my insurance company of the modifications I have made? The modifications you must specify will vary with each individual insurance company. Read your insurance policy and note any benefit modification clauses.
Failure to disclose certain modifications may result in the insurance company denying your claim. If you’re not sure which modifications you should disclose, ask your insurance company for more information.
Do modifications increase the value of my car? As a general rule, aftermarket modifications don’t increase the value of a car. In most cases, you’ll make a loss if you modify your car and then sell it later.
This may increase the value of your vehicle, but usually not as much as you invested in the original conversion, and you may not get your labor costs back if you sell it.
