Just like everyone else, you probably don’t relish the idea of starting your day on a bumpy ride, unless you’re on your way to an off-road getaway. But on a typical Monday work day? Definitely not!
It’s time for a suspension mod, you grudgingly whisper to yourself. But do you really need to invest in expensive aftermarket modifications to improve car ride and handling?
To be honest?
No, you don’t have to spend a fortune to improve car handling! And yes, you heard it right.
There are plenty of cheap ways to improve car handling that doesn’t involve adding anything new to your vehicle. Okay, I’ll go slow: There are things you can do that don’t require buying something new to improve car ride and handling. Get it?
But of course, there are also plenty of cheap car mods that you can invest in to take your car handling to the next level!
In this article, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about improving your car’s ride and handling.
First, we’ll explore the factors that contribute to poor handling while driving. Then, we’ll look at affordable ways for you to improve your car’s handling immediately. Finally, we’ll explore a few of the best mods for handling that you can invest in for your vehicle.
What Factors Contribute to Poor Handling in Cars?
Several factors contribute to poor handling in cars. By addressing any of them, you'll be able to improve car handling noticeably. Here are some of those factors.
Suspension System
Your car's suspension system connects the wheels to the vehicle's body. Its primary purpose is to absorb vibrations and shocks coming from the ground as the car moves, resulting in a comfortable ride and easier handling for the driver.
Suppose the suspension system is of low quality or is somehow faulty. If that’s the case, then the handling of the car will suffer as a result.
Power Steering System
Modern vehicles rely on power steering systems to make driving them much easier, allowing the driver to turn the car without using a lot of force. A faulty power steering will make handling difficult.
Brakes
Remember: driving isn’t just about accelerating and making turns around corners. A significant part of the driving experience also involves braking to slow down or come to a complete halt.
That’s why worn-out brakes will also contribute to poor handling.
Wheels and Tyres
The wheels and tyres that you choose for your car also play a significant role, if not the biggest one, in the quality of your car’s handling. Remember: tyres are the point where your vehicle comes into contact with the ground, and wheels keep them in place.
Using the wrong wheels and tyres for your driving conditions will make handling a difficult task.
What Are Affordable Ways to Improve Car Handling?
Thankfully, there are several ways that you can improve car ride and handling without having to buy any mods or upgrade your car in any way. Here are a few of them that you can get done quickly if you had to.
Get Your Car Back To 100%
One of the most affordable ways of improving your handling is to get your car back to 100%. You see, your vehicle probably had decent handling when you first bought it. But that handling gradually got worse as its parts experienced wear and tear.
So, do things like sending your car for routine maintenance, replace old tyres and shock absorbers, and keep your tyres pumped at the right air pressure.
That should help you see immediate improvements in handling even before you change anything else.
Wheel Alignment and Tyre Rotation
As you take your car in for its regular maintenance, you could also ask the mechanic to rotate and realign your wheels and tyres. Similar to the last point, the wear and tear on your wheels can cause it to affect your car's ride and handling negatively.
Reduce Weight
Next, you can further improve car ride and handling by merely reducing the weight inside the car. You can start by emptying out any junk you may have in the trunk or the cabin. Some people take this a step further by removing seats or other non-essential parts, but that's more personal preference.
What Cheap Car Mods Can I Do to Make My Car Ride Smoother?
Still, if you’re looking to invest in some cheap car mods to improve your car ride and handling, then here are a few to get you started.
Better Car Seats
This is probably the cheapest car mod that you can buy to improve handling, at least indirectly. You see, something like a bucket seat will do a much better job at keeping your body in place as you take sharp turns. When your body stays still, your overall driving experience improves, and you’ll be able to focus on handling the car much more effectively.
Better Wheels and Tyres
Of course, the first car parts to mod for better handling are the wheels and tyres. But what does ‘better’ mean when it comes to these parts?
When it comes to wheels, you'll want to go lighter. Lighter wheels turn much more quickly and make your steering feel more responsive.
Tyres, on the other hand, are parts where you want to go bigger. Wider tyres mean more traction on the ground and therefore better handling overall.
Suspensions
Finally, one of the best mods for handling improvement is the car’s suspension system. Remember: the suspension system connects the wheels to the vehicle’s body, and it’s crucial for better control and smoother ride.
Choosing better suspensions for your car is quite a complicated process. There is a long list of factors to consider, which is why you’ll want to read our in-depth guide on how to pick the correct types for better handling.
Check CarpartAU for Cheap Car Mods to Improve Ride and Handling of Your Car!
Whether you’re looking for the best mods for handling or other cheap car mods, you should check out Carpart.com.au. You will find fantastic deals in the Marketplace, which lists thousands of new and used car parts that you may use for modding your car!
Can’t find what you need? No worries! Use the Part Finder instead to send your request for new or used car parts and accessories to over 500 suppliers all over Australia! With the parts request system, you do away with the tedious process of searching and instead fill out one form and wait for quotes to come your way! Simple, right? Send us a request now!
By Ray Hasbollah