This heavily modified classic is probably a great dragster, but it would be worth a lot more money if it was all original. A LOT more...

The problem is, many after-market accessories and vehicle modifications can hurt resale value. Adding a big wing and a lowering kit, for example, will only cause your car to lose value. It’s ironic that adding thousands of dollars worth of after-market extras can hurt resale value, but it’s true.

So, what can you do to ensure your car loses less value if/when you add an after-market accessory or modification?

Make of Car

First things first, by choosing the right type of car, you will immediately slow down the rate of depreciation. Certain car brands such as Honda and Toyota hold their value better than others, as do Toyota trucks. Beyond those general guidelines, you might want to check out what KBB.com has to say about the relative resale value of the car you’re thinking about modifying – see KBB’s Best Resale Value Awards reports for more info.

Another thing to consider: While luxury cars like Lexus and Infiniti hold their value exceedingly well, it would be foolish to modify one. This is because your typical Lexus or Infiniti buyer is looking for a luxurious, worry-free automobile. One look at a Lexus with a loud exhaust system or racing seats and that’s it – they’re moving on to another car.

Choose a Tasteful Modification

Once you have your vehicle, you need to make a wise decision when choosing what to do to it. Generally speaking, if they accessory or modification isn’t plainly visible, it’s unlikely to hurt resale value. Conversely, the more visible an accessory or modification is, the more it can hurt. Listed below are some examples of accessories/modifications that will or won’t hurt resale value.

Accessories and Modifications that Generally Hurt Resale Value:

• Radical paint jobs, graphics, or interior style elements
• Body kits, add-on spoilers, hood scoops, etc.
• Very loud exhaust systems
• Painted panels in the interior
• Poorly installed interior accessories (especially after-market stereos with poor fit and finish)
• Fire extinguishers, roll cages, racing seats, and any other accessory commonly associated with racing like special seat belt harnesses, dash gauges, etc.
• Superchargers, turbochargers, and especially nitrous oxide systems
• Blatantly obvious lowering kits

Accessories and Modifications that Generally DO NOT Hurt Resale Value:

• Simple performance upgrades like upgraded engine programming, cold air intake, or an exhaust system with a reasonable sound level
• Upgraded wheels, shocks, or mild suspension adjustments
• Bike racks, radar detectors, and any other accessory that’s easy to remove without damaging the vehicle
• After-market leather seats or an after-market sunroof

Trucks and Cars are Different

To this point this article has addressed cars more than trucks, which is to say that in many cases adding accessories to a truck helps resale. Examples include larger wheels and tires, lift kits, tonneau covers, bed liners, exhaust systems (provided they’re not overly loud), grille guards and after-market bumpers, winches, etc.

In fact, it’s much more likely that your typical truck accessory or modification will help resale value more than hurt it.

Legality

Finally, you need to ensure that above all, what you change on your car is legal. Certain types of modification could invalidate your insurance or make registration impossible, so it’s best to check if you’re not sure. Examples include removing catalytic converters, adding electronics or performance parts that cause check engine warning lights to set, or modifications that remove or disable key safety components.

About the Author: Anton Ringerson is a performance car parts installation expert. He recently fitted Hel brake lines and Ferodo brake pads on his Audi TT, now all he needs is a cool Audi exhaust system.

Let’s go over a few things that will broaden your knowledge as a consumer, and arm you with the ability to make the wisest purchase.

Four Big Window Tint Questions

1. What is the heat blockage rate of the film? This is an especially important question if you live in a warmer climate. Window tint films have a heat protection rate that can range from 10% to nearly 100%. If you’re like most drivers, chances are that your best option will be found somewhere in the middle.

• If you live in a temperate climate, a tint film providing 25-40% heat protection is ideal. Most experts would say this is enough for a motorist driving in a city where temperatures only seldom top 85 degrees, yet this heat protection level still allows enough sunlight into your vehicle in winter months to help warm the interior.
• For those living in a climate where temperatures normally top 90 degrees for at least 3 months a year, it may be a worthy investment to install a film with a minimum of 50% heat protection. Although it may increase the price tag, it’s reasonable to assume that you’ll be thanking yourself every time you enter your car on a warm day.

For those seeking a 50% heat blockage rate, expect to pay $180-$250 to tint a 4-door sedan.

2. What is the aesthetic quality of the film? If you drive down a road for 30 minutes, you may notice a wide variety of tinted vehicles. After a while, you may begin to notice some of the visual differences. While some films could pass for factory-installed, others may sport a more basic, after-market look…and others may have deteriorated completely.

A very dark tint film, often called limo tint, can look great, but a poor quality installation will be very obvious. Image copyright aresauburn (click on image for more info).

The aesthetic quality you desire will influence heavily the price you pay for tinting. While a more basic (yet stable) film may cost starting in the $150-$160 range, a top-line film could command as much as $400. As with most things, there is usually a middle ground to be had. For this reason, it’s essential that you insist to see film samples before installing a film. Wouldn’t you like to know that the film you installed looks spectacular on your vehicle?

Typical window tint films reduce the amount of light that enters the vehicle without degrading visibility. Image copyright nappent (click on image for more info).

3. What type of warranty is offered? Although virtually all films come with some sort of warranty, it’s important to understand the type of warranty that is included with the film you purchase. Most of the time, you will find that a “lifetime warranty” will be included with the tint film you purchase. The important thing you need to ask is “what exactly is covered?” You’ll first want to ensure that the film manufacturer will cover the window tint product itself. If anything like color change were to occur, the film manufacturer would ensure that it was re-installed at no charge. All manufacturer’s warranties have documentation; make sure the service you use for window tinting gives you that documentation.

You’ll also want to ensure that the installation is covered. If a film begins to bubble, its normally not a product fault, which is why a manufacturer will often not cover that. This is something that is installation-related, and should thus be covered by the installing company. Make sure to receive proper documentation on that as well.

4. What are the legal tint limits in your area? Different cities, counties, and states have different rules and regulations regarding window tint. If, for example, you install a very dark “limo” tint on your vehicle, you could be ticketed for driving an unsafe vehicle. Therefore, before you buy any window tint, be sure to ask the installer if the tint level is legal.

A good tip: If your installer isn’t willing to give you a receipt and only accepts cash, the window tint film is likely too dark to be legal. Installers rarely like to give receipts when they install illegal tints, as they can be sued and/or prosecuted after the fact.

We have reviewed 4 crucial components that go into the window tinting purchase decision that you will be making. By doing your due diligence, it is far more likely that you will be satisfied with your purchase; not only now, but in future years as well. Wouldn’t you want to know that you got better value for your money by simply being informed?

Guest Author Jared Diamond writes for DetailWiz.com

Here are the top ten car insurance claims we could find:

The Ferrari Enzo. Image copyright by Ed Callow (click for more info)

10. The Ferrari Enzo, with a price tag of £450,000, is one of the hottest sports cars on the market. It fills the pages of super car magazines, and it is on the cover of Internet magazines around the world. When one was wrecked by its owner in Italy, parts had to be flown all the way back to Italy, and the price tag was £170,000.

9. A Lamborghini owner lent the car to his son, and his son rounded a corner and hit another driver that was on the wrong side of the road. Luckily, it wasn’t the son’s fault. The Lamborghini’s owner was reimbursed to the tune of £213,000.

The Pagani Zonda - image copyright robad0b (click for details)

8. Pagani Zondas have a carbon fibre exterior that is very difficult to repair. When one owner crashed into a wall, the car had to be sent back to the factory in Italy. The bill was a total of £320,000.

7. Pamela Green, a property mogul, was run down at a zebra crossing. She was successfully awarded £2.75m out of court.

6. A bicyclist was awarded £4m after he was hit by a driver. He now needs around-the-clock care.

5. Lord Brockett tried to claim that three Ferraris and one Maserati were stolen out of his home. He got a payout of £4.3m, but his wife blew the whistle on him for insurance fraud. he was sent to prison for 2 1/2 years.

4. A Briton who was traveling in Australia had a car flip over because his girlfriend did not put it into four-wheel drive. He was awarded £5.5m. This high amount was awarded under the English law.

3. A pedestrian, Nikki Buckley, was awarded £6.5m after being struck down by a drunk driver. She will require 24-hour care for the rest of her life.

2. A driver, Gary Hart, fell asleep at the wheel, and he crashed his car into an Intercity commuter rail line. The damage to the families and rail was extensive. The insurance company was forced to pay out £30 million. This was one of the most extensive payouts in history.

1. Bryan Drysdale committed suicide by parking his car on a trains track. 7 passengers died, and 100 passengers were injured. There was a payout claim of £50m.

BTW – if you’ve ever wondered why insurance is mandatory, these are some examples that prove the exception. Insurance is a necessary evil, because people are sometimes careless. Or stupid.

Guest post provided by Policy Expert – UK Home Buildings & Contents Insurance specialists.

Who are the 10 best drivers to ever grace the Formula One circuit? Image copyright James Bird

Over the many years of Formula One, there have been some incredibly talented drivers – many more than the 10 we list here. Still, many polls have been conducted to decide the best drivers of all time, and here are the most popular choices:

10. Mika Hakkinen

Hakkinen was a force to be reckoned with in the late 1990s, winning 2 world championships. He was from Finland, and many people regard Finland to produce some of the best drivers in the world. This has been suggested due to the unique racing culture and road layouts of the country. He won an impressive 20 races throughout his career too.

9. Fernando Alonso

The Spaniard is one of the currently favourites amongst racing fans as he has had a long and exciting career over the last decade. He won the championship in 2005 and 2006 and many remember him for knocking Schumacher of his throne.

8. Nigel Mansell

Mansell raced in 187 races and won an impressive 31 of them. Although he only won a single championship in 1992, he’s widely renowned as one of the best driving purists out there.

7. Juan Manuel Fangio

Fangio only raced 51 times, but won 24 of them giving him a superb ratio. He raced until he age of 47, putting him in the history books too. He won championships in 1951, 54, 54, 56 and 57.

6. Sterling Moss

Moss was one of the great pre-war racers, winning 16 of his 66 races. He has been idolised by many and Mercedes have since released a road car in his name. Moss is one of the most famous racers we have seen.

5. Jackie Stewart

Winning 27 of his 99 racing, Stewart is an ambassador for British racing talent, and has been since the 60s. He won 3 titles in 1969, 71 and 73. Since the death of a close friend on the track, he has been campaigning for increased car safety regulations.

4. Alain Prost

Prost raced 199 times in Formula One, and won 51 times, which is certainly impressive. He gained 3 titles throughout the 80s and once again in 93. He is generally regarded as the finest French driver of all time.

3. Michael Schumacher

Schumacher is probably the most famous racer in the world, and this is not surprising as he has raced more than 250 times. He retired, and then came back because he simply loved to race. He won 91 times and has won 7 championships throughout the 90s and 00s.

2. Jim Clark

Clark is the most respected British racer of all time, and his career was tragically cut short early. He won 25 of the 72 races he participated in and has gained respect from everyone who had the pleasure to drive alongside him.

1. Ayrton Senna

Senna is the Brazilian rocket who won 41 of his 161 races and has received incredible praise and respect for the way he handles his car. Although only winning 3 championships, his career was cut short in the action. He has a magic touch and always got the most out of the cars, making it look effortless, even in the rain.

About the Author: Steve loves car racing, and dreams of being a Formula One driver. He tests out new cars through car hire services as he does not own his own.

Don't get caught in a snowstorm unprepared - follow these tips

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Check those fluids. Clean oil and a new oil filter can help your car start more easily in low temperatures, so an oil change is a good starting point. Mechanics or oil change specialists will usually also check your power steering, brake and transmission fluids, which are all critical parts of safe winter driving. Use a windshield washer fluid that is formulated for winter to avoid freezing. Antifreeze does not need to be changed every year, particularly when “long-life” antifreeze is used, but it is a good idea to check the antifreeze level before winter begins. A mechanic can test the freezing point of your coolant, or you can do it yourself with an antifreeze hydrometer. A leak test of your cooling system may also be a good idea. Leak tests are not always a routine part of a mechanic’s winterizing process, so make it a point to ask your mechanic specifically about performing one.

2. Is your battery OK? Checking your car’s battery is another important part of winterizing. When a car fails to start in winter, it is usually the result of a weak or dead battery. The average life of a car battery is around four years, but batteries that are between two and three years old should be checked. The reason? Batteries lose capacity with time and low temperatures, so even if your battery works great on a hot summer day, you might find that your battery simply doesn’t have the “juice” to get your car started when it’s freezing outside.

You also want to check your battery out because you may find a lot of corrosion on the terminals. It might not seem like a big deal, but battery corrosion inhibits charging and makes starting more difficult. It’s a good idea to clean off your battery terminals (you can use a post cleaning tool) and then cover them with a small amount of petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion.

3. Belts and hoses. The rubber and plastic in your car’s hoses and belts can begin to dry up and crack during the summer months. Older parts that begin drying and cracking can quickly worsen and break entirely in harsh winter temperatures. Check your radiator hoses, heater hoses, and serperntine belt for signs of rotting, softness or cracks (or ask your mechanic to do so) and then think about changing any parts that show this kind of wear. However, keep in mind that a little cracking is normal…if your belts and hoses are still fairly new (less than 5 years) you might not bother with replacement.

4. Tires, tires, tires. Guess what the most important piece of equipment is on your car on a slippery day? Your tires.

If your tires are showing extensive wear or are beginning to crack or rot, change them before winter begins. Winter months often bring heavy precipitation. Tires that are worn typically do not have good traction on slippery roads. Winter tires can be a lifesaver in snowy or icy climates, since they improve traction on snow and ice. Some vendors can store your regular tires for you during winter, so if your normal tires are still in good condition it may be worth considering. Remember to check your tire pressure regularly in winter, since good traction is dependent on appropriate tire pressure as well as tread.

Author Nicole Rodgers has been blogging in the automotive, business, and insurance industries for three years. Last year when Nicole purchased her car she made sure to check online for cheap insurance quotes. This way she knows she saved money and found the best deal on insurance possible. During her free time she likes to help her family’s nieces and nephews practice driving. She also gives them help with studying for the written DMV tests.

In the 70’s and 80’s, Formula One was a hotbed of technological development. Many of the features that are standard on most cars today were proven effective in Formula One racing. Traction control system, fuel injection and carbon brakes are common technologies that all came from the rigorous world of Formula One.

Of course, it was not a smooth road for any of these innovations. When these technologies were adopted in F1, they were new and presented numerous performance issues. Many teams struggled to make the technology work and often introduced new designs and specifications at every race.

This glowing orange hot exhaust manifold shows just how hot exhaust temps can get in Formula 1

Exhaust Manifold Design

The exhaust manifold on the typical 2.4L Formula 1 V8 is subjected to tremendous stress. Consider the following:

• Peak RPM on a 2009 F1 race engine was upwards of 19,000RPM. That means that each cylinder is exhausting spent fuel and air 158 times per second…that’s a lot of exhaust gas.
• The exhaust gas temperatures on a Formula1 motor can exceed 1500F – that’s hot enough to melt a solid block of aluminum (with a few hundred degrees to spare), not to mention that Formula 1 exhaust systems typically glow orange
• The Formula 1 racing rules require that designers minimize the weight of the exhaust system as much as possible (at least if they want to be competitive), so the exhaust system tubing is typically as thin as possible
• There’s a limited amount of space for the exhaust system on an F1 race car. It must be carefully bent and molded to fit in the allotted space.
• Finally, the system must use equal length manifold tubes and be acoustically tuned for maximum efficiency.

What does that all boil down to? Put simply, if a company can figure out how to design an efficient Formula 1 exhaust system that is resistant to extreme temperatures while being lightweight, they’ve done something amazing. That knowledge can be used to improve the exhaust manifold in your car.

The KERS Example

KERS stands for, Kinetic Energy Recovery System. It uses flywheel technology, a very old concept, to capture and store energy normally lost during breaking. In Formula One, this energy can be used for a power boost to gain extra speed or get up to speed faster. The use of KERS is limited by the F1 rules to only a handful of seconds each lap.

In commercial application, the KERS system is used to conserve fuel and, consequently, preserve the environment. Companies like Volvo and Porche are utilizing KERS in newer cars to provide the acceleration power necessary after stopping at a red light or stop sign.

It was not clear in 2007, the year KERS was introduced, that it would still be used in F1 in the following season, let alone be adopted in road cars. Several teams, including Red Bull, did not use KERS on their cars. Every team using KERS experienced reliability issues that adversely impacted their race results. McLaren and a few other teams invested heavily the technology and by the end of the season were seeing real and tangible advantages. In 2008 all the teams were at least attempting to use KERS every race weekend and it is taken for granted in Formula One racing today.

The Cost of Performance

Such advances in technology do not come cheap. This is one reason why Formula One has been such fertile ground for automotive innovation. Until recently, F1 teams were able to operate on budgets that were limited only by their ability to raise funds. Today team budgets are capped. This limit on spending has reduced race performance issues by making the cars much more reliable. It is also making it much harder for F1 to produce additional cutting edge technological innovations for road cars in the foreseeable future.

About the Author: Miles Walker is a freelance writer and blogger who usually looks at car insurance quotes over at CarinsuranceComparison.Org. His most recent review looked at the best Connecticut car insurance.

To help you make the most of your day on the rally racing course, here’s a little bit of advanced knowledge to help you get comfortable, not to mention that you can show off to your friends by sounding like you know what you’re talking about.

NOTE: Needless to say, don’t try these techniques on the open road and listen to the advice of your instructors on the day of your rally driving experience.

Handbrake Turns

Handbrake turns are a crucial skill for quickly negotiating those hairpin bends, kicking the car around the tight corners. They also look pretty cool as well.

You will be advised which corners are appropriate for this on the day, but the best surface is hard with a loose gravel covering to give you that extra bit of skid. Slow down with the foot brake to around 20mph as you approach the bend and keep the car in second gear. Grab the steering wheel on one side – 3 o’clock for a left-hand turn, or 9 o’clock for a right-hand turn – and quickly turn it 180 degrees – to 9 o’clock to turn left, to 3 o’clock to turn right. As the car starts to turn grab the hand brake, keep the button depressed and pull up hard. This will lock the back wheels sending the car into a spin. Keep the steering wheel pointing in the direction you want to turn and when you see the exit point of the corner release the hand brake, hit the throttle and away you go. Hopefully.

Oversteering

For those less tight corners, you still want the car to slide to make sure you keep your speed up. That means forgetting some of the discipline you deploy on the roads and oversteering – that’s when ‘the back comes out’ and threatens to send you into a spin. Do it in a controlled way though and it can be an essential technique out on the track. Controlled oversteering is also known as ‘drifting.’

As you approach the corner and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the bend, when you feel the back wheels start to lose traction the back of the car will try to force its way round to the front in the direction which you were turning. To compensate, as you feel the traction go, turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction to straighten up, floor the throttle and head down the straight.

Left Foot Braking

This is an essential technique for shaving some vital seconds off your track time and also helps you deploy moves such as oversteering or other drifting methods. In front wheel drive cars, breaking with your left foot while keeping your right foot on the throttle helps you maintain speed at corners. You can apply more brake if the car is understeering and hit the throttle hard to speed out of the bend. The time saved from not having to move your right foot from accelerator to brake also makes left foot braking a handy tip for getting the best time possible.

However, just like the video says, some of the best drivers don’t use left foot braking. It’s an advanced technique that can be overcome with stronger skill in other areas.

About this post: This article has been created by Activity Superstore, the UK’s leading gift experience days supplier.

Bodykits and Other Add-on  Custom Body Parts

Bodykits, like this one for a Subaru WRX, can be a great way to customize your car

Whether a spoiler or head-to-toe transformation; bodykits can revamp the appearance of your car, making it look faster, sportier and more valuable than it actually is.

However, beware that bodykits can:

• affect your insurance policy and coverage
• require significant body work that can’t be undone later without great expense
• often be poorly manufactured – uneven lines, obvious joints, and other cosmetic problems (which often plague cheap bodykits)
• reduce the resale value of your car
• add weight thus slowing the car down and increasing its fuel consumption
• make navigating speed bumps trickier

What’s more, not every bodykit will necessarily look right on every car. Still, despite all the negatives, a bodykit is a great way to change the look of your car and give it a personal edge that few can match. Just take your time and choose a good one.

Alloy wheels

Forged alloy wheels improve vehicle performance AND looks

A shiny set of alloys can instantly transform your car. Alloys make vehicles appear more unique and attractive and unlike many other modifications, a good set of after-market wheels should increase its’ value.

Yet alloys do more than enhance the look of a vehicle, they also improve its performance. Here’s how:

• A good set of alloy wheels are lighter than the stock wheels found on most cars, and reducing wheel weight improves ride by reducing the unsprung load on the suspension
• Alloys can improve the steering feel and breaking response of your car, again because the of the reduced weight of the wheel
• Again, because alloys are lighter, they can improve acceleration too. Lighter-weight wheels are easier to spin, which means your car’s engine and transmission don’t have to work quite as hard to get the wheels turning

While all of these benefits are small, they add up. If you’re a fan of auto racing, you’ll be hard pressed to find a race car that isn’t rolling on a set of forged alloy rims.

Personalized registration plates

Possibly the decisive means to personalize a vehicle; personalized registration plates say a lot about the person behind the wheel while also ensuring the car stands out from the crowds.

Personalized registration plates vary wildly in cost, from a hundred dollars in most US states to many thousands in countries like the UK. However, if you’re not looking to spend much, simply shop around until you find something suitable within your price range.

Personalizing your car in this way also offers a number of benefits;

• it won’t devalue your vehicle
• the registration plates can go with you when you change cars
• if you’re lucky, the plate might increase in value (if anything, it’s highly unlikely to decrease in value). [NOTE: In the UK, where the author is from, personalized plates are almost an investment instrument]

Change the interior

There are dozens of custom options for leather seats, all of which would give your car a nice custom look and also raise resale values

Many people forget all about the interior when customizing their vehicle, yet when making your car ‘truly’ yours, the inside matters as much as the outside.

Replacing your vehicle’s stock seat covers with something after-market – perhaps leather or just a set of neoprene covers – can give your vehicle a unique touch. If you add a cover to the factory seats, you preserve their original condition as long as possible. If you replace the factory seat fabric with something nicer, you can increase the vehicle’s value.

Door and dash trim or floormats are other stylish additions to consider too. Many companies offer appliques to add fake wood trim or fake carbon fiber to your door panels and dash, and there are literally thousands of personalized floormats available.

Don’t Overdo It

Customizing your car is a lot of fun, but make sure not to overdo these things. If you do too much too fast, you can hurt your car’s value, not to mention end up with something that no longer looks “custom”  but instead looks “busy.”

This article was written by Amy Fowler on behalf of The Plate Market, who offer unique number plates for sale. Amy loves to go against convention and work on her own car and is currently making some small modifications.

Three reasons to invest in a performance tune for your BMW

First and foremost, tuning a BMW performance car will enhance the performance of the vehicle. Depending upon the tuning, the top end power output, low-end acceleration, or even handling of the vehicle may be improved. This has very clear advantages for those who take part in track days or races but even for those who simply enjoy high performance motoring the feeling of driving a finely tuned and powerful vehicle can be a great incentive. A performance car with engine tuning performed by a BMW tuning specialist will perform at its very best, offering exceptional power output and acceleration.

Secondly, tuning can increase the efficiency of your BMW. This can be best illustrated by means of three examples; firstly, engine tuning. Tuning an engine not only ensures that it produces the maximum power output possible but it also ensures that it burns fuel in the most efficient manner. Therefore, a tuned vehicle can sometimes be more fuel efficient than a vehicle that is not tuned. Secondly, wheel balance, tracking and suspension geometry. Wheels that are properly balanced and tracked will operate more efficiently, ensuring even tire wear, increased grip and again improved fuel efficiency. Properly set up suspension geometry will enhance the cornering characteristics of the car as well as providing benefits to braking and steering. Third, adding a performance exhaust system to your BMW will improve engine “breathing,” which means your vehicle will burn fuel more efficiently…and therefore burn less fuel. All of these measures are essential as part of race car preparation but can also save the road driver a significant amount of money.

Third, it’s good practice to ensure your BMW is operating at peak performance. This can reduce component wear and even prevent breakdowns. For example, as mentioned previously, ensuring that wheels are properly tracked and balanced will ensure that tires last longer and wear evenly. The same is true of many other vehicle components that will need replacing less frequently when the vehicle is performing at its best. By making use of the services offered by a BMW tuning specialist the driver can prolong the life of the car and its components as well as gaining a competitive advantage that a specialist will provide.

Therefore, whether the owners have purchased a BMW performance car for simple driving pleasure or for competitive use there are many and varied compelling reasons to choose BMW performance tuning. Such reasons vary from maximising the power output of the vehicle to increasing the fuel efficiency of the performance car to prolonging the life of the vehicle and its components. All of these aspects are essential to effective race car preparation but are also good practise for the average road user who simply wishes to enjoy their BMW performance car to its full potential.

This post was written by Crispin Jones on behalf of DMS Racing, experts in the field of race car preparation. Crispin is a keen motorist and enjoys writing about all forms of transport.

2011 Ford Mustang owners are warned not to modify their car

As can be imagined, Mustang enthusiasts have not reacted well to this news at all. To Mustang owners, their muscle car is practically built for modification. Any warning against modification is a slap in the face to Mustang lovers everywhere.

In addition to a generic warning from the Ford TSB, the company added that modifying the Mustang may result in:

• poor performance and/or poor fuel economy
• trouble codes generated by the car’s computer
• component failure, and
• problems passing  emissions

The company also included literature in the Mustang TSB that warns of warranty nullification. “Warranty nullification” is a dreaded phrase for any car owner, and new Mustang owners are no different in this regard. According to Ford, aftermarket modifications can alter settings throughout the Mustang, to include fuel and spark settings, and thus are good cause for warranty nullification.

The good news is that it is illegal for Ford to void a vehicle warranty because of performance modifications (learn more about the Magnuson-Moss act). Unfortunately, the company could void the warranty coverage of any parts that have been modified and/or effected by a modification (provided they can prove the part has been modified or effected).

These days, companies are looking for cost cutting measures regardless of customer satisfaction, and the recent Ford TSB is a perfect example of this. Ford has had a few recent problems concerning car failures, and it appears as if Ford is actively looking for ways to recover some of those losses.

It is doubtful that Ford’s TSB will cause enthusiasm for the Mustang to die off, but it could do some damage to Ford’s image. In an attempt to mitigate any public relations damage the company may receive from the TSB, Ford representatives contacted many car enthusiast websites and organizations acknowledging Mustang-owners’ love of customizing and modifying their cars. Representatives added that the TSB was simply a warning to better inform customers of possible ramifications that can occur when modifying the vehicles beyond factory specifications.

With Ford’s warning released, customers should do research about whether a specific modification has any consequences concerning the car’s warranty. Not all aftermarket parts are created with the same quality and thus it is important to due thorough research about the product before installing it on the vehicle. Modify, but do so intelligently.

NOTE: Adding an exhaust system to your Mustang will not effect your vehicle warranty. Exhaust systems have absolutely no impact on the function of the engine.

Finding the best quotes for assurance voiture for your particular vehicle is easy if you go online to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies. Fill out a quote at Kanetix.ca today to do an online comparison and save hundreds of dollars every year on car insurance.