Small change, big Huat! Car enhancements worth investing in

Whether you crave for more power, control or comfort for your car, our recommendations exposed a trend that revolves around one particular (and arguably the most important) ingredient of the car - tyres!

Rather than splashing the cash on bolt-on modifications that claim to squeeze out more low-end torque, we prefer to adopt the “less is more” approach here. A performance “upgrade” that does not involve workshop visits sounds too good to be true. If you have ample storage at home, do attempt to remove as many items as you can from your car. We recommend removing the spare tyre if your car comes equipped with one. Lug it around only when you head out for longer road trips.

Purchase a tyre repair kit in the boot instead - a weight-saving move we reckon will pay dividends instantly. Weight savings range from 10kg to as much as 40kg for tyres engineered for off-roading. Your car will feel lighter on its feet, brake more confidently and accelerate with less hesitation.

We would rank performance tyres way up in our shortlist of upgrades that improve a car’s handling, but do not overlook the fact that it is important, if not more important, to get your wheels aligned properly. Mounting a curb during tight multi-story carpark manoeuvres, or simply reversing too fast into a curb might damage your tyres along with other undercarriage-related damages, causing the car to be misaligned.

Wheel alignment machines can be found in most tyre shops and pending queues, a visit should not set you back for more than an hour. Tell-tale signs that it is high time for an alignment include when your car keeps pulling to one side when you are driving straight, or if your steering wheel is off-centre even on idle.

Yes, another tyre-related recommendation emphasises its importance for every car. After all, tyres are the only part of the vehicle in direct contact with the road, and thus affects the overall experience when it comes to comfort. Comfort (or touring) tyres are engineered to reduce road noise and absorb tarmac imperfections, translating to a quieter ride for driver and occupants in the cabin. Its tread pattern contributes to noise levels, as the design of their grooves generate air flow as they roll into, and out of contact with the tarmac.

We’d argue that this upgrade is way less complex and bang for buck than toying with softer suspension upgrades. And did we mention less “strain” on your wallet at the kiosk as they are more efficient than performance alternatives?

Find car accessories or car workshops on Carousell here.

Credits: Gerald Yuen