Car Performance TipsPosted by Warner Schwartz on January 18th, 2021 Of course, after some years of ownership, you may also wish your car offered a bit more, and here’s where our Audi performance tuning workshop can help. Not every driver has the same wishes, which is why we can offer several ways to increase performance based Car Performance Tips on your specific needs. At the end of the day, there are plenty of ways to enhance your vehicle’s performance. Take your time and consider each and every one of your options. After you’ve done that, you should begin taking smalls steps towards improvement. This tip alone will add significant horsepower to your vehicle. Your engine needs motor oil to ensure that its internal parts are lubricated and that friction is reduced or eliminated. Traditional petroleum-based motor oil will leave behind a sludge that can damage your vehicle when exposed to prolong heat . Be sure you help your engine by choosing a synthetic oil, which will not break down when exposed to heat. If you have a turbocharged engine or drive like you’re a racecar driver, it’s a necessity. On many cars, it’s the belt you can’t see that is the most critical. Make sure the tyres are inflated at the manufacturer recommended levels and you'll be fine. And don't forget to check them once a week, always in the morning. For city dwellers, buying a cheaper, smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicle to help you make greater savings in the long run. A well-maintained vehicle that is regularly checked for the correct oil and cooling-system levels, and disposables like tyres and lights, will give you better, longer service and ensure a decent resale price. Aftermarket Solutions has launched 10 easy-to-follow tips for ensuring that you not only gain optimal vehicle performance, but also make greater savings in the long run. With rising fuel costs, the weakening currency and just generally a tougher economic climate, vehicle sales have dropped substantially. Meaning that road users need to maximise vehicle performance, as they will more than likely have to hold on to these vehicles for longer than in previous years. This is because, while a turbocharger is powered by the exhaust flow, a supercharger is driven by the engine’s crankshaft, which means the power is immediately available. Twin-charging can combine a turbo’s efficiency with a supercharger’s immediate power delivery. Doing exactly what it says on the tin, an air intake adds oxygen to the fuel mix, helping to convert it all into energy and power. Aftermarket air intakes are less focused on aspects such as noise reduction and costs, so they’re designed with the single goal of increasing airflow. More air means a few extra horsepower can be freed up, along with the added benefit of better gas mileage. The twin screw option is actually going to pull air through the lobes. Using the wrong fluids in cold weather can significantly reduce the performance of your car, so make sure you use a thinner oil as well as other lubricants and antifreeze to protect your car’s vital parts. Also, consider replacing the standard hose fittings with much more reliable AN fittings. Running on a good battery in cold weather is one of the first conditions for reliable starts. Use the autumn time to check your battery and, if needed, change it for a more powerful model for cold weather. A new battery holds a better charge which prevents problems with cold starts and improves the overall performance when temperatures plummet below the freezing mark. DIY car performance modifications are becoming a growing trend. Since their invention, cars have always been subject to aftermarket modification. Both moderate and radical modification have been commemorated in the popular songs Hot Rod Race and Hot Rod Lincoln. The names of Abarth and Cooper appear on models styled after the cars they modified. With support from Ford, renowned engine manufacturer Cosworth went from modifying English Flathead engines for Lotus Sevens to dominating Formula One racing. Car Fluids That Require a ReplacementOne of the essential car maintenance tips is to top up the fluid levels in your automobile regularly. Your car’s engine requires other fluids to run, so pop the hood open and measure the engine oil, steering oil, battery water, and radiator water to make sure they don’t go empty. Checking your car battery twice a year is a wise decision and will reduce the chances of it failing. You can use a multi-meter to see if the battery is working properly. When the battery is fully charged, it should measure around 12.6 volts, and when the engine is on, it should measure from up to 14.7 volts. If the lights are dim, then it means your lights are not getting full power. If the lights shine properly, but there are still some battery problems, then it means that your battery cannot hold a charge. Use a high-quality non-alcohol containing fuel treatment to counter the dangers associated with ethanol fuel. Use a high-quality fuel system cleaner by adding a can to a tank of gas. It cleans fuel injectors, intake valves, and combustion chambers. There are steps you can take before and during winter’s cold weather to get better car starting, better car performance, and better drivability. When the cold months arrive, your car performance seems to go on vacation. Starting is harder, performance is sluggish, and drivability is more difficult when the weather hovers at or below freezing. Use theTyre Safe websiteto find your car’s correct tyre pressure and check every week to ensure they’re always at the optimum pressure. Anything beyond 36 degrees BTDC total represents risks due to detonation. If you have a sudden lean condition coupled with early timing, you can have engine failure in a nanosecond at wide-open throttle. Ignition timing with electronic engine control calls for a professional who knows how to dial in both ignition and fuel maps to where you get power without doing engine damage. Because ignition systems have become low maintenance in the past 20 years, we don’t check them until we get a misfire and a "Check Engine" light. The fact remains, car maintenance still should include ignition systems. When it’s time to replace ignition components, opt for the best high-performance ignition parts you can find, meaning coils, ignition wires and platinum tip spark plugs. This is a special upgrade, especially on newer vehicles, that can literally make your car feel like a complete upgrade. The ECU uses software to essentially limit the engine’s power and efficiency performance but as all of know, software can be overwritten very easily – just ask the NHS. These small, unassuming car parts are vital to the performance of your car and like anything they reduce in quality and effectiveness over time. The engine air filter should be changed to prevent buildup of debris that reduces engine efficiency. Recommended air filter replacement intervals depend on the environment, with most lasting between 15,000 and 30,000 miles (24, km). Manufacturers install plastic headlights with a protective film on most modern vehicles. This protective film fades over time due to oxidation, turning headlights foggy and decreasing nighttime visibility. Oxidation is caused by heat, sunlight, pollution, and harsh chemicals. You can slow oxidation by parking in a garage when possible. On average, car batteries last between 2-6 years depending on outdoor temperature, driving frequency, and overall use among other influences. Most factory exhausts use a “crush-bend” design, which slows the flow of exhaust gases. Performance systems feature smoother walls, allowing for a faster flow of gases. There are a wide variety of exhaust systems on offer for your Audi, such as the cast downpipe system from APR, one of our parts suppliers and a leader in Audi tuning. When test driving for a new car, you’re probably going to be paying a lot of attention to power output and delivery. For most motoring enthusiasts, the lack of a nice-to-have feature or slightly cramped interior space can be forgiven, but not a lack of firepower. If your manual says, as many do, that you should replace the timing belt at 50,000 miles, do it! A failed timing belt can, depending on engine type, cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your engine. The PCV valve is an emissions control device on older cars—check your service manual to see if your car has one. The valve recirculates partially burned gases from the engine’s crankcase to the combustion chamber. Important to a properly functioning engine, the valve should be changed every 30,000 miles or as specified in your owner’s manual. In addition to helping you get the most from a tank of gasoline, it helps to prevent the buildup of harmful sludge and corrosion. When replacing your PCV valve, be sure you use the correct one or you may damage your engine.Like it? Share it! More by this author |