Things We Forget

[8695Beaters]

I noticed a few things nobody seems to mention in any thread, so I felt it would be wise to post them somewhere.

1)Insurance: We all talk about modify this, tune that, but never any mentionabout insurance. Some insurance companies will drop your policy or refuse to pay for damages on modified cars. And not even heavy modifications, lightly modded cars are subject to being dropped. I read about a 42 year old man who's policy was dropped after he put some coilovers on his Sunfire. So it can happen to anyone. If you want to go crazy, make sure your insurance company is going to cover it.

2) Basic tools: I think that it is assumed we all know how to work on a car, but for those that don't know, when you want to get under your car, a lift or jackstands are mandatory. Ramps work well too, but only if you can roll the car around. Jackstands are dirt cheap ($15-20 at for 2 your local Pep Boys), and cheap insurance that you don't get squashed by your car. A good mechanic will never get under a car that is not properly secured. Oh and if you have a wheel on the ground, chock it.

3) Driving: Another assumed topic, but again, one that should be mentioned. Drive it like ya stole it is a dumb way to think. Too many idiots kill themselves driving faster than their cars and also tend to hurt other people too. And as safe as Hondas are, all it takes is one stroll through a junkyard to see that 60 mph does bad things to sheetmetal. And of course don't street race.

4) Emissions: Another assumed topic. We all talk about mods to this and that, but all tuners (whether compact, hot rodders or four wheelers) would rather spit flames than save trees. We all have a part in keeping our planet alive. Global warming is real and while our pollution may not be the cause, it certainly isn't helping. Keep the cats on, they flow really well, making the gain as high as changing your air filter. If you need that 2 or 3 hp, you need a new car. If you can afford a programmable ECU, it would be wise to have a track setting and a street setting. Even Formula 1 is trying to figure out how to clean up their act, so it is a big deal.

Feel free to add anything else. If I think of any more stuff I will add it here.

[Tomas]

Good points Beater.

[Neil]

However obvious these points are, they are good points no less and are seldom overlooked. Wish I had more to add. lol

[8695Beaters]

I thought of something else.

Tires- Tires are probably the most important part of any car. Without tires, we can't go, stop, or turn. You should give your tires a good once-over and pressure check every time you go out to drive. But nobody does that (sans racing drivers who only drive their cars on weekends). A good digital gauge in the glovebox takes up little room and is a solid investment (don't waste your time or money on the crappy stick gauges. They are very inaccurate and a digital gauge will run about $10 more anyway). Just taking a quick look at each tire every morning will usually give you the best indication of low pressure. But don't take that as the only clue: low-profile tires tend to hide their low pressure very well, while I've have been worried by a few stock tires that looked low and were full. Most holes can be patched and last the life of the tire. But drive on a low tire too long and you risk tearing up the tire and wheel. Not to mention what can happen when a flat tire shreds while going around a corner or driving down the Interstate.

[TJ213]

Brakes- so many people upgrade their brakes last or don't properly maintain them, and yet they are so important. Without them you are pretty much fuc*ed.

btw, don't forget to make sure your parking brake works


Oh, and a ton of people never turn on their headlights in the evening, it makes darker colored cars very hard to see

[8695Beaters]

Or in the rain/snow. Is it me or do all the white cars leave their lights off in blizzards? It's harder with the new wave of digital gauges, but my rule of thumb is to turn on my lights when it gets hard to read my gauges or when my wipers are on. And of course when I'm taking back roads. It's surprising how dark all those trees make it.

[TJ213]

Originally Posted by 8695Beaters

Or in the rain/snow. Is it me or do all the white cars leave their lights off in blizzards? It's harder with the new wave of digital gauges, but my rule of thumb is to turn on my lights when it gets hard to read my gauges or when my wipers are on. And of course when I'm taking back roads. It's surprising how dark all those trees make it.

I have my lights on all the time, no matter what the conditions are. I also look at the reflection off the car in front of me while sitting in traffic to see if both my lights still work.

[8695Beaters]

Originally Posted by TJ213

I also look at the reflection off the car in front of me while sitting in traffic to see if both my lights still work.

Haha, I do that too.