When it comes to customizing your Honda Civic, the options are virtually endless. Here are five quick, accessible ways to improve your car’s performance and aesthetics.
Replace Your Exhaust System
The exhaust pipe is essentially how your car breathes. The better it breathes, the better performance you’ll get out of your engine — and your turbocharger, if you have one.
Your local auto parts store likely carries a wide variety of performance exhaust system kits, each designed to enhance your Civic’s airflow for more power. The most popular set-ups are catalyst-back (“cat-back” for short) and are designed to replace the connection between your muffler and your catalytic converter.
Upgrade Your Shocks and Springs
Your shocks and springs have one job: maximizing your comfort. They do this by minimizing movement when you hit a literal bump in the road.
If you’re cool with a slightly rougher ride, however, swapping out your shocks and springs for stiffer, high performance models can boost both your traction and your handling. Because they’re less bouncy, they’ll keep your tires in more constant contact with the road. If they lower your suspension too, as many models do, your newly lowered center of gravity will increase your Civic’s handling.
Give Your Civic a New Coat of Paint
A custom paint job can make you feel like you have an all-new ride. Whether you keep things subtle and sophisticated or go big with a graphic, paint is a simple way to update your car.
It can get costly, though. For an inexpensive alternative, consider powder coating your rims. They may be just one small component of your car, but your rims can make a big visual impact. Opt for a bold touch of color or keep things ultra-lowkey with a matte black or gunmetal gray. No matter how much or how little paint you choose to deploy, protect it against the elements with a clear finish such as 3M Paint Defender Spray Film. Spray-on protectants are simple to apply and can safeguard not only a custom paint job, but also other exterior mods such as spoilers, rocker panels, and replacement hoods.
Treat Yourself to New Tires
Your tires are crucial to your Civic’s performance. One straightforward yet significant way to customize your car is to change out your existing treads for higher performance models. Look for tires that match your car’s speed rating and offer a solid mix of traction and water displacement.
Try New Windshield Wipers On for Size
If you like to take your Civic off-road, a new set of windshield wipers is a small, inexpensive upgrade that can improve your performance. Swap out your conventional blades for beam or hybrid blades that are built to better withstand the elements and whatever road conditions your next ride may throw your way.
When you customize your windshield wipers, bear in mind that the driver side wiper blade size and the passenger side aren’t the same. The Civic’s standard sizes for each can change from year to year as well.
No matter how you choose to customize your Honda Civic, remember that your ride is a reflection of you. Choose aftermarket mods that not only strengthen your car’s performance, but also showcase your unique style.
To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.
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