Top 5 useless car modifications for wasting money

Car modification is all a part of car culture, and there are a lot of mods out there ranging from the cheap and cheerful to the downright expensive. While some modifications are more worth it than others, here are five mods that are a waste of money, not just because they’re gaudy, but also because they offer no real benefit for your vehicle. 

The lights on your car do more than to just illuminate the road, they also signal and tell other drivers what you’re going to do. That being said, it’s definitely not a good idea to tint your head or tail lights just for the sake of looks. 

Lights are meant to be seen so if you tint the lens and prevent light from going through, that can be a recipe for disaster. The driver behind you may not see your brake lights come on at night or in the daytime so unless you want to get rear-ended, then don’t tint. On top of that, putting tint on your headlights is counterproductive to your visibility. Streetlights can only do so much, so for the patches of road that cannot be illuminated by them, it’s important that your headlights are up to the task. 

Another useless mod is flashing brake lights that strobe when the pedal is pushed. These lights are utterly useless because your car already comes with a set of normally-functioning lights. Taking out your stock brake lights can not only confuse the driver behind you but it can also annoy the heck out of them. 

If you like throwing money away for mods that you do not need, then by all means get this one. It’s a small investment that will cost you more money down the road should you get pulled over and ticketed by the authorities for an illegal modification.

Real vents on cars serve a functional purpose, which is to vent out hot air or channel the flow of air through and direct it where engineers deem it necessary. Functional ducting, venting, or scoops can get quite beneficial for your vehicle when it comes to aerodynamics, cooling, or even braking. 

Then you have these “car accessory store specials” that use some double-sided adhesive stuck on some plastic (that may or may not have chrome) with some sort of pattern to give your car a scoop, vent, or duct that it simply does not need. We get it, actual venting and ducts on your hood, fender, or your bumper can get quite expensive, but trust us, it’s cheaper to leave your car the way it is rather than buying a fake vent that leads nowhere. On top of that, once that double-sided adhesive fails, your modification is gone with the wind. 

In order to eek more performance out of a car’s engine, it’s recommended to get it tuned by a professional with a dynamometer and the proper equipment. Engine Control Units (ECUs) in cars nowadays tend to get pretty complex, and something that complex needs experienced hands and precise equipment in order to produce results. Talented tuners can work on just about anything nowadays, from sports coupes all the way to your average everyday hatchback. Heck, there are even SUVs, Vans, and even MPVs that have a tuned engine somewhere in the Philippines. 

So don’t be shocked if you go to an engine tuning specialist and he hands you a hefty bill for his services because tuning a motor isn’t as simple as slapping on a chip and calling it a day. However, there are companies that might sell you a product that claims to improve engine performance and enhance fuel economy at the same time. Granted, there are some legitimate companies out there that provide out-of-the-box solutions but don’t be fooled by the other ones, especially those that are amazingly affordable. Do your research first before placing an order on one of these devices, as they can be nothing more than just an LED light in a plastic housing. We’re not going to name-drop, but remember that Google is your best friend. 

Actual turbochargers are expensive, but they work wonders if installed and tuned correctly. Part of the reason why quite a number of car guys want a turbo is to get the fabled whistling of the impeller compressing air to allow for a bigger bang inside the engine. 

The only caveat to having an aftermarket system installed into your car (provided it’s done by a reputable mechanic) is its price. Aftermarket turbocharger systems can cost well into the hundreds of thousands especially if your car doesn’t come with a turbo from the factory. Still, some guys want that whistle so the cheapest way to get that is to screw on a turbo whistle to the back of your exhaust pipe. 

Okay, first of all, it’s not a turbo. Second, the whistle isn’t even the same. Third, the sound will come from the wrong place. Finally, it’s a purchase that is as useless as it is tacky.