Vehicle Modifications Research: Car Modifications (Essay Sample)

Car Modifications
Name
Institutional
Car Modifications
In the article, “To Mod or Not to Mod”, Matt Lewis discussed how and why modifying a car based on ones’ likings is a way to make connections with a car (Lewis, 2015). There are many different ways to modify a car, such as upgrading wheels, changing an exhaust system and even swapping engines from another car model. Matt Lewis also mentioned that with modified parts, the performance of a car will be better with handling and road traveling. Its styling and build quality will become very attractive and appealing to ones’ eye. However, street legalizing is becoming a problem for modifying cars, one state may be legal but not in another. It is a dangerous and additive path to take when considering modifying a car.
In the article, “Mad about Mods”, Tessa Salazar talked about the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has been restricting vehicle modifications. The LTO mentioned that those after market modifications parts won’t be allowed such as extended body; change of rim sizes and modifications of handlebar and mufflers (Salazar, 2014). This regulation happens because to ensure that vehicles and public ridings are all safe at all times. However, if the regulations are implemented, then it will affect a majority of car accessory businesses. As in conclusion, after market parts need to be checked and legalized to the local standards and regulations. Similarly, the kind of modifications that temper with the transport safety and enforcement are highly discouraged because certain individual may result take advantage of such modifications to propagate crime. Such challenges have delayed the implementation of the modification guidelines and the process can become complex and expensive to the car owner.
Research on how Cars are Modified and the Modifications Done
Modifications can be generally categorised into two; the exterior modifications and the interior modification. Modification is mostly done to improve the performance of the car for example to improve the speed (Wan, 2007). However, another reason for the modification is to improve the appearance and this is particular common among those people who have specific car preferences that the car manufactures may not have considered. Many vehicles are manufactured using the specifications and characteristics that suits the most drivers and thus not tailored towards the taste of a single person. Modifications that are done to a car targets its various components. The engine can be modified to improve its performance and emission factors. The engine of a car has two major components, that is, the electronic and the mechanical part. The mechanical element can be replaced while the electronic part which is controlled by the software can be mapped by either changing or falsifying the data within the software.
Another common car modification occurs at the audio system where an individual may prefer to have a louder sound as compared to the one in the installed system. Similarly, other people may prefer quality sound and even an elaborate installed sound system that makes them happier. Another modification commonly observed in the tires where they are replaced depending on the affordability and the weather as well as the road conditions. Tires contributes greatly on the behaviour of the car and thus many more factors come into play when replacing a tire such as the durability, comfort when driving, the size and resistance level when rolling. Since the tire are replaced regularly, these offers a chance for frequent modifications.
The body modification targets the hoods, the mirrors that provide the rear view may be replaced with lighter ones and this can be done on car windows as well. Using the spacers to improve the wheel track can enable the cars to navigate corners better. Furthermore, some people may prefer a bouncy ride and this can be achieved by alterations on the suspension component of the vehicle. Certain modifications are necessary due to the purpose of the car, for instance the sports car may have windows and wheels that are either lighter or heavier depending on the function and the desired performance (Andrew, 2009).
There are various styles adopted to modify the car, even though they are an imitation of the already manufactured cars. The rat style aims to copy the car that has features that have demonstrated competence on the road. Such cars have withstood the test of time. The import scene style is a way of modifying cars by copying the features of the imported vehicles from especially reputable manufactures such as Japanese Vehicles. The Euro and the hydraulic style aim at improving the body for example by flashy paintings, customizing the interior design of the car, using the small or even the bling wheels. The VIP form of modification renders a car the modern look and may embody a higher social class. Some vehicles may be modified in a way that offers more security for instance the bullet proof vehicles while others are altered in a way that is less suspicious. Some vehicle manufactures may modify the car to upon the individual request, however, this comes at a price and requires adherence to certain legal procedures (Carin, 2015).
The Acceptable and Unacceptable Car Modifications
Many countries and states have rules that govern the vehicle modification and they are meant to improve safety while driving. For instance, most of the developed countries restrict modifications on the car engines that may lead to an increased level of emissions. Similarly, altering the software part of the engine by an individual or the manufacturing company for the purpose of giving false emission data is not legalized. This has resulted to penalization of major companies for example the Volkswagen. Modifying the audio system such that the sound becomes noisy and disruptive is considered unacceptable. In addition, any modification done on the car in order to jeopardize security and facilitate criminal acts is normally forbidden. For instance redesigning the interior in a way that allow concealing of goods that are dangerous or even pose security threat is unacceptable. Another example is to conceal the license plate with negative motives
There are modifications that are generally acceptable, for example those that are aimed at making the car more comfortable and aesthetic purposes. Such include modifying the audio system to more attractive object. Using the flashy paints, and changing the body into a desirable form. A person can buy the tire of choice to enhance the appearance of the car. However, the set rules of a given country or state need to be considered avoiding crashing with the law enforcement agencies.
Problems Faced by the Environment, Society and the Government due To
Unacceptable Car Modifications
Unacceptable car modifications pose a challenge in the environment and have a negative impact on the society and the economy. The car emissions if not regulated can affect the vegetation growth and even pose health risks. Higher level of emissions can contribute to lung and chest diseases as well as contribute to air pollution.
Consequently, the government end up spending more cash in the environment awareness programs and labour market that contribute to the economy is reduced due to lack of effective human resource. Another challenge posed by the unacceptable car modifications is the rise in the level of crime. For instance modifying the licence plate to make the information on the plate less conspicuous or even modifying the engine in order to have very high speed can pose threat to the security in the society and to the government.
Legal, policy, and other issues that arise due to the unacceptable car
modifications
It is as a result of the challenges resulting from unacceptable modifications on the cars that various governments have resulted to imposing strict rules and regulations and failure to abide can result to penalty. One such policy prohibits inexperienced drivers from driving modified vehicles. Similarly, the car manufacturing companies are required to give the correct information on their cars level of emissions and there is a set rule for the standard level of emission. Companies that do not obey the rule are fined and they risk losing the public trust. Due to increased level and complexity of crime in the society, the government has become ke...