The awesome thing about being a car fanatic today is the internet. Who would have thought a hundred years ago that we would be able to access a wealth of knowledge from people all over the world to upgrade, maintain and fix our own automobiles? A stranded 75-year-old nanna in the emergency lane could grab her cell phone, watch a quick video, and change her tire on the side of the road. A 16-year-old high school kid could read step by step instructions, and with the right tools, change his own oil. You can find a ton of information to assist with any fixes you need to do.

It’s wise to know how to do simple maintenance and repairs at home, but the “fun stuff” is all the mods that really make your car exciting to drive. These can be upgrades that make your ride perform and handle better, or they could be add-ons that turn heads when you're flying down the road.

Because the internet is so handy, yet so diverse, it can be a challenge to know where to look when you want to modify your vehicle. So let’s point you in the direction of 13 DIY mods you can do at home over the weekend.

On the flip side, there are plenty of mods that should be left to the professionals. Without proper knowledge, equipment, and expertise, you could put yourself and other drivers at risk. So let’s also look at 11 things you shouldn’t do (because they might get you killed).

24 DO It - Interior LED Lighting Kit

veloster.org

We’ve all seen The Fast and The Furious, and of course we’re all familiar with over-the-top under glow and LEDs everywhere, but it doesn’t always have to be tacky and outrageous. Some supplemental interior lighting under the dash can add a soft ambient glow. LEDs come in a ton of colors, so that glow can be personalized to fit your taste. The LEDs, which generally come in a strip, are incredibly affordable. The kits are universal and will fit every car. You can put as much or as little light as you prefer, and choose the location the lights will be seen. The footwells, under the steering wheel and under the glove box are common locations for LED lights.

Another LED option is to buy individual bulbs and replace the dome, trunk and glove box lights. This will give your car a fresh, modern feel, by losing the yellow warmth of regular lights and replacing them with clean, bright, LED lights.

It’s not recommended to put strips of LEDs in areas that will obstruct your vision or decrease your visibility. According to research done by University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Department, even the average map light will affect a drivers visibility up to 10%. As long as they’re installed safely and tastefully, a little-added color from LEDs can make for an affordable weekend mod.

23 DO It - Vinyl Wrap

colorbombwraps.com

Changing up the exterior of your car seems like an expensive and time-consuming project. Thanks to vinyl wraps, it's an easy mod that anyone can do in any capacity. Some people choose to completely wrap the body of the car, while others might opt for just a few stripes or accent pieces. You could even use an Exacto knife to cut out a detailed design.

The vinyl is a malleable material and can be stretched and molded over body panels and edges. It’s sometimes a challenge to eliminate bubbles, but they can be carefully worked out. Or you can just peel the wrap back a bit and replace it.

A great benefit to vinyl wraps is they’re temporary. The adhesive doesn’t become fully sticky until about 24 hours after application. So it can be peeled off and replaced if it was improperly positioned. All you need is a heat gun and some time.

Finally, if you’ve decided to wrap your whole car, rest assured that the vinyl will serve as a protective barrier for your paint. Not only will your car see zero damage from vinyl wrap removal, but it will also protect your car. Your factory paint job can remain rock chip and scratch free.

22 DO It - Aftermarket Audio

lifewire.com

Part of driving a car is the enjoyment you get out of time spent in the driver’s seat. If you’re sitting in traffic for two hours or taking a long road trip, or just showing off your ride at a tailgate party, one thing that can set you apart is a rockin’ aftermarket sound system. Plus, upgrades to your car stereo have so many options, you don’t have to buy a full system right out of the gate. There are a few simple changes you can do to really improve the quality of your music.

If you have an older car, the first thing that’s gotta go is that old in-dash radio. Head units come in a million styles and prices. There’s no end to the options, but anything is better than a tape cassette player and am/fm. Even the most affordable units come with Bluetooth capabilities, making for a convenient listening experience. Replacing the head unit will also give your music a more clean sound.

Your second move is to upgrade your speakers and add an amp. Speakers, just like head units, come in a wide-range of models and prices. Even cheapo $50 speakers will usually be an upgrade to your factory sound system. Amplifiers will continue to clean up your sound, will add dimension, and will boost the volume.

21 DO it - Grille

This next mod is a great option for cars, trucks and Jeeps alike. Customizing your grille is awesome for the at home DIYer because you can buy kits or they can be made custom from raw material. Furthermore, the changes you make to your grille can even be beneficial. Car manufacturers have tested how grills affect or impede airflow and aerodynamics. You can take this into consideration when altering the grille, or you could simply base your choice on aesthetics.

There are 3 methods of installation for custom grills; inserts, overlay, and replacement. The easiest option is the overlay grille, sometimes called “bolt-overs.” This option doesn’t require any removal of the old grill and uses a combination of bolts and clamps. The easy installation and affordability make overlay grills an obvious choice. However, the downside is some factory grilles can still be seen behind your overlay.

Your second easiest option is a replacement grille. Obviously, this requires the removal of your OEM grill. However, the work is just a matter of unbolting the old and bolting on the new. Pretty straightforward work that can be done in a few hours.

Lastly, insert grilles are going to be your most challenging grille upgrade. What makes insert grills more complex is that you’re still using the outer shell of your existing grille, but cutting away the center of it. This allows for complete customization as you can purchase an insert you like, or buy raw materials to create something completely original.

20 DO it - Headlight Bulbs

coherentchronicle.com

Upgrading your headlight bulbs can be an extreme improvement on your vehicle, both in appearance and function. According to USA Today, 2500 pedestrians are killed each year due to a drivers lack of visibility after dark. And many factory lights are deemed “poor” in quality, by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. If stock headlights are already poor quality from the factory, and they get dimmer over time, you have a recipe for disaster on the road.

Beyond that, those outdated, yellow-toned halogen headlights just make a car seem old. So swapping out your bulbs, and even your headlight covers, can make a car, truck or motorcycle look more modern, visually appealing and safer.

Like many car upgrades, Aftermarket headlights come in many different forms. The best option is LEDs, for their look and function. They’re more durable, put out a brighter light, have a longer lifespan, and they use a very low power draw.

Another option is HID headlights. A specific type of crowd is generally drawn to these for their extreme brightness and color options. These people may have been influenced by a certain movie franchise, previously mentioned. However, these lights are so bright, they can pose a danger by blinding drivers in oncoming traffic.

19 DO it - Cold Air Intake

ramrebelforum.com

There has been a lot of debate over whether cold air intakes (CAIs) actually make a difference in the performance of your vehicle. The purpose of the CAI is to move your air filters' position so that it can easily pull cooler air into the engine. Cold air contains more oxygen. The goal is to bring in the cooled oxygen, which will increase combustion. The question is, does it work?

The average claim is that CAIs increase horsepower by about 5 to 20 ponies. Nowadays, some sports cars are getting upwards of 500+ horsepower, so an increase of 10 horsepower is negligible at best. Yet there are some benefits that should be considered.

Some people swap out their air intakes just to achieve a better sound. Most car people will recognize the growl of a Subaru coming down the street before they even see it. Because CAIs exchange sound-deadening for a supposed increase in power, it can change the sound of your engine. Generally, it makes it louder. Changing your exhaust can also add to that change in sound, and might be a mod for the future if the resonance is important to you.

Another benefit of replacing your cold air intake is that it cleans up the engine bay. When you install a CAI you’re getting rid of the air box. When you pop the hood, your engine bay will look more presentable, and aren’t we all looking to achieve a show-quality car?

18 DO it - Steering Wheel Upgrade

seriouswheels.com

Upgrading your steering wheel is a simple and affordable mod that has added benefits for the driver, both in comfort and function. Think about how often you use your steering wheel when you drive. All the time! Your steering wheel can have a major impact on how your car handles, how you connect to the road and your safety as the driver. Having a good steering wheel that’s comfortable under your fingertips, is positioned well and improves your cars maneuverability makes all the difference.

There are endless options when purchasing a steering wheel, and it really all comes down to the needs of the driver. If you like being able to adjust your music and set your cruise control right in front of you, then a wheel with the electronics and computers to control it might be up your alley. Why go through the laborious task of having to reach for your radio knobs if you don’t have to? It’s your car, and you should set it up the way you like.

Maybe you’re into drifting or racing, and if so, there are many steering wheels that are designed specifically to improve your experience on the track. Race steering wheels sometimes come in unique shapes, are made with a range of materials (carbon, aluminum, steel, etc) and various finishes (leather, carbon fiber, even wood). You can replace your wheel for as little as a hundred bucks, or into the thousands.

17 DO it - Starter Button

automobilemag.com

What is it about driving a car with a starter button that makes you feel like an airplane pilot? There’s just something cool about a push-to-start engine. It feels high-tech and sporty. Lucky for drivers, it’s an easy and inexpensive add-on that anyone can do.

A starter button is essentially a remote start that’s hardwired. It’s the same idea as hotwiring your car. With a start button, you still need the key in the ignition, but the button replaces you turning over the car with the key fob. The key must be in the ignition because that’s what unlocks the steering rack. Adding a button can improve the look of your console, and you can find styles that match other components in your car (switches, LEDs, etc). Using a press start option will impress your friends, and you can pretend you’re driving a sweet race car or an airplane!

If you really want to get high tech, you could spend a bit more to achieve full functionality of keyless entry. Okay, so at $500 it's actually a lot more. This will alter your mod from cheap and fun, to an investment with functionality.

If you’re looking for a good resource, Marty and Moog over at Mighty Car Mods did an awesome video on Youtube about installing a starter button.

16 DO it - Re-upholster & Trim

motor1.com

Custom interior mods can be a game-changer when it comes to overall appearance. It’s embarrassing driving around in a car with a headliner that’s deteriorating, seats with tears on them, and trim that’s falling apart. Freshening up the interior can be achieved affordably with both products you make and products that are purchased. Additionally, this is a feature you can completely customize to fit your tastes and achieve the desired look.

Most of your interior trim pieces are made of plastic, these are parts like the panels around your door locks, the vents, and your center console. Maybe you have a tan interior, and you would rather achieve a sleek, dark look. All of these parts can be cleaned, lightly sanded, taped off and repainted with a jet black spray paint (or any color you like).

Replacing worn out and stained carpet and floor mats is another cheap mod that can make your vehicle look (and smell) like a new car. Carpet kits can be bought based on the type of car you drive. Or you can get creative and purchase raw materials, to entirely customize and update your floor.

This is a great mod for the newbie car person. You can really go nuts and change the total interior of your car without worrying that your skill level will affect the car’s drivability.

15 DO it - Shifter Knob

pinterest.com

Swapping out a shifter knob is a great way to add personality to your car. We’ve seen upgrades of anything from a skull, to a pistol grip, to a beer tap. Or you can stick with a simple, black, leather shifter knob that fits better in the palm of your hand.

If you drive a manual, a shifter knob is an important piece of the puzzle. You want it to be easy to find, comfortable to hold onto, and effective as you shift. The goal is to lessen your hassle when shifting between gears. Changing your shifter knob can definitely improve the driving adventure.

Now changing the knob itself won’t affect the performance of your car, and it won’t give you a shorter shift. If that’s what you desire, you’ll need to look into replacing your factory shifter with a short shift kit. Short shifts are desirable because they reduce the distance for the gear lever to travel, saving you time and increasing performance. These kits can be bought on a budget, and are also relatively easy to install. You can also cut your stock shifter to shorten the throw, but this requires some skill, and once you do it there’s no going back.

14 DO it - Paint The Engine

srtforums.com

An awesome way to spruce up your ride is by simply grabbing a rattle can in your favorite color and lifting the hood. Adding some accent colors is a great way to upgrade your car on the cheap and give the engine bay a cohesive look. You can paint just about anything under the hood, just make sure you use high temp engine enamel.

If your engine is taken apart for a rebuild, this will be the easiest time to paint. You’ll have better access to the bits you couldn’t normally get to, and you could even paint the whole block and firewall. Parts that will be easier to paint without engine removal sit near the head. These are things like your valve cover, intake manifold, and pretty much anything that’s plastic.

As mentioned, be sure to get high temp engine enamel. You’ll also want to mask off anything that shouldn’t be painted, clean it of grease, dirt and oil, and do some light sanding. Keep in mind, any parts you paint that are exposed to fluids or uneven heat on a regular basis will start to chip away. Painting your engine with a spray can is only a temporary upgrade, albeit a cheap one at that.

If you’re looking for a permanent solution to the accents on your engine, powder coating is the way to go. Powder coating will result in a more professional, drip-free job, and will have increased longevity.

13 DO it - Electrical Fan

allfordmustangs.com

A radiator cooling fan is an incredibly important function for your car. When your car is up to temp the fan serves as the source to bring cool air in and keep your engine running optimally. When the car is moving, it's getting plenty of airflow on its own, but when the car’s idling or moving slow, you risk overheating and breaking down.

Fortunately swapping out the cooling fan is quick, simple and affordable. To pick the right radiator fan, you must consider mechanical or electrical. Mechanical fans are belt or pulley driven and are attached to the engine. So acceleration and deceleration are what causes the fan to spin. That means if your car slows down, so does your fan. Mechanical fans also steal horsepower from the engine. However, because mechanical fans are moving based on the engine's rpm, they can be an asset to cars with a restrictive cooling unit, because the car will make more power than the electrical fan's motor. They are also great for off-road vehicles because they primarily drive slow with high rpm.

In general, electric fans will be the better choice for most cars. The biggest advantage is that the electric fan works based on the temperature of your engine. It turns on only when you need it. This saves you from too much power draw. Another advantage is how it looks under the hood. Electric fans attach directly to the radiator, making them more compact and giving a cleaner look.

12 DO it - Seats

cityperformancecentre.com

If you’re looking for an easy mod that just requires some bolting action, consider upgrading to performance race seats. Race seats aren’t meant to keep you comfy in traffic, but they do add body support and better control at the wheel. Race seats wrap slightly on the sides, holding your body into place, and putting you in an ideal position for steering and pedal control.

Race seats come in many forms, including drag, rally and muscle car options. Some are more comfortable, some are straight metal, and others come with added safety features, such as airbags. Another good addition is a four or five point harness, to keep you safe at the next local track-day. They will lock you in place for all those quick maneuvers, and they’ll make you feel like a real race car driver!

If you’re really into performance, you might consider removing your rear seats. Those rear seats are heavy, and if you don’t need to transport passengers, it’s best to lose them. What race car have you ever seen with passengers in the back? Removal of the seats will considerably help with weight reduction and distribution. Pull those out and you’re bound to feel a difference on the track.

11 Danger - Window Tint

reddit.com

How often does a car drive by with window tint peeling and bubbling off their rear window? This is usually the result of some DIY car guy who thinks he can save a couple bucks. Let’s be realistic here, doing it yourself is still going to cost some money. And when that tint starts to erode and look terrible, you’ll have to tint again. And the second time around you’ll probably go with a professional. So why pay to get the job done twice? Just get it done by a real tinting pro and call it a day.

Beyond that, a bad tint job can be incredibly dangerous on the road. That peeling and cracking that’s so embarrassing in the rear windshield can also impede your vision. Just like a cracked windshield is an obstruction to visibility, that deteriorating window tint is also a danger.

Keep in mind, whether you end up tinting your windows at home or getting it done professionally, make sure to abide by your states window tint laws (yes there are laws). It varies from state to state, but most laws are based on the windows “light transmittance” or “luminous reflectance.” Basically, this is the amount of light that can be transmitted through the window. It can also refer to the amount of visibility, which would also outlaw anything that obstructs your view (ahem, window tint).

10 Danger - Harnesses

c6performance.net

As mentioned earlier, harnesses can be an awesome upgrade to your car. They’re a mod you can throw on and enjoy right away. They also offer a lot of benefits. The connection you feel with your car is stronger as the chasse moves beneath you. They hold you firmly in place, for extra safety on the track. And there’s just nothing quite as cool as throwing the harness straps over your shoulders and snapping the buckle into place at your middle. But harnesses prove to be safer for the race track then for around-town driving.

Standard seat belts are a much safer choice for your average driver. A little give in your OEM seat belt is what helps keep you safe in an accident. Our regular seat belts have been designed and tested specifically for the collisions you will encounter in everyday driving. If you don’t have a roll cage, harnesses can be especially dangerous.

Another consideration is your passengers. Most people aren’t familiar with the correct way to put on a harness. Not wearing them properly could result in injury or death. It’s better to take responsibility for your car and make sure the proper belt is being used for its respective intentions.

9 Danger - Roll Cage

agi-precision.com.au

A roll cage is a reinforced frame of steel tubing meant to protect the vehicle’s interior. Roll cages aren’t a feature that many standard vehicles have. They’re usually an aftermarket addition, put in place for safety during off-road or track driving. In many situations, a roll cage will add safety in the event of an accident, especially where the vehicle is upside down. But there are multiple reasons why installing, and even just having a cage in your car is unsafe.

Improper installation is a major risk of diy roll cage jobs. If you don’t have the proper education to install or build a roll cage, you probably don’t have any business doing it. Some car fanatics just don’t have the tools, knowledge or experience to work on cages correctly. If you don’t have skills like welding and tube bending, as well as a good understanding of geometry, your roll cage should be done by a professional shop.

Because the roll cage is meant for track use, it’s also meant to be used with proper track gear. It’s dangerous to wreck in a car with a roll cage if you’re not wearing a helmet. If you get t-boned, a steel beam next to your head isn’t a great idea. If you plan to spend time on the track, but you also use your car on the daily, it’s best to look into a roll bar. This will still strengthen the car’s frame, and still protect if you’re upside down.

8 Danger - Painting The Exterior

kppigments.com

Painting your car’s exterior at home seems like a no-brainer way to save money on a paint job. Especially with the invention of paints like plasti-dip that can peel off. But there are a a few reasons why you should actually take your car in and shell out the dough to get it done right.

First of all, painting a car at home tends to be a project where people get in over their heads. Painting the body of a car is a lot more involved than grabbing a can of spray paint and dousing it with a few coats. It’s an incredibly time-consuming project, and there are a lot of extra steps to achieving a quality look.

This includes taking off body panels, meticulously cleaning the car of any dust, hair, grease or oil, and sealing the space you paint in. There’s no parking it outside and spraying it in a dirt lot- guaranteed the wind will kick up and ruin your entire paint job.

Because you have to seal off a space to paint in, the toxic fumes can be incredibly dangerous. Imagine sealing a stall in your garage with a plastic tarp, and then spending two or three full days in there priming and painting. There’s also the risk of volatile chemicals in a contained space and risk of explosion. So just take it to the pro’s, it will look and last better anyway.

7 Danger - Tuning

litchfieldmotors.com

Contrary to what people will tell you, tuning is one of those things that can be done at home, but shouldn’t. Tuning is the result of modifying and adjusting your car’s ECU (Engine Control Unit) to increase optimal performance. When a car comes from the factory, it arrives tuned for the average driver, so it could be lacking in performance to meet economical or emissions standards. Properly tuning a car can lead to awesome results in an increase of power.

When a car is tuned many factors come into play. If not done correctly it can cripple your car. The best tuning is done at a shop with a dyno. A dyno is meant to replicate the effect of the road on your car, by applying load to your engine. This gives effective, instant and accurate information while tuning. You will know immediately if a sensor isn’t working, or if your air/fuel mix needs to be adjusted. The most accurate way to tune is in a controlled environment.

Road tuning and E-tuning have are very common. Although these methods are a cheaper alternative to a dyno, you’re compromising safety. Both road tuning and E-tuning are done out on the open roads, as opposed to in a professional shop. You risk other drivers safety and an encounter with the police. Beyond that, you’re dealing with outside factors like weather and road conditions, so you’re adjustments may not be as flawless as you think, and improper detonation can kill an engine.

6 Danger - Alignment

astonmartincare.co.uk

Have you ever driven down the road, taken your hands off the steering wheel, only to feel your car drift gradually to the left or right? This means your car is improperly aligned. Alignment is the adjustment of your suspension, to give the correct angle where it connects to the wheels.

Anytime you replace parts of your steering (rack and pinion, tie rods, etc), it’s important to get your car aligned. Even a basic tire rotation can require alignment. Having your car properly aligned affects everything from fuel economy and handling, to wear and tear.

There are several red flags that your car waves when it’s in need of alignment. You might start to notice the aforementioned pulling. There could be uneven wear on your tire tread. You might notice the emblem on your steering wheel is angled while the wheels are pointed straight. Or you could even feel unnatural vibrations in the steering wheel. All of these flags are warning you to get your car aligned.

If you don’t know how to do an alignment correctly, just take it into a tire shop. You’re better off having it done with the right tools by people who know what they’re looking at and can test the correct geometry for your suspension. Improper alignment can jeopardize the drivability, making your car hard to control and a hazard on the road.

5 DON'T - Stretch Tires

pinterest.com

Tire stretching is when a narrow tire is stretched over a larger wheel. The sidewalls end up stretching from lip edge to tread. There are some people who like the look of stretched tires (yes, a few exist). But you’ll find more people who say you shouldn’t do it. This is because the only real benefits are appearance and being able to run a wider wheel. And the alternative is a potential hazard on the streets.

If you jump on YouTube and search “tire stretching,” you’re bound to find countless videos of blowouts. That’s because stretching them puts unnecessary stress on the sidewall. This causes irregular wear on the tread and can prematurely age your tire. If you’ve ever experienced a blowout, you definitely want to avoid this car trend.

Even if you don’t have a tire blowout while driving at 70mph on the freeway, tire stretching can affect the handling. The extra girth at the edge of the wheel creates understeer. Understeer causes a sort of push that doesn’t allow you to steer on your desired line. Your wheels could even have a tendency to lost traction. Not a desirable effect to the handling when your on you way to work or competing on a track.