The 4 Most Unnecessarily Unsafe Car Mods
We’ve got nothing against car mods, as long as they’re practical, seamlessly integrated, and improve safety. What we do have a problem with, is the type of aftermarket modification that leaves your vehicle unsafer than it was when it came off the assembly line.
Here are 4 of the most unnecessary and dangerous car mods that we don’t recommend:
HID Lighting
If you haven’t noticed by now, visibility is our thing, even when it comes to car mods. With HID lighting, you make minimal improvements to your own ability to see, leave the safety of your properly installed (and sufficient) factory lights, and impair the sight of other drivers. Not the brightest idea.
Butterfly/Scissor Doors
The modern appeal of butterfly doors most likely originates from Lamborghini’s solution for their Countach, which had poor visibility when backing up. Since the door needed to be open so that the driver could check their rear views and reverse, they were given upward-facing hinges, which resulted in the iconic look.
Non-Lamborghini owners who modify their cars with this feature face unnecessary weight on the door hinges (since its full weight has to be lifted vertically), less clearance with low ceilings, and no chance of escape if they were to roll over.
Roll Cages
Unless you’re an actual NASCAR driver, roll cages without the official padding provide no cushion upon impact. In fact, this car mod increases your chances of a hard impact within the confines of the cab and does more harm than good. Your vehicle’s original padding and airbags already do the trick!
4 Point Harness Seat Belts
Unlike the traditional 3-point harness that comes standard with almost all vehicles, these belts have little to no give (so brace for a harsh snap-back upon impact) and don’t allow for enough slack when it comes time to check your side or rear views when driving. Again, save it for the professionals on the racetracks, because your car’s original safety belts were the best option to begin with.
