DeAnn Owens
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How to Upgrade Your Car on a Budget

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Photo: The News Wheel

Making your existing car feel brand new doesn’t have to break your budget. You can easily upgrade the look, feel, and even the tech of your current ride with the following tips.


Learn More: Tips for maintaining your luxury SUV


Suds and a bucket

Nothing makes your car feel new than a thorough car wash. Especially now when the leaves are sticking to the exterior, the rain is falling, and the road salt will soon be sticking to your car’s undercarriage, your car is desperate for a wash. You can do it yourself or take it to a professional car wash. Either way, when you see your car gleaming in the sun, you’ll appreciate how great it looks.

Upgrade a safety essential

To help banish the rain, snow, and ice, your car needs working, damage-free windshield wipers. But, if you upgrade to a more expensive, high-quality set, your view will be even better.

“Wiper technology hasn’t moved on a great deal but upgrading to so-called aero wipers could be a wise move,” according to Autocar.com. “The one-piece rubber profile distributes the contact pressure evenly over the length of the blade.”

See brighter

Now that your commute probably involves less time in the daylight, properly working headlights are even more important to your safety. If your headlights are barely cutting through the dark, it’s time for a new set.

“New bulbs could be up to 200 percent brighter than standard bulbs, with a 150 percent longer beam for maximum visibility on a dark country lane,” according to Autocar.com.

Increase connectivity

If your car is lacking modern connectivity tech like Wi-Fi Hotspot capability, and your family has complained about it (more than once), you don’t have to buy a new car or continue using your smartphone to make them content. There are many Wi-Fi units available at varying prices you can buy for your existing model.

If you are on the fence about ditching your current vehicle for a new model, consider these tips before you shop. Or, if you can’t live without a new car, use these tips to increase your trade-in value.