Are you thinking about lowering your car? Doing so will certainly make it stand out from the rest when you are driving down the road, but it may also affect its performance. Before you send your car off to the shop to have it lowered, you should first take the time to familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of this change. Only then can you rest assured knowing that your lowered car isn’t going to come back to cause more problems for you in the future.
There are several different ways to lower a car, but the most common method involves the manipulation of the leaf springs. When the leaf springs are removed from the rear suspension, they can be reshaped manually so they are smaller with less of an arch. After they are reattached, the car will naturally sit lower to the ground. Another option is to replace the springs and shocks with shorter models. No matter which method is used, the result is always the same - a car that sits lower to the ground.
Pros of Lowering
If you asked ten people who drive lowered cars why they chose to lower it, nine of them would likely say for the look. There’s no denying the fact that lowered cars have a uniquely stylish appearance that’s not found in factory-model cars. Since the car sits lower to the ground, it has a more compact body style that’s sleek and clean. You can even go one step further by installing ground effect lights underneath your car.
Another possible benefit of lowering your car is the reduction of wind resistance. Ever notice of Nascar and other professional racing cars are lowered to the point where they are almost touching the ground? This is done to help control the air so it travels up the windshield and off the roof of the car. If the cars weren’t lowered, air would travel in both directions, causing a greater amount of wind resistance. With that said, there’s still some debate as to whether or not your average driver would see any noticeable difference from the wind resistance of a lowered car.
Cons of Lowering
Unfortunately, there are also some disadvantages of lowering a car, one of which is the suspension reduction. You have to remember that consumer cars and automobiles are designed to transport people and goods from one place to another. In order to do this, they must have enough suspension to support the extra weight. If you happen to lower your car too far down, it may not posses enough suspension for the weight.
A lesser-known disadvantage of lowering your car is the fact that your insurance will likely go up. For whatever the reason, most insurance companies frown upon lowered cars, and they have the right to raise your insurance because of it. If you still want to lower your car, call your insurance carrier to see exactly how much extra it will be beforehand.
Brad is a content contributor for NFC Performance. Brad likes to write about car shows, how to fix car problems, and much more. He recommends his friends and family go to NFCperformance.com for the best car accessories you can get.
