How to make my car drive smoother?

Question

Hi Scotty, I tried the ATS Engine cleaner on my VW, and it dropped the sound by 10 decibels. It sounds a lot smoother now, thanks! I now have 200,000km (130,000 miles) on the car, and I want to give it a bit of a refresh, I do not want to get a new car, or have one that is connected to the internet, or requires service by the dealer only. Also, I enjoy working on the car, and need a hobby. I was thinking of replacing the brakes (I want discs that are not going to rust, struts, ball joints, etc, and making it run a little tighter. I have two kids so this is a family car, not a race car. But I want it to run smoother and quieter. I was going to install sound deadening material in the panels. Can you recommend what brand of parts I should use? I am going to do the work myself, I have most of the tools, and will get the ones I am missing. Thanks, Allan in Toronto.

MountainManJoe · Accepted Answer

[quote data-userid="180220235" data-postid="329933"] I want discs that are not going to rust [/quote] unrealistic and completely unnecessary. Doesn't affect ride quality one bit.   [quote data-userid="180220235" data-postid="329933"] I want it to run smoother and quieter [/quote] buy quiet tires and make sure wheels are aligned and balanced check the engine mounts make sure there's no play in suspension, steering, axles, bearings etc.   [quote data-userid="180220235" data-postid="329933"] Can you recommend what brand of parts I should use? [/quote] Depends on the particular part. A lot of what VW makes is garbage.   [quote data-userid="180220235" data-postid="329933"]  I now have 200,000km [/quote] you're approaching the end of life for a VW. Things will start falling apart if they haven't already, because they're cheaply made. As Scotty says, they're rolling piles of junk (this I know from experience), and money pits as they age, so I wouldn't dump too much money into it. Save up for a Toyota instead.

Chuck Tobias · Answer

If your struts are worn or leaking most of us here recommend KYB. Avoid cheap Chinese quick struts. Unless suspension parts are worn/loose there is no reason to replace them.

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[Solved] How to make my car drive smoother?