Boosting a car’s power through chip tuning or adding nonstandard parts often comes at a cost: it can sap the vehicle’s longevity. Likewise, DIY upgrades to off-road machines can end up hurting performance instead of helping it. This is the takeaway from a recent interview with the National Automobile Association’s vice president, Jan Heitzeer, who spoke about the tradeoffs involved in engine tuning and protective upgrades.
Heitzeer cautioned that forcing more power from the engine tends to shorten its overall life. Many owners jump into modifications without fully understanding the long-term consequences for wear, reliability, and maintenance costs. In off-road configurations, there is a specific caveat: installing full underbody protection isn’t always a smart move for vehicles driven in certain regions with heavy dirt and dust, particularly areas characterized by loose soil and frequent mud. The concern is that a robust shield can trap debris, add unnecessary weight, and complicate the handling of the vehicle in rugged terrain.
Protection systems designed for extreme conditions serve a purpose when the terrain demands it. They are especially common on vehicles traversing rocky trails or climbing steep, gravelly slopes where sharp stones pose a risk to the undercarriage. Yet, in practice, the benefit hinges on the environment. In clay-rich soils, the compacted dirt beneath a protective guard can become ballast, reducing agility and increasing fuel consumption. The net effect is not simply a matter of adding parts, but a balance between protection, weight, and the vehicle’s core dynamics.
The core question, according to Heitzeer, is how well the modification plan is conceived and how clear the owner is about the expected gains from each change. A thoughtful approach weighs the intended advantage against potential drawbacks such as added weight, altered cooling patterns, and changes to suspension dynamics. The expert emphasized that a well-considered upgrade requires an understanding of the vehicle’s baseline performance and how each alteration interacts with operating conditions typical for off-road driving.
Formerly, Alexey Ruzanov, who serves as Technical Director for Fit Service, an international auto service network, warned that improper tuning can lead to situations where fuel quality and engine design limitations interact unfavorably. In particular, certain fuel grades and octane levels can challenge engines that have been modified beyond their original specifications, potentially triggering performance issues or misfires. The message from industry leaders is clear: any enhancement should be matched to the engine’s design and the driving context to avoid unintended consequences and to preserve reliability over time.
In practical terms, this means vehicle owners should approach upgrades with a clear plan. It is not enough to chase more horsepower or a tougher look; the impact on engine cooling, lubrication, vibration, and exhaust flow must be evaluated. For people who regularly navigate muddy tracks or dusty roads, choosing the right protective solutions—and knowing when to deploy them—can make the difference between improved capability and a heavier, slower machine. The conversation among automotive professionals consistently returns to a central idea: better performance comes from smarter, targeted improvements rather than broad, indiscriminate changes. The goal is to maintain the integrity of the engine and drivetrain while enhancing the vehicle’s ability to handle the unique challenges of off-road environments.