It’s quite typical for automotive enthusiasts to want to give a fresh element to an otherwise well know car model. Car manufacturers do their best to cater to this need, however traditional ingenuity can outpace them from time to time. They can’t even attempt to follow the demand and creativity found in mechanics and car lovers.

So, makeovers, upgrades and performance tweaks are very common. Especially if the model doesn’t stand out in any particular way. Dodge Avenger is considered to be one such vehicle, so aftermarket interventions are always on the table.

That’s not to say the Dodge Avenger is not a great vehicle. It really is. But car enthusiasts can be relentless in their quest for the perfect touch of auto prowess.

Many Aussie car owners decide to introduce throttle control module to their dashboard. The actual reasons can vary (issues with starting, off road passion, their driving style) but what everyone gets as a result is somewhat uniform across the board. Cars get powerful performance boost from this little contraption.

Vehicles coming from manufacturing line have built in throttle lag. It’s a way for producers to comply with gas emission regulation. In practical terms, the throttle lag dampens the response of the engine to your pedal work.

Using dodge avenger electronic throttle control will get rid of said lag and you will be able to unleash the full potential of your motor. It’s pretty simple, really. The throttle controller acts as a fly by wire to establish a direct link with your engine.

The installation is fairly quick too, and you can do it on your own. You just need to make sure the engine has cooled off (if you just parked the car). Unplug the original plug from the steering column and put the throttle module in between.

There are a number of modes on your dodge avenger electronic throttle control. The ultimate mode allows you to put the engine to its limits. It’s good for overtaking or for getting a powerful start when your car is uphill. An economy mode is designed to provide comfortable ride in an urban setting, or on a technical route. If you want to return to original factory setting you can choose the ‘normal’ mode. And then there is the automatic mode that will adjust the throttle based on your driving style.

When you install an electronic throttle module to your Dodge Avenger make sure to test it out on a deserted road. The change is instant and every driver needs to adjust to a new level of pedal sensitivity. Your safest bet is to get the feel while no other vehicles are around.

Getting an aftermarket set of car gauges is another popular way to monitor your performance. It will serve to prevent overheating and deliver relevant metrics so you can improve fuel economy, or simply to aid your driving style.

The original Dodge Avenger dashboard has rather compact outline with three gauges and GPS device. They measure the usual stuff – speed, fuel and oil level and RPM of the engine. You can certainly add a gauge or two.

Be mindful not to over do it though. Don’t go for more than few because that will take away you focus from the road. That’s one of the reasons gauges are big. We need that particularly as we are accustomed to diving our heads into screens.

You can install a gauge for oil temperature and pressure. The needle sits idle when the engine doesn’t work. After some driving (20 minutes) the indicator should settle somewhere in the middle of low or high pressure extremes. If the pressure is too low one of the component in your engine has worn down. Or your gauge is broken. If the pressure is too high either your pressure relief valve is stuck, or the oil lines experience a blockage. Both scenarios are serious because high pressure can burst the oil filter.

This is but one example of using a gauge to improve your driving experience. You can also track oil temperature, air to fuel ratio, brake pressure, coolant pressure, exhaust temperature and many other indicators. Knowing how to read these gauges can prevent substantial damage to the engine.

The exhaust system is also high on the list of aftermarket upgrades for Dodge Avenger. In essence, the vehicles coming from a production line have stock components. This means that the piping was produced using the crash bending technique which in turn creates restrictions in the piping. Manufacturers go for stock exhaust parts because it’s cheaper and faster.

Alternatively, you can invest in an aftermarket exhaust system. In Australia there are a number of small scale manufacturers that practically make the parts by hand. The technique is known as mandrel bending and the end product is restriction free. Ultimately this translates into a better fuel economy.

Apart from that you can go ahead and change the whole system. Going for stainless steel tubing and high quality muffler will get rid of the exhaust drone while allowing a powerful rev. If you choose a set that was designed specifically for Dodge Avenger you can easily mount it without much drilling. Universal exhaust system would require more work and possibly an input from an experienced fitter.