Nowadays, SUV models are becoming more and more popular with everyone. Bright and spacious, perfect for families, and lots of storage space. Families who choose this type of car generally provide a comfortable ride space for the elderly or children. When we inquire about the model in the 4S store, the sales consultant will not only introduce the highlights of the car itself, but also recommend some auto decoration accessories.
The side steps are one of them. So the question arises: do you need to install side steps to buy an urban SUV?Let's talk about it. Let's talk about the disadvantages first: aesthetics is more important than practicality, and the cost of subsequent restoration is high. Installing front and rear bumpers on an SUV is actually a decorative act. It's more aesthetically pleasing than functional.
In the later use process, if the vehicle bumper is damaged and needs to be replaced or the side is hit and needs to be repaired, the maintenance cost at this time will be greatly increased, and the front and rear bars and side steps need to be replaced, and the side steps are purchased in sets. Even if one side is broken, the whole set must be replaced!
Side steps reduce the vehicle's ground clearance, and in terms of design, many side steps now have side surround pedals and sunken pedals depending on the model. Generally, the side bumper pedals need to be removed from the side skirts of the vehicle to be installed. They perform mediocre in terms of load-bearing, but they don't have much impact on the vehicle's ground clearance.
The sunken pedals are supported by three brackets fixed to the chassis and are of higher strength, but can seriously reduce the vehicle's ground clearance;The telescopic electric pedal is installed with a motor and retracted into the chassis, although the appearance is better, but it has a greater impact on the ground clearance of the vehicle
Many Chinese interpret superfluous allusions to the fullest, such as the iPhone. Back then, Steve Jobs racked his brains to make the phone thinner. As a result, as soon as it is sold to Chinese consumers, it has both a glass film and a back cover. The thickness subtracted by the helper has doubled!
For example, off-road models with high ground clearance will have side steps at the factory, and the structure takes into account the load carrying capacity. However, if the height of the average urban SUV is not high enough above the ground to be fitted with side steps, the side steps will be installed. When the pedal is pressed, the ground clearance decreases, killing the SUV's only advantage.
Another example is the Highlander, which claims to design the doors to wrap around the side skirts, so that getting in and out of the car will not stain the trouser legs. But with the addition of side steps, this user-friendly design concept was completely eliminated. Well, the structure and fulcrum of the additional pedals can cause load-bearing problems. Children are fine, but adults are worried when they stand on them.
There are also advantages to installing side steps. Other advantages are also very obvious. It can make it more convenient to get in and out of the car, and it can also effectively prevent friction. Because in general, the pedals on both sides are wider than the body. When encountering some corners, taking a sideways step can effectively prevent scratches. But it is worth mentioning that if something happens to these after-assembly accessories.
The insurance company will not make a claim. I hope my friends understand this. So I said, if it's appropriate, you can consider installing. If it's too expensive, you'll have to judge for yourself, because the insurance company won't pay if something goes wrong. Of course, in addition to the practical factors mentioned above, there is another benefit to the SUV side steps.
That is, it can greatly improve the aesthetics of the vehicle. I believe that many friends should choose to install it for this reason. All in all, whether it's the side steps or the front and rear bumpers.
Without prior approval from the traffic management department, the vehicle will not be able to pass the annual inspection normally. It needs to be removed before the annual inspection. Generally speaking, for these two additional configurations, whether to add or not depends on the owner's own aesthetics and usage. It is not a mandatory option, and you need to decide according to your actual situation.
Car modifications