Some technology upgrades you just have to have. But don’t worry – you don’t need to buy a new car to make your ride look and feel new.

Invest in the nine technology upgrades below, and your aging vehicle will be back in the present (and maybe even the future). Car brands are always upgrading their technology, making them more desired and enhanced. Whilst some older vehicles can benefit from these technological upgrades, not all cars will be able to. The oldest cars might not be able to have these upgrades. If that’s the case, it might be worth upgrading your car to ensure you can have some of these features. You can choose to purchase a brand new vehicle or you could consider purchasing a second-hand car from somewhere like Conklin cars and trucks, for example. This choice is completely up to the individual and their budget. Either way, you can upgrade your vehicle and begin enjoying these features. Hopefully though, your older vehicle will be able to be updated.

1. Backup Camera

A backup cam helps keep small children safe, and it makes your life more convenient. When you don’t have to crane your neck to try to see what’s behind you, driving is more pleasurable.

2. Bluetooth Capability

Let’s face it – it’s a pain to have to hook up your aux cable to your phone every time you get in the car. You’ll do it for the sake of listening to playlists of your choosing, but you wish it was easier – you wish you could take advantage of Bluetooth technology.

Stop fussing with your phone case and replace the head unit in your car’s audio system. All you will have to do is remember to turn on your phone’s Bluetooth – your car will do the rest.

3. Parking Sensors

Parking sensors are cheaper than a backup camera. They will alert you when you’re getting too close to an object while driving in reverse.

4. Diagnostic Sensor

Ever wished you could track trip details, including average fuel economy? You can, with a diagnostic port adaptor. Plug it in and the information displays on a smartphone app, scoring your driving techniques for safety and fuel efficiency.

5. Driver Alert System

Lane departure alerts and collision warning systems might not come standard in your vehicle, but you can add them via an aftermarket product. While this is one of the pricier technology upgrades for your car, it will help keep you safe.

6. Smartphone Integration

You can find head units that fully integrate with your smartphone, such as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. You get built-in navigation that easily directs you where you need to go. Hands-free calling and voice-activated texting is another bonus.

7. Heads-Up Display

Thanks to modern technology, you don’t have to look away from the road for an instant. A heads-up display projects navigational information onto the windshield, making it easy for you to see your next turn. It’s one of the technology upgrades that will make you feel like you’re driving a spaceship, not a car!

8. Seat Heaters

Aftermarket seat heating and massage chairs enhance comfort and help you love your old car again. Who wouldn’t love a car that keeps them warm and relaxed, especially in the middle of Utah’s cold winters?

9. Remote Start

Install a remote start system, and you’ll be able to conveniently start your engine with the tap of a button or the click of a smartphone. It’s an easy way to quickly upgrade one of the features most desired in new vehicles.

Laketown Speed and Sound helps install all these technology upgrades and more! Call us today or bring your vehicle in. We will give you a free quote so you can see how affordable it is to make driving fun again.

Both your ATV and UTV audio systems are important — they drastically enhance your trail-riding experience. You might love hearing the roar of the engine as you scale hills and get muddy, but there’s something truly energizing about hearing your favorite tunes blasting through the speakers while you do it.

You can’t get a perfect ATV or UTV audio system by accident — you have to want it. Stock systems don’t provide the rich tones or the balanced sound you want. You need to invest in superior products and a professional’s expertise. That’s how you overcome four common UTV audio issues to get the sound you’re looking for.

Too Much Exterior Noise

Road noise is a problem in every vehicle you drive, but especially your ATV or UTV. The engine is powerful, which is great for rough terrain, but that means it’s loud. When you have your audio system cranked all the way up, you still can’t really enjoy your playlist. How can you, when you can barely hear it?

You can resolve this issue by boosting the amplification and giving your UTV audio system more power — that’s what it needs to project over the engine noise.

Outdated Connectivity

One of the smallest details that’s one of the biggest inconveniences is extremely outdated connectivity options for your ATV audio system. Maybe it only has a CD player. Maybe it requires a certain corded connection and you don’t have the right cable. Wouldn’t it be easier to just turn on your smartphone’s Bluetooth and select your favorite playlist?

All the best, modern aftermarket UTV audio upgrades allow this convenient function — outdated connectivity is no longer a problem.

Aftermarket Upgrades … That Don’t Fit Your Needs

If you already spent money to upgrade your ATV audio and you don’t notice a difference, you have a problem. Maybe the supposed “sound specialist” wasn’t also a “speed specialist.” Maybe they outfitted your UTV with heavy speakers — needless weight that just makes your ride sluggish. Whatever the case, if you invested in an aftermarket upgrade that hasn’t paid off, you need a remedy.

There is no point in making changes to your UTV audio system if you won’t enjoy the finished product. Maybe your system just needs tweaking, or maybe you need a complete overhaul. Either way, you need a pro’s help.

Imbalanced Audio

It’s not easy to create a balanced, perfectly level ATV stereo sound, so if you notice an imbalance in the audio levels, you wouldn’t be the first ATV or UTV owner with the same problem.

This problem, like the others, is resolved with an expert’s care. You don’t have to settle for subpar just because it’s UTV stereo sound — you can and should still expect the best.

Laketown Speed and Sound crafts high-quality, unmatched ATV and UTV audio systems. Call us today for a free quote before your next trail-riding trip.

It’s the perfect time of year for window tinting, and Laketown Speed and Sound offers custom tint services for your car, truck or SUV.

It’s common for vehicle owners to look at this upgrade as a visual enhancement only — until they find out about the great benefits that come along with the cosmetic improvement.

What are they?

1. Improve Privacy

It’s not that you’re not friendly, it’s just that you’d rather that strangers couldn’t see who’s in your car. Keep your passengers, like your kids, away from prying eyes. It’s relaxing to feel a sense of privacy when you climb into a car, and when you add tint, you add comfort for your passengers.

2. Enhance Security

When you lock your car doors and walk away, window tinting maintains that privacy even while your vehicle is empty. If thieves can’t see valuables in your back seat or trunk, they are less likely to break in.

3. Reduce Exposure to Harmful UV Rays

Too much UV-ray exposure can harm your skin and potentially cause cancer. Plus, you’ll get quite an uneven tan on a long car trip. Tinting reduces the amount of UV rays that enter the car by up to 99 percent, protecting your health.

4. Protect Your Car’s Upholstery

UV rays can damage a vehicle’s interior as well as your skin. Keep your fabric or leather seats looking as good as new. Reduce fading, warping and cracking and preserve the value of your car.

5. Stay Cool in Summer Heat

With fewer UV rays heating up the cabin, you’ll feel cooler and you will hear fewer complaints from passengers. No more hot, stuffy road trips.

6. Improve Gas Mileage

When your car’s cooling system doesn’t have to work as hard, you won’t have to pay as much at the pump. It can give your gas mileage a boost and help extend the miles between fill-ups.

What You Should Know About Utah’s Window Tint Laws

Just so you know — in Utah only a slight tint is allowed on front driver and passenger side doors. They must let in at least 43% of the light. But any shade of tint can be used on back side windows and rear windows.

Window tinting is an investment, and there’s no better team to trust than Laketown Speed and Sound. We deliver all these benefits when we expertly handle installation, giving you results and improving the value of your vehicle. Call us today to get a free quote and set up your service appointment.

Your ideal car audio system doesn’t have to be just a dream — it can become a reality, but you have to focus on more than just upping the volume in your car. Your vehicle has to have a balanced, powerful sound, and that doesn’t happen with a basic speaker upgrade. It takes a renovation of the entire car audio system.

After years of creating sound systems that wow, we’ve compiled a list of the main ways to put together a superior vehicle audio arrangement.

Amplifiers Are Essential

Start with the amplifier. You may think the terrible sound quality you have now is due to the car’s low-quality stock speakers, and you may be right, but that’s not the whole story. The car’s amplifier is what powers the entire audio system.

Adding an aftermarket amplifier gives your vehicle’s sound more volume, but without sacrificing quality. You will hear small details in the music you never noticed before. It’s a crystal clear sound that will be drastically different, no matter the volume.

Sound Deadening Can Help

Many times, you can’t hear the main problems with a car’s audio when it’s parked. But on the highway, the deafening road noise compromises your listening experience. Invest in sound deadening and you’ll be able to upgrade your car’s exhaust without worrying about how it will affect your audio system.

Yes, You Do Need New Speakers

While speakers won’t resolve the root problems in a car audio system, they can make a big difference as part of a whole-system upgrade. Aftermarket speakers provide a bigger frequency range and are a major improvement over the subpar stock options that come with vehicles straight from the manufacturer.

Add a Subwoofer to Enhance the Experience

Even the best speakers can’t always reach the lowest notes, but that’s what a subwoofer is for. Subwoofers offer a rich, deep sound that allows you to feel the music as well as hear it.

Sound File Quality Affects Output Too

Creating a high-end car audio system is about more than volume, and it’s about more than the vehicle itself. Sometimes a major quality upgrade comes when you stop streaming low-bit music files and start pulling from high-quality data sources. There is only so much your system can do with low-quality music, so make sure your files are top-notch to get the most out of your system.

Laketown Speed and Sound is your local resource for car audio system upgrades and service. We’re audiophiles ourselves and know how life-changing a sleek, high-quality system can be. Come into our shop today and get a quote on the upgrades your vehicle needs to give you the best mobile stereo experience possible.

Don’t settle for a stock ATV audio system — you deserve an upgrade. Think about the hours you’re about to spend out on the trails. Do you really want to listen to music via a subpar ATV audio system the entire time? You love your hobby enough to get your own ATV — why not customize it to make it truly enjoyable?

Upgrading ATV Audio Is More Complicated than Car Audio

One major fact you should know before you jump into upgrading your ATV audio system: It’s a lot different than upgrading your regular vehicle’s sound system. With a car, there’s plenty of space to put the add-ons you need to create a well-rounded sound. With an ATV, there isn’t. You have to get creative, and you can’t add too much weight, or you’ll affect performance.

With a car, the audio system is protected from the elements. With an ATV, it isn’t. You have to contend with dust, mud and water, plus the constant jostling and bumping when the ATV is scaling the next trail.

Take a look at the tips below before you make any upgrades on your own.

Marine-Grade Parts Are Necessary

Maybe you don’t normally drive on trails with any bodies of water, but don’t assume your ATV audio system will stay dry. It’s essential to purchase marine-grade, waterproof parts so you can be sure your investment is safe.

You May Need More Power

Your ATV engine is loud. Maybe it drowns out your current system, and that’s one of your motivations for upgrading.

One of the first changes to make is to the overall power of the ATV audio system. In order to make sure you can hear your music loud and clear, start by upgrading the amplifier. It’s probably smart to add an extra battery to your ATV as well, just to make sure the main battery isn’t drained while you’re out on the trails.

Bluetooth Connectivity Makes Your Life Easier

One of the most convenient upgrades you can invest in is Bluetooth connectivity. You won’t have to worry about loading your music — just bring along a Bluetooth device like an iPod or smartphone. It makes it easy to control your playlist and hear what you want while you’re out on your ATV for the day.

Professional Mounting Is Key

Regardless of whether you’re ready to make ATV audio upgrades on your own, it’s best to invest in professional mounting for all add-on equipment. From the rumbling of the engine to the bumping from a rocky trail, your extra speakers can easily shake loose if they aren’t mounted professionally.

Wondering where to go to get professional ATV audio upgrade service at an affordable price? Laketown Speed and Sound is here to help. Call today to get a free quote and set up your appointment!

Off-roading gives you the power to push the limits. You can reach places you’ve never been — places most people wouldn’t dare to go. You build friendships. You develop the quick thinking and skillful handling needed to navigate the most desolate trail.

If off-roading is your passion, think of preparation as the key to tackling the trails with precision. There aren’t any cars you can purchase off the lot that are ready to handle what the wild has in store. You have to soup up your ride beforehand. How?

1. Boost Your Suspension

The fun of off-roading evaporates quickly when you bust a hole in your oil pan because your vehicle is too low to the ground. It’s time to raise your ride!

You don’t have to pump up your suspension to an over-the-top level, you just need enough clearance to traverse boulders, stumps and any other obstacles on the trails you frequent.

2. Upgrade Your Tires

For the most part, the tires that are issued with your vehicle aren’t worth much when it comes to off-roading, especially if they’re street tires. They’ll puncture within the first few minutes out on the trail.

You need tires meant for muddy terrain, with deep treads and thick sidewalls. Since you already upgraded your suspension, you’ll be able to get tires that demand respect.

3. Add Protective Bumpers

Upgrade your bumpers and get protective steel guards. They’re heavy and they’ll take away from your fuel efficiency, but they’re worth it. You worry less about body and engine damage when you have heavy-duty front and rear protection. They also add to the off-roading style of your vehicle.

4. Install a Winch

With a heavy-duty bumper designed for off-roading in place, you’ll be able to install a winch too, since many of the aftermarket bumpers are specifically geared for towing.

If you’re experienced with off-roading, you know that getting stuck is inevitable. You just have to make sure you have the right equipment to get yourself out of a jam when you need to, and that’s where a winch comes in handy. It’s essential, if you’re serious about taking your ride off pavement.

5. Elevate Your Air Intake

A high-mounted air intake remedies the problem of water in the engine. Water in the engine can cause hydrolocking. Since water isn’t compressible, the connecting rods that try to push the pistons up are damaged. This can happen even if you drive through a relatively shallow puddle. Make sure your air intake is elevated beforehand to avoid engine damage.

Come to Laketown Speed and Sound when you’re preparing for off-roading season. We help you outfit your vehicle so you’re ready to explore the Utah wilderness.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are Silicon Valley’s answer to the outdated, clunky “infotainment” dashboard setups that come with modern vehicles. Thankfully, car manufacturers are backing off and letting tech nerds do what they do best: design sleek, functional vehicle operating systems more closely aligned with the driver’s smartphone.

If you’ve gone shopping for a new vehicle lately, you’ve probably noticed that the latest buzz is all about Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But did you know you can make your older car compatible too? All you need is an aftermarket system upgrade, easily delivered by the team at Laketown Speed and Sound.

But before you make the change to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you should know what you’re in for.

Setting it Up

To get going with Apple CarPlay, all you need to do is plug in your iPhone. But beware; since a lightning cable input is required, you will need at least an iPhone 5 or newer. Once you’re connected, CarPlay starts up automatically and appears on your vehicle’s dashboard, but you can easily switch to the car’s standard operating system at any time.

Setting up Android Auto is similar. Download the app and then plug in your phone. You may have to allow the Android Auto program access to the vehicle’s operating system, but once you do, it will start automatically whenever you plug in your phone.

Navigation Capabilities

Sadly, neither Apple CarPlay or Android Auto offers much of a choice when it comes to navigation. You’re forced to use the iPhone’s Maps application, which at times isn’t the most accurate option. Android Auto compels you to use Google Maps as a default. For many drivers, this may be a benefit — many Apple and Android smartphone users prefer Google’s directions to others.

Entertainment

Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow drivers to download and use third-party music apps such as Spotify, iHeart Radio and more. You also can access the built-in music stream apps for both phone operating systems: Google Play and iTunes Music.

Apple seems to have the edge, since it offers an easily navigable Spotify interface and a few more supported third-party apps than Android, but both allow developers to publish compatible apps, so this will continue to be an evolving competition.

Hands-Free Options

Both systems attempt to coerce the driver into hands-free operation as much as possible. For Apple CarPlay, this means you can use Siri to do just about anything you need while on the road. Android’s Google control works well also. You can make calls, record voice to text, get directions and search the internet while keeping both hands on the wheel.

Future Development Is Needed

Since both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are new releases, it’s clear many improvements will be made, but both offer the smartphone user a much better vehicle “infotainment” dashboard than the stock option.

You probably won’t change the type of smartphone you use based on how it functions with your car, but you may want to upgrade your receiver to enjoy a whole new driving experience. Talk to the team at Laketown Speed and Sound for a free quote.

Your old marine audio system may not be able to provide the kind of entertainment you had in mind for a day out on the Great Salt Lake. You need your favorite playlist blasting to set the tone for a breezy, relaxing, exciting day on the water.

A new marine audio system can change everything. You’ll set the tone for fun, and your passengers will clamor for another invite next weekend. With summer quickly approaching, take the time to upgrade your boat’s audio and enjoy superior sound all season long.

Signs to Look for in the Old System

When you notice the following issues, it’s time to invest in a system upgrade:

• • Crackling Speakers

No one wants to hear their favorite songs coming from fuzzy, distorted, crackling speakers. The speakers that come with many boats are merely standard issue. They don’t allow you to party like you’re meant to on sunny, warm boating days.

• • The Balance Is All Wrong

If your speakers are installed so that bass sounds come from the back and treble from the front, the music is distorted unless you sit directly in the middle of your boat. An imbalanced audio system is more painful to listen to than it is fun.

• The System Is Obsolete

If your boat only has an input for a cassette or a CD, you’re missing out. Modern marine audio offers so many more convenient media options like integration with smartphones, Bluetooth and satellite radio, you won’t want to stick with your archaic model.

What to Look for in a New System

When you’re investing in a new system, look for these four features:

• • Clarity

Every component, from the receiver to the speakers, should be engineered for clarity. You want to hear the music above the wind and waves. You also need the sound to rise above the engine noise so you can hear your favorite track while the boat is in motion.

• • Durability

A marine audio system must be able to withstand wind, water and sun. It has to be waterproof, and it must be rust- and corrosion-resistant as well, so salt water doesn’t take a toll. Find a system that is UV-resistant too, so bright sunshine doesn’t cause damage.

• • Power

Designing a full marine audio system means engineering ways to incorporate more power. That may include adding another marine amplifier to your setup. Power is at the core of an impressive whole-boat sound.

• Convenience

You can find a system with Bluetooth capability and hands-free controls. Stream music with the touch of a smartphone button. Or connect your phone or mp3 player via USB or AUX to charge and stream at the same time.

Get Professional Installation Today

Laketown Speed and Sound is the marine audio system specialist that can transform your boating experience. Call us today for a free quote!

Aftermarket parts don’t just increase speed and engine performance — they can help improve your gas mileage, too. If you find yourself visiting the pump too often (and you’d like to upgrade your vehicle’s systems anyway), the promise of fewer trips to the gas station might be enough to finally push you toward making the vehicle upgrades you’ve been contemplating.

Here are four aftermarket parts that will make your tank of gas last longer, plus provide a host of other satisfying benefits:

1. High-Flow Cold Air Intake System

One of the first aftermarket parts you should consider when you’re aiming for better gas mileage is an air intake system. The quality of air that enters your engine will directly affect its performance and mileage. Manufacturer-designed air intake systems are crafted solely with noise reduction in mind, but this compromises performance.

By replacing your filter, or going all the way and swapping out your OEM system for a high-flow cold air intake system, you’re sending colder, denser air to your engine. This air has more oxygen. Oxygen creates more engine power, better overall function and accomplishes your main goal: saving miles per gallon.

2. Cat-Back Exhaust System

Improving engine efficiency begins with an improved air flow, but the circle isn’t complete unless you effectively remove as much of the exhaust gas as possible.

A cat-back exhaust system replaces your OEM system from the catalytic converters and back. The pipes are larger. The mufflers are also designed to facilitate a more efficient draining of the exhaust. Cat-back exhaust systems improve gas mileage and enhance engine sound as well.

3. Performance Chip or Tuner

Your vehicle’s electronic control unit (ECU) handles ignition timing and dictates the fuel mixture. You can customize output by adding a performance chip or tuner and altering the vehicle’s ECU settings. You will need to find a fuel mixture balance that affords more engine power, but once you have the right formula, you can see a major reduction in fuel consumption levels.

4. Performance Suspension Kits

Lighter vehicles use less fuel. When you replace heavy OEM suspension parts with streamlined, lighter components, your car’s engine doesn’t have to expend as much power — that translates to fuel savings for you.

Replace struts, shocks, springs and sway bars with aftermarket parts specifically designed for speed and performance. A suspension kit will improve your vehicle’s handling, and you will recoup costs at the pump.

Laketown Speed and Sound can help you customize your vehicle with aftermarket parts that pay for themselves over time. Lower your fuel budget and invest in the vehicle enhancements you’ve only dreamed of.

A blown car speaker can seriously curb your enthusiasm on a long road trip, or even a short commute to work. Half the fun of driving is listening to your favorite playlist at a high volume.

When rattling and buzzing drown out your jam, is the issue fixable or do you have a blown car speaker?

Why Do Car Speakers Give Out?

Car speakers can sustain either mechanical or thermal damage, causing them to start sounding strange or not working at all.

Mechanically, if the speaker’s cone moves a certain way, it can cause other pieces of the speaker to break apart. Thermally, when the speaker receives too much power, it creates a buildup of heat that can melt components and destroy wiring.

Listen for the Obvious

For the most part, you will know right away when one of your car speakers blows. All of a sudden, a hissing, fuzzy noise will overwhelm the previous crystal-clear frequencies. Distortion will only get louder as you turn up the volume. This is the unmistakable sign of a blown car speaker.

If your speaker is severely damaged, you may not hear anything at all.

Incomplete Range?

Maybe your speakers sound great most of the time, but any very high or very low frequencies draw out that unwelcome fuzziness. What’s that all about?

If the speaker is starting to come apart, frequencies within a certain range may still sound fine. But when you turn up the bass and hear nothing, it’s clear your speaker is at least partially damaged. It’s time to have it replaced before it gets worse.

No Vibrations = No Power

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if any sound is coming through a particular speaker. The foolproof way to find out is to turn the volume up higher and feel the speaker. If you don’t feel any vibrations, the speaker isn’t receiving power.
This could be because it’s blown, or there may be a simple wiring problem that’s easily repairable. Either way, whenever there’s a lack of vibrations, it’s time to address the issue.

Listen for Other Suspicious Noises

Sometimes a blown car speaker may still transmit sound, but it will give off a rattling or popping noise. This may mean you need to replace the speaker, or it could point to a minor problem, such as a broken tweeter.

What Should You Do?

Any problems with your car audio system can be quickly remedied at Laketown Speed and Sound. Don’t let a blown car speaker interfere with your enjoyment of your ride — come in today and let us handle the repair efficiently and affordably. We also provide audio system upgrades.