Rainy Season Driving

The Rainy Season is here again.

Say hello to the cool weather, torrential rains, giant potholes, muddy roads, flash flooding and off course… the resulting mega Traffic!

Luckily, unlike last year; this year the Rainy Season started a bit later than expected. Let’s just pray that the Season doesn’t try to make up for its short duration by increasing its
intensity.

If the downpour experienced on Wednesday June 10th is a preview of things to come then we had better brace ourselves!

● Is Your Car Ready?

Is your Car Ready for the Rainy Season? Do you have Wheel Liners and Splash Guards
covering your front wheels? They can help prevent dirt, water and sand from getting
under the hood, into your headlights, air filters and fenders etc.

How about your Umbrella, is it in the car? You never know when you’ll have no choice but to dash out
into the rain.

● Check Your Tyres

Rainy season isn’t the best time to be using worn out tyres. Even brand new tyres will
have a difficult time maintaining grip.

If your tires are wearing out (check the tread depth), then now is a good time to get them replaced. Don’t forget to also keep them properly inflated!

● Windshield Wipers
This is a good time to invest in good Windshield wipers. When the rain is pouring down
heavily, good Wipers will clear the windshield in a single stroke and won’t make any
funny, irritating noises.

If you can’t afford to invest in a premium pair right now then the generic budget brands sold on the road by street hawkers will suffice.

● Check your Brakes
Get your mechanic to inspect your Braking System (Pads and Discs) to ensure they’re in
good working condition. The last thing you want is unresponsive breaks or worn out pads
in the middle of heavy rain.

A poor braking system could greatly increase your stoppage time or add a measure of uncertainty which could result in you ramming into the car in front of you or a tree at the side of the road.

● Visibility Zero
Never drive when your vision is impaired by heavy rain. If you can’t see what’s in
front of you too clearly then try to park and wait out the heavy part of the rain.

Know where the Defog button is in your car. It will help improve visibility.

● Light up the Way
It’s good practise to drive with full beam to improve your visibility whether in heavy
rain or even light rain. It will help you see the road and help other drivers see you.
It’s also a good idea to turn on your Hazard lights to help other drivers, especially
those behind you to see you better! Regularly check that your headlights, rear lights,
brake lights & turn indicators are working properly.

● Keep Your Distance!
Always keep your distance from the car ahead of you. It takes 3 times longer to brake
on wet roads than it does on dry roads. Give trucks and buses extra distance.

Never break suddenly, in case the car behind you isn’t keeping their distance or isn’t
concentrating. In light fog, light rain or nighttime, double the distance between your car and other cars to a minimum of 4 seconds.

● Slow Down!
Your stopping distance is greatly affected by the road conditions. During heavy rain,
when there’s a lot of water on the road, there is less traction between your Car’s
tyres and the road.

Rain also mixes with grime and oil on the road which can result in
skidding. Also try to avoid using your brakes whenever possible. Instead, slow down by
taking your foot off the accelerator.

If you notice yourself using the breaks often then it’s usually an indication that you’re moving too fast.

● Maximum Speed
Rainy season isn’t the time to be doing 120kmph. Limit your speed to a maximum of
60kmph, or even less as the case may be.

The slower you move, the more time you’ll have to react to a hazard, the more likely you’ll be able to break in time, and the less likely you’ll suffer from any serious injuries if you get into an accident.

● Aquaplaning
This happens when you’re driving and water forms a layer between your Car tyres and the
Road. This can lead to a loss of traction which makes your Car unresponsive to control.
Aquaplaning can result in Skidding/Drifting out of your lane or even off the road.
Avoid entering large puddles of water, instead slow down and drive around them.

● Don’t Lose Control!
If you find yourself Skidding on the Road then by all means resist the urge to
slam/pump the brakes! If you do this, what happens is your tyres will lose traction
which will make your car unresponsive to control.

Instead, apply steady pressure to your brakes to maintain traction and steer in direction of the skid and you’ll stay in control.

● Trailing
Now that you know what Aquaplaning is, one way to avoid it and ensure that your tyres
have adequate traction is to drive in the tyre trails of the Car infront
of you.

We didn’t say drive bumpertobumper! Notice the water trail left behind by the wheels of
the car in-front of you? Well these trails have less water due to displacement by the
tyres. So by driving in these tracks you’re guaranteed maximum traction.

● You Sabi the Road?

The Rainy Season is probably not the best time to be exploring new routes in a bid to beat the traffic. Instead, stick with routes you’re familiar with, you will have a good idea where all the trouble spots like potholes are and avoid them even if they are
completely submerged underwater and you can’t see them. If you must navigate go as slow as possible.

● If you must go Swimming…

Sometimes there’s no avoiding those deep puddles of water. If you have no other choice
but to cross then make sure you switch off your AC (ensures water isn’t sucked in) and
you move through at a moderate speed so that your momentum can help your tyres overcome any slippery surfaces.

● Stuck in the Mud
Make sure you carry a Tow strap in your trunk at all times in case you get stuck in mud
and need to be towed out. If you suddenly find yourself stuck in mud don’t spin your
tires at high speeds.

It generates a lot of heat which could damage your car components
and prove expensive in the long run. Instead stop, put your car in reverse and try to slowly back out.

Flooring or Pumping the throttle in slippery mud won’t give your tyres
adequate time to grip the ground, and will instead end up digging you further down into
the dirt.

● Watch Out for Pedestrians
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a Car, especially during the Rainy Season.
Please don’t compound their shortcomings by giving them a Second Bath for the day.

Be mindful of Puddles, and if you see Pedestrians nearby slow down or navigate around the Puddles to avoid splashing muddy water on them.

Enjoy your drive.

Please wash me sir

Preserve Vehicle Value by cleaning

Keeping your car clean will significantly help preserve its overall value.

“Simply cleaning your vehicle not only fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment, but it also protects your valuable vehicle investment,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “It’s a task that takes very little money or effort, but has huge returns.”

Polishing your vehicle once every six months and washing it once a week prevents the buildup of damaging chemicals and dirt that may harm the vehicle’s finish. In addition to regular care, it is important to look for any dents, dings, scratches or cracked glass. These problems, when left unattended, can lead to more expensive repairs down the line. Frequent washing and polishing is also the best way to protect your car’s finish from the damaging effects of harsh ultraviolet rays and acid rain.

It is imperative to clean your car only with products sold specifically for cars which are specially formulated to ensure that the treatments your vehicle’s manufacturer included on the paint finish remain intact. Using harsh detergents, like dish soap, that are not intended for use of vehicle exteriors can damage those protective layers leaving your vehicle even more vulnerable to the elements than before you washed it.

 

 

6 vehicle warning smells

Certain smells could be a problem with your vehicle .
Here's a picture graph of smells to look out for.

Seven signs you need new brakes

When we talk care care and maintenance, brakes and braking is chief amongst our list. It the number one safety check for any vehicle.
So here are seven tell-tale signs you need new brakes;

Noise: screeching, grinding or clicking noises when applying the brakes.

Pulling: vehicle pulls to one side while braking.

Low Pedal:brake pedal nearly touches the floor before engaging.

Hard Pedal: must apply extreme pressure to the pedal before brakes engage.

Grabbing: brakes grab at the slightest touch to the pedal.

Vibration: brake pedal vibrates or pulses, even under normal braking conditions.

Light: brake light is illuminated on your vehicle’s dashboard.

Idling/Warming your car in the morning

To Idle or Not to Idle, That is the Question

June 10, 2015

It is that time of the year when many motorists let their vehicle “warm up” or idle before driving. In fact, today’s modern cars are ready to drive in cold temperatures without excessive idling, says the Car Care Council.

“Unless you are trying to defrost the windshield or warm the interior of your car, idling is not required for today’s vehicles,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “In most cases, idling longer than 30 seconds is unnecessary. The best way to warm up your car’s engine is to drive gently at the start. Remember, a vehicle gets zero miles per gallon when idling and the result is lower fuel economy and wasted money.”

The idea of idling before driving dates back to when cars were built with carburetors. With new fuel-injection technology, complex computer systems and thinner synthetic oils, drivers don’t need to warm up their cars before hitting the road.

According to the  US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “When a car idles for more than 30 seconds, it has several negative effects, such as increasing air pollution unnecessarily, wasting fuel and money, and causing excessive wear or even damaging a car’s engine components, including cylinders, spark plugs, and the exhaust system. Contrary to popular belief, idling isn’t an effective way to warm up most car engines.”

How to replace a wheel safely

To save space and weight, many new cars have a punture repair kit – sealant and compressor – rather than a spare wheel.  If you don't have a spare it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the kit provided so you'll know what to do if you do get a puncture.

If your car does have a spare it's a good idea to practice changing a wheel at home in the daylight when the weather's warm and dry. Then, if you do suffer a puncture you'll be able to cope more easily, even if it's dark, cold or wet.

Given a safe environment, the right tools and some basic knowledge, changing a wheel on any vehicle should be fairly straightforward. Check the handbook first as this might include vehicle specific advice.

Where the handbook and our advice appear to be in conflict, follow the advice in the handbook.

For your own safety Don't try to change a wheel on the hard shoulder of a motorway or at the side of a road. Turn off or pull over well away from the traffic and call for help.Don't try to change a wheel on soft, loose or uneven ground Don't try to change a wheel with passengers still in the car. Move everyone to a place of safety, well away from the vehicle and carriageway.Don't work under a car while it's raised on a jack.Don't try to use the jack anywhere other than at the specified jacking points – attaching the jack in the wrong place can cause damage to the car and/or risks it collapsing when lifted.

What you'll need, handbook - showing where to attach the jackspare wheel - with adequate tread and correctly inflated vehicle jackwheel-nut wrench with extension bar and locking wheel nut adaptor if fitted at least one wheel chock gloves – the wheel/tyre will be dirty something to kneel on – the ground will be dirty too sharp knife or cutters to remove cable ties if these are used to hold wheel trims in place torch reflective jacket and sensible/strong shoes for your own safety

Before lifting the car, Plan the job so that the vehicle is raised for the minimum amount of time.Switch off the engine and turn on the hazard lights.Apply the handbrake and engage first gear (or 'P' if an automatic).Chock the road wheel diagonally opposite the one to be replaced.Remove the spare from the boot/carrier – a carrier under the vehicle may be rusty and difficult to move.Lay the spare on the ground where it will be convenient for fitting.Remove the wheel trim (if fitted) – you may have to cut cable ties and/or lever the trim off.Place the jack in the recommended lifting point closest to the wheel to be removed. Ensure that the jack head engages correctly (as shown in the handbook) and extend the jack until it just starts to lift the car on its springs. Don't lift the car any further yet.Slacken off the wheel nuts/bolts (most turn anti–clockwise to undo) using the vehicle's wheel brace and locking wheel-nut adapter if required. (There might be a protective cover over locking wheel nuts).Keep your back straight and body weight evenly distributed on both feet. Apply effort downward and in a controlled way so that when the nut finally 'breaks' you won't lose your balance or fall over. You can achieve greater efficiency by applying controlled effort through the foot, but only if you can support your upper body.

Lifting the car

Raise the jack to lift the vehicle sufficiently so that the wheel is just clear of the ground.

Remove the slackened wheel nuts/bolts while keeping the wheel in position on the hub using a knee or toe – leave the top one until last so that both hands are free to lift the wheel away from the hub.

Fitting the spare

Fitting the spare is the reverse of the removal procedure – secure the wheel by refitting the top bolt/nut first, and tighten all the nuts by hand first in stages and in a diagonal sequence.

Don't oil the bolts/nuts before refitting them, as this will make them more likely to work lose.

Carefully lower the wheel to make contact with the ground before fully tightening the wheel nuts – again in diagonal sequence.

Stow the damaged wheel safety. Replace it in the carrier or boot well.

And finally

If the spare is a temporary-use 'skinny' spare, note any restrictions on use – they're typically limited to 50mph and should be replaced with a normal tyre as soon as possible. Some dashboard lights may come on while a space saver spare is used because systems like ABS, traction control and some automatic gearboxes can be upset by odd tyre sizes.

check/adjust the pressure in the 'new' tyre as soon as possible get the wheel nuts tightened to the correct torque figure as soon as possible replace or repair the damaged tyre as soon as possible

How to prevent major breakdowns

The most important thing you can do to reduce the risk of breakdown is to get your car serviced to the manufacturer's schedule and specification.

Beyond regular servicing the the following simple checks will help you to enjoy safe, worry-free motoring.

Tyres
Know the correct tyre pressures for your car and check them at least every two weeks using a good-quality gauge or garage air line.Check tyre tread and condition – look for cuts on sidewalls. If any one tyre needs regular top-ups, it may have a slow puncture.Don't forget to check the spare as well.

Toolkit
Check the handbook for the location of the basic toolkit for the car that should contain at least a jack and wheel removal tools.Familiarise yourself with the jacking points used to lift the car safely.If locking wheel nuts are fitted make sure that the toolkit includes the key or removal tool.

Engine oil
Check the dipstick at least every fortnight and before any long journey.Have the oil and filter changed at recommended service intervals using oil of the correct specification.High oil consumption can indicate engine problems.

Water
Check the coolant level regularly and top up as necessary – but only when the engine is cold.Have the antifreeze concentration checked before winter.Antifreeze prevents the build-up of corrosion within the cooling system as well as stopping the coolant freezing so is important all year round.

Wipers
Wiper blades wear down over time and smear the windscreen if they become worn.Replace them at least once a year for best performance.

Screenwash
Check and top up regularly – it's a legal requirement that the system works.Use a good screenwash additive through summer and winter – water alone won't clear oily road grime and freezes more readily in winter.

Windscreen
Check regularly for stone damage as this can impair vision or distract attention.Minor chips can grow and crack the glass but many can be repaired by a windscreen specialist.

Lights
Check all lights weekly. Don't forget indicators, brake and fog lights.Clean lights regularly. In bad weather wipe them over with a damp cloth during driving breaks.

Power steering
Ensure that the fluid reservoir is checked at every service, and check it yourself once a month.Top up only using the correct hydraulic fluid as advised in the car handbook.

Bodywork
Deal promptly with damage to bodywork to prevent rust setting in.Many cars have extended bodywork warranty schemes, which may require annual inspection at the dealer. Check that any previous owner has kept records up to date.

DIY Car Maintenance

Maintenance

As newer vehicles have become increasingly complex with onboard computers and high-tech gadgetry, maintenance jobs now often require a mechanic with the proper training and tools to correctly complete the task.

But there are still a few maintenance jobs that most men can do themselves on most models, and below I list three of the most accessible. It’s true that taking care of these tasks doesn’t save you very much in either time or money, but it is satisfying nonetheless and I recommend trying each job at least once, as they’ll give you a reason to look under your hood as well as a small bit of insight into how your trusted chariot works.

Change oil every 5,000 miles. Whether you do it yourself or take it to a mechanic, getting your oil changed regularly is one of the most important ways of keeping your car running smoothly.

Change air filter every 12,000 miles. This is quite possibly one of the easiest car maintenance jobs you can do yourself. Regularly changing your car’s air filter will increase fuel efficiency, prolong your engine’s life, and reduce emissions.

While changing your car’s oil comes with the hassle of finding a way to dispose of the used oil properly, no such inconvenience exists for the air filter, and doing it yourself will easily save you half the cost of having a service shop take care of it.

Rotate tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Front and rear tires wear differently. Regularly rotating your tires equalizes their natural wear patterns, ensuring a smoother and safer ride. It also extends the life of your tires, which will save you money on costly replacements.

Keep Your Car Clean

Besides performing regular maintenance, another important part of taking care of your car is keeping it clean.

Wash your car regularly. Every day our cars are subjected to sun, salt, grease and grime, acid rain, smog, tree sap, dead bugs, and worst of all, the acidic compound of bird poop bombs. These things eat away at paint, and once that’s gone, they will eat at the metal in your car. While failing to wash your car won’t result in immediate damage, over time the elements will corrode your vehicle, along with its potential re-sell value.

How often should you wash your car? It depends. Location and climate are the two biggest factors in determining frequency. If you live in an area with a lot of pollution and sea salt in the air, you’ll need to wash it two or three times a month. If you live inland and in an area with little pollution, a once a month car wash will suffice. During the winter, you may need to wash your car more frequently than you do during the summer due to the snow, salt, and mud that will accumulate as you drive along icy roadways.

Don’t forget to detail your car after you wash it!

Don’t use the inside of your car as a garbage can.  The inside of your car is not a garbage can, so quit treating it like one. Get in the habit of regularly cleaning out your car so it doesn’t constantly look like a dump. Keeping your car’s interior clean and tidy can reduce stress in your life and make the driving experience more enjoyable. Also, you never know when you’ll have unexpected passengers . By keeping your car clean, you’ll never have to sheepishly say, “Sorry about the mess,” as you wipe away shards of yesterday’s QuickTrip breakfast burrito from the passenger seat.

Checking tires for wear and tear

Safety: Check Your Tires for Wear and Tear

May 26, 2015

It only takes a penny to see if your tires are worn or losing tread. Examining your tires for wear and tear, along with checking tire pressure and alignment, are essential to ensuring your vehicle’s safety on the road and helping to improve gas mileage and performance. The non-profit Car Care Council recommends that motorists be car care aware and check tire condition and pressure regularly.

“The penny test is a simple, yet effective, way to check tire tread. If you see Lincoln’s head above the tread, you are ready for new tires,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Tires are critical to a vehicle’s handling and traction, and maintaining proper pressure is vitally important to vehicle safety. Underinflated tires are under stress and will wear unevenly, causing them to need to be replaced sooner. Routinely checking tire balance and wheel alignment reduces tire wear, improves handling, and increases fuel economy.”

   

According to the Car Care Council’s popular Car Care Guide, vehicle owners should check the pressure of all tires, including the spare, on a monthly basis and more often during colder weather. In addition, the tread should be checked for uneven or irregular wear as well as cuts or bruises along sidewalls. Tires should be inflated to recommended pressure levels, rotated every 6,000 miles to promote uniform tire wear and be replaced if worn or damaged.

If the vehicle shakes or pulls to one side, it could be a sign of an alignment issue. Because uneven or accelerated tire wear may indicate an alignment problem, it’s a good idea to have the alignment checked at least once a year. Wheel balance can change as a result of normal tire wear and unbalanced wheels can cause rapid wear of shock absorbers and struts.