Vandix Motor Clinic

25/11/2013

4 Common Car Maintenance Mistakes

Proper Tire Inflation and Rotation :

Tires leak naturally and need the occasional check. Figuratively speaking, under-inflated tires suck up gasoline. Under- or overinflated tires wear out sooner, and deliver the same emergency maneuver handling as marshmallows. You probably aren't going to check tire pressures monthly, but how about twice a year?

Furthermore, front and rear tires wear differently and should be rotated to even that wear. Your owner's manual will have a recommendation on both pressure and rotation periods.

What other car maintenance mistakes should be added to this list?

Wiper Tales:

Here's a news flash: It's much easier to avoid hitting things you can see. Simple as it is, that's the concept behind replacing your windshield wipers before they fossilize into noisy uselessness.

Fall is the ideal wiper replacement time: after the blade-baking summer and before the fall and winter nastiness. Depending on location, wiper replacement may be an annual affair in the Southwest to a biannual chore in northern climes.

Tune-Up Anachronism:

There are no more "tune-ups." Valves no longer need adjusting, ignition timing is computer controlled and there are no carburetors to fiddle with. About all that's left of the old tune-up drill are the spark plugs. These are often good for 100,000 miles, so don't change parts just to change parts. Instead, save up for those big 60,000- and 120,000-mile services when the timing belt, spark plug wires and coolant are due for replacement.

Octane Overdose:

"If some is good, more is better" thinking does not apply to octane. Here the rule is to supply whatever octane the engine is rated for and call it done. Higher-than-required octane does not yield more power or mileage, only oil company profits.

Some engines are rated for premium 91 octane fuel but can burn 87 octane regular, thanks to the magic of knock sensors. In that case, run regular gas if puttering around surface streets, and premium fuel if full-throttle driving is part of your daily repertoire.

19/11/2013

Not big on the shape. Would do you think? Ride or Die ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEkRPyg_adI

http://www.autobytel.com/nissan/370z/2012/ The Nissan Z Car has been around since the early 1970's under the Datsun name. For year the Z has been one of the ...

16/11/2013

What would you stick on your car?

16/11/2013

Its a pity these cars can't be legally driven here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDNqcASWEAk

Brian records the 100 or more supercars at the 2008 Auto Affair Performance Car Show. The video shows the exotics arriving, at the show, some start up, some ...

15/11/2013

Wow, Tata actually produce some decent cars.

Random Fact:

The Tata group is actually the parent company for Land Rover and Jaguar !

14/11/2013

Mazda Mazda2 Review

Scorecard
Overall:
7.6
Critics' Rating: 7.5
Performance: 8.2
Interior: 7.4
Safety: 9.3
Reliability:


How we calculate scores
Research analyzed for this review
Pros & Cons
Great handling and braking
Easy-to-use interior features
Short list of optional interior features
Underpowered engine
Limited cargo space for a hatchback
Notable for 2013
No major changes
Research Other Years
2014 Mazda Mazda2
2012 Mazda Mazda2
2011 Mazda Mazda2
The 2013 Mazda Mazda2 ranks 21 out of 40 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of published reviews and test drives of the Mazda Mazda2, as well as reliability and safety data.

14/11/2013

Not Bad- Kia Sorento 2014

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI3mW0fXgUw

The 2014 Kia Sorento is updated on the same platform as the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe. Both share parts but Kia takes a different approach with their SUV. From w...

12/11/2013

Which would could despite the reviews ?


http://youtu.be/QeRcQ-TURQU

( http://www.TFLcar.com ) The 2014 Jeep Cherokee and the new Toyota RAV4 and the current Ford Escape as well as the Honda CR-V all compete for the same custo...

12/11/2013

The problem: Uneven tyre wear.

Recognise it: It may not be obvious when driving that your car’s tyres are unevenly worn, but worn tyres can be dangerous due to their reduced grip on the road. A quick check will tell you if your tyres are worn unevenly. The easiest way is to jack up your car and inspect each tyre individually, noting whether there are any bald spots on the inside or outside of the tyre, or whether there are any dips and dents in the tyre tread.

Fix it: Rotating your tires and having your wheels aligned regularly.

In terms of how often you should get your tires rotated, it’s different for every vehicle and type of tyre, but having them rotated at every oil change is a good rule of thumb. Check with the tyre manufacturer for a more specific time frame. Remember that the more often you rotate your tires, the more evenly they’ll wear, and when you have the tires rotated, you should also get them checked for balance and alignment.





The problem: Problems starting the engine.

Recognize it: Your car either takes a long time to start, or the car simply won’t start at all.

Fix it: There are a number of reasons which can cause a car engine not to start, the most common, of course, being a dead battery. Pay special attention to the noise it makes when you turn the key. Is the car completely silent? If so, there may be a problem with your battery terminal cable connections. Does your car crank over but not start? Then it may be your spark plugs or fuel supply to your engine. In any case, if you’re out on the road, try jumpstarting your car then investigating the cause further when you’re safely back at home.



The problem: Air conditioner not working.

Recognize it: Your air con will switch on, but you notice it’s just blowing room-temperature air around rather than cold air.

Fix it: The most likely cause of this is that there is no refrigerant left in your system. This could be caused by a leak in your system somewhere, which will have to be fixed before refilling the refrigerant. If you’re car-savvy and you own a set of air conditioning gauges, refilling the refrigerant is usually easy to do yourself. However, if you’re not so confident, enlist the help of a knowledgeable friend or take a quick trip to the mechanic.



The problem: Engine overheating.

Recognize it: You may notice steam or smoke coming from your bonnet, or the needle on your engine temperature gauge may be through the roof.

Fix it: Overheating can be caused by a few different factors. The simplest cause may be that your car needs more coolant. Yet depleted coolant can be caused by bigger problem, like leaks or faulty hoses, so always check for the underlying cause before simply filling it up with more. Another common reason for overheating may be that the radiator fan which keeps your engine cool is faulty, so check your fan motor connection and fan thermostat.


The problem: Noisy brakes.

Recognize it: You’ll know it when you hear it!

Fix it: There could be a number of reasons for noisy brakes. It could be that your brake pads are loose, worn out, or you may have brake dust inside the drum. If you can’t see anything wrong with your brake pads, and you suspect it may be brake dust, it may be best to leave this to a professional – brake dust can be extremely dangerous if accidentally inhaled.



Always remember, if you don’t feel confident tackling your car troubles on your own, taking your car in for a quick service and tune up to get you back on the road in no time. Also, don’t forget to take care of the outside appearance of your car as well as the inside – a little DIY waxing and car detailing will help prevent aesthetic problems (like rust and worn out interiors) later down the track. See our car care guide for a few tips and tricks.



What are some other common car troubles, and what’s your best advice for recognizing and fixing them?

28/10/2013

The Car Care Council recommends a sniff test of your vehicle to identify any unusual smells, including the following six warning signs:

1. The smell of burnt rubber could be slipping drive belts or misplaced loose hoses that might be rubbing against rotating accessory drive pulleys. Do not reach in if the engine compartment is hot.

2. The smell of hot oil could mean that oil is leaking onto the exhaust system. To verify the leak, look for oil on the pavement or smoke coming from the engine area.

3. The smell of gasoline is likely the sign of a gas leak in some area of the vehicle such as a fuel injector line or the fuel tank. Any smell of fuel can result in a possible fire hazard, so immediate attention should be given.

4. The sweet smell of syrup may be a sign that your car is leaking engine coolant from a leaky component related to the car’s cooling system. Do not open the radiator cap when it is hot.

5. The smell of burning carpet could be a sign of brake trouble and a safety hazard. Have your brakes checked right away, especially if this smell is happening during normal driving conditions.

6. The smell of rotten eggs is never a good one and, if you smell it coming from your vehicle, it could mean a problem with your catalytic converter not converting the hydrogen sulfide in the exhaust to sulfur dioxide properly. This smell can also be attributed to a poor running engine, causing the catalytic converter to become overloaded and fail due to meltdown.

“When you smell any peculiar odor, you should not ignore it. Instead bring your vehicle to a professional service technician that you trust to get an informed opinion on the nature of the odor,” concluded White.

10/10/2013

18/09/2013

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