Diesel and Dust

23/04/2025

Preventative maintenance - coolant replacement also flushed the cooling system.

Road to 500 000km 💪👌 (currently on 493 361km)

Suzuki SA SX4 2.0 Crossover.

16/04/2025

Suzuki SA about to announce something. I can see Cricket South Africa , but that's about it. We'll keep you posted.

You first saw it on Diesel and Dust

08/02/2025

06/02/2025

There's a Polo Vivo on our stoep. Came in for front brakes, new brake pads and discs were replaced.

31/01/2025

Uneven wear on brake pads indicates underlying issues, in this case, a binding brake caliper. Advised client to buy these as in yesterday.

The effects of binding brake caliper(s):

- greater/accelerated wear on the pads
- greater fuel usage
- overheating of the discs

17/01/2025

How to spot overheating in your car:

Overheating can be caused by a burst water pipe, a cooling fan that has failed or a fan belt that broke (this turns the water pump for circulation).

Tips:
- get to know where your temperature gauge sits under normal circumstances
- get used to monitoring to temp gauge and stop immediately when you see it rise, you might start noticing steam coming from the engine (stop the car immediately and seek help)
- when the battery light comes on when driving, it's a sign of a broken fan belt, car will start to overheat and it will not be charging the battery. Stop the car immediately and seek help.
- always make sure that you use coolant in your radiator and not just plain water, this will help with overheating in summer and freezing in winter, will also help keep rust away from the cooling system. Coolant also helps to keep the cooling pipes in a supple condition, brittle pipes are prone to cracking and failing.

Damages caused if unnoticed:

It will eventually warp your cylinder head, possibly blowing a head gasket resulting in the car mixing oil and water thus failing.

This is an expensive repair that can easily cost R20k or more depending on the extent of the damages.

16/01/2025

OMODA/JAECOO claims top 10 position, thanks to the 655 units sold in December only (since their launch in April 2024, 1595 units have gone to their respective new homes).

- JAECOO 7 is most popular, while the
- OMODA C5 reciprocates.

15/01/2025

This year GWM HAVAL South Africa plans to further unsettle the local SUV market with the upcoming launch of their flagship model, the Haval H7.

Some quick facts:

- two models available the Haval H7 Luxury 9DCT (R601 950) and the Haval H7 Super Luxury 9DCT 4WD (R671 950)
- available in ICE or HEV, 2WD or 4WD
- comprehensive features with ADAS standard
- same platform as the H6 but wider and longer with a 210mm ground clearance
- all LED lights
- full wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- dedicated off-road screen
- two powerplants available both powered by the HAVAL 4N20A 2.0-litre turbo engine (170kW/380Nm and 179kW/530Nm)

- 7yrs/200 000km warranty
- 7yrs/75 000km service plan
- 8yrs/150 000km Hybrid High Voltage Components warranty

15/01/2025

From the Ford stable:

As they say, "local is lekker!"

10 interesting facts on the Struandale Engine Plant:

- This plant opened in 1964, making it the first dedicated engine assembly plant in South Africa
- It has produced 11 different engine programmes over the past 60 years: Essex V6, V4, Kent, 2.0L OHC, CVH, Pte, Mazda B-Series, RoCam, and current production of the 2.2L/3.2L Duratorq TDCi, 2.0L Single Turbo/Bi-Turbo and 3.0L V6 Diesel
- The Struandale plant machines the cylinder heads for the 3.0L V6 Diesel engine, and assembles the engines
- In a Ford-first, the same assembly line also produces the 2.2L and 3.2L Duratorq TDCi engines. The combined installed capacity of this line is 130 000 engines per annum. It can produce one engine every 120 seconds
- Production of the Duratorq TDCi engines includes component machining of the cylinder head, block and crankshaft
- The popular 2.0L Single Turbo and 2.0L Bi-Turbo engines are produced on a separate assembly line with an installed capacity of 120 000 engines per year – or one engine every 134 seconds
- The assembly lines feature multiple fully automated robotic and camera stations that ensure the highest level of production quality
- Every engine produced is subjected to a Cold Test cycle to validate quality. In this test the engine is run at pressure without being started. Additionally, rigorous dynamometer testing is conducted on-site at scheduled intervals to evaluate performance and durability
- The entire birth history of each engine is recorded with Ford’s online Quality Management Systems. This documents each step of the manufacturing and assembly process for traceability and quality
- In August 2023, the Struandale plant produced its 4-millionth engine – a remarkable achievement!

15/01/2025

Mazda Southern Africa starts the year with a bounce in their step. The brand also emphasizes it's commitment to the local market, and we can look forward to some exciting new models.

These new additions are:
- the CX-80, a premium 7-seater PHEV
- all new CX-5 Next Generation
- Mazda 6 and
- the CX-60 PHEV

15/01/2025

https://ridefast.co.za/antipant-antipoaching-run-sun-19-january/

The Antipant-Antipoaching Run is taking place this Sunday 19 January from Magnolia Dell in Pretoria at 7am for the start of the run at 10am.

11/01/2025

Evolution of the Toyota Corolla