Glass Talk
Did you know that 55% of the car accidents that causes serious injuries to the drivers and passengers are caused by poor visibility?
It is important that the glass windows are cleaned regularly. The glass is an important part of the car so we should take good care of it. Make it a habit to clean the glass inside and out every morning. The glass is what you see when you are driving and if it is full of dirt, you are not really safe. Can you drive with mud or dark paint on the glass? Of course not! Wait, Do I need to explain further?
Check Fluids and Tires
Planning to go out-of-town with your family and friends? Better check the car fluids and tires to avoid car accidents while on a trip. Here are a few reminders to all drivers out there:
For the Fluids:
Check engine oil and coolant, differentials, transmission , brake, clutch (if hydraulic) and battery electrolyte.
Change or refill as necessary. If needed.
Keep important records.
If any of the above mentioned is very low, you may have a major leak.
Find the cause and repair before you hit the road.
For the Tires:
Check air pressure, add if needed.
Look at sidewalls for signs of dry-rot (dry and cracking rubber). If you see rot, it might be a good idea to replace the tire(s).
Does the tread come up to at least Lincoln’s head on a penny (2/32″)? If not, better replace the tire(s).
The 2008 Corolla Altis takes a step up (Part 4 of 4)
Active safety features include Antilock Brake System Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist, combined with the 15-inch front and rear disk brakes for better braking response.
Passive safety features include standard Toyota Global Outstanding Assessment (GOA) body structure, dual SRS airbags (for V-grade), and Whilpash Injury Lessening (WIL) Concept front seats.
The 2008 Corolla Altis will be available in the 26 Toyota dealerships by March. And in its 42-year history, the Corolla has been the sedan of choice for 32 million owners in over 140 countries. In the Philippines, the Corolla was one of Toyota’s first models to be sold. It has become one of the country’s biggest-selling vehicles, with over 170,000 units sold since 1989. The Corolla is manufactured in 16 countries.
The 2008 Corolla Altis takes a step up (Part 3 of 4)
The 2008 Altis has a two-level glove box, drink holders for both front and rear passengers, and as much as 21 separate storage compartments placed all throughout the cabin. Trunk spaces guarantee the storage of as much as four golf bags, which can be maximized further if 60:40 slit rear seats are folded completely.
The 4-cylinder, in-line 16 valve DOHC VVT-I engine offers maximum output of 132 ps/6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 170Nm/4,200 rpm for the 1.8 variant while the 1.6 liter variant offers maximum output of 109 ps/6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 145Nm/4,400 rpm.
MacPherson Strut Type front suspension and rear torsion beams are implemented for better handling stability and driving comfort. Sporty 10-spoke 16-inh alloy wheel design is available firtge V-grade while 7-spoke 15-inch alloy wheels are available for the G and E grades.
Things to know about your car
Having trouble with your car again and you have absolutely no idea why? Here are some info that could clear things out.
Old oil can ruin cars, even new ones
Your car stalls when your drive belt do
The car radiator does more harm than good
The air filters can choke the engine
You don’t have to go to the dealer for car service
Red lights can lessen car performance
If your differential isn’t functioning well, you’re off the road
if the car’s transmission breaks down
If your oil breaks down, your engine will too
The 2008 Corolla Altis takes a step up (Part 2 of 4)
The new full-model change Altis starts with 15-inch rims, starting with the 16-inch rims for the high grade. The current entry level and midgrade variants have 14- and 15-inch rims, respectively, for the high grade.
The new Altis has three grades, two engines and five variants: the high-end V grade in 1.8 and 1.6 liter automatic transmission, the G grade at 1.6 liter automatic and manual transmissions, and the entry level E grade at 1.6 liter manual transmission. Color options are gray metallic, medium silver metallic, silver metallic, beige metallic, black mica and super white. It features an 8-way power seats that can be adjusted down to the millimeter, combined with the tilt and telescopic steering. It has steering switches for control for the audio system and multi-information display (MID). The MID shows current and average fuel consumption , cruising range, average speed, elapsed time and fuel unit changeover. The MID of the V-grade has a DOT matrix feature for standard reminders.
The 2008 Corolla Altis takes a step up (Part 1 of 4)
With Over 30 million satisfied Altis owners worldwide have proven that their car is indeed a revolution in evolution. It’s now sportier and roomier too.
The 2008 Altis has now new overall dimensions: length of 4,540mm (from 4,530), width of 1,760mm (from 1,705), and height of 1,465mm (from 1,480). With these newly reduced external dimensions it made the interiors more spacious that means more headroom both in front and at the rear.
The 2008 Altis is now equipped with electric power steering from the previous models of equipped with hydraulic steering, making sharp turns on narrow roads a whole lot easier, and automatic transmissions models come with super electronic controlled transmission, programmed to utilize the best gear in relation to road conditions, also automatic models have multi-mode transmission (sequential transmission) with 4-speed gate-type automatic transmission (the multi-mode sequential) is available in 1.8 V-grade.
Oil Change
To save time and money. Lets say For 10-20 bucks you can get the best oil and a brand new oil filter and you can do it on your own so you spend much more. So here we go.
In theory changing oil is easy to do.
- Drain the old oil.
- Replace the oil filter.
- Add the new oil.
In the car owners manual, most auto manufacturers recommend changing the motor oil every 6,000 miles for normal service, or every 3,000 miles for severe service. I change my oil every 6,000 miles so I won’t get hassled with sudden engine failures and such.
Use oil that meets the American Pertroleum Institute (API) classification SL, use Valvoline, Quaker State, Pennzoil, or Havoline brand oil. These quality oils contain additives that make them work better and longer.
Ok… on to the oil change
Let the engine cool off. Now Almost all cars have enough space so you can crawl underneath to reach under and change the engine oil. But if you have lowered suspension a jack would be a useful assistant
Step 1: Draining the old oil.
Locate the oil drain plug and place a pan under it to catch the oil. With a box wrench, remove the oil plug.
When the oil stops draining, reinstall the drain plug.
Step 2. Replace the oil filter.
Move your oil catch pan under the oil filter. Using an oil filter wrench to get it started, remove the oil filter.
With your finger put a thin coat of oil on the new filter’s gasket to make it seal better.
When the vehicle is running, the oil pump puts the oil under pressure. If you don’t install the oil filter tight enough, the oil will come gushing out. If that happens shut down the engine immediately! Without oil, an engine will lock up within seconds.
Warning! Don’t over-tighten the filter. Follow the instructions above carefully!
Step 3. Add the new oil.
Locate the oil filler cap on the valve cover. I’ve seen newbies pour motor oil in everything from the master brake cylinder to the radiator cap. Make sure you have located the the oil filler cap. Remove the oil filler cap.
When pouring the oil, you would be wise to use a funnel between the oil can and the valve cover oil filler hole.
Look in your car owners manual for the correct volume to put so as not to overfill it. Most engines have a capacity of four or five quarts. Don’t overfill the crank case. When you run the engine the extra oil will be blown out through the PCV value, possibly stalling your engine.
Replace the oil filler cap.
Source : Honda Cars DIY
Delightful T[h]reats: A Revisiting (Part 2)
The Toyota Camry dons a whole new look that contrasts with its reserved forerunner of the same model. Very sporty and quite comparable with BMW’s early-millennium 7-series, the Camry shows off an aura of power. It has aerodynamics that satisfies speed needs and also answers to fuel economy. It’s biggest plus is the automatic detection of the remote commander for keyless access and setting-off.
Ultimately, is the much updated Honda Accord. While it shows off familiarity, many can’t help but do a double-take because the obvious exterior refinements it went through. The Accord is very sporty at 236-horsepower with 3.0 liters, giving off an effortless maximum acceleration. And with the speed one can get, it never hurts to bask in the breakneck glory with its 6-speaker audio system.
(to be continued)
How to Keep your Car Smelling Clean
It is a must that your car always smells clean, and this is not possible if you do not keep the cleanliness inside your car. Car washing is not enough; it is more important to be fussy about the inside of your car.
One must be warned, however, that a brand-new smelling car is not always clean. This “brand-new” smell is often caused by molecules that are invisibly floating around due to volatile inorganic compounds (VOCs). Some VOCs are rubber, plastic, and cleaning solvents and these are toxic to human health. To get rid of this toxic brand-new smell, you should drive with an open window during the first four to six months after buying your new car.
As you use your car, other smells are likely to materialize and such smells can be caused by actual internal car problems. For one, exhaust fumes may be the result of a problem in the exhaust system. Another is that, a burning plastic smell may be due to any kind of plastic that your car might have run over and got stuck to your car’s hot exhaust. Also, the smell of oil is likely caused by engine leakage. These things must be regularly monitored not only for a good-smelling car but also for a well-conditioned car. Smells can lead to car breakdown if left unattended.