MECHANIC'S CORNER: Chevy Optra Repair & Fix

Chevrolet Optra on the lifter

This week a Chevrolet Optra came in the shop where the driver was complaining about noises from the front wheels and other issues. So the owner had the car get checked out in the shop.

Upon inspection, it showed that there is much wear and tear on the unit. A lot of the bearings as well as stabilizer joints and other portions of the suspension needs to be replaced.

Also it was seen by the mechanic that  the engine was leaking into the oil pan. Having such, there is a need to replace the overhead gasket on the engine to stop the leaking and avoid further damage to the car's engine. A minor fix and no need for an engine overhaul.

This is one perfect example of how regular maintenance is an important aspect in keeping your car running for a long period of time. If you avoid the basic minimal maintenance it might reach a point where you will have to spend more on having your car repaired in the future. So please don't disregard basic maintenance as well as having your unit checked upon observation of anything out of the ordinary like unusual handling or noises upon using your vehicle.

Oil Pan with the leaked oil

MECHANIC'S CORNER: Ford Everest Maintenance

Draining the oil

This week a Ford Everest from the Basilica del Sto. Niño came in the shop for a regular maintenance which involves a change oil as well as replacing the timing belt with a new one.

The role of a timing belt is crucial as this connects the engine to the other components that make up the car, for instance the alternator, compressor, etc. In the event that the timing belt snaps, this is bad news since this will damage your engine instantaneously. Not only that, it will also cost a lot to have this type of engine damage to be repaired as it will entail a general overhaul of the engine.

So to be safe, have your timing belt inspected regularly, and in case you notice and cracks or the belt becoming brittle, don't waste any time and have it replaced before more damage is done.

Timing belt to be replaced

MECHANICS' CORNER: Honda City Maintenance

Where spark plugs would be removed and install the new ones

This week a Honda City came in the shop for a basic maintenance, having a tune-up and a change oil. This is important to keep the vehicle's engine in good condition and running for years to come. In addition, having a car that is well maintained allows it to run smoothly and efficiently.

Image of Mobil 1 Synthetic Oil, Oil Filter and Spark Plug

Here, the owner requested for a synthetic oil to be used upon changing the oil. Now typically, this is not common standard as utilizing synthetic oil is much more expensive up to P1,000 - P2,000 more than the regular oil. The upside to this is that synthetic oil last longer, in the sense that you can run your vehicle longer distances prior to changing your oil once again. This is usually advisable for high-end vehicles (as specified by the manual) as well as those vehicles that are used frequently and travel long distances.

Over-all, we cannot highly emphasize the importance of a simple change oil and regular maintenance. It is always better to spend a little on maintenance than spend a lot on repairing or even replacing a damaged portion of the car.

5 Tips on Buying your First Car

Excited to purchase your first car? Here are some tips on what to look out for when purchasing your first car.

1) Find a car that fits your need & budget

You have to assess your need and why you're purchasing your car. If ever your purchase is for city driving then it is smart to look at compact cars such as Kia Picanto, Toyota Wigo, Honda Jazz and the like which are cost efficient and easy to park. Also take into consideration the number of passengers that you would be driving. Is it just you and your significant other or will it be a family car, in which it would be best to get a bigger car like a sedan or an SUV.

By establishing your need and use, you can now look at your budget which leads to the second tip.

2) Shop around for auto loans

Auto loans nowadays are very competitive. With the good economic standing of the Philippines, car loan rates are at an ultimate low. Some banks offer better rates than others thus it is always good practice to look around and canvass for the best deals. It is not always beneficial to take the first offer that you get especially the offers from the dealership.

3) Get the shortest loan term you can afford and make early or extra payments when you can

Upon taking that car loan, shorter is always better. Usually the longer the loan the cheaper your monthly amortization will be however if you calculate your monthly expense, you will find out that you will actually be paying more for your car in interest compared to acquiring a shorter term loan.

So when able, it would be best to take the shortest loan term and when blessed with extra, allocate some of those funds to paying your car loan.

4) Find the best car insurance rates

Insurance is another cost that you have to take into consideration when acquiring your first car. As we say, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Accidents are a part in everyday motoring life and we can drive confidently knowing that we are covered in case anything goes wrong during our drive.

Just like banks, there are numerous insurance companies out there competing to get your business. Shop around and don't get embarrassed to ask around for quotes as well as getting to know the details of the coverage. This will save you time and hassle whenever the need arises that you would claim from your insurance.

5) Test Drive

Seeing is believing! The most important part when deciding on purchasing your first car or any car for that matter is getting the feel for the unit that you are thinking of acquiring. Upon your test drive, you can actually get to know and familiarize yourself with what you are about to buy. If you are not convinced with the performance or any other reason, don't force it. There are other cars out there.

Personal Tip: Based on experience, I highly suggest that you also look at the availability of parts for the vehicle that you are thinking of buying. As a repair shop, we've experienced certain car brands and models stay in the shop for weeks at a time waiting for their spare parts to arrive.

Not to mention the cost. Original parts will always cost more compared to third party or surplus parts. So it's also something to consider. My advice, take a look at the car brand/models on the streets, if it's common, then rest assured there are spare parts highly available in the market.

Over-all, the final say is up to you. If you missed it and want to know the long-term costs of your car. Check the infographic from the previous posts here.

Enjoy your brand new car!

Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

MECHANIC'S CORNER: Toyota Hilux Transmission Problem

Hilux on the lifter for pull-down of transmission

This week a Toyota Hilux came in the shop having an issue with the lack of responsiveness of the pick-up when shifting gears. Obviously this is a transmission problem and is easily fixed by replacing a few parts within the transmission.

So in order to begin the repairs, it is necessary to pull-down the transmission and disassemble it in order to reach the necessary parts to be replaced.

As seen in the image below: is the clutch disc, clutch brake and clutch pressure (highlighted in red) which is the usual culprits for replacement as it gets worn out over time and heavy use. Once these parts are replaced with new one's, the transmission would be put back together and installed.

Image of the propeller shaft, flywheel and clutch disc assembly to be replaced

When driving your car please be vigilant with any noise, smell or other signs that may alert you that something is wrong with your vehicle. At your utmost convenience, have your vehicle inspected by a professional. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Happy Driving!

Note: When having your vehicle inspected and it seems that the mechanic or shop is providing you with a high expense for the repair other than your initial concern, you can always opt for a second opinion by dropping by another shop and asking for their view. You never know that a fix to your problem is something very small and have minimal costs.

MECHANIC'S CORNER: Toyota Avanza Aircon Cleaning

Removing dashboard to make way to clean the aircon

This summer aircon maintenance is an important thing to keep the cool air flowing in your vehicle as you drive around town.

This week a Toyota Avanza came in and had their aircon cleaned as part of their maintenance asides the fact that their aircon is not that cool anymore.

So the first step in cleaning the aircon is to remove the dashboard to reach the evaporator located behind it as seen below. Upon doing so, the freon will be drained and will be replaced including the o-rings, expansion valves and other small parts after the cleaning process has been completed.

Evaporator to be uninstalled for cleaning

Removing the evaporator

The process of cleaning the aircon is pretty simple from washing the condenser, evaporator and compressor with flowing water as well as spraying air through the filters to make sure all the dust and dirt is removed. However cleaning the aircon is a lengthy process as many portions of the vehicle would have to be removed and cleaned. On average it takes a whole day (6-8 hours) to fully clean the air-condition.

A clean air-condition unit not only guarantees cool air to flow in your car but also a clean and fresh air without the undesirable odor. So have your aircon scheduled for a cleaning before summer ends and before you get busy with dropping the kids to school.

Top 5 Benefits of Keeping your car clean!

Detailing your vehicle not only keeps it clean, but can also help it to look great and perform better over the long run. If you have not yet detailed your car, do it now and allow it to shine this summer!

1. Enhanced Image

Your clean vehicle is an extension of yourself. If you have a clean car it reflects who you are and makes a great first impression, especially to the ladies (if you are single, married guys stick to your wife).

2. Lower Maintenance and Repair Costs

A clean vehicle means lower costs. Good maintenance that improves vehicle performance and eliminates unnecessary repairs is bound to save us a few hundred pesos. That is why a clean vehicle should be a priority for you.

3. Longer Vehicle Life

Dirt and mud can shorten a vehicle's life by causing and concealing corrosion on metal and other parts. Vehicles that are cleaned regularly serve longer and perform better.

4. Improved Safety

Clean vehicles are safer because you have maximum driving visibility, sure footing while entering and leaving the vehicle and easier operations of tailgates, doors, etc. Also clean vehicles are more visible to other drivers.

5. Lower Your Stress Level

Living in a cluttered environment can cause stress and drain you of your energy. A clean car should be a sanctuary for you as you spend hours in your car headed to work and stuck in traffic or a long drive to the province with your family.

Over-all just remember, a clean car is a happy car!



Source: https://sites.google.com/site/brecksvillecarwash/announcements/top5benefitsofkeepingyourcarclean

Do I need to Rustproof?!

Applying rust proof coating on the rear door of a Toyota Vios

This question is actually debatable and can garner various answers. The option to rust proof or not really depends on the owner of the vehicle. 

Short Answer: OPTIONAL!

To help you decide on whether you would want to rust proof your car, read on to learn more about the pros and cons and whether it is beneficial to have it done.

Generally, car manufacturers today have different types of metal and treatment that protects the car from rust and other elements straight out from the factory. However if a car has been in an accident, and unprotected steel was exposed, there's still a chance of rust occurring. 

Applying rust proof coating on the interior door of the driver's side

But what is rust?!

Rust is a form of corrosion. This happens when iron (which is in steel) and oxygen mix with air or water which leads to rust. Eventually, rust over the body of a vehicle will cause it to disintegrate, leaving holes on the body of your car. Corrosion can also occur when dirt or moisture accumulate in a car's body.

A major contributor to rust is salt. 

Chemicals on the road, as well as the humidity and huge variations in temperature is also a contributor to rust.

Rust proofing will protect the body of your car from moisture, salt and other harmful elements. Basically, it can lengthen your car's life. To add it also protects other portions of your vehicle such as electrical areas like battery terminals, wiring harnesses, switches and plugs from moisture. Lubrication of moving mechanical parts like brake cables, suspension components, and door hinges is another benefit from having a rust proof. Keeping these areas protected will greatly reduce repair cost and vehicle breakdown.

Especially in the Philippines where automobiles are not cheap and we want to keep it running for a long time, investing in rust proofing is highly beneficial. Not to mention that we are surrounded by numerous contributors to rust from the sea and humidity.

On the downside, rust proofing is not cheap and can go from P3,750 all the way to P11,000 depending on the make and model of the unit.

Ultimately, the choice is up to you. If you can afford shelling out for a rust proof and want your peace of mind, then by all means do so. There is no harm in making sure that your car is well protected against any elements out there.