The 4 Most Important Maintenance Items on Your Vehicle

Modern cars don't require as much attention as they did 50 years ago, but don't let that give you a false sense of security – there are still several things you need to keep after.

BY ADAM BREWTON from Primermagazine

We’ve all been told that keeping up with our vehicle’s maintenance is important. If you look in your vehicle’s manual, you see there are enough service reminders and maintenance points to make your head spin.  Fortunately, there are a few main areas that will, if you remember to keep up with, keep your car operating safely and reliably for years to come.

How to Prevent Brake Fade

Brake fade is a very dangerous condition in which your brake pedal feels like it is working, but your car does not stop. In some case, it can happen even if your vehicle's brakes are new and the entire braking system is in good working condition.

What Causes Brake Fade?

Friction Fade
This is the most common and main cause of brake fade. Friction fade often occurs when the driver presses lightly on the brakes (just enough to slow the vehicle) with letting go while driving down a very long hill.
To prevent brake fade you should press on the brake pedal firmly, then let off to give them a cool down period. To furt... Read more

Throwback Thursday: 1973 Volkswagen SP2

The SP2 was born in the late 1960s in Volkswagen’s Brazilian arm. With the end of the original Karmann Ghia, VW Brazil was left without a sports model, and government rules all but barred imports. The new German manager of the unit, Rudoph Leiding, set out to design one himself, using the VW Type 3 chassis as a base. What flowed from his sketches was a two-seat hatchback that combined several trends in styling for the era – from the long hood to side gills on the rear pillars and low-slug lights – while looking unlike anything Volkswagen had built before.

The resulting “Project X” two-seater was fir... Read more

How To Diagnose Shock & Strut Problems In A Car.

Your car's suspension system is an intricate network of cooperating (usually, anyway) components designed to give you a smooth, even, stable ride. Since the suspension is ground zero when it comes to road abuse, the parts wear out, and even break. If your car doesn't seem to ride like it used to, you may have a problem down below.

SYMPTOM: FLIP-FLOP WHEEL SHIMMY
Wheels seem to wander and wiggle rapidly back and forth.

Low or uneven tire pressure - check tire inflation.
One or more wheels out of balance - have wheels balanced.
Uneven or excessive tire wear - inspect tires and replace in pairs.
Vehicle... Read more

Are some tires safer than others?

A lot of thought has gone into the latest automotive safety technology. Many people today wouldn't think of driving a car without things like electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, and airbags.
Yet, one of the most important safety features on a car is something most people don't even consider a safety feature: the tires.

There are lots of different tires on the market today. You can get everything from racing slicks to mud and snow tires -- not to mention the all-season tires most new cars come with. When it comes to tire safety the safest tires are the ones that are well-matched to your vehicle and those that are... Read more

ThrowBack Thursday: Audi 100 C3 Review

The third generation Audi 100, launched in September 1982, had an aerodynamic look, achieving a drag coefficient of 0.30 for its smoothest base model. The increased aerodynamic efficiency resulted in better fuel economy. The design was in contrast from the boxy shape of the C2. Audi innovated flush windows on the C3, a key area for aerodynamic drag that has been adopted by virtually all manufacturers today. The aerodynamic body gave the 100 higher top speed than other cars of similar engine size. A new technology introduced in the C3 included the procon-ten safety system

Also called Hongqi Mingshi
Production: 1982 - 19991 (... Read more

Fuel Consumption - V6 or 4 Cylinder?

Do you buy the base four-cylinder, or upgrade to a V6? For most car-purchasing decisions, this is an important question to think through. And usually the trade-offs are simple: you can pay more for more power and less efficiency with the V6, or save money and gas with the four-potter. And with fuel prices staying volatile, four-cylinder engines are becoming all the more popular: for example, Hyundai’s new Sonata has been engineered to be four-cylinder only. But according to Consumer Reports, the differences between the V6 and the four-cylinder option aren’t always as clear as you might expect.
Interestingly, CR’s ... Read more

Symptoms of a bad/failing AC compressor.

The AC compressor is one of the most important, if not the most important, components of a vehicle’s air conditioning system. It is responsible for pressurizing the AC system and keeping the refrigerant flowing so that it can function properly. Because it functions in a continuous cycle on and off, it is subject to wear every time the AC is turned on. Usually, when a compressor begins to fail it will produce a few warning signs that alert the driver that it has a problem. The compressor is responsible for pressurizing and distributing the refrigerant, so if there is any problem with the compressor, the rest of the AC system will b... Read more

Signs of Automatic Transmission Problems

1. Transmission Fluid Color and Condition

Automatic transmissions use transmission fluid (or ATF) to operate the clutches and bands needed to change gears, not to mention cooling and lubricating the many parts of the transmission. But transmission fluid doesn’t last forever, which is why it’s crucial to check your car’s transmission fluid at least once a month. Checking the fluid of your transmission can tell you a lot about its condition as well as if it needs to be changed.
Dirty or burnt fluid are instances where your transmission is just begging for a fluid change. New transmission fluid is a transpare... Read more

ThrowBack Cars: Australian Toyota Corolla Seca Review.

The Corolla E90 was the sixth generation of cars sold by Toyota under the Corolla nameplate. In general, all models departed from the previous generation's boxy styling for a more contemporary look and improved aerodynamics.
In December 1988, Toyota formed a joint venture with Holden called UAAI to build and market the Toyota Corolla as the Holden Nova. This agreement paralleled two Corolla generations including both the E90 and E100 series.

Australian Market Chasis:
AE90 — Sedan, Hatchback (SE)
AE92 — Sedan, Hatchback, Seca (CS, CSX, Spirit, SE, SX)
AE93 — Hatchback, Seca (SX, GTi)
AE9... Read more