Keeping electrical woes at bay Regular maintenance involves more than just periodically checking the coolant level and replacing a split wiper blade. Keeping a vehicle in a roadworthy condition means keeping an eye on everything that can deteriorate and acting in good time to prevent breakdowns and failures. The vehicle’s electrical system is no exception […]
When the needle of the temperature gauge starts heading towards the red zone you know that it is time to act. Getting stuck in traffic can easily lead to the engine overheating. If you are lucky, the engine will not actually boil over this time but maybe the next! If the cooling system overheating is […]
Do fuel systems really need to be cleaned? You might be forgiven for thinking fuel systems no longer need any attention, after all, with modern refining technology fuels have never been so clean. The fuel system, however, is not a sealed system, nor is the engine itself. So, no matter how high quality the fuel […]
Do modern engines really need friction modifiers? You might be forgiven for thinking that with the advent of high-tech oils and advances in materials and engine technology, the need for friction modifiers was a thing of the past. Surprisingly, the need for friction modifiers is actually increasing, not decreasing. Emissions standards and fuel economy requirements […]
The short answer is that the range of applications for copper grease is diminishing, which doesn’t render it obsolete but means that it is losing its relevance in the workshop. Brake component lubricants are an inexpensive consumable used when replacing brake parts. A good brake grease is integral to correct brake system operation and can […]
Pro maintenance for the catalytic converter system The catalytic converter and other system components, such as the oxygen sensor need cleaning periodically. Vehicles that spend most of their time being driven around cities are prime candidates for building up deposits in the catalytic converter. Despite fuels being cleaner than ever, particulates from combustion still build […]
Anyone who has tried to get encrusted underseal off car parts will know how tedious and time consuming it can be. Wouldn’t it be great if you could cut that particularly annoying corner and save yourself the arm-aching work and the self-mutilation involved in removing bitumen-based underseal? If you use rotating wire brushes or abrasives […]
Exhaust aftertreatment system maintenance All filters need to be cleaned or replaced at some point. In the case of gasoline particulate filters (GPF), for instance, particulates from the combustion process build up over time, despite fuels being cleaner than ever before. In the case of diesel particulate filters (DPF), most of the difficulties experienced by […]
The current energy crisis is forcing people to find ways to reduce all forms of energy consumption, from turning down the heating at home, to making only essential journeys in their vehicles. If you rely on your own vehicle to get around, there are a number of ways to minimise fuel consumption. While some methods […]
A pool of fluid forming under the vehicle caused by a leaking coolant component is not a welcome sight. When the cooling system springs a leak, it can quickly become a danger to the engine, but if treated quickly need not cost a fortune to remedy. Plug the leak The main thing to do if […]
