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Adverts / Re: Poor Power Supply: How To Generate Your Own Power from an Old UPS...!! by carblognaija: 7:12pm On Jun 20, 2016
I have a similar setup I have been using for close to 2 years now. Can someone pls point me how to upload pics here so I can share my setup.
OP, I stay in PH too. I'll like to know more about the webcam setup. How can we connect?
Politics / Re: Transcript Of Kemi Adeosun's Interview On Channels by carblognaija: 7:56pm On May 05, 2016
Chai! Nairaland is now a garbageland. Most people just start commenting without even watching the video. The OP is just an Idiot. The Minister never said most of what the OP posted. Just watch the video and you would be so proud of Mrs Kemi. The OP simply concocted lies to make her feel bad and a lot of people fell for it and even started tribal war. The Mods are even so lazy that they no longer check the stories before moving it to front page

1 Like

Car Talk / Alibaba Set To Launch Internet Car In April by carblognaija: 5:45am On Mar 23, 2016


Alibaba, China’s online e-commerce giant is set to launch it’s first internet-connected car according to a report released on Tuesday.

According to Wang Jian, the company’s chief technology officer, details of the car, a sport utility vehicle will be made public at an event in April. He, however, revealed that the SUV is an energy-saving car that will be capable of retaining 80% of its battery capacity after it must have covered up to 160,000 km.

The car is a joint venture development between the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) and Alibaba that will be equipped with some proprietary intellectual property rights. According to Wang, Alibaba arranged over 800 researchers and invested billions of dollars into the project. He added that the internet car will not only promote people-to-car communication, it will expand car-to-car, car-to-road, and car-to-infrastructure communication.


http://carblognaija.com/alibaba-set-launch-internet-car-april/

Which way Nigeria? Can we ever get up not to talk of even catching u with these people?
Car Talk / The Maverick – Internal Security Vehicle Of South Africa by carblognaija: 9:16pm On Mar 22, 2016

The Maverick

Designed for Law Enforcement Agencies by the Paramount Group of South Africa. The Maverick carries a crew of up to 14 – with crowd-control equipment – in a comfortable, temperature-controlled environment. It was launched in Cape Town, South Africa in 2008 during the African Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (AAD).

Excellent levels of situation awareness, protection against ballistic and grenade attacks and unbeatable mobility are some of the Maverick’s key features.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a0i7yQFNH8

http://carblognaija.com/the-maverick-internal-security-vehicle-of-south-africa/
Car Talk / FBI Issues Warning On Risk Of Car Hacking by carblognaija: 9:06pm On Mar 22, 2016

The FBI recently issued a warning to the public to be aware of “cybersecurity threats” as regards connected vehicles.

According to the public service announcement released by the FBI, “Modern motor vehicles often include new connected vehicle technologies that aim to provide benefits such as added safety features, improved fuel economy and greater overall convenience. With this increased connectivity, it is important that consumers and manufacturers maintain awareness of potential cybersecurity threats.”

Also, the FBI warned that hackers may take advantage of online vehicle software updates by sending out fake messages that trick users into ” opening attachments containing malicious software”.

Chrysler recalled about 1.4 million US vehicles last year after security researchers remotely controlled a Jeep and was forced to recall millions of vehicles after Wired magazine demonstrated how hackers could remotely take control of car functions, including steering and brakes. GM and BMW recently issued security updates to mitigate the risk of remote attacks that would have allowed hackers to open doors and, in the case of GM, even start and shutdown the engine.

The public service announcement laid out the issues and dangers of car hacking and offered tips to drivers which includes:

Ensuring vehicle software is up-to-date
Being careful when making modifications to vehicle software
Exercising discretion when connecting third-party devices to vehicles
Being aware of who has physical access to vehicles

http://carblognaija.com/fbi-issues-warning-risk-car-hacking/
Car Talk / 5 Ways To Find A Coolant Leak In Your Car by carblognaija: 3:43pm On Mar 05, 2016

Coolant or radiator fluid may appear anywhere within the cooling system which includes the radiator, water pump, hoses, heater core, etc.

Coolant leaks is very easy to discover at an early stage but because most Nigerian car owners only makes use of water as coolant instead of water mixed with antifreeze in a 50:50 ratio. Using only water as coolant makes it much more difficult to locate a leak as many car owners may confuse the leak with the AC water. Here are 5 ways to find a coolant leak in your car:

Observe with your eyes: Open the hood of your car and take a look at the radiator, radiator cap, hoses, water pump and any other cooling system component. See if you can find any fluorescent-like orange, green or red liquid dripping or sprayed around and try to follow the source. This is of course if you are using antifreeze as part of your coolant. Also observe the underneath of your car for any visible signs of the colored liquid.


Smell with your nose: The antifreeze in the coolant has a very peculiar smell and is the easiest way to signal a leak in the cooling system. Whenever you get the smell of the antifreeze inside your car then you may have a coolant leak.


Touch with your hands: Make sure that the engine is not running and is cold then use your hand and feel some of the hidden areas that you cannot easily see. Remove your hand and see if there’s any liquid on it.


Observe the oil/transmission dipstick: Emulsification takes effect when oil mixes with water. This makes the oil look muddy and milky. Pull out the dipstick and observe. If it looks milky and feels muddy to the touch then you most probably have a coolant leak. This sort of coolant leak is called internal coolant leaks and occurs mainly where the head gasket is bad or there is a cracked cylinder head or engine block or leaky ATF oil cooler.


Pressure Testing: A special tool known as a pressure tester can be used to check the cooling system for anypressure tester form of leakage. The pressure tester is the combination of a manual bicycle-type hand pump, pressure gauge and a radiator neck fitting that is attached to the radiator neck. To check for leaks, the tool is used to pressurize the cooling system to the same level it would when the engine is hot. That is at a pressure that is about the same with the radiator cap. Once pressurized, see if it holds the pressure and observe for some few minutes for any visible leaks. If you cannot observe or find any leaks and the pressure is dropping, it then suggests that the leak is internal (i.e. bad gasket, cracked engine block or leaky ATF cooler).

We hope this has been very informative and we thank you for reading.

Source: http://carblognaija.com/5-ways-to-find-a-coolant-leak-in-your-car/

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Car Talk / How And Why You Should Rotate Your Car Tires by carblognaija: 9:29pm On Mar 03, 2016


How and Why You Should Rotate Your Car Tires

It is natural for tires to rotate. But we are really talking about moving or interchanging the tires to different tire positions of the car and this may even involve reversing the direction in which they turn. Tire rotation ensures that your tires wear out evenly which helps extend the useful mileage of the tire.

Why rotate tires?

The weight of the car in the front is greater than that in the rear because most cars have their engine in front and coupled with the stress of steering and braking which occurs in the front, the front tires naturally endures more weight than the rear tires. As a result, there is an uneven wear between the front and rear tires.

Secondly, car turns and twists cause an uneven wear and make the front tire to wear disproportionately. For example, in countries with Right hand traffic such as Nigeria, performing right turns seem to be a bit tighter than left turns and thus the front left tires wear out faster than the front right tires because of the greater distance the left tire will have to travel to make the turn. Leaving the tires un-rotated for so long a time makes the outside edges of the front tires to wear out faster than the other tires.

Poor alignment and unbalanced tires can also cause tires to wear unevenly. Rotating the tires keeps them from wearing disproportionately as a result and makes the steering handling and the car ride smoother and safer. Rotating tires extends the useful life of the tires and helps you save some cool Naira in the long run.

How do you rotate tires?

Rotating your car tires might not be that simple. It is not just moving tires around. No! There are certain tire rotation patterns that must be followed for maximum benefit. Following these patterns depends on a number of factors:

If you have directional or non-directional tires. Directional tires are designed to rotate only in one direction and should be on the same side of the car. As shown in the diagram on the right, directional tires have arrows on the sidewall of the tire that indicates the direction the tire should rotate.

If the car is front-wheel, rear-wheel, or all-wheel drive

If you have differently-sized tires in your car.


Same size Non-directional Tires

fwdcross pattern.jpg

Forward Cross: In this pattern, the front tires are moved straight back to the rear while the rear tires are moved to the opposite sides of the front. This pattern is particularly used if your car is a front-wheel drive.



x-pattern.jpg

X – Pattern: This is an alternative pattern to the Forward Cross used for cars with front-wheel drives. In this pattern, the front tires are moved to the opposite rear tire positions while the rear tires are moved to the opposite front tire positions.



Rwd pattern.jpg

Rear Cross: This pattern is mainly used if you have a rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive cars. In this pattern, the front tires are moved to the opposite rear tire positions while the rear tires are moved straight up to the front.



Different size Non-directional Tires

side-to-side pattern.jpg

Side-to-side Pattern: This pattern is used when you have a vehicle that the tires are of different sizes and also non-directional. In this pattern, the front tires are moved to the opposite side of each other while the rear tires are moved to the opposite side of each other as well.



Directional Tires

front-to-back pattern.jpg

Front-to-back Pattern: As mentioned earlier, directional tires are designed to only rotate in the same direction because of its treading pattern. Therefore, if you have directional tires, it can only be rotated from front to back (or vice versa) on the same side of the car. The front tires are moved to the rear tire positions on the same side and the rear tires moved to the front also on the same side of the car.

We hope this has been very informative and we thank you for reading.

Source:http://carblognaija.com/rotate-car-tires/

1 Like

Car Talk / Drive Belts Inspection & Replacement by carblognaija: 11:16pm On Mar 02, 2016


Have you ever heard a squealing noise coming from underneath the hood of your car? And it gets really noisier and annoying as the days drags on. That might be a reminder to take a closer look at the drive belt and maybe, replace it.

Most cars now use what is known as serpentine belts and have jettisoned the old-fashioned V-belts. This became necessary as modern cars keeps evolving with power-hungry accessories running off the crankshaft pulley. A car having as much as three to four V-belts, each running a different component is too cumbersome and a service nightmare.

Why replace the drive belt?

The serpentine belt or the V-belts connects the power steering, alternator, and AC to the engine’s crankshaft. It is this belt that enables the battery to get charged and none of the electrical components will work without the belt. In some cars, the water pumps are driven by drive belts. These belts don’t last forever and can wear out overtime as a result of heat in the engine and cracks or breaks. If the belt cuts, it will be difficult to turn the steering. Also the coolant that is necessary to cool the engine will not flow properly and this may lead to overheating that potentially may cause the engine to suffer adverse damage.

What if you don’t replace the drive belt?

Failure to inspect and replace the drive belt when necessary can lead to adverse effects if it eventually it cuts. If your car is still powered by the old-fashioned individual belts and one of them cuts, then the functionality of whatever component the belt was powering will cease. If your drive belt is the serpentine type, all of the component parts such as the alternator, water pump, power steering pump and AC will stop functioning. Also the engine may be damaged as a result of overheating.

Do-It-Yourself: Pay attention to these symptoms to know when a replacement is needed.

If the belt becomes loose or worn out, you’ll hear squealing noise coming from the underneath the engine compartment especially if the car is started in the morning or when turning at a sharp bend.
If the belt is broken or cuts it becomes very difficult to steer the car as power-steering function is lost.
If the battery warning light comes on.
If the engine overheats.
Required Maintenance:

Drive belt with minor cracks

Inspect the belts for cracks periodically
Discard and replace any deeply cracked or damaged belts
Ask your mechanic to check the pulleys and bearings


We recommend that the drive belts be inspected during your normal engine oil changes or service intervals. If the belt(s) are loose it may need to be adjusted. Minor cracks on the belt might not mean much but if you find deep cracks on the belt then you should be thinking of a replacement almost immediately.

We hope this is very informative and we thank you for reading.

Source: http://carblognaija.com/drive-belts-inspection-replacement/

2 Likes

Car Talk / Re: Why Changing Transmission Fluid & Filter Is Important by carblognaija: 5:53am On Mar 01, 2016
bong4:
Good day, your write up was silent on the transmission filter. When do you change that?

The recommendation is to change the filter as you are changing the transmission fluid.
Car Talk / Why Changing Transmission Fluid & Filter Is Important by carblognaija: 11:31am On Feb 29, 2016
A transmission fluid is a slippery and smooth liquid that acts as a coolant and a lubricant for all of the transmission’s moving parts. Its viscosity helps transmits power from the engine to the transmission.Different kinds of fluids are used for different transmissions. Automatic transmissions uses the automatic transmission fluid while the manual transmissions can use a variety of oils such as the regular motor oil, heavy gear oils and in some cases automatic transmission fluids. The car user manual will most times stipulate what kind your transmission needs.

Why Should I Change the Transmission Fluid?

Most car owners ignore or rarely change the transmission fluid, yet it is usually the cause of premature transmission failures. But considering how expensive it is to replace transmissions then you’ll realize that the cost of periodically changing the transmission fluid and filter is just peanuts. After a long while, the transmission fluid inside the transmission starts to break down and degrades. In a manual transmission, the contamination occurs as the bearings and gears wear out. The degraded fluid will at some point no longer be able to lubricate the moving parts inside the transmission. As a result, the transmission fluid can become contaminated with metal particles that will eventually shorten the life of your transmission making it very imperative for the contaminants to be drained out. In an automatic transmission, more heat is being generated and as this happens the fluid will become contaminated with worn bits which may ultimately lead to the transmission failure if the contaminants are not drained out. Therefore, it’s a good investment when you change your transmission fluid at the required interval.

When Should I Change the Transmission Fluid?

Regardless of whether you have a manual or an automatic transmission, changing transmission fluid should best be left to a qualified mechanic equipped with the skills and tools to do the job. Most automakers do not specify the change interval in the owner’s manual but experts recommend that the fluid and filter which is located inside the transmission be changed according to the following
intervals:

Manual: The manual transmission fluid is recommended to be changed every 48,000 to about 96,500 kilometers. When the car is under frequent use, some auto-makers suggest changing transmission fluid every 24,000 kilometers.

Automatic: Service intervals for automatic transmissions may vary from every 48,000 kilometers … to never. The change interval is typically between 96,500 kilometers to about 160,000 kilometers. However, changing it more often will do no harm.

Do IT Yourself: Transmission Fluid Level Maintenance Checks

Most automakers now label or color-code the dipsticks in the car to differentiate the Engine oil dipstick from the Transmission oil dipstick. Usually the dipstick color-coded Yellow is the Engine oil dipstick while the Red dipstick is for the transmission fluid. Some of the dipsticks may also have labels on them.When you locate the correct dipstick for the transmission fluid, you need to check the level of fluid in the transmission. Letting the car to run low on transmission can cause the transmission to shift improperly or to stop working entirely because the internal parts will no longer be well lubricated as it should. The most unfortunate thing about transmissions is that you might not have a clue that the transmission fluid is low until it’s actually late. So it’s very important that you have it checked from time to time.Here’s how you can check the level of transmission fluid in your car:

Manual: It’s not all manual transmission that has a dipstick so checking the transmission fluid in a manual transmission can be difficult. However, a few thoughtful automakers have included a dipstick to make life easier. So if you own a car with a manual transmission, we recommend you ask your mechanic to check the transmission fluid level when your car is up on a jack or lift during an oil change.

Automatic: You’ll definitely have a dipstick if you own a car with an automatic transmission. However, you need to be careful so that you do not to make the usual mistake of confusing the transmission dipstick with the engine oil dipstick.Some automakers may have a different procedure but generally checking the transmission fluid level only requires pulling out the dipstick while the engine is warmed up and running and in a parked position. We suggest you check the user manual to know the recommended procedure. Remember, you need to monitor your transmission fluid level if you notice a leak of any kind. Unlike engine oil, transmission oil doesn’t burn out. So if you’re transmission fluid is low, you almost certainly have a leak. That’s it about changing the transmission fluid and filter.

We hope this has been very informative and we thank you for reading. Please subscribe to CarblogNaija to be updated on our latest posts.

Source: http://carblognaija.com/why-changing-the-transmission-fluid-filter-is-important/
Car Talk / How To Diagnose Alternator Problems by carblognaija: 8:10am On Feb 24, 2016
How to Diagnose Alternator Problems

This post is all about how we can test the car alternator to see if it’s faulty or not. Many a time you see people change their alternators without carrying out proper tests on the alternator to see if it’s actually the cause of the problem. After changing it they find out whatever is the problem still persists. For the simple reason that the car battery is not being charged does not mean that the alternator is faulty. Before you pass judgment on the alternator, take some steps to be sure that the alternator is dead.

Check the Battery Terminals & cables – Anytime you work on car electrical systems, it’s always good to start with the battery. Do some basic checks on the battery first. The first thing to check on the battery is the terminal connections. You need to make sure that the connections are tight and clean with no corrosions on the terminals. So many electrical problems originate from poor connections at the terminals. Corrosions that build up over time can create a resistance between the battery terminal and the cables thereby compromising the performance of the battery and also the alternator. So check that the battery terminals are well connected and also check for any signs of corrosion.

Test the Battery – The next step is to test the battery with a voltmeter. This is a very simple process. Set the voltmeter to a range above the battery voltage. For instance, car batteries are usually 12v; you need to set the voltmeter to something above that (say 20v). Then connect the positive probe of the voltmeter to the negative terminal of the battery and note the reading on the voltmeter. A reading of 12v and above is a good reading but if it is above 12.6v then the battery is probably overcharged and the surface charge may need to be removed either by turning on the headlamps for some time.

Check the Alternator Output, Cables & Belt – Leave the voltmeter still connected at the battery terminals, start the engine and rev it or raise the engine a little for some time while checking the reading on the voltmeter at the same time. The reading should be well above battery voltage but not more than 15.5v. Any value more than 15.5v indicates that the system is probably overcharged. Overcharging condition is just as bad as undercharging condition. Though some alternator systems might run more than that value but most cars still maintain a reading less than 15.5v. Now if you turn up the engine and the reading is less than the battery voltage then it’s possible the alternator may not be doing its work. However, don’t condemn the alternator yet we still have a few more things to check. Check the alternator cables and wiring, especially the wires that connects to the voltage regulator, for any kind of damage. Another thing to check is the alternator belt. If the belt tension is not sufficient enough to spin the alternator, the alternator cannot produce adequate electricity. So make sure the alternator belt is tight and secure.

Voltage Drop Test – Perform a voltage drop test by loading the system. How to perform a voltage drop test was treated in our earlier post. Click here to read it.

What if we still get an unfavorable reading after the tests?

There are two types of voltage regulators – external and internal voltage regulators. The external voltage regulator is separate from the alternator assembly while the internal voltage regulator is part of the alternator assembly. So, if the voltage reading falls below the battery voltage, replace the voltage regulator if it is an external regulator. If the regulator is internal then you just have to replace the alternator. Again, in most modern cars, voltage regulation is controlled by the ECU. It just might be that the ECU is not sending the right command to the alternator to push out the required voltage. Just keep that in mind.

So this post is basically to make sure that when you remove the alternator for replacement that you are sure to a greater extent that the alternator is the problem and not something else.

We hope this is very informative. Thanks for reading.

Source: http://carblognaija.com/how-to-diagnose-alternator-problems/

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Car Talk / Samsung Connects Your Car To The Web by carblognaija: 7:39pm On Feb 22, 2016
On Saturday at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, Samsung introduced the Samsung Connect Auto dongle to join the crowded connected-car accessory space.

No stranger to competition in the mobile phone arena, Samsung will be slugging it out with other established names such as the Vinli, Automatic, the ZTE Mobley backed by AT & T, the Delphi Connect powered by Verizon Wireless and the Audi Connect with same products already in the market.

samsung dongle.jpg
Like other competitors such as Vinli, the Samsung Connect is a plastic dongle running on Samsung Tizen Operating System, which connects to your car’s OBD ll port. The OBD ll port is found under the steering wheel of most cars. Most cars that are built within the last two decades have this standard port. The Samsung Connect Auto has the capability to monitor the driving efficiency and the general operation of the car by using Samsung’s proprietary algorithms to analyze the distance traveled, time spent on the road and the quantity of fuel used.

Samsung makes use of an on-board 4G LTE data connection to transfer gathered information to a cloud-based server where it can be downloaded and analyzed to provide services such as travel logs and expense reports; GPS application services and other insurance based services. The device also acts as a WiFi hotspot for connecting other mobile devices to the Internet while in the car. It is envisaged that the Cloud-based monitoring of the OBD port’s diagnostic messages will allow Samsung to bypass the car’s “check engine” warning light by providing a “virtual mechanic” services with recommended maintenance and repair options and partnering with auto makers and dealers to deliver such services. Samsung’s release states that the dongle will be available globally by the third quarter of 2016.

Source: http://carblognaija.com/samsung-connects-your-car-to-the-web/
Car Talk / Re: I Need To Make A Good Choice For A Car... Your Opinion Will Be Appreciated by carblognaija: 7:49pm On Feb 06, 2016
Since you asked between Benz and Camry. Please take the Camry because its your first car but like many others said if you can place your hand on a good Corolla '06 fine and good otherwise stick with the Camry. Don't even touch that Benz.

1 Like

Events / We Are Here by carblognaija: 2:20pm On Feb 06, 2016
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Car Talk / Simple Strategies To A Fuel Efficient Car by carblognaija: 10:25pm On Feb 03, 2016
If you live in Nigeria then you will understand very well that fuel or PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) as its officially referred to is an essential commodity. This stems from the very fact that it is not only used for our cars but also for various other purposes such as powering our generators to provide light for our homes and our businesses as a result of absence of electric power from the public power companies. Therefore anything that can be done to lower the amount of fuel that we utilize in order to save a few Naira is a welcome development. There are a number of things we can do to control how much fuel our car consumes. Here are some simple strategies to a fuel-efficient car that will ultimately increase the MPG and save us money.
SERVICE AND MAINTAIN YOUR VEHICLE

Its a truism that a poorly maintained car gulps more fuel than a well maintained car. You get a very good mileage from a regularly maintained car and the best performance your car can provide.

REGULARLY CHECK YOUR ENGINE AIR FILTER

It is recommended that the engine air filter be checked at least every three months. The engine works harder and consumes more fuel when the air filter is blocked. Changing air filter is very easy. Just get a replacement from auto parts store. Open up a couple of clips, take out the old filter and drop in the new one. That’s it.

REGULARLY CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE

Get a tire pressure gauge. It is easy to use and is not costly. Buy one and keep it in your car. When your tires are not gauged or is under-inflated, it is harder to turn and therefore causes the engine to do extra work to go the same distance. Tires should be inflated to the correct or recommended pressure which is normally found on a sticker by the driver’s side door panel.

DROP UNNECESSARY LOAD FROM CAR

Take out any unnecessary garbage or rarely used stuff that you carry in the car. Some of us are usually in the habit of carrying extra kilograms of weight around in our cars every time. Too much load onside the car lowers the fuel efficiency and costs you money. Clear your trunk and you will be surprised at how much you will be saving on fuel.

DRIVE AT REDUCED SPEED

Revving up your engine unnecessarily increases the fuel consumption of your car and harms your pocket. Most drivers on Nigerian roads are fond of this. Some of the driving on our roads are just reactionary. We react to the attitudes of others. We get angry when the driver in front of us slows to turn to a corner or to stop. Experts estimate that driving at a reduced speed will improve the fuel efficiency of your car by 10 percent.

REDUCE CAR IDLING

prolonged car idling wastes fuel. Idling a car for more than 5 minutes burns more fuel than turning off the engine starting it up again. Remember, Idling is 0 KMPH

USE AC

Roll up the glasses when driving on the highway. When the windows are rolled up and the air conditioning is turned on, the car consumes less fuel than it would consume if the glasses where wound down. This is because the drag is reduced such that the car moves easily and burns less fuel.

Source: http://carblognaija.com/simple-strategies-to-a-fuel-efficient-car/
Car Talk / 5 Things That Can Cause Your Car To Overheat by carblognaija: 10:14pm On Feb 03, 2016

Overheating is one of the most common problems that occur in a car. If you observe very well you must see one or two cars that gets overheated while on the road. Before delving into some of the issues that can cause a car to overheat, let me give Nigerian drivers a very quick tip.

Once your car is overheating, the first thing to do is to pull over at a safe place and away from the path of traffic. Pull down the windows and turn the heater on and switch the fan to the highest level. This acts as an extra radiator inside your car. This will help bring down the temperature of the car. Now let’s see those things that can cause a car to overheat.

Air Flow Issues – Failure of the radiator fan and the condenser can cause your car to overheat. Most times dirt or some debris can block the condenser or fan and thereby prevent the circulation of air. The fan switch or fuse can also get blown. To make sure the overheating is not caused by any of these, check that the radiator fan is working. Make sure you don’t have any dirt wedged in-between the condenser and or radiator fan. If the fan is not working, check that the fan switch is properly plugged in. Look into the fuse box and locate the fan fuse. Check if the fuse is burnt and have it replaced with a fuse of the same rating.

Radiator Cap – The radiator cap performs two basic functions. First, it keeps pressure on the system measured in atmospheres (1 atm = 14.7 psi). The radiator cap has a rating. You will see the rating at the top of the cap. Some are rated 0.9 and others are rated 1.1 measured in atmospheres. radcapWhen changing your radiator cap, make sure the new one is of the same rating with the old. The second function of the radiator cap is that it regulates the coolant level. When you turn the cap, you will notice a rubber valve. This valve opens and allows the coolant to flow from the top of the radiator to the overflow tank when the cooling system is hot. When the cooling system is cold, the valve opens and allows the coolant to travel from the overflow tank back to the radiator. Overheating occurs when this valve is damaged. Radiator caps with damaged valves may allow coolant to flow to the overflow tank but will block the return path making the coolant not to return back to the radiator and thus causes overheating. To check that the radiator valve is working, check the coolant level of the overflow tank after a long commute and check it again after the engine must have cooled for some hours. An important safety tip – DO NOT TOUCH OR TAKE THE RADIATOR CAP OFF WHEN THE CAR IS OVERHEATING.

Thermostat – A Thermostat is a mechanical valve that maintains the temperature of the engine by regulating the flow of coolant within the engine. As the cylinders starts to fire, heat is generated which in turn is dissipated by coolant. ThermThe thermostat will stay closed until the coolant gets to a certain temperature which activates the thermostat to open slowly and allow coolant into the engine. Once the coolant flows into the engine, cooling the system, the thermostat slowly closes again. The cycle is repeated as the coolant gets heated up again.

There are two major problems associated with a thermostat. Stock closed and stock open. Stock closed thermostat causes overheating and happens when the coolant heats up but the thermostat could not open to allow coolant from the radiator into the engine thereby causing overheating. The easiest way to check for a stock closed thermostat is to touch the radiator hoses. In a normal working thermostat, both the upper and lower radiator hoses should feel warm to the hand. If the upper hose is hot and the lower hose is cool then the thermostat is stock closed. It simply means that coolant is not circulating in the system.

Coolant Leakage – Coolant leaks are the easiest problem to identify because the coolant may be seen dripping or seeping out from the leaky part. This is why the use of colored coolant is recommended instead of just ordinary water. This helps to easily identify the leak and distinguish the coolant from the water coming out of the air conditioning system. The coolant color may be red, green or orange.

Overheating can occur as a result of leakage in the cooling system which may come from the engine, radiator, hoses, water pump, manifold gasket, or heater core. In subsequent post, we will look at how to find and repair coolant leaks.

Trapped Air in the System – Trapped air the cooling system can cause the engine to overheat. Air can get into the cooling system whenever any part is opened for repair, servicing or replacement. When parts such as the radiator, thermostat, water pump, and hoses are worked on, there is a likelihood of air being trapped in the system. This air forms a bubble which prevents the normal and continuous flow of coolant in the system. Since air does not dissipate heat as can a liquid, the cooling system performs poorly. This problem can be taken care of by making sure to bleed the cooling system any time any of the aforementioned part was opened for servicing or repairs. We will discuss how to bleed the cooling system in later post.

There you have it. Any time your car overheats, make sure to check these 5 things that can cause your car to overheat and remember the quick fix in such a situation – turn up your heater and fan to the highest level to help dissipate the heat.

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Car Talk / Re: Pls What Is The Function Of Hood/bonnet Front Cover? by carblognaija: 11:37pm On Feb 02, 2016
it
Car Talk / Re: Help Needed!!! by carblognaija: 11:29pm On Feb 02, 2016
Ziggyzito:
when I'm approaching 160km/hr... My steering wheel vibrates. Could wheel balancing be the cause?

Check the steering arm. I have had same experience twice and both times were the steering arm. I changed both sides at the same time, went for alignment and all is good. But please jeje with that speed abeg.
Car Talk / Re: Toyota Sienna Overheating by carblognaija: 12:43pm On Jan 24, 2016
If the thermostat is removed, please replace it and I advice you get a double cell radiator. Use hot steam and blow your condenser and fan.
I don't recommend removing thermostat anyway but most people that do it, don't even know they now have to connect the fan directly. But like I said, I don't recommend it but if you must drive the car without thermostat then connect the fan directly so that once you start the car, the fan kicks in but again two things will happen. You will reduce the efficiency of the engine and also reduce the fuel economy.

1 Like

Car Talk / Re: Auto Transmission: P, N Or D In Traffic? by carblognaija: 8:36am On Jan 24, 2016
casid:


The actual has been discontinued but after thorough comments here on NL, people use oandodexron iii or ATF DW Z1 or so.. The latter is 4k for a litre which I can't afford... Meanwhile I am not ready to use abro anymore and that's why I want to seek people's opinion.. I am about to buy a new transmission this weekend and I want to ensure I do the right thing so I won't have to change again.

I open to other suggestions..

Thanks

Bros! Transmission oil is not what you change everyday or month. Do yourself a favor and buy the transmission oil recommended for your car or anyone of good quality. If you continue to say that you cannot afford a better oil and use what is not good, then be ready to be affording a new gear all the time. The transmission oil of one of my cars costs me 11k. Its not about being rich or affording it. It is about doing what is best for your car. If I can't afford it, I will better drop the car and buy a bicycle and have my peace of mind.

1 Like 1 Share

Car Talk / Re: The New Innoson G5 Suv-off-road Performance Meets On-road Comfort. by carblognaija: 8:19am On Jan 24, 2016
sultaan:
It is the same chinese built car you guys have been touting as Innoson for years begging government to please or buy for buy your vehicle.

When will it end?

If it is truly worth buying people will buy; by the way with rise in dollar value how much is he still selling his cars?

It is this mentality of yours that has kept africa from moving forward. China and India started like this by importing technologies for manufacturing cars and the Govt supported the manufacturers by enacting deliberate policies to help promote their own. And FYI, no country manufactured all the parts that you see in a car. Even some countries who we call car manufacturers do have their entire engine or transmission system manufactured by other countries. Unfortunately, when it comes to Nigeria we become our own enemies. When China started their industrial revolution we derided their effort and today what is happening, everybody is importing from China. You remember China phones like Tecno of those days? What is happening now with Tecno? Technology and peoples effort evolves one step at a time. Think!

3 Likes

Car Talk / Re: My First V6 ....pure Joy by carblognaija: 8:04am On Jan 24, 2016
Congrats Bro.

Choosing between 4 cylinder and v6 or v8 is just a choice to be made carefully especially if you have been driving 4 cylinder. I will say that driving a 4 cylinder engine is choosing economy over power and driving a v6 or v8 is choosing power over economy. It simply means that driving a v6 or v8 will set your pocket back a little bit but you'll get that wonderful driving experience that it offers.
Car Talk / Re: Trouble Code by carblognaija: 9:11pm On Jan 17, 2016
depair:
car - Toyota camry 2000
engine- I4
The following codes were retrieved after scanning

C0701, C0100, C0848, C2B10.

Kindly give me the meaning and way out.
Thanks

I am very much surprised by these codes coming from Toyota. This is more like a GM vehicle codes. Anyway see the likely suspects.

C0701 - Level control accessory inflator switch circuit open
C0100 - Rear ABS (Both sides) circuit malfunction
C0848 - Device ignition 1 (ON/START) circuit high
C2B10 - I can't figure this one out
Car Talk / Re: Which Jeep Can I Get With N800,000 by carblognaija: 8:26am On Jan 12, 2016
rockiedink:


Are you sure?

Very sure. We live in the same area. I see the car very often.
Car Talk / Re: Which Jeep Can I Get With N800,000 by carblognaija: 9:02am On Jan 11, 2016
I have a friend who is in need of money and wants to sell his Murano 03 for 900k or less depending on ur bargain power. If you are interested PM me and i will send u his number. The vehicle is still in a very good condition with no issues whatsoever.
Autos / Re: 2000 Toyota Sienna Registered For Sale by carblognaija: 10:37am On Jan 10, 2016
Bros! how much last?
Car Talk / Re: 2003 Toyota Corolla VS 2003 Toyota Matrix Versus 2003 Toyota Camry by carblognaija: 9:02am On Jan 10, 2016
DGD1:


it's @ ur dealers table.
just get yourself the camry, then you are good to go.
camry's fuel economy is great, I use two models; pencil (generation before yours) and muscle (generation after yours).

3 gbosa for you bros! There is nothing like giving an advise based on your experience rather than hearsay. Fuel efficiency might be better in Corolla but its not everything and like I have stated the difference is not significant. I have used a 2003 Camry and my big bros owns a Corolla. I have used both cars and we have compared our experiences often. From all the cars I have used and driven, Camry has won my admiration because of better handling and stability.
Car Talk / Re: 2003 Toyota Corolla VS 2003 Toyota Matrix Versus 2003 Toyota Camry by carblognaija: 8:40am On Jan 10, 2016
I will advise you go for the Camry. One thing you should check when buying a car is engine performance, second-hand value, availability of parts and fuel efficiency. Between Camry and Corolla, they both have good engnes, they both have second-hand value. The fuel economy of Corolla is slightly better. The parts for both is available and cheap but Corolla is a bit more expensive simply because those auto parts dealers have termed it the Bank car because its the official car of most Nigerian Banks and once they hear Corolla they tend to jack up the price a bit. All-in-all, I will chose the Camry over Corolla especially if its your first car and because I've had a wonderful experience with it.

3 Likes

Car Talk / Re: Vehicle Tinted Glass Permit Now Free-nigerian Police. by carblognaija: 8:27am On Jan 10, 2016
Nothing comes from Nigeria Police that is free. Believe that news at your own peril. By the time you get frustrated you will be the one begging to pay a fee.
Car Talk / Re: Which Jeep Can I Get With N800,000 by carblognaija: 12:50am On Jan 07, 2016
ayomidegambari:
Please nairalanders, what kind of tokunbo jeep can I get with N800,000.
Cc:lalasticlala abeg help me put am for FP, I need this asap.

Send me a PM
Car Talk / Re: What's Wrong With My Car? by carblognaija: 11:06am On Jan 04, 2016
omotades:
@carblognaija@ Gazzus, thanks so much for ur responses. It never occurred to me that nozzle issue could affect gear performance. Nozzle was serviced as the car was misfiring, too. Pronto, the gear picked. This is a lesson for me all d same.

I really don't think that the nozzle has anything to do with the gear issue. Pls next time you change the gear oil, change the filter too.

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