Auto Repair FAQ

You should change your air filter every 20,000 km or once a year. But if you’re driving mostly on city streets or dusty roads, it’s a good idea to change the air filter in your car more often, or to at least inspect it regularly.

• Uneven tread wear.
• Vehicle pulling to the left or right.
• Your Steering wheel is off-centred when driving straight.
• Steering wheel vibration.

Conventional oil (mineral oil) comes from crude oil. When gasoline, kerosene, diesel oil and heavy oil are distilled from crude oil, the remaining heavy parts are refined to produce mineral oil, which constitute the main components of some lubricants (in the form of base oil). The use of this mineral oil to produce oil modified with chemical additives is called mineral oil. Because mineral oils come from natural products, their molecular form is not ideal, and there are other substances with non-lubricating function, which will affect their performance. On the other hand, total synthetic oil is synthesized from ethylene by chemical method. Compared with mineral oil, its molecular structure is synthesized for lubrication performance and has more advanced properties, including high temperature stability and oxidation resistance. Because of its high performance and quality, the base oil synthesized by chemical method is more suitable for applications requiring high performance.

Even when you’re not driving, chemical changes take place within motor oil that lead to degradation and the need for an oil change. Oxidation is a prime culprit. The interaction between oxygen molecules and motor oil molecules naturally leads to chemical breakdown. Just as oxygen causes a cut apple to brown or exposed metal to rust, it breaks down base oils and reduces motor oil’s effectiveness.

So if you ever exceed your motor oil’s recommended time limit, don’t assume you can keep driving just because you have yet to exceed the mileage limit. All motor oils, even top-quality synthetics, have to eventually be changed regardless of how many miles you drive.

Braking system is one of the most important systems in your vehicle. With good brakes, your vehicle will be able to bring to a safe stop in all kind of weather and road conditions.

The following are some indications that your brakes require an inspection from our mechanic.

• Vehicle pulls to one side or the other when the brakes are applied
• Grinding feeling in brakes
• Brakes are slow to respond
• Brake light on dashboard is red/flashing

It is important to be aware when things don’t seem right in your car, have it inspected. It can prevent breakdowns and can reduce costs by minimizing damages to other components.

The main function of a car battery is to start your car. Today, most cars have a single maintenance-free 12-volt acid battery (in the photo). A car battery is rechargeable. It uses its charge to power the vehicle systems while it’s parked and to turn over the engine when you want to start it.
Once you start the car, the alternator generates additional electric power to recharge the battery.

Over time, a battery loses its capacity or ability to hold charge. One day, a weak battery will not be able to start your car. Often, this happens when the weather gets cold. When the battery is too weak to turn over the engine, the car will need to be boosted to start. To avoid this situation, a battery should be replaced before its capacity drops to the critical level.

On average, a car battery lasts from 5 to 7 years. The battery lasts longer if the vehicle is driven daily and the battery is kept fully charged. When the vehicle is parked for extended periods of time, the battery deteriorates sooner.