Have you ever wondered why men prefer to take better care of
their cars than of their women? What I’m about to write may seem offensive to
our women readers but then again, it should come as no surprise.
Let’s consider the common behavior of men. Who or what do
we turn to when we argue with our woman? Simple, two places – 1) We’ll go to
the nearby bar to cool off and at the same time attempt to seek answers from
God about why women can never make any sense; 2) We’ll go for a drive in our car.
(My personal best)
Now, a woman has never been able to understand why her man
loves his cars’ so much. Some even wonder if their men are actually having an
affair with their ride. Well, if it were possible, most women would end up
being single.
Let’s consider the common
man's behavior as soon as he drives his newly purchased ride out of the
showroom or car sales shop. Firstly, he’ll go for a drive for as long as
possible to ensure everything is performing up to expectation. Next, upon
reaching home, he’ll probably walk around the car to envy it once more before
heading home. Some may even speak to the car and compliment it which I usually
do after every drive home. I believe in personally thanking him for the amazing ride home. Finally, the one thing that gives a man better
satisfaction than what women could ever possibly provide is the moment he finishes
washing his car. The feeling is tremendous. We could just stand there for an
hour or two in silence smiling at that beautifully shaped piece of metal shining its colour and texture our.
Also, ever wondered why a man could spend hours and hours at
a car workshop but would start to complain when he is kept waiting for an
excess of 15 minutes by his woman? Answer: By waiting for a woman, he has lost
15 minutes of his life with no way to recover it back. Where else, by spending
hours at the workshop, the car would be able to recoup the time lost by
providing him with comfort and speed at his control.
Another good reason why men treat their cars better is due
to the fact that women tend to be argumentative without making sense. Also, if
a woman’s day has been bad, the first one who absorbs the effects would be the
man. However, with regards to his car, the car has no bad days and neither does
it argue back when scolded. The car generally performs up to expectations most
of the time as long as the car is properly maintained. Maintaining the car
would also be easier to maintain than women.
With that said, i guess cars can be seen as a consolation from God for
men since women is a must to have in one's life in order for mankind to carry on its
existence.
End
_______________________________________________
Meters and Gauges
14 Sept 2008
So, whats the big idea with installing aftermarket meters
and gauges to monitor the car's performance? Isn't the standard meters
such as speedometer, fuel gauge, engine temp, RPM, outside temp,
mileage tracker and clock more than sufficient? Also, the newer models
of cars have the fuel efficiency meter. It shows the driver how many
km/l he has done on the average or while driving based on how he
controls the accelerator. I do think this is rather useful.
However, there is something i don't quite understand but also, i do hope you readers wont take this the wrong way either.
Like
what i said in my first blog, it takes over a hundred engineers to
combine their brains and come up with the design and specs of a car. If
anything other than the standard meters in the vehicle was necessary,
they would have installed it in. However, I'm only referencing my
opinion to cars that are completely stock or original, or to the extent
that the engine, turbo and other major components of the car has not
been touched.
I
have seen many cars with meters surrounding the driver. It looks like a
plane's cockpit. However, how does the driver concentrate on the road
and monitor all those meters at the same time? Then again i ask myself,
do these drivers really need so many meters or are they just out to
deceive other drivers about the possible performance of the vehicle?
Well, i guess only the driver concerned can answer that question.
Personally,
i don't believe in installing so many meters. All i did install for Rex
was install a turbo timer which i can conclude as a requirement for
turbo cars. That's because after long trips or when the the turbo is used to boast the car along the trip, the engine needs to cool down.
Therefore,
by leaving the engine to idle for afew seconds and allowing the engine
fan to cool the engine down would help to preserve the engine and turbo
life. However, Im not sure why it wasn't included as a stock item.
Only
if major components are changed, than i would assume the stock settings
of the car would be affected. Therefore, as a new major part is
introduced to the vehicle's system, it would be wise to start
monitoring the effects of the new part with respect to the vehicle's
performance by using meters or gauages.
End
_______________________________________________
Fuel Efficiency
13th Sept 2008
It
is no
doubt that because fuel cost is rising, drivers are feeling the pinch
every
time a top up is due and every inch they travel as long as the engine
is running. Let’s face it, fuel prices are
skyrocketing and there's nothing we can do about it till the world runs
dry
from it. Hopefully by that time, a new form of energy comparable to
fuel will
be developed. However, I’m not taking about vehicles that are fully
battery operated,
hybrid or natural gas powered. Although these forms of vehicles are
cheaper to
maintain and environmentally friendly, they could not be compared to
our good
old fully fuel powered engines in terms of performance or power. So
basically, one has to
compromise on the car's performance in order to substantially maintain
a thick wallet. I would agree that that sounds like a logical move
however, not so
for me.
As
a car enthusiast, i would not consider anything other than a fully fuel
operated vehicle and only till the world runs out it would i consider other
options. In the meantime, let’s address how the majority of drivers using fuel
could make the best of the litre. These are just the minor ways for
stretching your cent. Its also the minor saving that accumulate and make the major
ones. Therefore, every penny counts to me.
The 5 easiest ways to increase fuel efficiency are:
1)Be sure to check your vehicle’s
tyre pressure weekly or fortnightly. Weekly advised.
Reason: Tyres tend to lose pressure due to the
expansion and contraction of air within the tyre. This generally happens while
driving or on hot days. As a result, due to the loss of pressure, the car
becomes harder to move and therefore, the engine must burn more petrol.
2)Clean your vehicle regularly.
Accumulation of dirt on the car body would increase
air resistance compared to a clean and smooth surface vehicle. If air
resistance is increased, the car would require more energy from the engine to
counter the resistance.
3)Service your car regularly. Normal cars are usually every 10,000km but most turbo
cars every 5,000 – 7,000km
Pistons tend to work less well as the oil in the
engine gets dirtier. This is due to the higher amount of friction that the dirt
causes to the piston.
4)Do not carry unnecessary load in
your car. (As for me, I didn’t use to carry my spare tyre. But do note, im not
asking you to follow suit)
The more load your car has, the heavier it gets and
the more fuel the engine burns to move the car. Remove all unwanted things from
your car boot.
5)Changing gears at the correct RPM
can help significantly.
Don’t strain every gear. The average rpm to change
gears would be below 3000RPM. I usually changed gears on Rex at 2400rpm for
gear 1 – 2, 2500rpm for gears 2-3, 2700 for gears 3-4 and 2800 or 2900 for
gears 4-5. Also, try to keep your speed to 90km/hr. That has been proven to be
the most fuel economical speed for cars.
Hope you
find this useful. Do email me should you have other ways to increase fuel efficiency.
Till then, take care
Welcome back. Some of you readers may find this current update thrilling while a handful of others, otherwise.
It was Sunday and Dad gave the orders
for the family to leave Melaka for Singapore around 7pm. We spent the
whole weekend there. Partially to clean up our house there but mostly
to spend some quality family time alone.
Melaka and KL trips were probably the only
way Dad and Mum could keep their 6 children within their sight without
one or more of us going out to meet friends as we didn't have any in
Malaysia. Anyways, because the family's attendance was full on this
trip with 8 of us in total, we took 2 cars. My Mum's Honda Oddessy and
Rex. However, I had to practically argue for my Rex to be allowed to
travel up as my Dad does not have a good impression of Japanese cars in
terms of safety and weight due to the high speeds on the North-South
Highway. Well, after much pursuation and reassuring of my car's safety
and all wheel drive feature, he finally agreed. I do usually do
Malaysian trips with friends using my car but when family is concerned,
my dad gets a little paranoid.
After dividing the family up into the two cars, 5 in the oddessy and
3 in mine, we begun our trip back home. Dad (sitting at the front
passenger seat) and my younger brother sat in my car. Therefore, i couldn't attempt to speed.
Once i collected the toll ticket from the Melaka Toll booth, the
supposedly smooth journey began. In all honesty, i was putting on my
best behavior and traveling between 110 n 140km/hr for a good half an
hour till a red Malaysian Car came tailgating behind me. He tailgated
so close that when i looked in my rear view mirror, the driver seemed
like he was sitting in my car. I decided to change to the left lane to
let him pass. To my surprise, he didn't pass but changed to the left lane
and carried on tailgating me. It was at that point i wished my dad was
sitting in the oddessy so i could sort this tailgater out. O well,
since i couldn't do much at that point, i decided to slow down to
90km/hr in hopes that he'll pass me. Instead, he pulled out from the
left lane, unto the right and drove at my speed beside me. He started
to blow his loud exhaust at me. Dad asked me if i offended him and i
replied no. So he asked me to just maintain the road limit and dont do
anything "FUNNY". With fingers crossed, i said alright.
I slowly decided to pick up speed and the car followed suit. He
was driving a Honda Civic but i was very doubtful of it having an
original engine. Knowing alot of Malaysian cars, the car body is as
decieving as a drivers blind spot. I hit 170km/hr and he followed
behind me. By then, i was already on my right lane and he was back at
his tailgateing habit. So i decided to try 200km/h. His pick up wasnt
that fast but he managed to come back close.
Suddenly Dad
remarked that the fine in malaysia for speeding was heavy and if im
doing anything more than 110, dont regret when i get pulled over. In
other words, that sounded like music to my ears as that was his version
of consent to speed.
I just told my younger brother to sit tight and enjoy the ride.
In my mind, i knew i had to show this joker tailgating me what Rex was
capable off.
I decided to go at 220km/hr and the distance
between me and him lengthened. Only to shorten again when his ride
caught up with his exhaust roaring behind me again. I knew his car
wasnt stable at high speeds so i decided to slow down to 200 for his
safety. Too bad he wasnt appreciative and came beside me and roared his
exhaust at me again.
Feeling unappreciated, i decided to slam the accel and cut
infront of him and sped off. I reached 250 and saw him desperately
trying to close the gap. i maintained at 250 till i saw smoke coming
out from his engine compartment and the distance started to lengthen
drastically.
I
don't mean to sound heartless or anything but i do
suspect his engine blew and thought it served him right for making me
ruin my best behavior which i was trying very hard to maintain.
Probably
because Rex looked flashy and had a Singaporean number-plate, he thought he could mess
around. I guess the only messing that guy did was mess his engine up
real bad.
"Power is Nothing Without Control"
Thank
you for staying tune to my blog. More interesting blogs to come. In my
next blog, i will talk about fuel efficiency. Till than, take care.
Is there a difference between a Dream car and a Goal car? Is there such a thing as an all in one car? Looks, Reliability, Performance, Safety, Affordability, Comfort and most importantly Fuel Efficiency? I guess we could label it 'God's Personal creation' init?
Well, in my opinion, a dream should be regarded as the negative form of a goal. Dreams usually occur contrary to reality. Therefore, we should always regard what we seek to accomplish in life as a 'goal' and what we do not intend to accomplish, or it being too remote from ones abilities, as a 'dream'. If only our dreams could be accomplished in reality, wouldn't we all be contented and happy people? Well, everyone know that humans are never contented even though some may beg to differ.
However, a goal completely opposite. A goal projects a person's aim to attain an objective sometime in the future. However, a goal must compliment the person's ability and should not be too remote. Therefore, both the terms "Goal" and 'Dreams' must be utilized wisely. The constructive usage of both terms does somewhat reflect the mindset and potential of a person.
Considering a reality check-
How many times have you taken your mate's talk about his/her dreams to own a Ferrari, Porsche or even a Lamborghini seriously? Most dreamers will leave it in the hands of God to grant them a lottery win. As a result, what kind of impression does that leave unto you? Wouldn't you have less faith in what he intends to accomplish given that he solely depends on God without putting in any effort? So at the end of it, whats the point of having a dream if the person knows its not within his/her capabilities or abilities to accomplish it? Whats the chances of winning a lottery? Even so, would you think God will simply grant just anyone a lottery win? I do however perceive that lottery wins are usually awarded to people whom actually require the money to bail them out from the lines of poverty or for those whom have done many good things in life and therefore deserve to be rewarded.
"One good turn deserves another. The reward will come in 2 folds"
Lets try to be more realistic and turn to the more positive side of life and use goals to attain what we want. I am a realistic person therefore my goals with respect to life and cars are not far fetched. I do not follow trends but set my own style and flow with it.
Therefore, I believe when a person acquires a car, it must be for the reasons of meeting that persons needs and expectations and not just because that vehicle is the preferred choice of society or the envied choice of ones neighbor. It may sound funny but at the same time surprisingly common and true. Its exactly like saying the intentions for purchasing your car is because your friend, whom is so popular and respected by society, has it and the reason being his car as a contributing factor. However funny too that may sound, like i said, common among 'showoffs'. So, to put it in another way, does it mean public transport users are not popular? I would assume, judging by the amount of people whom have shifted to utilizing public transport due to the petrol hike, one would become very much popular using that mode of transport than sitting in a cabin with 4 or 5 passengers. Well, that's just my opinion.
Moving on to car talk. Since young, i always had an eye the Honda Civic SIR (4dr) and Subaru WRX. However, if given a narrower choice of either one, it will be hands down the WRX ofcourse.
In 2005 Aug, a white WRX became a part of my life. I named him REX which i assumed would be a common name among other WRX drivers but it did not matter. The manly name suited the car. All i can say is, he was treated better than a person would treat his wife or son.
I cleaned him twice a week with the best quality car grooming products. Servicing and minor wear & tear repairs were carried out regularly. In addition, i verbally complimented him many a times as in literally speak to him. And NO, i did not get any reply from Rex so don't bother asking. But then again, some people do talk to themselves, their pets or even plants. So, it did not matter if i spoke to my car. I do however believe in the follow quote related to me by a close friend.
"Take good care of your car and in return,
the car will take care of you"
Back to Rex. As mentioned earlier, my perceptions of a WRX were always high. Naturally i would expect these perceptions to become reality now that i acquired Rex.
Indeed he met my high expectations and if i could add, even exceeded it.
It took me almost 6 months to get used to Rex after purchasing him. After which, i occasionally brought him to the track to run. He completely outdid himself and amazed me everytime he performed. I would say REX was infact "GOD's personal creation"
With regards to fuel consumption, on a normal drive mode, REX would do 9.5 - 10km/liter. Otherwise, 14- 18km/liter which i still consider quite reasonable given the overwhelming power.
Many a times, I drove Rex up to Melaka and KL but only once to Penang. The Penang trip took me close to 6 hours due to traffic conditions and stop overs. Nevertheless, the high speeds attained throughout my Malaysian trips were very much consistent. My fastest time from Malaysian Customs via woodlands link, to Melaka Toll, given the 3am traffic conditions and cool temperature of air on the highway, was 1hr 20 mins. The toll to toll time alone was 46mins and 199km in distance. It was only from that funny incident upon my arrival to melaka did i realize the toll ticket which we usually collect from the JB toll booth before using the north south highway had the time, the ticket was collected, imprinted on it.
I can still clearly remember the remarks i got from the guy manning the Melaka toll booth when i gave him my ticket. Firstly he complimented Rex by saying " Bang, ini Kreta chantek ah" meaning "Mr, your car is beautiful". Seconds later, he said "Wa Bang, ini timing apa sial. Kreta power. ini apa kreta?" meaning "What sort of timing is this? Powerful car. What car is this?" I was almost going to burst out laughing as his face complimented his tone of voice and slang.
Generally, WRXs in Malaysia are uncommon. Malaysians do however prefer and support Mitsubishi Evos. It could be mainly due to Mitsubishi's affiliation with their local brand of Proton or maybe, its because Singaporeans tend to prefer Subarus more therefore, Malaysians must differ and compete. Anyways, both countries have been competing since God knows when so one more wouldn't make a difference.
There has been a long and traditional trend for Subaru WRXs and Mitsubishi Evos to tend to compete with one another. Thats is probably due to the close performance specs of both models that they vigorously try to outrun each other to prove a point. So much so, at times, both driver tend not to give way to each other even though a race is not in progress.
Back to my record time Malaysian trip. I covered a total of 250km including a pit stop to refuel. The top speed Rex ran at touched 257km/hr, and it maintained that speed for roughly 1 minute before dropping back down to 230km/hr. However, i do remember while maintaining 257km/h, there was an interval when the road dipped downhill and the speed went up above 260km/hr but that was the max reading on my speedometer. Therefore,i could not gauge accurately how fast the car actually went.
By the time i reached Melaka, 3/4 of my full tank was gone but it was worth the adrenaline of Rex's performance. Even at 260+km/hr, he was nevertheless very stable and smooth. Also, the accelerator pedal was not at the maximum depression. The funny thing was, I was not the least worried about getting pulled over by the cops.
I don't know how true this is but a Malaysian guy once told me that the highway police radar guns can only detect speeds up to 160km/hr. Well, i cant say that i actually took him seriously but then again, i never got caught too even at the random road block. Well, i guess i could say God was on my side during those times as that was his personal creation which was tearing up the highway.
In all honesty, I do not have anything bad to alert readers to with regards to Rex. Maybe one though. Pearl white body colour is extremely hard to maintain.
Other than that, he's perfect. Never once did he lose a casual road challenge nor let me down in anyway. Ofcourse there are much more powerful WRXs running on the roads but i guess we all have a friendly mutual understanding that we dont race one another but instead, wave to one another as a form of greetings. However, thats just more than what i can say for the other brands. No Offense.
Generally, Rex was almost stock and probably that's the reason why every component of Rex complimented one another resulting in un-compromised power. Also, i never fitted any meter gauges on him as there was no reason to. My reasons are as follows.
You may not believe me but like a wise man told me once too many times -
"if a car is left stock/ original, the car can easily last for min 10 years without any major repairs."
In addition,
"It takes over a hundred engineers to put their heads together to come up with the specs and dimensions of the car and combination of parts that work well together, but only 1 salesman or mechanic to change your mind to alter the specs."
However, i would not say that all aftermarket parts or mods are bad but they generally do not agree with the other components of the car. Therefore, one may realise that after altering the specs to his car, his trips to the workshop, due to defects in the part installed or other complications, tends to increase tremendously needless to say the cost of each visit to the workshop.
Thats all for now.
Stay tuned for my next update in which i will relate an incident or more like a road bully i encountered on the Malaysian Highway. Till then, thank you for reading my blog.
